Months later, the moment Alice had been waiting for finally appeared in her visions.
“Hehe… Haha… Ahaha…”
Covering her mouth with her hand, Alice walked down the corridor, barely containing her glee.
The world seemed to sparkle. She wanted to run, to dance, but restrained herself, maintaining a graceful demeanor.
At the academy’s end-of-year party, held in a grand hall illuminated by chandeliers, Lambert stood tall and proclaimed, “Alice! Your vulgarity is unbearable. I hereby annul our engagement!”
By his side stood Mina, her golden hair in twin tails and dressed in a pink gown overflowing with frills. Clinging to Lambert’s arm, she trembled with tears welling in her eyes.
Facing the two of them, Alice covered her mouth with her hand as if suppressing tears. Onlookers watched in tense silence, unable to interject.
“Mina is a beloved child of the spirits, a sacred being under the royal family’s protection. To harm her is a grave sin,” Lambert declared.
The phrase “beloved child of the spirits” referred to those blessed with numerous gifts, making Mina a special existence. The crowd murmured, but Alice, already aware of this, remained unfazed.
Having long awaited her public introduction, Mina was elated.
(Oh my gosh, he said it so perfectly! He’s amazing! I knew choosing Lambert was the right decision!)
Though she had hoped to use her foresight and live a luxurious life in the royal palace while pursuing her top choice, the Crown Prince, Mina had failed to get close to him. Worse, he was already married.
(Well, being queen seems like a hassle anyway. The second prince is more than enough for me.)
While Mina reveled in her current satisfaction, Alice listened silently as Lambert listed the baseless crimes she had supposedly committed against Mina.
Though Lambert’s harsh accusations drew disgusted stares from the crowd, no one dared to challenge the prince.
“We can’t do anything about this, can we?”
“Perhaps he can resolve it?”
“I believe he mentioned finishing some business in the student council room before joining us.”
A few noble sons whispered amongst themselves before leaving the hall to fetch someone who might confront the prince.
Though she could eventually clear her name, Alice was done.
“I accept the annulment of our engagement. As for the accusations, I have no recollection of any wrongdoing. I will gather evidence to prove my innocence and send it to you later. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I wish you both happiness.”
After delivering her statement like a business report, Alice performed a formal bow, turned her back to them, and walked briskly toward the exit.
To everyone else, she appeared to be a heartbroken, pitiable noblewoman hiding her tears.
Once outside the hall, Alice ensured no one was around before lifting her skirt and running.
There was no need to hold back her tears anymore. Overwhelmed with joy and relief, she cried freely as she sprinted down the corridor.
(I’m finally free!)
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