Chapter 105

“In- in fact, huhuu. I knew. That there was no place for me from the beginning. I knew it, but I didn’t say it. I was told to wait, so I stood quietly in front of the theater…”

Alice wiped the tears away with her little hand.

I quickly rummaged through my pockets and pulled out a handkerchief.

“Actually, I wasn’t as sad as I am now. But when Miss Emir covers me with clothes and blankets like this and lends me a handkerchief, tears are suddenly pouring out …”

Alice looked like she didn’t know why she was crying. I gently patted her shoulder. Alice cried for a long time. It was like she’s pouring out all the tears that she’s been secretly shedding alone.

“……Hmm, huuk. Miss Emir. Thank- thank you so much for today. It’s almost time for the show to end, so I guess I’ll have to go.”

As the sun was getting darker, Alice looked out the window and saw the large clock tower in front of the theater, and stood up.

“Oh, and this… I’ll give it back. Thank you. It was so warm.”

“No, Alice! The sun is setting and it is cold. Take it with you.” I was startled and reflexively answered.

Alice bitterly replied, “If I wear such a nice cloak and have a blanket… My sister will take it away and ask about it.”

“Ah……”

“Take it back.”

The blanket and cloak that kept Alice so warm returned to my arms. I went back to my original seat and looked at Alice’s back, who was standing at the same place as before. The performance seemed to be over. The audience was rushing out and getting on their respective carriages.

But why was I waiting?

When Alice got out of the carriage, she said I could now go and didn’t have to mind her. But I kept watching over her until she met her family.

‘Because I’m worried…’

In the end, it took a long time for Alice’s family to return. They were wearing warm fur coats and were beaming at each other. Just like a harmonious family. But the moment they saw Alice, their smiles disappeared. I could see them saying a few short words to Alice.

‘I can’t hear what they’re saying. It would be better if they weren’t being mean to Alice.’

Soon, Alice got into the carriage with her family. Just before she got on, Alice glanced at me. I waved my hand quickly.

* * *

It was the weekend. Even in this world, there is no work or school on the weekends. That’s why I didn’t go to kindergarten. Unlike other weekends, I was locked up in my room and lost in thoughts, thinking only on one subject.

Alice and her family yesterday.

Then, I thought about what I could do for Alice. Of course, there was never a clear answer.

“Miss? Do you have no appetite today?”

“Hmm, I think so.”

“No wonder. You left half of your favorite chicken stew, so I thought you might be sick.”

Breakfast time is my favorite and yet I failed to finish the food.

“Miss! The dresses that you shopped with the princess yesterday have just arrived!”

Even when the clothes arrived and the nanny and maids delivered the good news delightedly, for some reason it was difficult to be truly happy.

“Hmm……”

“Oh? Why are you so weak? Do you have a fever? It’s not…”

The nanny who got me out of bed with my arms and legs limp helplessly tilted her head as if it was strange. She checked on me if I had a fever by placing the back of her palm on my forehead, but shrugged her shoulders.

“Nanny understands.”

“Huh? What?”

“Why you are so weak”

I paused for a moment at my nanny’s confident tone.

Nanny, did you even learn mind reading without me knowing?

“There’s a rumor about how famous the Crown Princess and the Lady were on the Rosé et al yesterday. They said that you swept through several shops? You’ve been shopping like that, so you’re just tired.”

Unfortunately, the answer was wrong. I raised the corners of my lips and smiled, “Her Majesty gave me many presents, nanny.”

“I mean. Being close friends with the princess, our lady is really amazing.” The nanny exclaimed joyfully in a voice of admiration.Somehow, the nanny seemed happier than me. It’s good if the people around me are happy.

“Yeah, so I’ll nap a little more. I’ll try on my clothes in the evening.”

“Would you? Then I’ll have to draw the curtains.”

Fortunately, the nanny did not suspect the lie. Soon, the door was closed and the room became quiet again.

“……”

I stared blankly at the dim light coming through the blackout curtains. I thought of a possibility, but things didn’t seem to add up.

Ah, it’s frustrating!

Just then I had a moment of realization.

“……Ah! That’s it!”

Eureka!

I jumped out of bed as if there was a spring on my back. The answer came to mind suddenly. Recalling the setting in the original novel that I had forgotten, I opened my eyes and continued to shout, ‘Yes! Yes!’.

The nanny, who was waiting in the room outside, rushed in to my sudden cheering. She thought there was a thief or kidnapper in my room.