TN: Surprisingly I got a lot of holiday in my current schedule, so I’m going to try to post the rest of volume 1 (4 more chaps) within next week because I fear I won’t have any holiday again for the rest of the month. Please enjoy.
The meeting that began again at a slow pace because everyone was gauging the situation, started to become chaotic again after a while.
In the first place, the situation wouldn’t be resolved just because Mary and the other joined in. Although Alicia or Patrick regained their calmness somewhat, it didn’t mean that it would lead to a decision.
That’s why Mary sent a questioning gaze at her mother, because she didn’t understand the reason she was brought here. Sitting beside her husband and watching the chaotic parliament, nothing could be felt from her dignified form. However…to come here meant there must be something.
Because she was the lady of the Albert House, she should know how important this meeting was, and how sinful it was to interrupt it.
Don’t tell me, does mother really…
Mary started to worry again, as the meeting started to discuss about the originality of the seal.
Why Alicia have the seal, and whether the seal was the real thing. At the end of the discussion, the decision was that Alicia stole the seal and was trying to become part of the royal family…. Mary was confused on how it became like that.
It was an astounding story from the start, but the parliament was as incoherent as the story was.
However, Mary couldn’t say a thing despite listening to the decision. As expected, she couldn’t say, “It is real in the game!”
In the situation where Mary couldn’t do a thing, Carrel’s beautiful voice, “If I may”, echoed in the room.
Naturally, everyone sent her a look, as was Mary and Addie.
Her dignified appearance was beautiful, it didn’t pale even when compared to this parliament room. Mary still felt uneasy despite how noble Carrel’s figure cut in this room.
She remembered the only one still image of the game.
That sepia scenery, when baby Alicia was kidnapped.
If the fortune-teller who kidnapped Alicia was blood-relative…
And mother was trying to confess about it…
The more she thought about it, the more Mary’s unease grew.
She didn’t know what her mother was thinking, if the criminal who went against the Royal Family was someone from Albert House and they hid the truth until now, it wouldn’t only be a downfall for them. It would be a family trip to the prison for treason.
“Why she hold the royal seal, and whether the seal is real. Please let me explain. Because…”
“Wa, wait, mother, calm dow…”
“That day, it was I who put the seal inside the young Princess’s cloth. “
…..
…………
“…Eh? “
The crowd went crazy at Carrel’s confession. It seemed she didn’t even tell her husband, because unlike his usual self, he stared wide-eyed at his wife who sat beside him.
But that reaction couldn’t be helped. Because the confession held too much impact.
The Princess-kidnapping case, and at the same time, the missing royal seal. To think the one who held all the truth was the wife of the noble family who was second only to the royal family, to not be surprised was impossible.
“I always find that fortune-teller suspicious. Maybe because I’m a mother who have a young daughter as well, I could feel the hatred in the gaze directed at the Princess.”
“Mother…”
“After I became aware of it, I’m afraid something will happen to the Princess, I was constantly watching over that fortune-teller. And that day…”
According to Carrel, after a long time that fortune-teller finally made a move.
So she tried to protect the young Princess, but she fell to the fortune-teller’s trick, and as the result, the Princess was kidnapped. That one still image.
In that time, the thought she should at least hold something to prove her identity, the conclusion was the seal.
“I know the danger that come with holding the royal seal. But still, to think at least there will be a chance for parent and child to meet again…”
Carrel casted down her eyes as she confessed.
She knew how painful it was for the Queen to lose the Princess because she had a daughter who was the same age, that’s why she took such a bold action when one usually hesitated.
As expected of a mother’s intuition.
But no matter her position as an Albert, everything wouldn’t be resolved with just her testimony.
Several people tried to doubt the truth of the story and the Congress fell into another chaos.
And that very moment…
“Her story is true.”
The door was opened vigorously.
Everyone was stunned, and in a hurry bowed down to the person who appeared from the door.
Her soft golden hair swayed as she looked around the Parliament Room. A beautiful but loveable woman who has both warmth and nobility in her manner.
The Queen, and the King who stood beside her, also expressed a word of apology saying, “I’m sorry to be late”, with a dignified yet quiet grace.
As a matter of fact, they were people who reigns at the top of this country.
More noble and exalted than anyone.
Mary, surprised as she was, began to compare the Queen and Alicia with wide-eyes.
Identical. Just like twin. It was at the level where one should normally realize the similarity. It wouldn’t be unbelievable if one said Alicia was the young copy of the Queen.
To be honest, where had the King’s gene gone? Couldn’t they give her some of his gene….
“….My Lady, My Lady! “
“….A, Addie? “
“What’s wrong, you’re spacing out.”
Perhaps to return to conciousness, Mary blinked several times at Addie’s hand as he waved it in front of her.
It seemed her brain short-circuited because of the shock at the development, when she realized, both the King and Queen already sat down.
“….I was running away from reality.”
“How unfair, if you’re running away, please bring me too.”
“Ee, you’re right. Next time I will ask. Please come with me as well in escaping reality.”
And by exchanging jokes like that, her cool-headedness returned.
Now was not the time to dwell on Alicia and the Queen’s similarity. Rather, their similarity should be increasing the credibility of Alicia being a princess.
And if they looked closer, she looked like the King as well. Like the corner of their eyes, or…their gesture….if you looked at them from far away….no, this was definitely not a flattery or lip service.
“My Lady, are you running away from reality again? “
“E, ee…it’s nothing…”
As she responded to Addie’s voice, her consciousness returned again.
Then turning over to the problem before her eyes in panic, both the King, Queen and Alicia looked at each other and approached step by step timidly.
Their breathtaking look was just like parents and child, and the moment when Alicia and Queen ‘s hair swayed roughly at the same time…
“Mother! Father! “
“Aa, our beloved daughter! “
And they hugged tightly.