From a very young age, Alicia Eleonora von Valencia believed she was special.
No, "believed" wasn't quite the right word. "Knew" would be more accurate. After all, the world reflected in her blue eyes had always revolved around her.
Born as the lady of the Valencia estate, the word "lack" did not exist in her dictionary. Whatever she desired was in her hands before she could even open her mouth to ask; whatever she looked upon soon became her possession. At the tender age of thirteen, or perhaps because she was only thirteen, she did not yet realize how small and fragile her world truly was.
"My Lady, what shall we prepare for your breakfast this morning?"
The cautious voice of Martha, the Head Maid, echoed through the bedroom. Morning sunlight poured in through the large, eastward-facing windows. Silk curtains swayed gently in the breeze, casting golden patterns across the floor.
Alicia tossed and turned under her duvet without even opening her eyes.
"...Be quiet."
"But My Lady, the Count and Countess expressed their wish to have breakfast with you..."
"I said, be quiet."
Her voice was cold. It was a tone so sharp it was hard to believe it came from a thirteen-year-old girl, like a finely honed dagger.
Martha was already accustomed to this. Having served the only legitimate daughter of the Valencia family for nearly ten years, she knew better than anyone what kind of person the young lady was.
"I understand, My Lady. Please call for me when you are ready."
Just as the Head Maid was about to quietly exit the room, Alicia spoke again.
"...I'm already awake anyway. Bring the water."
"Yes, My Lady."
Martha's pace quickened. Soon, two maids entered carrying a silver tray with a glass of water, a warm towel, and rose oil.
Alicia slowly pushed herself up.
The reflection in the mirror was certainly worthy of the title "The Jewel of the Valencia Family." Her platinum-blonde hair, inherited from her mother, flowed down past her shoulders, and her father's deep blue eyes sparkled transparently in the morning light. Her petite face boasted a perfect balance between a straight nose and crimson lips.
Thirteen.
An age standing somewhere between a child and a lady. Yet, Alicia's gaze already held the arrogance and coldness usually found only in adult noblewomen.
"What is my schedule for today?"
"After breakfast, you have a history lesson with Tutor Baron, and a piano lesson is scheduled for the afternoon. In the evening, the Count's honored guests will be visiting for a banquet..."
"I won't be attending that tedious banquet," Alicia cut her off.
Martha's eyes wavered slightly, but she quickly regained her usual calm expression.
"But My Lady, the Count specifically..."
"Tell Father I'm not feeling well."
"..."
"Why? Are you incapable of doing that?"
Alicia turned her head to stare straight at the Head Maid. Her gaze held a strange provocation, as if asking, *'Do you dare defy me?'*
Martha quietly bowed her head.
"I will relay the message, My Lady."
A faint smile brushed Alicia's lips.
She had won.
As she always did.
The Valencia Countship's mansion was considered one of the most beautiful structures in the Northern region.
Built over three generations, the castle was an exquisite harmony of traditional Gothic style and modern elegance. Five spires soared as if to pierce the heavens, and flowers bloomed in the gardens throughout all four seasons. The main building alone had over thirty rooms; if one included the annex, the knight's barracks, and the servant quarters, it was no exaggeration to call it a small village.
Alicia was at the center of it all.
Or, to be more precise, Alicia considered herself the center of this world.
"My Lady, breakfast is ready."
"Fine."
Alicia, who had been sitting at her vanity having her hair styled, stood up. The dress she chose today was a light blue silk one-piece. Intricate lace embroidery adorned the neckline and cuffs, and a belt studded with pearls was wrapped around her waist.
As she walked down the hallway, every servant she passed stopped and bowed deeply.
Alicia didn't give them a second glance.
To her, the servants were part of the background. They were no different from the tapestries or candelabras decorating the castle—beings whose absence would be inconvenient, but whose presence required no special attention.
"Good morning, My Lady."
A young maid standing by the dining room door greeted her as she opened it. She seemed to be a new hire. Seeing the unfamiliar face, Alicia stopped in her tracks.
"You. What is your name?"
"Huh? Oh, I am Sophie, My Lady. I started yesterday in the kitchen..."
"Who told you to keep talking?"
Alicia snapped. Sophie's face turned pale in an instant.
"I-I'm s-s-sorry, My Lady."
"From now on, only answer what you are asked. Understood?"
"Ye-yes..."
Alicia lost interest in her and stepped into the dining room.
Seated at the large oak table were her father, Count Laurent von Valencia, and her mother, Lady Elena. Both smiled as they saw Alicia enter.
"Ah, our princess is here."
Count Laurent raised a hand in welcome. His face was full of deep affection. Though he was in his forties, the dignity of his days as a knight could still be felt in his straight back and broad shoulders.
"Father, Mother."
Alicia gave an elegant greeting before taking her seat. At least in front of her family, she maintained basic etiquette. Or perhaps, even this was just one of the "appropriate masks" she had learned to wear.
"Did you sleep well?" Lady Elena asked softly.
With her platinum-blonde hair and gentle smile, Alicia's looks were certainly a reflection of her mother. However, her personality...
"Yes, Mother."
"I'm glad. You look well today."
Breakfast began. Freshly baked bread, smoked ham, egg dishes, and fresh fruit. the table was laid out with no shortage of food.
"About the banquet this evening," Count Laurent began cautiously.
"An envoy is coming from the House of Marquess Castel. Alicia, I would like you to attend as well."
"..."
Alicia paused with her fork mid-air.
The House of Marquess Castel.
Whenever she heard that name, she felt an unpleasant sensation. She wasn't sure why, but something about it felt... ominous. Was it because of the subtle tension her father showed whenever he dealt with them?
"I don't want to."
"Alicia."
"I'm tired. Besides, those people don't particularly like me."
Count Laurent's eyes flickered slightly. However, he soon gave a soft smile and nodded.
"Alright, I understand. You don't have to overdo it."
Beside him, Lady Elena gently took her husband's hand. A silent conversation passed between them. Alicia didn't notice.
Or rather, perhaps she simply chose not to notice.
The morning lesson was just as tedious as expected.
Tutor Baron, his real name was Bartholomew Baron, but everyone called him by his title. was the most famous scholar in the Valencia estate. A graduate of the Royal Academy, he was an unrivaled expert in history and political science.
To Alicia, however, he was merely a "meddlesome old man."
"My Lady, the history of the Valencia family began 200 years ago when the first Count participated in the pioneering of the North. At that time..."
"Teacher."
"Yes?"
"That's the third time I've heard that story."
Tutor Baron's eyes twitched. However, he patiently maintained his smile. The personality of this young lady was already legendary throughout the estate.
"Repetition is the mother of learning, My Lady."
"What I need isn't a mother, but a new story."
"..."
Alicia leaned her chin on her hand and looked out the window. She could see the knights training in the garden. The faint sound of clashing swords reached her ears.
The knights.
Her gaze lingered on one spot for a moment.
A man was swinging his sword alone in a corner of the garden. Standing apart from the other knights, his solitary training made him stand out. Black hair and sharp eyes. And an atmosphere that seemed somehow lonely.
"Who is that man?" Alicia asked.
Tutor Baron followed her gaze out the window.
"Ah, you mean him. That is Sir Kyle."
"Kyle?"
"Yes. He is a knight who recently joined the Valencia Knights. I heard he was originally a wandering knight..."
Tutor Baron's voice lowered slightly.
"His skills as a knight are said to be quite remarkable. However, there are rumors that he doesn't get along well with the other knights due to his lowly commoner origins."
"Hmph."
Alicia pulled her gaze away, acting disinterested.
"A wanderer? How did a man like that become a knight for our house?"
"I heard the Count scouted him personally. I'm not sure what kind of connection they have..."
"Father did?"
Alicia's eyebrows arched slightly. It was unexpected. Her father was usually someone who placed great importance on status and lineage.
But the interest was fleeting; Alicia soon lost her curiosity. Whether he was a wandering knight or not had nothing to do with her.
"Continue the lesson."
"Yes, My Lady."
She did not know.
The man outside the window, the knight called Kyle, was the person who would completely change her fate tomorrow.
The afternoon piano lesson was even worse.
"My Lady, this part should be a bit softer..."
"I know. Don't be so loud."
Alicia's fingers moved over the keys. A wrong note rang out. Her brow furrowed.
"Again," the music teacher, Mrs. Michelle, said cautiously.
"It's alright, My Lady. Slowly..."
"I said, I'm doing it again," Alicia snapped. Mrs. Michelle fell silent.
The performance began once more. But she made the same mistake in the same spot. Alicia's face flushed red.
"..."
Suddenly, she slammed the piano lid shut with a loud *thud*.
"That's enough for today."
"But My Lady, there is still time left in the lesson..."
"I said, that's enough."
Mrs. Michelle didn't say another word. Alicia stood up and stormed out of the room.
Walking down the hallway, Alicia bit her lip.
*Why do I keep messing up? I practiced. I played it perfectly yesterday.*
Her pride was wounded. She had to be someone who did everything perfectly. The only legitimate daughter of the Valencia family. The most noble being in this estate. The idea that she couldn't even play the piano properly was unbearable.
"...So annoying."
She headed toward the garden. She wanted to get some fresh air.
The late afternoon garden was quiet.
The knights who had been training in the morning had already left, and only a few gardeners were tending to the flowerbeds in the distance. Alicia sat on a bench by the fountain and looked up at the sky.
A clear sky without a single cloud.
*The weather will be nice tomorrow, too.*
She murmured to herself aimlessly.
Just then, she felt movement out of the corner of her eye. Turning her head, she saw the knight she had seen through the window earlier, Kyle, passing through the garden, as if on some urgent mission.
He stopped for a moment and bowed politely toward Alicia.
"My Lady."
It was a short greeting. That was all. Without another word, he began to walk away.
Alicia was momentarily taken aback.
Usually, servants or knights were either extremely nervous in her presence or busy flattering her to win her favor. But this man just bowed once, and that was it?
"...Hey."
Alicia called out. Kyle stopped and turned back.
"Did you call for me?"
"Are you that wandering knight?"
It was a direct question. One could even call it rude. But Alicia didn't care. She was the lady of this estate, and she had the right to ask anyone anything.
Kyle's expression didn't change.
"It is true that I was a wanderer."
"Why did my father take you in?"
"I am not entirely sure myself. It was the Count's will."
"..."
Alicia looked him up and down.
He looked to be around thirty. His tanned skin and the scars on his hands suggested his life had not been easy. His gaze was quiet but deep, the eyes of a man who had seen many things.
"You're a boring man," Alicia spat out.
Kyle didn't offer a response. He simply bowed politely once more and went on his way.
"...How arrogant," Alicia muttered, averting her eyes.
It wasn't that he was being disrespectful. If anything, he was on the polite side. Yet, her mood was strangely soured.
*It must be because of the piano lesson.*
Convincing herself of that, she stood up from the bench.
Evening arrived.
As scheduled, the envoy from the House of Marquess Castel arrived. Alicia stayed holed up in her room and did not meet them. She saw the carriage enter through her window but paid it no mind.
Instead, she lay on her bed and stared at the ceiling.
Today had passed without incident. Tomorrow would be the same. And the day after. And the day after that.
A daily routine that would never change.
Alicia thought this was only natural.
This castle was her world. And this world would last forever.
She did not know.
What kind of conversation was taking place at this very moment in the Great Hall below.
And that tomorrow, before the sun even rose, her "eternal world" would collapse amidst blood and flames.
Late at night.
Moonlight poured through the window. The last peaceful night at Valencia Castle was quietly deepening.