CHAPTER 4
Snow and Sun
1
10:00 AM.
Placing a hand over her beating heart, Alice walked down the palace halls, Rin right next to her. Her attendant had been with the Imperial unit until late last night, verifying the final plans; she had returned to the castle right before daybreak.
“One more hour,” Alice said.
“We’ve done what we must. Please focus on the conference, Lady Alice.”
“…I know.”
The fate of her family hinged on this plan. If Iska could determine her sister’s location, they could expose the Hydra’s plan and restore the people’s faith in the current administration. A single misstep would mean defeat. If the queen were deposed, Alice would have difficulty winning the conclave.
“ ” Her mouth was zipped closed as she headed to the general hall.
They would continue the conference from the day before. By the time Alice and Rin arrived, the queen, her ministers, and the important members of the Zoa and Hydra were already seated at the table.
“I apologize for my tardiness.”
“You’re right on time. In fact, I believe we were early,” reassured a man’s melodious voice. Among the grim faces, Talisman’s grin made a sickening impression. “Why, Alice. You were absent from our earlier conference. Are you sure about attending this one?”
“Yes. I scanned the proceedings.”
“That’s what’s important.” He waited until she took her seat. “You look nervous, so I thought something might have happened.”
“Wha—?!” A strangled cry escaped her lips.
…Did he somehow detect what’s going on from my expression?
…He must have realized our plan—or at least picked up on it.
If that were true, he was already expecting Sisbell’s rescue.
He didn’t have the full picture, however. He had only guessed she would rescue her sister. He had only made his comment as a means of gaining more information based on her reaction.
“Thank you. It’s my first time dealing with such a situation, and I’m racking my brains trying to think of how to deal with it.”
“I see. Please don’t push yourself.” Talisman’s smile did not falter.
Lord Mask, who sat farther into the room, was whispering to the royal guards surrounding him.
…Same goes for him.
…Lord Mask and Lord Talisman have had a long history with their silver tongues.
She had no means of winning against them intellectually.
The same held true if she were to fight them with words. Alice might try to speak, but they would manage to coax her in a direction favorable to them. She knew that because it had been the same when she had spoken to her older sister.
Silence would be her best friend. It didn’t matter whether they shook her up enough for her to show it as long as she said nothing. She couldn’t let the plan be revealed in any of her words this time.
“……” Alice bit her bottom lip.
She placed her fists over her thighs and silently clenched them.
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