Chapter 6

Duchess Alice Surface is the envy of everyone at the academy.

Despite holding a position second only to the prince in this academy, she is an angelic presence, always kind and equal to everyone.

Our family is a baronial house, but I can confidently say that even if I were the daughter of a lesser noble, Alice's attitude towards me would not change.

Alice is not only kind and fair, but she always ranks at the top academically, excels in practical magic, and there are frequent sightings of her visiting orphanages on her days off. She is a duchess's daughter and a future queen, recognized by all.

The fact that Alice considers me, Milfi, her close friend is everything to me, who has nothing to be proud of except being the only daughter of a baronial house.

Yes, being Alice's close friend is, poetically speaking, the last hope left in Pandora's box, so to speak.

It is everything to me.

So when Prince Alan began to get close to Lady Isabelle, it sent shockwaves through the academy.

"How can he be close to someone like Lady Isabelle, whose attitude towards men and women is clearly different, rather than the perfect Lady Alice!"

The entire academy, though not saying it out loud, was indignant towards Prince Alan and Lady Isabelle, who seemed to disregard the saint-like Lady Alice.

However, since Lady Alice herself was completely indifferent to the matter, the academy managed to maintain a superficial calm until the day of the worst dance party in the academy's history.

"Are you worried about the prince and Lady Isabelle, Alice?"

When I mustered the courage to ask, Alice answered with a joking tone.

"I want to fulfill the responsibilities of being born into a ducal family and being designated as the prince's fiancée. I am prepared to receive the education of a queen, do my best in what I can, and support this kingdom.

But, Milfi, the education of a queen does not include being loved by the prince."

"But, then, what about Alice's happiness?"

"… And the education of a queen does not include loving the prince. If there had been such an item, I would never have been able to become a queen, so I am really glad it wasn't there."

Alice said this with a very calm smile.

Then she continued in a joking manner.

"Thinking of someone secretly since becoming the prince's fiancée would be disrespectful. Milfi, this is a secret only between you and me, my close friend."

From Alice's demeanor, I couldn't ask anything more, but I have been praying ever since.

May Alice find true love.

On the day of that terrible dance party, I saw Alice trembling for the first time. I strongly felt that I needed to help her, but being weak, I could do nothing and could only pray that someone would come to her aid.

I believed that Miss Alusha would surely help, and I looked at the entrance of the dance hall hopefully. I was surprised to see that some students were trying to open the door to call for help, but a barrier seemed to be preventing them from opening it.

However, students who could use magic were using communication to relay the scene inside the dance hall to the outside.

The information must have reached the teachers, the royal family, and the Surface ducal family.

I was relieved to realize this, but then I thought, what if the barrier was made of light magic? In this academy, only Lord Kyle can use light magic.

In that case, help might not come for a while. Realizing this, I felt despair.

Alice, who is always strong and kind, looked like she was about to cry.

I can't make excuses for my weakness; I have to help Alice. Praying alone won't save Alice.

No matter what happens to me, I have to save my hope, Alice!

"Alice, you're being bullied..."

But all that came out of my mouth was a weak whisper.

Then, Miss Alusha and the other teachers rushed in, and the situation was brought under control.

I couldn't even speak to Alice and could only feel the pain of my own weakness.

The regret of not being able to help Alice was not just mine but that of all the students in the academy.

Without anyone saying it, no one wanted to associate with the cowards who had unjustly blamed Alice for nothing.

And just two days after the dance party, Lord Kyle, Lord Dan, and Mr. Altena were no longer seen at the academy.

They were so weak, bullying a vulnerable girl and then running away when they were ignored.

Three days after the dance party, the engagement between Prince Alan and Alice was broken off.

It was due to a strong request from the Surface ducal family and the royal family, considering Prince Alan's reckless behavior.

Thinking back to Alice, who was trembling that day, still makes me feel uneasy, but I am truly relieved that her engagement to such a prince was broken off.

I will continue to pray every day until Alice returns to the academy.

May Alice find true love.

May Alice quickly forget the night of the dance party.

And may divine punishment befall Prince Alan and Lady Isabelle.