Chapter 26

3 years later.

Emma opened the big door of the third floor and dragged the table she brought along inside. She walked into the quiet hallway filled with the shelves covered with books, as the table rattled on the ground. She walked as quietly as possible, her steps knowing its destination.

At the corner of the room, she saw a lady, much beautiful then any angel sitting beside the window as the morning sun fell on her. Her maroon locks that reached her shoulders, blew because of the morning sun. Her loose gown, that she specifically asked for being comfortable, covered her soft skin. Her blue eyes were fixed on the book she reading, completely ignoring the other person's presence.

"Milady" Emma called.

Her lady turned towards her. Her eyes reflected Emma clearly. Her red lips became crescent and a smile slowly emerged on her face. She looked beautiful as she smiled gently.

"Your snacks" Emma reminded.

Alice put down her book and took the plate that her maid handed. It was chocolate pastry. She took the fork handed by Emma and poked it.

"Sister" as she was about to eat, she heard her younger sister call.

Everyone in the mansion knows that if want to find the first lady, go to the library on the third floor. If she isn't there then find her in her room or in the garden.

Alice looked towards the source of voice and saw a young girl running towards her. Her long blonde hair was tied in two ponies. Her green eyes were filled with tears. Her cute pink dress waved along with her.

Stella has gotten taller and has been suffering from mood swings recently. She is already twelve, so it is expected. She is entering into puberty.

"Daniel bullied me again" she complained.

"What happened?" Alice asked tenderly.

She made Stella sit beside and fed her a piece of cake she was holding.

"He said I am too stupid to learn how to dance. I know girls of my age would have already become expert but I don't know why I cannot learn it well. Is it my fault for not having talent?" Stella explained.

"No, it is not. Stella, tell me if you feel difficulty, I will ask mother to cancel dance class."

"What are you talking about? People will laugh if a noble lady does not know how to dance."

"Who dares to laugh at my sister? I will pull out their tongue."

"Forget it. I will just work hard. Can you teach me?"

"Me?"

Alice learned the etiquettes quickly even though she was new to them. She was always composed whatever she did, so it was nothing weird. Even she was scared when she has to learn how to dance, but thanks to already professional body, she mastered it in less than a month. She just had to remember steps and process, and her body would move under her command very perfectly.

Alice got up and held her sister's hand. Though she doesn't remember it well as her dance classes ended quite abruptly, she was able to lead her sister. As she danced, Stella even told her faults and about her wrong steps and helped her correct them. Though it was supposed to be Alice teaching Stella, for some reasons, it turned opposite.

An hour later, Daniel entered the library with Snowball. Even Daniel grew up and had become more mature, but he is still as childish as before. Today he wore a green suit that went well with his green eyes. His blonde hair swayed in air as his aura became more intense.

Snowball is no longer a small puppy but a grown-up dog. He is of Stella's height with a big well-built body. His teeth became sharper and his tongue longer. But the gentleness in his black eyes has still not escaped. They soothe people around them.

Stella jumped upon Snowball and rubbed it. She frowned at her brother and saw her disgust. Daniel also scowled at her and greeted Alice. They played for a while in library, even letting Emma join them and then went to the garden.

As Alice continued to read under the shade of the tree as Emma served her, she continued to watch her younger siblings. The duchess saw Alice alone and decided to accompany her as she still has some time.

"My dearest daughter" she called like always, her face brightened by the smile.

"Oh mother! Good morning" Alice greeted.

After living peacefully after all this time, Alice has already forgotten her suspicions and doubts, and started to enjoy her life fully.

"What are you reading?" the duchess asked.

"It's a novel about a prince trapped in politics of the Empire and how he raises as the King" Alice said.

"That… is quite an interesting plot" her mother hesitated as she complimented.

"You are right."

"Why don't you read some different types of book. Like… you are a young unmarried lady… so things like love stories or…."

"Mother, they are not interesting."

"Uh… I understand."

The Duchess felt awkward to continue the topic so she tried to change. As she searched around for another topic when her eyes fell on Alice's hair.

"Alice, do you want to cat your hair? They have grown quite long" her mother suggested.

She looked at her locks. When she attended dance class, she felt irritated due to long hair due to sweat. She once suggested to cut down her damn hair during conversation. When her mother asked about it again, Alice honestly said her true feelings. During the journey from capital to fief, she always felt difficult to handle the long hair.

It was Emma who helped her. In her past life, she did not have time to care for her hair, so she always preferred to have short hair. When she came into Alicia's body, although it looked beautiful, but the long hairs only made her feel uncomfortable. The Duchess immediately invited a talented barber next day who cut her hair till her shoulder level.

"Yes. I am planning to call for the barber next week" Alice said.

"Then I will send him a letter" the duchess said.

"Fine."

And so the day passed by normally like any other day.