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Join the Server“By the way, Isola, there’s something I need to tell you…”
Alice then proceeded to explain the new task the Mad Hatter had entrusted her with.
She knew that taking on such a high-risk extra assignment, especially while already engaged in Isola’s spy mission, would surely earn her a scolding from the Duchess Liddell. However, Alice felt they had a right to know.
Moreover, with Isola’s help in divination, the risks associated with this task would be significantly reduced.
Isola listened in silence.
“I’m sorry, Isola. This was a condition for the Mad Hatter’s previous help, and I couldn’t refuse. They also promised to provide me with materials for promotion, which I think makes it worth trying,” Alice said.
“But did you really have to team up with *that* woman?” Isola muttered under her breath.
Alice paused, momentarily stunned.
‘Was that the crucial point?!’
“Never mind. I wouldn’t feel at ease if you acted alone anyway.”
Isola, after a moment’s thought, decided that bickering over such a trivial matter was beneath the dignity of a monarch. “How about this: once you finalize your plan, I’ll perform a divination for you. If the outcome indicates danger, you must abandon the task immediately, and I will find a way to persuade the Mad Hatter.”
‘Persuade…’
Alice couldn’t help but smile wryly to herself, knowing Isola would likely just pressure the Mad Hatter directly, just as she had done twice before.
“Thank you, Isola. I will decide how to proceed based on the situation. But please don’t intervene directly. This is a favor I owe, and I want to resolve it myself as much as possible. If I can’t complete this task, I’ll discuss it with the Mad Hatter myself,” Alice said.
“Don’t push yourself too hard,” Isola nodded.
“Alright,” Alice said, glancing at the grandfather clock in the room. “I should probably head to the academy now.”
Only a few minutes remained before the first class of the morning.
“Mm,” Isola responded, then suddenly seemed to remember something. “Oh, right!”
Alice instinctively met Isola’s gaze.
For a fleeting moment, she felt a surge of panic.
The next second, she snapped back to reality, finding herself standing in the room. Isola wasn’t reflected in the magic mirror; instead, she was standing right in front of her, alive and real.
Alice’s eyes widened in astonishment.
The third “Banshee” could remotely cast “Dreamweaver” abilities through their self-made magic mirrors. For targets of similar rank, this remote use only worked if the target didn’t resist. However, with Isola’s rank suppressing Alice, she could easily pull Alice into a dreamscape of her own making.
As Alice blinked, Isola suddenly raised a hand to cover her eyes, commanding, “Close your eyes.”
Darkness enveloped Alice before she could react, followed by a fleeting, feather-light touch on her lips.
The next moment, Isola’s hand moved away, and reality returned before Alice’s eyes. Alice still held the magic mirror, its surface reflecting Isola’s face, as if everything that had just happened were merely a daydream.
The only difference was that while Isola still maintained a poker face, her cheeks were flushed crimson, like a ripe tomato.
Alice surmised she wasn’t faring much better. She felt as though she were standing before a blazing furnace, her face burning hot.
“That’s enough,” Isola said, a hint of resignation in her voice. “Consider that… a moment of calm.”
“That’s all for now. Goodbye.” Isola struggled to maintain a steady tone.
“Mm, goodbye,” Alice replied, still somewhat dazed.
The image in the magic mirror blurred, then quickly faded away.
Yet Alice remained rooted to the spot. It was a good while before she remembered she was supposed to be going to school.
The grandfather clock chimed, announcing the hour and reminding her that she was already late.
****
On Saturday, in the Crown District, Marquis Roman hosted a birthday banquet, having booked the entire Wisteria Manor.
Most of the invited guests were prominent figures in the Imperial City, and old friends of Marquis Roman who had long-standing ties were largely in attendance. Of the remaining invitees, only about half showed up. However, those who did not come had not simply stood up the Marquis; they had sent gifts and polite apologies through special messengers.
The host of the banquet did not truly mind this. No one genuinely expected unfamiliar people to attend; both invitations and gift-giving were merely customary procedures in aristocratic circles.
Nevertheless, this particular banquet did welcome an exceptional guest.
“To have Your Royal Highness the Snow Princess grace us with your presence truly makes me feel blessed for three lifetimes,” Marquis Roman said, bowing respectfully to the arriving guest.
Although the guest was at least a generation younger than him and a newcomer, her identity and status compelled him to treat her with utmost solemnity. After all, she was the future ruler of a kingdom.
“I am also pleased to have received your invitation, Marquis,” the Snow Princess said, nodding expressionlessly. “A small token of my regard, nothing more.”
The attendant standing behind the Snow Princess immediately presented the gift.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the Snow Princess entered the manor, and Marquis Roman turned to greet his next guest.
Upon entering the venue, the Snow Princess immediately captured the attention of all the nobles present. Her presence was truly dazzling, so much so that it instantly overshadowed everyone else in the room.
Everyone stared at her.
No one dared to immediately approach her for conversation. The Snow Princess’s aloofness was legendary, and at that moment, she exuded an aura that made her nearly unapproachable.
The Snow Princess, completely unbothered, allowed a server to guide her toward the tables laden with gourmet food and fine wine.
“The Snow Princess of the Winter Kingdom truly lives up to her reputation,” Count Gina whispered to another noble companion in a corner of the hall, swirling a glass of fine wine.
“She’s a thorny ice flower, one even the Emperor’s son couldn’t pluck. Don’t get any confident ideas,” his companion teased him.
“Where did your thoughts go? I’m merely considering business. She is, after all, the future Queen of the Winter Kingdom. You know our family has always wanted to do business there,” Count Gina said. “It’s a pity the Duke didn’t come; otherwise, he could have spoken to her directly and helped me establish a connection…”
“At his age, he avoids such events whenever possible, don’t you know that?” his companion replied.
“Speaking of which, if I were to discuss the Chain Market with her, would she be interested?” Count Gina asked.
His companion was also one of the backers of the Chain Market, with Duke Bedford serving as their spokesperson.
“I strongly advise you not to bypass the Duke’s permission. Inviting a client we can’t control carries significant risks,” his companion warned.
“Alright, alright. It seems I’ll have to find a way to offer her something compelling on my own,” Count Gina sighed regretfully.
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