Chapter 15 – Reunion
1248 Words
Doris watched as Alice buried her head in her chest, holding her tight, her fingers brushing over the hair that had once reached her waist but now barely touched her shoulders. Doris felt a pang of guilt, recalling how she had ignored Alice for the past few days.
Suddenly, Alice lifted her head, tiptoed, and pressed a fierce kiss on Doris’s lips.
“I thought… I thought…” Alice’s eyes were full of worry as she stared at Doris.
The soldiers and some onlookers nearby had seen the kiss, but they didn’t find it inappropriate. They assumed it was simply the excitement of a friend discovering that her friend was safe after a scare.
Doris quietly gazed at Alice, still as beautiful and charming as ever, unsure what to say.
The sound of galloping hooves drew their attention. Everlen, worried about his daughter and having had no time to change out of his informal attire, arrived at the fire scene.
Guided by the soldiers, Everlen reached Alice. He saw his daughter holding Doris tightly. Both appeared unharmed, but the jagged, dagger-cut hair at the back of Alice’s head made him frown.
“Dad…?” Alice noticed her father and released Doris.
“Get in the carriage,” Everlen said coldly.
His face was expressionless, but the anger in his eyes, fueled by concern for his daughter, was unmistakable—even to Doris, an outsider.
“Dad… Doris…” Alice whispered, realizing just how furious he was.
“Now. Get in the carriage. We’re going home!” Everlen’s voice carried an unyielding authority.
Alice lowered her gaze under her father’s intense stare. She knew he was genuinely angry—just like two years ago when he had scolded her for nearly drowning while saving Doris. She remembered the harsh words, tempered only by his underlying concern: though she was considered a prodigy, she was still human and could be hurt.
Alice glanced back at Doris, her eyes a mixture of worry, reluctance, and a quiet plea.
“You go home first. My mom, my brother, and I are fine… I…” Doris paused, then added softly, “I won’t leave you. Ever…”
Alice smiled.
Doris watched as Alice rode away in the carriage, her thoughts hidden.
“The fire is too intense to extinguish completely; we can only prevent it from spreading. There’s a northwestern wind! Keep some people to the southeast, the rest to the northwest to fetch water and remove flammable materials. Women and children, move to the southeast!” Following Everlen’s orders, the soldiers sprang into action.
“The Duke is here! The Duke is here!” Hearing Everlen’s voice, the townspeople realized their leader had arrived.
“We must help! Let’s assist the Duke in putting out the fire!” Inspired by his presence, some townspeople joined the firefighting efforts. It was clear Everlen was beloved in Noah City.
The firefighting proceeded efficiently.
Everlen quietly thanked his luck for the calm night—though the district was damaged, the fire hadn’t spread further.
Once the fire was under control, he searched the area and found Doris.
“You’re Doris, correct?” Everlen asked, his tone calm but firm.
Doris looked at him nervously, giving a slight bow. “Yes, Your Grace.”
“My daughter has twice put herself in extreme danger because of you. I’m angry. I’ll give you two choices: First, leave Noah City with your mother and never appear in my daughter’s life again. Second… reconcile with Alice, be her best friend, and never abandon her!” Without waiting for her answer, Everlen turned and continued directing the firefighting.
※※※
Bella watched Alice, now asleep, and gently reached for her hair.
Last night, when Alice returned to the castle, Bella had already noticed the shortened hair. Embarrassed by the kiss incident, Bella had asked the soldiers who had accompanied Alice for details. Once she understood what had happened, she felt a mix of anger—toward Doris or Alice, she wasn’t sure.
Every morning, Bella would brush Alice’s long hair. But now…
“Hmm…? Bella?” Alice woke unusually early.
Bella quickly withdrew her hand.
“Good morning, Miss.”
“Ahhhhhhh!” Alice yawned loudly, stretching. Though she had gone to bed late, she had slept soundly, her mind unburdened.
“Nice weather today,” Alice said lazily, a hint of tears from yawning lingering at the corners of her eyes.
“Miss, I’ll help you get dressed.” Bella brought over Alice’s clothes.
Alice looked straight at Bella, then lowered her head and whispered, “Why… did you do that yesterday?”
Bella stiffened briefly before replying calmly, “When you first kissed me, I felt that you truly enjoyed it. Yesterday, I only kissed you because it was something you liked. It’s only natural for a servant to make her lady happy.”
“Just that?” Alice murmured, her voice almost inaudible. She exhaled in relief but felt a faint twinge of disappointment she couldn’t explain.
“Miss?”
“Uh… I’ll get up now.”
“After breakfast today, don’t go to your morning class.”
“Why?” Alice asked, puzzled.
“The hairdresser needs to fix your hair.”
Alice paused, touching her now shoulder-length hair—the result of last night’s fire incident. Though she regretted losing her long hair, she wasn’t a woman who would agonize over it.
※※※
“Oh! Miss Alice, it’s quite a surprise that you cut your beautiful hair! Though I must say, the new style suits you wonderfully.” The speaker was an older gentleman in his fifties, Daph, Alice’s piano teacher.
Once a professor at Norman Academy in the imperial capital, Daph had been invited to the castle by Everlen to teach Alice piano.
After a session with the hairdresser, Alice’s previously uneven hair had been shaped into a playful, slightly voluminous bob—mischievous and cute.
“Mr. Daph, sometimes changing your hairstyle can brighten your mood.”
“May I ask how you’re feeling today, Miss Alice?”
“Happy~” Alice replied with a radiant smile.
She sat at the piano.
A new piece, Vanessa’s Smile, flowed from her fingers.
After a few notes, Daph realized it was another composition he hadn’t heard before. Alice had amazed him countless times since she was five, demonstrating extraordinary talent and rapidly mastering the piano—thanks partly to prior life experience, though he didn’t know that. At ten, she had composed Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Variations.
Daph had been astounded that a ten-year-old could compose. Alice’s compositions continued to surprise him, earning her the rare privilege of exchanging ideas rather than paying tuition.
The piece ended.
“You composed this too? It’s cheerful… I can imagine little girls playing joyfully together. What’s the name?” Daph asked excitedly.
“Yes, Mr. Daph. It’s called Doris’s Smile.” Alice, shamelessly, had borrowed a piano piece from Earth and renamed it.
“My dear Miss Alice, soon you’ll surpass me in compositions. You truly are a genius.” Daph said, a hint of envy in his tone.
“Really? Hehe, but after all, I’m your student~ Only famous teachers can produce skilled students.” Alice laughed, thinking privately about how Daph would react if he knew Mozart had composed at five.
“Well said,” Daph replied, smiling modestly.
The young prodigy and the seasoned teacher began today’s piano session.
- Writer
