Chapter 16

Two days passed without any trouble. As Alice laid in her bed, people all around the mansion were busy packing and shifting. The workers worked double hard due to preponed departure date. Duke Etkinson didn't come home these two days and only arrived an hour before the departure.

As Alice walked down the stairs, she could see the place more elaborately. Being holed up in her room, in the name of rest, made her really bored. As she walked out and the saw the garden, that she often saw through her window, she felt refreshed.

She saw a beautiful carriage waiting for her. It had a symbol on it. a white flying Pegasus. Probably the symbol of the family. She turned around and saw the mansion she was staying in. It was much bigger than she imagined, with thick stony walls and creepers going all around it.

The hallways were decorated with marbles and gold that sparkled under the sunlight. The carpets were made of silk and wool and the furniture made of wood and rocks, were carved beautifully by skilled craftsmen. The thick round pillars are surrounded by the lamps of floral design made of giltwood and bronze and creepers wrapping around it.

The maids, servants and knights were lined up in the front, secretly glancing at her. Ever since she woke up, she stayed in her room the entire time. Only few people were allowed to enter. Only once she appeared for breakfast. But only few servants were allowed inside the dining hall that day. Everyone was curious about her. Only few people of the mansion were notified about her amnesia.

As she went towards the carriage, she found her whole family waiting for her with brightened face.

"Am I late?" she asked nervously.

"No, my dearest" Duchess Etkinson said and pulled her hand gently. She led Alice to towards the carriage, where her father offered her hand that she took gladly. Alice climbed into carriage first, followed by the duchess, Stella and Daniel. The duke was last to enter and sat beside his wife.

Alice was sitting in middle of the Stella and Daniel. Stella started chatting with her while Daniel silently greeted. Alice smiled looking at the completely opposite nature of the twins.

"Sister, the mansion of out fief is as big as this one" Stella said boastingly.

"Oh really" Alice tried to sound surprised.

"Sister, stop acting if you are bad at it" Stella complained.

"Well, it isn't surprising. Given our status of the ducal family, it should be the least thing" Alice said flatly.

"Ah…yes. Even if sister forgotten everything, you still haven't forgot about our important family status" Stella said teasingly.

"Stella, stop irritating you sister" the duchess said and asked Alice, "Alice, are you fine? Do you want to sleep? You must be tired after sitting for so long in the carriage."

"No mother. I am fine. And Stella isn't letting me get bored" Alice said smiling.

"Fine" the duchess nodded.

"Sister" Daniel called awkwardly.

In these two weeks, Alice has rarely seen opening his mouth. If it was not for Stella's provocation, she doubted whether she would get to hear his voice.

"Yes?" Alice turned towards him.

"If you are tired you can say. You don't have to sit for the sake of Stella" he said.

Alice understood his concern immediately.

"I am really not tired "she said.

"But…"

"My younger brother is so worried about me. It really makes me happy."

"Obviously I will be. You had such a big accident recently. I am really scared. I hated myself for not protecting you last time. I cursed every time I saw you lying in the vegetative state. Sister, take care of yourself for few more years. When I grow up, I will protect you from all those disgusting worms."

"Daniel" the duchess called gritting her teeth.

Alice was amused how he called the male leads worms. It lightened her heart.

"Fine. Protect me well, Danny" Alice said.

"Danny?" he questioned, surprised.

"Yes, your sister wants to call you Danny from now on. Will you allow her?"

"You can call me however you wish, if you are happy about it."

"Then even I will call you Danny, Danny" Stella suddenly declared.

"I didn't give you permission, stupid. And you should call me brother. I am elder than you" Daniel said with cold face.

"Just by five minutes. What's so great in that?"

"Do you know what can happen in five minutes?"

"Fine. Fine. I will call you brother. Please don't answer that question."

"You…."

"So that is why Daniel have been focusing on swordsmanship since past few months" the duke suddenly remembered.

"Yes" Daniel said with straight face.

As the mood in the carriage was cheerful, Alice claims and questions on Alicia's life became even stronger. In the game, though they were never shown, but it was shown that these twins were as evil as their mother. Alicia was closer to them then her brother from the same mother. Players really wondered why Alicia liked her step-siblings more than her brother. How come she won't two these adorable kids?

They made her laugh and smile and worried about her at the same time. Were they evil? No way. They looked more honest than wicked. Can they play with their sister for the sake of inheritance? She cannot believe such nonsense.

So she can only conclude two things. Either their acting skills are too good or Alicia was actually not a villainess. If Alicia is not a villainess, then she was an innocent victim of the power play. What is actually the life of the original owner of the body. She doesn't know.