C4 Part4

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"Perhaps, Her Highness Alicia is worn out from studying?"

"In the Princess' case, her slacking has brought her to this"

Alicia pouted her adorable lips and groaned over the maid's relentless remarks. Clovis just let out a

wry smile in response.

At first, Alicia was flustered since Clovis seemed to judge Annie as "disrespecting her Master" due to

her being too blunt. He was instantly emitting a dark aura towards Annie.

Alicia repeatedly explained that she thought of Annie just like her own sister, and her bluntness was

because she truly cared about Alicia. At the end, the young aide came to understand those reasoning.

"Sir Clovis might not know, but Her Highness Alicia was known for disliking her lessons. When

someone cued 'The Princess has fled!', the maids would then chase her down together. But well,

that's a story from before sir Clovis is around"

"Indeed, I never knew. But it is only natural for the sensible Princess to recognize the importance of

her lessons and taking it seriously. Even I, who only knew her for a short time could surmise almost

immediately"

………… Both of Alicia's trusted subordinates were engaged in a verbal dispute with a big smile on

their face. But Alicia didn't mind much as she was quickly used to this scene.

"But, Indeed. Since Her Highness doesn't know the basics, anything beyond is surely out of question,

wouldn't it?"

Clovis rose up as he was pondering about something. He then picked up a bulky book from Alicia's

desk and flipped through the pages to check the contents. His long legs were crossed, and his body

was leaned on the window while he turned the page of the book. He was oddly charming, almost like a

painting of a royal from a faraway place.

Speaking of it, the moment after Clovis served Alicia, women in the castle had become excited.

Especially younger Court Ladies, who loitered around the vicinity of Chancery and made a fuss by

squealing ang giggling though they had nothing at a matter. They became a headache towards Senior

Court Ladies.

If I get to know him a little better, Seems like I might get to hear about his love life.

Alicia wore a serious front while deep inside, she determined to do just so.

Anyhow, the book that Clovis currently read was about the history of the Kingdom, which was

compiled based on various records. After he casually read the compiled records written in different

languages, the young man with black hair raised his face and lifted the corner of his mouth.

"Though I might not be comparable to the tutors, if it's history or current affairs, I, Clovis, could assist

the Princess."

"Really?!" Alicia was brimmed with excitement as Clovis nodded with a smile.

"I was drilled with general lessons in the Royal Academy. Thus I could offer my assistance so long

I am provided with the lesson contents in accordance to the books"

"There's nothing more reassuring than receiving Clovis' help, right Annie?!"

"Right, indeed."

Putting aside her maid who somehow replied in a monotone voice, Alicia immediately asked numerous

questions to her aide who had turned into a reliable tutor.

Dark.

It was dark.

She was alone, just as she was floating in the middle of a bottomless, cold ocean.

The water surrounding her was freezing cold, drawing out the strength from her petite body. She was

suffocating, but when she opened her mouth, air bubbles spilled out as she gasped.

Where was it?

King James, Lady Fourier, Annie.

Where did everyone go, leaving Alicia out here?

On the opposite side of the swaying wall of water, an orange light flickered around. In the blink of an

eye, the light spread out and formed a circle around Alicia, hardly transmitting any heat.

”Kill! kill those Ealdar dogs!”

"Kill the ones who tainted Heilland's pride!"

The crowd's voices reverberated in the water, in accordance with the flickering flames.

She was cold. She was scared. She didn't want to hear them.

She squeezed herself and shut her ears close, yet those distant chants resounded over and over

even inside of the water, refused to spare Alicia alone.

Suddenly, the water surrounding her turned dense, as a concentrated resentment wrapped around

Alicia. She raised her face with frightened blue eyes, and Crovis Cromwell, who was flared with a dark

surge of hatred was there.

Alicia let out a scream from her narrow throat. However, it only formed air bubbles instead of a sound.

Without showing any of his sad smile nor his bashful face, the Black Grim Reaper, Clovis, bore his

usual cold gaze towards Alicia. Seeing a blunt, shiny sword in his hand, Alicia tried to escape.

However, the intangible dense water held her down, and the more the Princess struggled, the more

she was stuck to place. When she noticed, the Black Grim Reaper was already in front of her, looking

down at her with scorn.

Clovis, stop!

Tears spilled down from Alicia's ample eyes as she witnessed the sword being raised up. However,

the sorrowful plea of the Princess didn't reach the Grim Reaper.

With his violet eyes inflamed in contempt, Clovis Cromwell swung his sword.

"Stop…………..!!!"

Alicia was awoken by a scream that reverberated in her bedchamber.

The young lady's small chest rose up and down from the violent thumping in her chest, and her temple,

back and entire body were already drenched in sweat. With a rough breath, Alicia fixed her disheveled

hair and raised her worn out body.

How many times was it already, that she had the same nightmare and was awoken by her own scream?

"Your Highness…?"

As a mild knock and her maid's voice resounded through the door, Alicia suppressed her breath

and gazed at the wooden door.

"What's wrong Annie…..? Coming at such a late time"

After taking a deep breath repeatedly, she managed to feign a calm voice. By that casual tone,

the maid went quiet for a while behind that door. Shortly after, Annie replied with her somewhat gentle

voice.

"I thought I heard Your Highness' voice when I happened to pass by. Should I prepare something

to drink?"

"No, I'm okay. You can go back to rest, Annie"

"Understood. Good night, Princess"

The maid seemed to leave as her footsteps sounded more distant. After making sure she had gone

far enough, Alicia sluggishly laid her body on the bed.

Every single day.

From the day she exchanged words with the star envoy, she had the same exact nightmare every day.

The nightmare had shattered the ten-years-old girl's spirit, leaving her drained. But more than that,

Alicia was upset with what happened in her dream.

I’m so sorry, Clovis…..

Every time Alicia was stuck, they both would peer into history books while sitting side by side. She

recalled his beautiful side profile as he was giving her a simplified explanation.

Though he was someone who only served her for a short period of time, Alicia unexpectedly grew

fond of her new Black-haired aide. No matter how many times she was shoved with the gruesome

scenes from the previous life, the moment she opened her eyes, his figure who devoted himself to her

with all his might came to mind.

Perhaps Clovis was a special case, that was why he pledged deep loyalty towards Alicia who merely

decided to take his hands. If Alicia didn't put faith on him who trusted her to that extent, Clovis would be

too pitiful.

It's alright. the future can be changed. It can be changed. It can be changed. It can be changed.

Shutting her eyes close, Alicia once again repeated the words she recited every time she had that

nightmare over and over again for today.

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