Chapter 20

After having a light breakfast in her room, Alice walked out. When she went downstairs, she already found people loading things into the carriages. Few servants bowed down on seeing her, and then got busy with their own work.

"Milady, follow me" she heard a voice from behind.

Alice turned and found Maria standing straight, looking at her sternly.

She nodded and followed her quietly. Thought it was rude for a servant to order their master and look in such a disrespectful way in this world, but Alice let go of it knowing that she is Alicia's stepmother's servant. It won't bring anything good by teaching her manners.

But it felt it isn't the first time she behaved in this way. Was she always like this even with the original Alicia? Even since she first met, she felt hostility from Maria, who always looked at her coldly. Why?

Maria led Alice towards the garden. There she found the Duchess sipping the tea alone, under the bright sunlight. Maria led her to sit on the empty chair. Alice sat obediently and looked at the peaceful step-mother, smiling radiantly at her.

"Good morning my dearest. Did you had your breakfast?" the Duchess greeted.

"Good morning mother" Alice said smiling, alerting herself, "Do not worry mother, I had my breakfast."

"I heard you were unable to sleep peacefully last night. Are you tired?" her mother inquired in absolutely worried tone.

If she hadn't known she is a part of a game, she would have been completely fooled.

"No mother. I am quite energetic after sleeping" Alice tried to calm her worried mother.

"It is the fault of their rough beds. They said it was the best inn in this village. But it is nothing good."

"It is fine mother. We can't blame them since it is just a small village."

"Ah… I forgot. I heard you saved a small dog last night. Your amnesia even made you forget your fear for animals."

Alice smiled at her, and wondered why is she so informed about everything.

"Yes. I was unable to see a pitiful animal drenching in the rain, so I thought to provide a roof for it for a night."

"Hmm. Look your father is coming" the duchess said, looking behind Alice.

Alice turned and saw her father coming towards them, walking in a perfect way, with his luxurious suit, in a small garden. His maroon hair waving in the air and his eyes pointed at them.

He came and sat on the empty chair.

"Good morning father" Alice greeted.

"Ah… good morning" her father greeted back.

"You look tried father."

"Those bastards can not do anything well. I have to guide them and check everything."

"I understand."

It isn't others who are not doing well. It is the Duke who cannot get used to being free. Alice remembered her past life, when she used to inspect workplace whenever she found some free time. She would say she want to check if everything is going well in the company, but actually she just wanted to do something.

"Mother, Father" Stella came running.

"What happened dearest" the Duchess said with the same smile.

"Look at that Danny, he is not allowing me to hold puppy" Stella said pitifully.

"I said you not to call me Danny" Daniel came shouting from behind, carefully holding the small animal in his arms.

"You are now acting like a spoiled person. You have no right to claim yourself as elder brother" Stella reverted back.

Daniel's turned red as he blushed.

"I am doing for the sake of its safety" Daniel said pointing at the furry ball he is holding, "Sister saved it so we shouldn't let it feel uncomfortable."

Why is situation again pointing at me? Alice thought.

"I understand. I understand. So stop fighting" the Duchess tried to calm them.

"Why are you concerned about it" Alice said what was in her mind, "we are going to leave it behind when we depart from here."

"Who is going to leave it?" Stella asked, shocked.

"It is saved by you sister. We have decided to take it with us" Daniel said seriously.

Alice sat there, puzzled and dazed, thinking what was going in their innocent minds.