Chapter 7: The Rift
1270 Words
“You’re… Miss Alice?? What are you doing here? And your clothes…”
Alice froze at the sudden voices of several young noblemen. Then she glanced at Doris, who was staring back at her with puzzled eyes.
Her mind went blank. How she wished time could just stop here. She had no idea how to face Doris…
Two hours earlier—
“Broken by nobles?” Alice didn’t know what expression to wear. Her feelings were a tangled mess. She had spent all morning distracted, even getting scolded in class for spacing out, her mind stuck on what to do about Doris.
After endless mental rehearsals, Alice had finally decided today would be the day she revealed her true identity. But now this happened.
“Yes, this morning,” Doris said calmly. “The city guards chased off the nobles, and Uncle James brought in some new tables.”
Her voice was steady, but the flash of loathing in her eyes didn’t escape Alice’s notice. That look was enough to make Alice hesitate, her resolve faltering.
“So… Doris really does hate nobles…” Alice thought bitterly.
“Oh…” Alice responded absentmindedly.
“What’s wrong?” Doris immediately picked up on her mood.
“No, nothing… um, Doris, you really hate nobles, don’t you?” Alice tried to laugh it off.
Doris fell silent. She didn’t answer, but the faint trace of disdain in her expression said enough.
Alice’s chest tightened. For the first time, she hated her own noble status.
“Not all nobles are bad, though,” Doris added with a weak smile. “Just the other day, a noble lady came here, spent only eighty copper, but gave me a whole gold coin.”
Alice stared at that strained smile and realized Doris was hiding something. She didn’t know what, but it definitely had to do with nobles.
“Today really isn’t the right time to confess…” Alice thought. “I’ll wait a little longer.”
Taking a deep breath, Alice smiled and said, “So, anything I can help with around the shop today?”
Relieved at the change of subject, Doris pulled Alice behind the counter.
“You can handle the money. Trust me, letting you do anything else would be a disaster.”
“Hey! Are you looking down on me?” Alice pouted, glaring up at her friend who stood half a head taller.
“Don’t think collecting money’s that easy, you know?”
※ ※ ※
“Diana, long time no see!”
Doris’s mother, Joanna, walked out from the kitchen.
“Hello, Aunt Joanna. Doris said you were busy in the back. She wouldn’t let me help, afraid I’d just make trouble,” Alice said sweetly.
“Thanks for pitching in today. But business has slowed down. James and I can handle it. You two girls go take a break.” Joanna ushered them out from behind the counter.
“Finally, some rest.” Alice stretched like a cat.
Watching her friend stretch and make a little “mrrr” sound, Doris teased, “Mom, look at her. She’s not here to help. She’s just a little girl being forced to work.”
“Hey! That’s not fair!” Alice protested.
“I’m just teasing, dear. Come on, let’s grab some donuts I made and chat outside.”
“Got any cream cake?”
“Sorry, I don’t know how to make that. But you can always beg Uncle James for one.”
“Eh… never mind. I like your donuts better anyway.”
The two sat together happily, catching up on the week. Alice silently prayed that even after confessing, things could stay just like this.
But life rarely goes as planned.
Several young nobles walked into Doris’s pastry shop.
※ ※ ※
“Miss Alice? Is that you? I almost didn’t recognize you in those rough commoner clothes—if not for your beautiful golden hair! You’ll ruin your skin dressed like that. Don’t you remember me? We met at your father the Duke’s birthday banquet this year.”
Alice didn’t have magic or a time-stopping gadget like Doraemon. The boy’s voice shattered her illusion, dragging her back to reality.
Her face hardened. She glared at him icily.
“Leave. Now.” Her voice was so cold it froze the air.
“W-what’s wrong?” the boy stammered. At the duke’s banquet, Alice had been polite, lovely, and kind. But now…
“I won’t repeat myself.”
“…Alright then. I guess I interrupted you.”
The noble youths left quickly. None dared complain—her father was the lord of the entire Noah Plains.
Alice turned back. Doris had her head lowered, silent.
The weight of silence pressed between them.
At last, Doris spoke.
“Your name is Alice, isn’t it?” Her tone was flat, but it cut deep.
Alice’s heart sank. She hated herself for not confessing earlier. Now it felt like a betrayal.
“Yes. But Diana is another name of mine. I can explain—”
“You don’t need to.” Doris finally raised her eyes, her gaze empty, fixed on Alice’s violet pupils.
“The Lancaster family is known for their purple eyes. And the Duke’s daughter is named Alice. That’s you, isn’t it?”
Alice nodded weakly, then pleaded, “Doris, please let me explain. I hid my status, yes—but I’m not like other nobles, I—”
“Please leave, Lady Alice.” Doris cut her off.
“I… I…”
Alice’s chest ached as she saw Doris trembling, eyes brimming with tears.
“No—I should be the one to leave. Forgive me, my lady.” Doris turned away.
“Don’t go, please!” Alice rushed to grab her hand.
“Don’t touch me!” Doris yanked free.
Alice stood frozen, mind blank, as her dearest friend walked away.
※ ※ ※
At the Duke’s mansion.
“Bella, why isn’t Alice at dinner?” Donna asked.
“Madam, the young lady said she wasn’t feeling well and wanted to rest.”
Donna’s face clouded with worry. She was about to go check on her daughter when the Duke, Alberon, gestured for her to stay.
“Bella, as her maid, you should tell us your opinion, not just pass along messages.”
Encouraged, Bella thought for a moment, then said, “I don’t think the young lady is sick. She just seems… very upset. Something must have happened.”
Donna and Alberon exchanged a weary smile.
“I suspect Alice had some trouble this afternoon,” Alberon sighed.
Bella’s eyes flickered with concern.
※ ※ ※
In her room, Alice curled up beneath her blanket, only her little feet and a few strands of golden hair peeking out.
Her thoughts were a storm. Doris was one of her closest friends. In her past life, she’d never had anyone she could truly call a friend, and with little family affection, she treasured this bond all the more. Now losing Doris left her heart hollow, suffocating with pain.
Knock, knock.
“Alice, are you alright?” Donna’s voice came from outside.
“I’m fine, Mom. I just want to sleep early tonight, okay?”
The door creaked open. Donna came to her bedside.
Looking at her daughter’s tangled hair and lifeless eyes, Donna sighed softly.
Alice met her mother’s gentle gaze. A flicker of warmth returned to her heart.
“My poor little one. Will you tell me what happened?” Donna opened her arms.
Alice slipped out from under the blanket and into her mother’s embrace.
- Writer
