Alicia said,
"Uncle Alfred, first, I want to thank you for staying by my side and believing in me after all this time, even though it put your life in jeopardy. You... (in tears) You helped me overcome that trauma, you also taught me basic swordsmanship, and brought me uncontainable joy. This year with you was truly blissful. But... but I have concluded that I need to go to the Mage district...."
Sir Alfred, also in tears, replied,
"If you wish so, princess. But might this old man ask for the reason? If it's about avenging the Archduke, you can always get stronger here. And if it's about my safety and well-being, we could do..."
Alicia interrupted,
"PRECISELY SO! Uncle, avenging my parents can also, no, it should be done with the help of mages. You always put your life in jeopardy, and when danger will be looming over me, you would undoubtedly sacrifice yourself. I know my foolishness brought you into this. I know I'm the one at fault here..."
Sir Alfred faltered,
"Prin... cess... wha... what are you saying? It's none of your fault, princess."
Alicia replied,
" 'If you think somebody is helping that footling, make sure they are executed for abducting royalty and treason. Not a single one of them should be there to help her. I hope she was eaten by a beast, as those assassins said. I don't want to make my hands dirty again...' This... this is what that trash of an Emperor said to his subordinates while leaving. I'm pretty sure even you all heard it. He already has an idea that I might be alive. So, It is not that easy for me to be selfish and stay here. I am nothing but a burden...And honing my magic might be for the best to end this all for once..."
Sir Alfred mumbled,
"You... you heard everything.... But, Princess, you most certainly are not a burden. Worst comes, we all flee to the theocracy, where the Empire cannot find us. So, rest assured, Princess..."
Alicia shouted,
"FOR HOW LONG??? HOW LONG ARE WE GOING TO RUN LIKE THIS? Uncle, even you know it is not practical. I know the Continental Treaty was signed by every nation except Theocracy. However, if that Emperor speaks with their Grand Pope, they would permit the Imperial Knights to enter and search. And if we were to escape to other nations, they are all already under treaty, meaning the Knights can freely enter their nation to search with just a letter from that bastard. We can not escape Uncle. The mage district is the only place in the Empire, no..., in the whole continent, where he can't do as he wishes. It is better for everyone if I stay there and learn to control these powers..."
Sir Alfred had no answer to this. He had to agree to all of what Alicia said. He slowly nodded. Alicia went to bed, saying Goodnight to her Uncle one last time. Sir Alfred, with heavy feelings, agreed with Alicia.
As he was sitting to eat, he noticed some crumpled papers in the trash can. It was the papers about Alicia's previous life, which she had written earlier. Reading all of them one by one, Sir Alfred realized how wrong he had been towards Alicia that night. He decided to let Alicia go to the Mage District for good.
The next day, the Count and Baron arrived at the quarters to hear Alicia's decision. They came prepared for any decision Alicia might make. After hearing her decision, they were delighted that she had made the right decision. They were also sad to let her go to an unknown place. However, as they had expected, it was the right decision for everyone's sake.