"So, you've decided to change yourself."
Isolde's tone was cold as she glanced at Alia. She could see the slight tremble, no matter how much Alia tried to hide it.
"What have you done since Marceline left, Alia?"
Her voice remained calm—eerily calm.
Alia couldn't answer. It wasn't easy to answer. Her mind wandered back to the days she had spent in the palace. As they blurred together, a painful truth stood out: each day was just like the last—empty, hopeless, and desperate.
Caught in a storm of emotions, she clenched her fists.
"Let me guess. You stayed in your room crying, right? Just waiting for those painful days to pass. Maybe even hoping someone would show up and rescue you. But there was no one left to save you anymore."
Isolde's words were painfully true. Alia didn't utter a single sound in response. It felt as though someone had stolen the thoughts she tried to hide and flung them back at her face.
Turning her gaze from Alia to Edith, Isolde continued.
"Oh… I almost forgot about Edith.. Maybe your beloved, loyal maid gave you some comfort. Maybe she helped ease the pain of all those pointless, empty days."
Alia stood there, paralyzed. Even breathing felt like a punishment.
"While you were crying in your room, do you know what I was doing? I attended religious ceremonies, organized charity drives, assisted the royal advisors. I became the Queen's right hand. I led every ball, stood at the front of every celebration. I even arranged performances for those filthy adventurers."
Her voice was growing louder.
"...Wh..what do you want from me?"
"..What do I want from you?"
"I don't want anything from you, Alia. The real question is—what do you want from us?"
"...From my mother..."
"...From me..
"You stole this kingdom's future from all of us."
Isolde's voice trembled. Her words were getting lost between cracks in her voice.
She leaned in closer, eyes locked on Alia.
"You do realize... your mother never loved you?"
*SLAP*
A loud sound tore through the room.
A jolt of pain flared across Isolde's cheek. Her head had been jerked to the side from the force of the blow. Dazed, she slowly turned to see who had struck her.
Edith was standing beside her, arm still raised, her face tense and burning with fury.
The moment Isolde saw Edith, fury surged through her like a firestorm. She strode over and grabbed Edith's neck with one hand.
Her face twisted in anger.. Her eyes burned with a hatred so deep, it looked capable of killing.
"You lowborn servant... You?! How dare you?!"
She pushed Edith back violently.
Edith staggered backwards, holding her throat. Tears welled in her eyes, but the fire in them hadn't dimmed.
"Mikaa!!"
The door burst open with a loud crash. Mika stormed in, face set like stone.
"Seize that worthless maid!"
Mika rushed to Edith, grabbing her wrist and twisting it sharply, immobilizing her. Edith didn't resist—she simply let him take her.
Alia stood frozen, staring at the scene with wide, horrified eyes. Her brain couldn't keep up. But as Mika grabbed Edith, something in her snapped. She rushed forward.
"What are you doing?! Let her go!"
"Remy! Hold Alia."
Remy, watching from the doorway, was beside Alia in an instant. Putting herself between her and Edith.
"Take her to her room. Don't let her out until I say so."
Remy tore a strip from her sleeve.
"What are you doing?! I'm the pri—"
Before she could finish, she stuffed the cloth into her mouth and tied it securely. Then, with unexpected strength, she hoisted Alia over her shoulder and disappeared out the door.