Sitting in a chair while a female doctor examined her ankle, Alice grew increasingly flustered.
“Hmm… I don’t see any issues. Does it still hurt?” the doctor asked.
Realizing her predicament, Alice quickly responded, “Oh, it doesn’t hurt anymore. I must have been confused and imagined the pain.”
“I see. I’ll apply a cold compress just in case. Let me know if it starts hurting again,” the doctor replied kindly.
“Thank you,” Alice said, grateful but inwardly chastising herself for creating unnecessary trouble.
After the doctor left, Lidio remained by Alice’s side, looking at her with quiet concern.
“Are you truly alright?” he asked.
“Yes, my ankle is fine now. I’m sorry for troubling you,” Alice replied, bowing her head.
“Don’t worry about it. But… I meant more than just your ankle. Are you alright after what happened with the prince?”
“Ah…”
Alice realized Lidio must have rushed to the party for her sake, and the thought filled her chest with warmth.
(He came to help me… Was that horrifying vision also for my sake?)
The vision of Lidio drenched in blood, surrounded by ice blades and wielding a bloodied dagger, came back to her mind. If it had stemmed from his concern for her, perhaps telling him the truth might dissuade him from such actions.
“Thank you for worrying about me, but I’m fine. In fact, I’m so happy I could burst into laughter and dance with joy. Of course, I couldn’t celebrate in front of the prince, so I left in a hurry… which is how I ended up bumping into you. I’m truly sorry for that.”
Hearing her candid words, Lidio looked saddened.
“Are you sure? You’re not forcing yourself? Because… you were crying,” he said softly.
“Those were tears of joy. I’ve been wishing for this for years, so I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed. Oh, but please keep this a secret,” Alice said with a playful smile, pressing a finger to her lips.
Lidio blinked, then sighed deeply, as if releasing a great weight.
“I see… if that’s truly the case, then I’m glad,” he said, his expression softening.
Relieved to see him return to his usual calm self, Alice relaxed.
“What will you do now?” Lidio asked.
“I suppose I can’t return to the party after all that. I’ll just…”
As Alice was about to suggest going home, she froze. Returning home would mean reporting the scandalous annulment to her family.
Though innocent, she was now a disgraced noblewoman, publicly insulted and cast aside. Her family would surely berate her for tarnishing their reputation.
“…I must admit, I haven’t thought that far ahead,” Alice said with a bitter smile.
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