Alicia was surprised to find herself back at the age of twelve.
She had awoken from a deep slumber to find herself on the bed of a mansion, where she had lived until she was married off. Her body belonged to a small child.
Alicia got out of bed and looked in the mirror. Her eyes widened as she realized she was twelve years old again, at the time of her mother's death.
"Have I returned to the past?"
However, she shook her head in denial. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She's having a dream. That, or she's having a flashback before crossing the river of death.
Alicia was forced to accept her reality by the time she saw the rising sun.
She had returned. She had returned. She was twelve years old.
It was an unbelievable reality, and Alicia sat back on the bed, silently watching the door. If everything was true, the door would open and her maid, Latty, who had been looking after her since she was a baby, would walk right in. Latty would frequently wake her every morning, and she never missed a single day until she was thrown out of the mansion on false charges.
“Miss?”
Latty entered the room not long after the door opened. She was taken aback when she saw the young Alicia wide awake first thing in the morning.
"Have you been awake all night, Miss?" Oh, you haven't slept a wink all night!"
Latty dashed over to Alicia and stroked her pale face.
"Is it because of your mother?" Miss, don't be so sad. This is bad for your health..."
“Latty…”
"Yes, Miss?"
Alicia turned to face Latty, a woman she hadn't seen in a long time. After her mother died, her father took in the child of another woman, and Alicia gradually became isolated. Latty was one of the two people who remained by her side until the end. Latty, on the other hand, was eventually driven away on the charge of stealing her half sister's-jewels.
"I've missed you..."
“Miss?”
"I really missed you, Latty," Alicia said hoarsely.
Latty took a deep, quiet breath. Her warm, brown eyes scrutinized the young Alicia, concluding that the child who'd recently lost her mother was in such shock that she'd gone and said strange things.
"Oh, poor child. Did you have a scary dream last night?"
Latty caressed Alicia's fine silver hair as she swept her into her arms.
"Don't worry. You've got your father and me. Don't worry. "Everything will be fine."
Alicia bit her lip as she remembered the past, encircled by Latty's arms.
'No, that is not correct. Father will bring her in and take everything from me...'
When the memories of her past began to flood in, Alicia's heart was broken.
"There you have it. The Count will be there soon. Though I'm not sure why he left so quickly after the funeral, everything will be fine. The Count will always be there for you."
Latty had no idea, but Alicia was well aware that he had fled in haste.
He went to pick up his illegitimate daughter before seeing his dead wife buried six feet under. It was as if he had been waiting for this exact moment to arrive.
"Then, Miss, first wash your face..."
"Would you call a lawyer first, Latty?"
Latty raised her brows, surprised. "A lawyer?" she asked, looking into Alicia's ice-blue eyes. "Do you mean Ted?"
“Yes. Call Ted, the lawyer."
"Why do you suddenly require the services of a lawyer?"
"Latty, we're almost out of time. I have something I need to check with him before Father returns. Please contact him right away and tell him to come see me."
Lawyers, like nobles, were people Latty found difficult to understand. And Alicia, no matter how educated she is, will struggle to understand what she has been taught until she is of age. And, so far, Latty hadn't remembered any memorable encounters between the Miss and the lawyer. Ted was always preoccupied with Count Kenboe, the mansion's owner. So, what makes a girl like that want to speak with a lawyer? Regardless, Latty had no intention of turning down the young lady's sincere request.
“Alright. I'll send someone to see the attorney. Please wait a moment."
Alicia sorted through her jumbled thoughts after Latty left the room. Today was the day after her mother's funeral, and Count Kenboe brought in his illegitimate daughter. It was also the start of her misfortunes.
Maybe it was God's mercy that she went back in time for a second chance.
If that is the case, she will not pass up the opportunity provided by the deity.
Alicia clenched her teeth, her ice-blue eyes twinkling with determination.
Alicia's mother came from a noble family in the neighboring country of Coulson. Both Ehrlich and Coulson shared a common language, writing system, and a long-standing marriage alliance between nobles and royals. And there is a recent history of Ehrlich and Coulson joining forces and fighting the same enemy.When her mother was young, she traveled to Ehrlich, a neighboring country, at the invitation of her cousin and fell in love at first sight with a young man. The only problem was his lowly status, and he already had a lover. Her parents actively tried to prevent the marriage for these reasons alone, but she was adamant, fiery, and stubborn. She was tough and had a warrior's heart.Many men had fallen for her carefree attitude, but she only had her sights set on that young man, and she wanted to be with that young man.That was it.As a result, her parents made a suggestion. If the young man ended his relationship with his old lover and accepted the marriage, the Ehrlichs would besto
When a middle-aged man with round-rimmed glasses entered, Alicia sent Latty out under the guise of bringing the carriage over.For a brief moment, the man stared at the small, little girl on the big chair before quickly bending over to bow."Lady Alicia, I heard you called me. "What's the problem?""First, take a seat."The man nodded and sat on the chair closest to him, his face filled with questions. He couldn't understand or comprehend why the young lady had summoned him.He'd had the good fortune to meet her on occasion, but he can't recall any memorable conversations aside from the obligatory greeting. He'd always seen her as the quiet little girl who stayed close to her mother and had hair and eyes that were unique to the northern part of the country.Today was the first time he had properly heard her voice.He suddenly realized he'd never expressed his condolences to the girl and expressed deep regret."I am deeply sorry for your loss and extend my heartfelt condolences." May s
Cesca Anna.She was the only bloodline borne by Ehrlich's King Edgar II and was politically married off to Coulson, the prince of the neighboring kingdom. Edgar II had no other children when he was nearing the end of his life. The old king's problems worsened as his death approached. In the Kingdom of Ehrlich, no woman had ever been crowned king. Nonetheless, the old king handed over the next throne to his one and only child and daughter at the last minute, leaving his last will and testament on his deathbed.Will he?'My daughter, Anna Cesca, will be the next king.'Some faithfully followed the king's last will and testament, while others did not. There were dissenting voices until some of the nobles conspired to crown the king's cousin, Duke of Lucas, as the next king and imprison Anna in the castle.The successful coronation of Ehrlich's throne appeared simple at first, but things quickly changed when Anna escaped the castle she was imprisoned in with the help of Coulson.Anna quic
As soon as they heard that the Count had arrived back home, the maids and servants got right to work. Alicia waited on the second floor stairwell for the door to open.She'd been a busybody in her previous life, crying her heart out and missing her dead mother. She ran out that day, overjoyed to learn that her father had returned. She needed to see his face as soon as possible to fill the void in her heart.All she wanted and sought was comfort and consolation, as well as to share her grief over the loss of her mother and his wife. He was the only one who could possibly understand and share her sadness, and she even expected her heartless father to embrace her in his arms...But that was far from the case.When she ran out the door, she saw a little girl holding her father's large hands. She had a feeling the child was related to him the moment she saw the child's happy, twinkling eyes.And she quickly discovered this.He didn't think twice about confirming it himself.Patricia Kenboe
When the King, who later became Alicia's partner and husband, launched an all-out investigation, one that was originally launched with the intent of capturing the Queen's power, Count Kenboe was instead apprehended. At the time, the young King, who had only recently begun dealing with state affairs, was full of spirit and vigour to do everything he could to avoid his mother's shadow during the converging clean-up.Despite sharing the same blood, the young King and Queen had a strained relationship. The Queen, who should have been King by nature, did not easily relinquish her power during the converging clean-up process, which was a major impediment for the young King, who had only recently begun his statehood affairs.That'd also been the reason he'd been hostile to Alicia from the start, with the exception of their first meeting.Alicia was the Queen's relative and goddaughter, and she had blood ties to the Coulson forces he'd been fighting.Though the truth was his obvious friendlin
In an instant, the air became chilly and froze. Everyone was taken aback by Alicia's abrupt remarks toward the Count, her father. They were astounded. The Count and Patricia, both speechless, opened their mouths.The old butler was the first to realize what was going on."What do you... what are you trying to say, My Lady?""I recently spoke with the lawyer and completed the necessary procedures. Starting today, Alicia Kenboe, the rightful heir, is the owner of this estate, and I now exercise all rights to the property inherited from my deceased mother. First and foremost, to the visitor I never allowed into my home, please leave. And to you as well, father."“Alicia!"The Count roared, his face flushed with rage."What in the world are you doing?" Come down right now! ”Count Kenboe was enraged and ordered Alicia to exit the stairwells immediately. When Alicia ignored his words and looked at him blankly, he yelled angrily once more."Your house? What a load of nonsense! You've got t
Alicia, ironically, benefited from the marriage contract following her mother's death."Back then, you had a choice. You could have refused to marry mother... you could have sacrificed fame and fortune to be with your loved one. Perhaps you and mother are happy. "Neither would I have been born."Alicia spoke her thoughts aloud for the first time.Her father was a self-centered individual. He was given a fair choice: for fame and wealth that he would never achieve in his lifetime, he'd have to forget his old lover and at least... learn to love the woman he would marry. Even if his heart was with another woman, it was a man's duty to care for and love his wife and daughter.It was a simple decision.He, however, did not.He had an affair with another woman and had a child with her.Perhaps it was for the best that her late mother died before she discovered the truth."Your mother was a terrifying woman who had pushed her away without my knowledge!" This child would not have suffered as
“…What? ”The Count was taken aback."Once you've calmed down and had a proper conversation with Lady Alicia...""You idiot!"Count Kenboe clenched his teeth.The old butler was a knowledgeable and nagging man who was a pain in his neck all the time, but he kept him around because of his loyalty. He did a good job, and his wife and daughter adored him."Are you saying you'll betray me and side with her?"He laughed.“Alright. I'll evict both you and Alicia! ”In a frenzy, the Count walked up the stairs. He waved his hand at Alicia in a single motion. And she closed her eyes, expecting it. She knew it would come to this, but she didn't mind. His assault would make evicting him easier.Boom!Instead of the expected burning tingling sensation, she heard someone rolling around on the floor. When Alicia opened her eyes, she saw Latty lying on the floor.“Latty!”The Count clicked his tongue as he realized he'd beaten the maid rather than Alicia. Latty unexpectedly stepped into the middle,