The scorn in her eye is icy. This may sound strange, but I absolutely adore when Alicia looks like that.
Ordinarily, Alan or Albert speaks up in Liz’s defense, but they’re silent. This turn of events must be too shocking for them.
……How funny would it be if this is the catalyst that breaks them of Liz’s brainwashing?
“Couldn’t the same be said of you, Alicia dear?”
Alicia wasn’t expecting that retort. Her eyes widen for a moment, but her cattish smirk quickly returns. Just maybe, Liz is starting to evolve under Alicia’s influence, as well.
“And what do you mean by that?”
“The more power you gain, the greedier you become. Once you gain one thing, you start to hunger for something new. That is the most terrifying thing about you. You were admitted to the magic academy as an exception at age thirteen, and now you want to rule over the entire school.”
“……Touché. You do have a point.”
You’re admitting it?! I snap at her silently. Actually, ruling the academy is too small in scale. Alicia isn’t that kind of woman. She may rule the world someday.
Besides…Liz’s example is too vague. What is she trying to say? Is this Light Angel really the best saint we can come up with?
“And? What’s wrong with greed?”
Alicia’s question sucks the air out of Liz’s lungs.
I love moments like this. I can practically see Alicia trampling the fields of paper flowers blooming in Liz’s idealistic brain.
“I think boundless greed is a good thing, personally. With ambition, a person can crawl up to the top from nothing. Greed is the most essential ingredient for growth.”
A bit flustered by Alicia’s argument, Liz Cather takes a deep breath in and out before muttering quietly, “Those with the biggest ambitions often become dictators.”
She always speaks with a calm, calculated tone. Something about her manner of speech grips people’s hearts. That’s a saint for you.
“And are dictators always bad people?” Alicia retorts.
“Greed controls people. That is the kind of animal we human beings are.”
“……Wow, I can’t believe I just heard you say those words, Liz. You’ve certainly changed.”
I just know that Alicia is thinking, Do I have my powers as your monitor to thank?
“You see, I happen to know a very wise and wonderful unifier. The way I see it…greed is a weapon that, if used correctly, can protect.”
The “unifier” she mentioned must be Gramps. From the tone of her voice, it is clear just how highly Alicia reveres him.
Liz stays quiet, unable to argue.
“Those who rise to the top must see and understand all the people beneath them. Those who are incapable of this become dictators, but those who are capable become good unifiers. Do you understand, my dear?”
Alicia briefly raises the corners of her mouth into a condescending smirk. It gives me chills. Once again, I know that Alicia is the only one for me.
“Now, rest assured. Tyrants never last long.”
“……Because they get exiled, like you?” Liz asks.
“Ooh, spicy words. I shall take that as a compliment.”
Alicia smiles sweetly back at Liz. It isn’t her reaction that surprises me, though; it’s Liz. In this moment, she’s being outright hostile toward Alicia. They’ve had their fair share of spats in the past, but never has Liz shown such blatant animosity. If anything, she wants to maintain the impression she is trying to understand Alicia.
……It must be because of Duke. Is this animosity born of jealousy toward the woman who won the heart of the man she loves? I don’t understand the female heart very well, but if that is all it takes to change a person, then it’s a terrifying organ, indeed.
“Alicia dear, you need to acknowledge again what a privileged environment you grew up in.”
“Oh, do you mean to say you’ll let me return to Durkis someday?”
“Yes. I never abandon a friend.”
She’s back to the usual Liz Cather. Her expression is that of an innocent angel. Back to the usual Liz Cather, who pushes her own ego onto others. When I look at her, it is all very clear to me.
“It’s time,” one of the guards says softly, grabbing Alicia’s arm.
She has a satisfied smile on her face. It’s almost as if she’s aroused by the idea of going into exile.
Alicia is playing her role as a villainess right up until she exits the stage. Her brothers look on with worry as she’s dragged away. Liz’s expression contorts as she watches Alicia. Nobody else sees it, but I do.
Liz is envious.
She hates that everyone cares so deeply for Alicia.
“Now, I hate long good-byes. Farewell, everyone. This is truly good-bye.”
The strength in Alicia’s cheerful smile drives a nail through my heart. No matter how much everyone else despises her, she sticks to her convictions, not uttering a word of complaint. Never before have I loved Alicia more dearly than I do at this moment.
“Alicia…you can’t go… I’ll be so lonely. Please…please…please don’t go.”
I don’t want to say something like that to her when it takes so much courage for her to make her decision. I can’t say anything that will burden her. And yet…
“I’m happy to see you still have boyish cuteness in you, Gill.” Alicia gently frees herself from the guard and runs over to me. She hugs me tightly.
“…Ali…”
“You are my greatest treasure, Gill.”
A fist clenches around my heart. This noblewoman picked up a piece of trash discarded in Roana Village and embraced him, called him her treasure…and there’s nothing I can do in return.
I work so hard to try to serve her well, to try to earn a place beside her, but she is always several paces ahead.
“Gill, thank you for always being there for me.”
She gently releases me, then marches into the carriage. It was constructed so the passengers could not be seen from the outside.
I smile in spite of myself, thinking that curt farewell was very authentic for Alicia.
Please be well.
Silently uttering that short prayer, I watch the carriage take Alicia away.
Everyone, each holding their own thoughts and feelings in their hearts, watches the carriage until it disappears.