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That evening, we went to go visit Grandpa Will in the impoverished village. I had exhausted a lot of my strength when dealing with Duke-Sama earlier, but I was still feeling a lot more energetic than I had the day before so the walking wasnt unbearable.

Hey, Alicia?

Gilless slightly young-sounding voice stirs the quiet darkness as we make our way through the woods.

Yeah?

Have you ever met Dukes mother before?

Nope, I say with a little shake of my head. Duke-Samas mother has already passed away.

Oh, I see.

I saw her in a painting once though. She seemed like she must have been a very strong, domineering type of person. I also realized that Duke-Sama got his skin tone from her.

Domineering?

Yeah.. Duke-Samas mother isnt a person originally from this country.

What do you

Were here, I say, purposely cutting his question off.

I only remember seeing an image of her once when playing the game during my past life, so I dont really know any details. Id rather not carelessly run my mouth about something that I dont really understand.

I wonder if Gramps is doing well.

I cant imagine he wouldnt be, I say offhandedly, taking a step into the fog.

Eh!?

That was Gilless voice. Im too shocked to even speak.

The heavy, dark atmosphere of the village seems to have all but disappeared. Furthermore, there are no longer any people collapsed on the ground.

Whats going on? Whats happened here?

The sky is still overcast as it always was, but somehow the atmosphere of the village seems lighter. Brighter.

Why is it like this?

I have no idea.

The two of us stand stock still, just staring at the new surroundings.

Alicia! Gilles! Rebeccas spirited voice calls out to us from afar.

It couldnt be. Did she somehow revitalize this place? I know I wanted her to become this towns savior, but I didnt think shed manage to fulfill that role so fully.

But, was Rebecca capable of carrying out such a thing all by herself? No matter how good you are at understanding people, without practical wisdom and knowledge, such a thing should be.. Hmm. Theres really only one person that comes to mind after seeing all this.

Gramps, Gilles squeaks out, his eyes wide and staring at the man walking next to Rebecca. I quickly follow his gaze.

.I cant believe it.

Who.? I mutter while eyeing the man.

Through the mere act of walking towards us, theres an unmistakable air of majesty that surrounds him. That impact, that intensity is mentally overpowering. I find myself unable to move, unable to take even a step back. Goosebumps break out across my flesh and a shiver runs down my spine. What an overwhelming and dignified presence.

Even the times when I had an audience with the king the atmosphere didnt feel this tense. From the moment that this man appeared, it was as if the air in the whole courtyard had completely changed.

My spine automatically straightens until Im standing ramrod straight. This must be what it feels like to be truly nervous.

Alicia, Gilles, the man greets us with a smile. His voice is the only thing that feels familiar about him. Its still as kind and as warm as ever.

How can one persons presence and appearance change this much in such a short span of time?

His usually messy white hair is now slicked back stylishly giving a clear view of his face. A familiar golden iris glows out from his left eye. And on the right side of his face hes wearing a black eye patch just like mine.

We have matching looks so why is it that our atmospheres are so vastly different..? Hm, somehow even his clothes look more clean and neat than usual.

Thats the last thought I have before the man stops walking, having made his way over to stand directly before the two of us.

As if it was a normal occurrence, I naturally fall down to one knee. It wasnt a conscious decision, but before I knew what was happening I was kneeling before him.

In a tiny corner of my mind, Im appalled at myself. This sort of conduct is the last thing that a villainess should do. She would never willingly lower herself like this. To anyone!

But.. my body just moved on its own.

As a noble, Ive received plenty of instruction on etiquette in the past, so the action was like muscle memory.

More so than an ordinary person, nobles are instilled with excellent discerning abilities from when theyre young. So, I can instinctively tell more-or-less when Im standing before someone of a higher rank or someone who Id be no match for.

Certainly, Duke-Sama and Liz-san are existences who meet those qualifications, but even they can only pale in comparison this man.

Every single cell in my body is telling me that hes beyond anything I can imagine. How was he able to hide this undeniable majesty for all this time..?

Ali? Gilless surprised voice calls down to me.

Raise your head, Alicia, the man says in a calm, quiet tone, squatting down so that he can meet my gaze.

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T/N: Is this foreshadowing? For a new king to eventually take the throne? What do you guys think??

Haha, this chapter does feel a tad lackluster after the last one though XD And the next one is even shorter!

P.S. Happy Day, everyone!!!