'Fine.'

"What time will your brother get back?"

"Around eight, Your Grace."

'It's actually earlier than that.'

'Well, I'm sure dinners are awkward to him.'

Adelaide stole a glance towards her new biological father, Duke Charles, before answering the duchess' question. A week had passed since then, and she was able to confirm what those places outside of her study hall were – they were indeed dreams.

She went into different people's dreams at night to test out what she could do. Like how she did with Alfred, Adelaide could influence their thoughts to a certain extent, and they would not remember her being in their dreams. She even heard some maids whisper to her friends about talking with a mighty being in her sleep the other night - ''someone whose face was covered in fog.'

Still, Adelaide thought she should be careful.

The mind domain once again reminded her of how dangerous and vital one's subconsciousness is. If she played her cards well, she could manipulate someone into doing something while thinking it was their idea and consent, not hers, all along. Though she must be careful not to make it excessive or unacceptable - people's minds were hazy once they sleep, but that did not mean they became stupid puppets.

It sounds great and all, but that's one of those things where you want to do it to other people, not the other way around.

It was fortunate that, unlike other people's places where she could enter easily, her study hall was protected by solid walls. However, that fact alone gave the doubtful Adelaide a small sense of crisis.

What if someone could walk into her place through the door like it's their own home? Though it was unlikely since she had not seen anyone else besides her who could do this, that did not make the possibility impossible.

'Should I move something big over and use it to block the door when I'm not there, just in case?'

"Adelaide."

"…"

"Adelaide, are you listening to me?"

"…ah yes, Your Grace, I'm sorry." Adelaide flinched lightly as the Duchess raised her voice. She did not expect herself to space out that long.

"Don't worry about it. The dresses that I ordered for you just arrived. What do you think about trying it on with me after dinner?"

"I'd love to." Her eyes lit up in delight and shifted towards the duke. "Will father also come to take a look?"

'Actually, don't. You'll ruin everything.'

"No, he won't. Your father's busy." Duchess Elicia's smile was as kind as ever. "Besides, a man like him wouldn't know anything about fashion. They won't have that much interest in clothes like us."

"We don't have to wait for Alfred, either. I'm sure you can show him later when he gets back. Let's have a little mother-daughter time, okay? I missed you so much, but we didn't get the chance to spend time together."

'Stop being so obvious. I'm worried about you.'

'It's currently 7 pm. You chose such a good time.'

Alfred's break was supposed to last ten days, but it was shortened to seven for a reason. Adelaide was there when he received the announcement from the academy. Alfred did not look surprised or unexpected. For young geniuses like him, it was normal to get back to school a couple of days earlier.

It was a privilege. The professors would utilize these short few days to teach him advanced lessons privately. Adelaide knew he would not refuse, but he asked her if she wanted him to go, which was unexpected. That had never happened before, but Adelaide could understand why.

'He was worried. He knew his sister had to grow up, but the thought of leaving her alone so soon still bugged him, especially after what happened.'

'He's heading straight towards the always-worried mother route.'

Adelaide finished her last spoon of mango pudding before using a napkin to wipe her mouth. She then quietly turned the invisible ring on her left thumb several times under the table.

Everything happened amidst the duke couple's happy talk. Compared to the conversations they had with her, their interaction looked more real and genuine.

"Then shall we go?"

"Of course, Your Grace."

"Since your brother's not here, let Samuel help you get off the chair, Adelaide."

"Pardon my rudeness, my lady."

"Thank you."

Samuel was the duchy's apprentice knight. Adelaide showed him her signature innocent smile before holding the young man's extended hand.

"There are maids who will help, so bring Samuel with you to your practice, my dear. I heard he has potential."

"What about another escort, just to be sure?"

"It's fine. We're in the mansion, so what could happen? Don't worry too much, you'll age."

'Ahh, I get it, so please stop.'

Adelaide held Duchess Elicia's delicate hand as she walked her towards the big closet room where the newly arrivals were stored.

"Are you excited, Adelaide?"

"Yes, Your Grace. It's been a while sin-"

Click.

Before Adelaide could finish what she was saying, the door was locked. Maids were lining up in front of it orderly. When she turned her head, Duchess Elicia was sitting on the only chair of the room, with her head maid standing beside her.

Everything was done in a flash.

The smile on Elicia's face was anything but gentle.

"What did you just say, hhm, dear A-de-laide?"

The sudden changes in her tone and expression looked like it shook Adelaide, but the maids around Duchess Elicia didn't even flinch.

"Y…Your Grace?"

"'Your Grace'? Are you kidding me? You're making fun of me, aren't you? Sarcasm?"

Adelaide thought she could see veins popping out clearly from the ever so graceful duchess' head.

"You spoiled brats are all like that. Always with an innocent and obedient look."

"…"

"You're looking down on me, right? 'How could someone with such lowly origins dare step all over me' is your thought now, right? Stop pretending! I can see it in your face."

'Wow, what the fuck. Are you sure you're not delusional?'

"…"

"Why aren't you answering me? Oh, am I not worth talking to now?"

"I…I don't understand. I have always respected you. I…"

"Hah, respect? You people who were born with everything in your hands from birth…"

Duchess Elicia's face distorted. She was cursing her stepdaughter, yet the maids did not even act surprised. This meant similar situations had already happened before.

"WHY IS SHE STILL STANDING IN FRONT OF ME? LINDA!"

"Ah, yes, Your Grace."

Thud.

"Ugh…"

Adelaide's knees slammed on the hard floor with a thud. Her expression crumpled slightly due to the pain, but she tried to hold it in. She bit her lips tightly, knowing full well how she was forced to kneel.

One of the maids pushed her. Two hands were pressed firmly on her shoulders.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Isn't this what you're used to ever since you were three? That's how nobles from long ago taught their children when they do something wrong. It's recorded in the books, so it's tradition, T-R-A-D-I-T-I-O-N."

'This bitch…?'

"But I don't think I did nothing wrong, Yo-"

"Don't you dare call me that. Linda."

Adelaide could feel her upper legs burn in pain after Duchess Elicia motioned with her fan. Turned out the maids used a whip to hit her.

"They said children should realize their own mistakes, but since I'm such a soft parent, I'll skip the hassle and tell you."

Elicia bent over and looked into her eyes. She was having a good time enjoying herself.

"One." She raised her slender index finger. "You should have called me 'mother'".

"Two." Another finger was raised. "Why did you cling onto that pretentious brother of yours so much again? You think a minor brat like him could do anything? I could crush him if I wanted to. Even you admitted that. You can't trust him, my dear."

The ever gentle phrase 'my dear' sounded eerie, to say the least.

"…"

Looking at Adelaide's eyes widen in terror brought immense pleasure to Elicia. She was in such a good mood that she could not help but want more.

Slash.

The whip hit the little girl's legs again, then again. Duchess Elicia closed her eyes as her right hand continued to wave up and down. She felt like a powerful conductor directing her very own orchestra.

One of the main reasons why Duchess Elicia could hit her stepdaughter so confidently was that she was hitting the back of her upper legs. Women and girls were not expected to wear short dresses, so the marks would not be shown. Elicia was also sure Adelaide would never snitch to Alfred due to embarrassment and fear.

Of course, her backing and pillar - Duke Charles, was the other main reason.

The duchess opened her eyes and motioned for the maids to stop after a while. Then, with a bizarre gentle expression, she whispered to Adelaide.

"Call me mother."

"Uh…"

"You know I'm thinking for your sake, right? I'm letting you off easily since you just got back."

"…"

"You see, no matter how much you yell or struggle, no one will come to your rescue. Do you still remember the familiar thing on Linda's hand? A noise-canceling device."

Adelaide's gaze shifted towards the ordinary-looking brunette maid, Linda, and the round device she was holding. A little further behind where Linda stood was a grandfather clock. It was around seven-twenty.

"If you call me 'Mother' obediently, I'll turn off the device. How's that?"

'Then you'll turn it on again, right? What the fuck is with that sickly obsession of yours?'

"Hhm, but I'm quite hurt, you see. So please call me 'Mother' loudly, full of affection, even after I turn off the device. Let the people outside listen to our heart-to-heart conversation."

'Fucking twisted bitch. You're incurable, you piece of shit.'

"Why aren't you talking? Well, now this is normal, so I don't mind. But one minute late equals seven, no, five more whips. See? They said you shouldn't reduce the kids' punishment, but I did."

"…"

"Come on. It's not that hard, you did it so many times."

'Are you urging me on? Seriously? So that you'll turn it off and give me more so-called lessons after turning it on again later?'

'I wonder if the first Adelaide suffered from depression, or worst, DID(*), because of you.'

(*DID - Dissociative Identity Disorder: a mental health condition where a person has multiple and distinct personalities and can be caused by past trauma.)

"I'm your mother, Adelaide. Mo-ther."

"…"

"Adelaide."

'You really want it?'

"This stupid half-blood. Is it that hard just to follow instructions? You want to make me suffer, huh?"

Adelaide stole another quick glance at the clock. It was only still a bit over half past seven.

She thought she could wait, but Elicia had been eating up all her patience from earlier. Adelaide was not a spineless kid. She did not mind enduring a bit of pain, but Elicia's face bugged her. It was extremely annoying.

'On second thought, why should I wait? I hate her smug face.'

'Fine. It's you who asked for this.'

"M…mother, I'm sorry."

'This pretentious psycho.'

Elicia smirked in satisfaction at the shaking voice and tears. With a snap from her finger, Linda turned off the device.

However, it fell from her hands and shattered right after that.