Alice heard Melissa muttering some things, probably to her doll, but couldn’t make out the words. It didn’t matter much anyway. If the white-haired woman wanted to say something, she would raise her voice. And eventually, she did.

“Oh, pardon me. I assumed you were sent to kill me eventually and would know my name. Rather vain, now that I reflect on it. My name is Princess Alice of Crenscentia. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

It was well-practiced, like everything else. The life of a noble was one of saying the right thing to the right person, and being at the right place at the right time. Yet Melissa wasn’t even trying to act polite or correct around her. On one hand, it enraged her. She was the princess of Crescentia and deserved respect! On the other...she was intrigued. How strange it was to be so unconcerned. How strange it was to be so...free…

Something within her yearned for the ability to be so powerful as to proclaim one’s existence without a reason, but simply for the hell of it. Something within her yearned to live a selfish life, and to change from an overworked mule into a wild horse.

Alice pushed the foolish thoughts away. Continuing to look upon the dungeon with disgust, she mumbled to herself, “I should get this place washed and tidied.”

She turned away from the walls and faced Melissa, and approached. She hesitated for a beat, and then crouched down close to her captive, reaching out to gently pet Miranda’s head. Looking into the other girl’s single eye, she spoke.

“When did you meet Miranda? You two seem like very close friends. You see, my closest friend is my adviser,” she chuckled a bit bitterly, “so I envy you, in a way.”