Chapter 2: Collapse and Escape!

With Alicia’s tacit approval, the head maid and her subordinates treated Cynthia like a dress-up doll, eagerly draping her in all manner of garments without hesitation.

In the end, though, Cynthia settled on the red-and-white ceremonial dress she’d been presented with initially.

After some time, Cynthia appeared in the Imperial Court’s meeting room, her face etched with exhaustion.

The dress, adorned in striking red and white, flowed down to just above her calves, its rippling pleats lending it a layered elegance.

Though she still appeared youthful, the slim-fitting gown subtly accentuated her gentle curves. The silver threads woven into the fabric glimmered under the conference room’s light, complementing her ruby-like eyes and lending her a delicate, exquisite charm.

She paired the dress with finely crafted black high boots, completing the look of an impeccably dressed doll.

The moment Cynthia stepped into the room, she became the center of attention, drawing a chorus of praises.

“Her Highness is as perfect as ever today!”

“Truly befitting the title of Princess! She is the pride of the Empire!”

“We concur!”

Cynthia merely nodded slightly, maintaining the refined etiquette expected of a princess, and made her way to the empty seat beside Alicia before sitting down.

“Isn’t this how a proper lady behaves?”

Alicia crossed her arms, her lips curling into a teasing half-smile as she looked at Cynthia.

“Please don’t tease me, Mother.”

Cynthia forced a smile, muttering to herself, ‘Gods, this is not what I wanted.’

Over the past few years, she had endured more etiquette lessons than meals in her former life. Coupled with Alicia’s “care,” those accursed manners had practically been etched into her very being, guiding her actions almost instinctively.

“Hmph.”

Alicia chuckled lightly and turned her attention to the ministers in the room. “Gentlemen, now that my beloved daughter has arrived, let us resume the meeting.”

“Yes, the next topic concerns developments with the Holy Church.”

After Alicia spoke, the Minister of Internal Affairs cleared his throat and took charge of the meeting. “In the northern reaches of the empire, tensions have once again flared between our citizens and the Holy Church.”

“These incidents have grown frequent of late, all concentrated in the north. We suspect the Holy Church is plotting something.”

At the mention of the “Holy Church,” Cynthia, who had been disinterested in the proceedings, grew serious.

“The Holy Church again…”

Cynthia muttered under her breath, barely audible, ‘This organization has never done anything good.’

Dark memories surfaced in her mind, casting a shadow over her expression.

Alicia caught this shift from the corner of her eye.

A faint smile curved Alicia’s lips as she propped her chin in her hand and remarked:

“Those despicable zealots of the Holy Church, hiding behind the goddess’s name to commit their vile deeds every day…”

“Your Majesty is absolutely correct,” the Minister of Internal Affairs continued. “More troubling, we’ve uncovered evidence that the Holy Church is involved in the trafficking of children from our empire, particularly orcs living along the border.”

“Yet their operations are so clean and efficient that they leave scant evidence, making it difficult to apprehend them.”

“…”

Cynthia’s fists clenched tightly. She knew all too well that the Holy Church had long engaged in such depravity.

She also knew the horrific fates awaiting those abducted children.

Sold as slaves, subjected to magical experiments, or molded into puppets for the Holy Church’s schemes…

A vague shadow flickered in her mind’s eye.

[The Holy Church should not exist.]

The shadow’s voice echoed in her thoughts.

After the meeting, Cynthia slipped away from prying eyes and returned to her room, searching for something.

“Blood bottle… and map… oh, right—”

She shed the ornate dress and pulled a plain outfit from a box beneath her bed.

It wasn’t that she wanted to wear a skirt, but skirts were all this place provided her.

This simple leather miniskirt was the most flexible and comfortable option she had.

Cynthia took a deep breath, steeling her resolve, and donned the outfit, tying her loose silver hair into a practical bun for ease of movement.

In her current attire, Cynthia resembled a fledgling adventurer, ready to set out.

She had attempted to escape multiple times before, only to be caught by that “old woman” each time, but she refused to give up.

This time, an opportunity had presented itself. Even if she failed and was caught again, she’d have a justifiable excuse.

At the very least, she might get scolded a little less.

Moreover, she had a reason to confront the Holy Church.

“Hmph… Holy Church…”

Cynthia stared at her clenched fists, quietly feeling the strength she had honed over years of training coursing through her body.

“I’ll make you pay for everything you did back then!”

“My life exists for this!”

On the rooftop of the Imperial Court, Alicia and her personal maid, Lilith, stood at the edge, gazing northward.

“This girl is bold, trying to escape again?”

“This marks Her Highness’s seventy-eighth escape attempt, Your Majesty,” Lilith said calmly, her hands clasped before her. “Shall I retrieve her?”

“Hmm…”

Alicia’s eyes traced a distant path where her beloved daughter Cynthia was making her furtive escape, unaware of the eyes tracking her.

“No, not this time. Let her go.”

After a moment of silence, Alicia shook her head and glanced at her hand.

A silver dagger had appeared in her grip, unnoticed until now.

“With Cynthia’s current strength, few could pose a threat to her.”

“Besides, I’m curious to see how she’ll act.”

A playful smile spread across Alicia’s face. “The Holy Church isn’t what it used to be. It’s become a threat to our empire.”

“And since Cynthia harbors such disdain for them, letting her vent her anger seems like a fine choice.”

Lilith studied Alicia’s back, hesitating briefly before speaking cautiously, “Pardon me, Your Majesty, but I still don’t understand your decision back then. You could have chosen a successor with a purer bloodline…”

“Shh—if you keep talking, I’ll get cross.”

Alicia raised a finger to silence Lilith.

“My apologies, Your Majesty. I spoke out of turn.”

“No matter,” Alicia replied, showing no intent to chastise her maid. Instead, she continued, “Think about it, Lilith. A little one who knows her own strength and status yet still dares to call me an old hag—such audacity isn’t something those groveling sycophants could ever offer.”

“And despite all my ‘care,’ she’s endured and still dares to try escaping…”

“Heh, don’t you find her intriguing?”