After breakfast I spent my time in my economics and management classes. I wanted to take business classes as well, but the duke refused to permit it. Now it was time for lunch, apparently my supposed brother had decided to pay me a visit. I had read about Alice’s and Albert's interaction before so I wasn’t worried about keeping up the act. Besides, in the worst case, I would tell him that I had hit my head this morning while getting out of bed.

If you ask me, I have become quite the actress in my time here. I could now properly conceal my true emotions while acting as though I felt something entirely different, I could even control my laughter which I struggled with before. I should be alright to meet with one person and regardless of whether he believes my backup lie, none of this is my fault! I’ll just pin the blame on the duke.

I got up from my seat, thanked my tutor for the lesson, and began to walk to the dining hall. Oddly enough, on my way, I heard some maids gossiping about ‘the duke’s forbidden love’, whatever that meant. Even though I didn’t know exactly what they were talking about, I giggled, in my mind of course. Although I doubt that this rumor was true, it would certainly make quite the hilarious tale.

Once I reached the dining hall, I curtsied, gently holding the hem of my dress before elegantly moving my right foot in front of the left and dipping my head. It was the traditional curtsy in all duchies. As I raised my head I saw Albert staring at me, I wanted to giggle but I skillfully held back.

“I greet you on this fine day, which has been provided for us by the God Ermes, he has blessed us, and now we have been lucky enough to cross paths again. How are you brother Albert?”

I delivered my greeting perfectly, if I do say so myself. Albert was still staring for the next few moments, his jaw may as well have been on the ground. Once he realized that he was staring, he hastily returned my greeting and commented on my etiquette.

“I now see why father decided to get you some tutors, they must be excellent to have managed to whip my study-hating sister into an elegant young lady.”

I casually brought my hand up to cover my mouth and giggled in a very Alice-like fashion. “Why yes, I suppose so, though I would like some of the credit as well.” I playfully answered. He rolled his eyes and gestured for me to sit down, a few moments later, the waiters and waitresses filed into the room before all stepping forward and placing the meals on the table in unison.

Why, this is certainly fancy, it must be either because Albert is here, or because it’s my birthday.

As we all ate, father made small talk with Albert. It seemed that they were talking about some of the inter duchy relations, and about how father wanted Albert to accompany him to some big meeting this year. When Albert asked for more details father told him that they would discuss it some other time as apparently ‘my birthday isn’t an appropriate setting for this discussion’. I knew that this was simply a farce to help him avoid speaking about important matters in front of me but I didn’t really mind. I doubt I would have learnt anything vital anyways.

Thus, the conversation turned to me, and my birthday. We talked about small things such as popular new snacks, and famous dressmakers in the duchy, before turning to subjects like my baptism and presents.

“Sister Alice, did you hear that there is a new food by the name of ‘pound cake’.”

I obviously knew about pound cake, but I kept that to myself

“No, I have not, would you be opposed to telling me about this new food? Is it any good?” I replied.

“It is like a fluffy pastry, you can eat it plain or with fruits and such added within. It is nice and sweet while also being light and fluffy. It is definitely something that you must try to understand, I will bring you some on my next visit. That may not be for a while though, as I plan to stay for your baptism.”

That's certainly one way to look at it.

I was already aware that he would stay because he was there when Catherine went crazy in the book, though it may complicate things. Such a shame that I won’t be able to eat some cake though, I was really starting to miss it.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

“That would be wonderful brother, I look forward to it. But why stay for my baptism? I hear that you are only allowed inside of the temple while I get my affinities, would it not be a hassle for you to stay?”

I also don’t exactly want Albert to stay for the baptism. After all, he seems kind, it would be a shame for him to die. But then again, I doubt I could make up a decent reason for him to leave. Actually, if I push for him to leave, then the duke would likely get suspicious and make him stay no matter what I do. I won’t push it, but hopefully he decides to leave.

That was when Albert replied and snapped me out of my thoughts.

“It would be no trouble at all, I’d hate to miss such a big event for my sister, speaking of which, I take it that we have all finished eating?

After both I and the duke agreed Albert beckoned a servant, who came in with a huge box wrapped in coloured paper.

“I congratulate you on reaching seven years of age, you will soon become a proper member of this duchy. This is my gift to you”. Once Albert completed his speech, the servant placed the gift on the ground in view of everybody, before squatting down and neatly unwrapping it, seemingly saving the paper for future use. Once the box was unwrapped I finally figured out what it was, a huge crate of books. I understand that Alice enjoyed reading, but really? This many books?

I plastered a partly genuine smile onto my face and said, “Thank you brother Albert, I look forward to reading all of these magnificent books.” Then I looked expectantly towards the duke, “Father, what did you get me?” He soon replied.

“My dearest Alice, I congratulate you on the achievement of reaching 7 years old, soon you will become a proper member of our duchy, by attending the baptism. I know that you understand the gravity of this event, as only nobles are allowed to attend and so, to commemorate your ascension to being a member of our great duchy, I give you this book.”

Right on que another servant walked into the dining hall and handed me a small package. I hastily unwrapped it, only to see ‘The complete guide to noble etiquette for all kingdoms’. Struggling to keep my emotions in check, my smile twitched slightly, “Thank you so much, father, I will put it to good use.”

As a fire starter.

Once I delivered this line, I handed the book back to a servant and excused myself. Two other servants picked up the enormous crate of books and began to trail after me. After I had excused myself Albert decided to follow my lead.

“Father, I shall now continue with my work, I wish you luck in your diplomatic affairs,” Albert stated.

The duke simply nodded while I continued to leave. Once brother Albert caught up to me, he instantly overtook me, after all, I was only seven years old, with a poor constitution at that, I was slow. As he passed by me, he whispered in my ear, “I’ve snuck a romance novel into the mix. Don’t let father see.”

I knew I liked him from the moment we met! It seems I’ve been proven right.

I only nodded in return but he smiled at seeing my happy face. Once I had arrived in my room, I began to sort through the books. My staff offered to do it themselves but I refused, who doesn’t love sorting through new books! If I were to let them do it then it would ruin the fun, and I'd never even know what books I got. Another reason behind this which I didn’t tell the maids was that I wanted to see if there would be any suitable books for me to take when I escaped. Sadly, nobody had gifted me any gold for my birthday, so I lacked the money necessary to aid my escape.

I was certain that there were no printers in this world, so books ought to be expensive. I could sell a few to gain some funds. Depending on how long it would take me to reach an orphanage, an inn might be necessary, I couldn’t exactly sleep outside, I was a young girl travelling alone. I’m not completely stupid! I wasn’t sure what types of shops I would find in the Imperial Lands, nor did I know the value of books. But. just in case somebody tried to scam me, I had a perfect response prepared, ‘we both know that isn’t nearly good enough, try again!’ It was fool proof.

So as I sorted my books into piles of genres, I put aside all the books I would take with me. In the end, after about 15 minutes of sorting, I found that I had five relatively thin books put aside for my journey. Each only had roughly two hundred pages, but as all books were hand written that was the norm.

The titles of these books were ‘the complete beginner guide to magic, ‘the complete intermediate guide to magic, and ‘the complete advanced guide to magic’. Although I probably couldn’t use magic since I was a commoner, and I wouldn't risk trying in this mansion for the fear of getting caught failing, I felt that these books would sell for quite a bit, and I had the complete collection which should up the price even more. The last two books were, ‘a guide to surviving in the wild, no magic necessary’ and my personal favourite ‘blossoming love’. I wasn’t exactly sure why these last two were given to a seven year old, but I certainly wouldn’t complain.

I found a small backpack in the cupboard. It was very childish and frilly, but it was all I had, so I made the most of it. I tucked my books into it for now, having sent a maid to the kitchens to get me some tea, and my other maid was sent after the first maid after I told her that I forgot to ask for snacks. It would only keep them away for a few minutes, but it was long enough. One guard was outside the door, while the second had been absent all day for some reason. I didn’t dare question it in case he came back.

While I was there, I also stashed away my simplest dresses, however fancy they still were, I wasn’t exactly sure why, but even though Alice seemed like the type to wear pants and a top, she only had dresses. However, I did have an inkling of suspicion that the duke had something to do with this, perhaps he was worried that I would run away, so he decided to hide my practical clothes. If so, it seemed rather silly.

I heard a knock on the door and quickly ran over to my chair, grabbing a random book on the way. My run was rather slow, and by the time I had arrived at my destination I was already out of breath. I waited a few moments until I had calmed my breathing before steadily saying, “You may enter”. While I had been expecting the maids to have returned, it seemed that my missing guard was here instead, with a friend, at that.

Then I heard another knock on the door, and once again yelled, “enter”. This time the maids did return, with cookies. The cookies were quite plain, but nice nonetheless. I elegantly sipped my tea as my guard began to introduce his new ‘friend’. Apparently, I now had another guard. I wasn’t exactly surprised, but it was a hindrance nonetheless. I asked him to go guard the outside of the door, while the other guard guarded the inside. My last and final guard remained behind me.