In the game, Alice had trusted the Crown Prince.
She had believed in the duty that came with noble blood, in the unspoken rules of the empire, and in the honor of her family above all else.
Too much, as it turned out.
That blind faith was why—when the situation finally spiraled out of control—she chose to erase the woman at the center of it all, accepting what she called "a little dishonor" as the lesser evil.
Just as Velra remembered.
Alice had convinced herself that once the obstacle was gone, the Crown Prince would return to his proper role. That duty would prevail. That the system would correct itself.
It was a foolish decision.
A tragically foolish one.
"My lady," I said quietly, breaking the silence, "you stand among the four highest noble ranks in the empire."
Alice stiffened slightly.
"The Crown Prince's consort, and the Crown Prince himself…" I continued. "Even if they are members of the royal family, that does not mean your voice holds no weight."
