Chapter 285: Alice’s letters (1)

[Sincerely yours, Alice from the Imperial City.]

[How are you, mother? This is Alice. It's getting colder, and I just wonder how my mother, who is far away, has been doing. Since I haven't been home for a long time, I'm worried if my younger siblings are going to school, or if my grandmother is in good health.]

[I think mother is also worried about how her daughter is doing. Don't worry about me. I'm doing well, and the First Princess still treats me very nicely. She always praises me for being a good working maid and occasionally strokes my head.]

[Last time, I did a great job in hosting an important guest, so she rewarded me. Of course, it was possible not because of my strength, but because of all of the other maids' efforts. Oh, actually, I'm sending a letter after a long time because I have something to tell, mother.]

[The fact is… I think I have to quit this job. Of course, it is impossible to quit at will, but I'm able to leave thanks to the strength of the man I mentioned before. I know nothing and learned nothing, but I know that he wants me eagerly… so, since I'm soft, I was forced to follow him.]

[Looking at it, there may be a little misunderstanding. I'm not saying he's taking me as his concubine! Of course, if that happens, I wouldn't complain, but… right now, I am satisfied with just being by his side. Oh! And you don't have to worry too much, as I will continue to send money. Anyway… I feel like something important is about to begin. I also feel like my life will change. I'm not sure what it is yet… Ah. I have to leave now. I'll tell you more about it later when I have time! I'll write to you again later, mother. Stay healthy!]

* * *

[Sincerely yours, Alice from Lindel.]

[I came to Lindel, Mother! It's a free city where foreigners live, so it's full of wonders. The person I told you about last time sent me directly here. I've ridden a Griffon for the first time in my life, and you don't know how nervous I was… I was fortunate to have arrived safely. All of the people who I'm with are nice and good people.]

[All of them are talented wizards and swordsmen, so I can't believe that I'm with them now. And I even saw the rumored dragon with my own eyes! It was really enormously large and majestic, and my legs went rubbery upon seeing it for the first time.]

[Actually, it's a little scary. It's not the dragon. It's just my current situation. Sudden changes in the environment are unfamiliar to people like me. I cut my long, golden hair, which was said to be the village's pride, with short hair, and for the first time in my life, I even tried a sword that didn't suit me.

[When I looked in the mirror, it felt like I was seeing somebody else. Of course, I was relieved that he said it suited me, but it hurts because I can't seem to show him a womanly figure. I feel anxious because I don't think I can meet his expectations. I just wonder what the hell I can do.]

[And… I don't know why, but I felt like I was hated by some wizards here. Even the little dragon hates me. Even the priest is also cold, so I don't know how to act. Did I do anything wrong? I'm used to being hated, but I want to get along with them, so I'm very worried. Do they not like my lowly status? It can't be helped, but it's a bit bitter.]

* * *

[Sincerely yours, Alice from Castle Rock.]

[I'm in Castle Rock! And I was able to see him after a long time. In fact, I heard a lot of stories. I've also learned many things. I couldn't understand all of what he said, but it didn't seem wrong. They said he was extraordinary, but who knew he was thinking so big. I think that Goddess Benigore sent him as an envoy to us.]

[On the second day, I also met Count Castle Rock. I was quiet because he told me not to say anything, but I could hear them in a separate room, debating loudly.]

[I was a little anxious, but it seemed that Count Castle Rock agreed with him. Marlin Young-ae was very angry recently. It looks like some promises were made, but it's not something I'm concerned about. In the end, I'm glad things seemed to go well.]

[I heard that people like Duchess Catherine and Countess Elise are heading to Castle Rock. It was something I thought about casually, but I am anxious because it seems to be getting bigger and bigger than I had first thought. Even more, because I have an important speech tomorrow.]

[I am going to work hard. With so many people working for the Empire, I should do my best, too. I think the next letter will be posted from elsewhere. Stay healthy. Today, I'm sending a little big money. Don't be surprised and don't tell anyone. It's not bad money, so you can rest assured. I'll close for now.]

* * *

[Sincerely yours, Alice, from an unknown place.]

[Have I told you that the first speech ended without a hitch? Since I'm busy, I'm confused about if I sent the letter I wrote. Contrary to the concern if I could do it well, I have already delivered my fourth speech. I was very nervous and worried, but thanks to the people who cheered me up, I was able to get courage. I think I've gotten a little used to it now.]

[In fact, until now, I thought that I just had to do what he told me to do, and… I think my thoughts have started to change little by little lately. Yes. He must have influenced me. I came to think that not only the background that surrounds me, but also that my eyes to see the world have widened. In fact, I haven't seen him since Castle Rock. But when I look at the books he has given me; I feel like I'm always with him.]

[This is all the will of Goddess Benigore, right? It's not just me that has changed. The first, the second, the third. It feels as if the cheers of the people grow little by little as time passes. Yes. Everyone is changing.]

[Today, I think he will come to visit me after a long time. I heard that he was coming with Cardinal Basel… perhaps he'll say something important again. Can I be in a position like this? I always think that way, but it wouldn't be strange that I could raise my voice as he said. I'll close for now, mother.]

* * *

[Sincerely yours, Alice from Celia.]

[I had a meeting with the Eight Seats of the Empire. One of them didn't come, so it would be correct to say that it was with the Seven Seats. Hehe. Unlike when I couldn't understand anything initially, I can now understand what they are saying. I thought that it was fortunate that what I was studying had results. I thought I had to move desperately.]

[There shouldn't be anything lacking as I give a speech every day. Of course, I think I will do it today, too. Today, it is for foreigners. I am worried about whether they will accept me, but the people of the Seven Imperial Seats also smiled and greeted me, so foreigners will certainly like me, right?]

[Because the Mercenary Queen and the shaman also welcomed me with open arms. In particular, the shaman quietly nodded, but I'm still curious about what that means. Rumor has it that she can see the future, but will something good happen in my future? Maybe I'll become his concubine! It could be that!]

[I remembered when I was writing this, but in fact, I heard that a marriage conversation with the Princess is in progress. Yes. That Charlia-nim. I knew Charlia-nim was yearning for him, but I had no idea that she would move this way. Fortunately, he didn't seem to be interested in Charlia. That bitch ## die# be## good# then ##, right? Ink has spilled. Hehe. It's not anything important, so you don't have to worry about it.]

[Oh! And did I tell you in the last letter that there was a meeting with Cardinal Basel? Yes. Fortunately, I think the talk with Cardinal Basel was good. In the beginning, I wasn't worried since he has a close relationship with Cardinal Basel… And as expected, Cardinal Basel also greatly nodded. He asked me to shake hands and told me he is looking forward to work with me. This is what he said. In fact, after this is over, Cardinal Basel may be able to take the place of Pope! Of course, this is a secret! Mother! Please!]

* * *

[Sincerely yours, Alice from somewhere underground.]

[Mother. It's been a long time since I'm sending you a letter. It was a short period, but during that time, I was very busy. Some things didn't go well. I didn't have time to send a letter. I don't think you had any financial difficulties since I sent you a large amount last time. You haven't spent all of it, right? If it's mother, I know you wouldn't.

[There are many things I want to tell, but I don't have the time, so I need to reduce it, mother. I just wanted you to know that I'm doing well. Just in case, I will be sending money again. Don't be too surprised because it's the money he gave me. And please burn all the letters I have sent so far. Don't tell anyone. Please. Please. You have to burn them all. Everything.]

* * *

[Now, I think I know what job has been given to me, Mother. It's already come to this point after following him busily. Actually, I'm still dumbfounded. It's hard to understand all of his words, and I don't know what's going on right now, but as time goes by, I have a sense of mission that I need to help even with such a small force. He told me that it seemed I've changed, too. Hehe. Of course, I was relieved by him still saying 'Alice-nim is Alice-nim after all.']

[Of course, I have become a little closer to him. It's embarrassing to say this, but I was able to kiss him. I don't know if he likes me. Actually, I took courage. I still can't forget his startled expression. I think things have made me stronger.]

[Usually, I would never have been able to move like that… Hehe. Anyway, he didn't look so upset either. He patted me on the shoulder. After that, it seemed that the wizard hated me, but I couldn't hide my true feelings anymore.]

[In fact, at first, it was just a little crush. I just thought about how good it would be to enter as his concubine, and that was all. Since he has power and is handsome. However, while spending time together and working toward the same goal, my feelings grew bigger and bigger, and I couldn't hold it in anymore.]

[Oh. Of course, it wasn't just my feelings for him that grew. The same goes for my feelings for the Empire. Did I ever say that I have a sense of mission? Yes. At that time, I have more sense of duty now. I was born with a lowly status and grew up lowly, but there was no such thing as a lowly life in the world. He said it to me directly.]

[My younger siblings, I, my mother, and my grandmother are all the same. The Princess and I are the same humans. He must have known this for a long time ago. That's why he treated me well. Unlike Charlia.]

[Mother.]

[I think I have to do something that could be dangerous. Not only me, but all of my comrades who share my goal will be in danger. But don't worry too much. I will make an Empire where my mother and younger siblings can live happily, even at the cost of my life. He told me that when you have to spill blood, you just have to do it. Yes. At first, I was scared, too, but now I am not.]

[As much as he shed tears for the imperial people to be sacrificed, I am ready to throw my all. I won't make tears come out of his eyes anymore. Never.]

[Yes. Never. Even if I have to give my all.]

[I am ready to throw everything. Even if I die, my blood for the Empire will nourish the future.]

[Mother.]

[I will fight. I corrected my common sense from the past and doing so, for democracy. For the cause. I will fight for a sacred democracy.]

[Never come outside after three days.]

[Do nothing and stay at home. Perhaps my people will go there. They will protect you and my sisters. I'll say it again.]

[Never come out after three days. Heed my pleas.]

[Sincerely yours, Oscar from the capital of the Empire.]