"Alice..." Minerva began, her voice trembling. She wasn’t even sure why she felt so nervous, as if she were standing before a strict principal after committing a mistake. Perhaps it was simply how her character was supposed to behave, as a subordinate to Alice. Speaking up or trying to reason felt almost wrong, but Minerva forced herself to push those feelings aside.
"I’ve long wanted to ask... what do you really think of and our friendship?" Minerva asked quietly, her voice almost a whisper, as if she only wanted to hear Alice reassure her that they were the best of friends.
Alice, seeing the vulnerability in Minerva’s gaze, assud as much. She looked back at Minerva with unwavering eyes, as if Minerva were her only friend in the world, her closest companion in flesh and blood.
"What do you an? You’re my only best friend... like a little sister to . The only one I can share my deepest secrets with, the one closest to my heart..." Alice’s words trembled, accompanied by a weak sob, as if she were struggling to hold back her emotions. Had she said this earlier, Minerva might have been moved to tears, their shared sorrow and affection forming the touching reunion Alice had quietly hoped for.
But now, stripped of the rose-tinted glasses of illusion she once held, Minerva could see Alice for who she truly was, without the mask of innocence, sincerity, or kindness. She could finally discern the hidden anings behind Alice’s words.
"A best friend... like a little sister?" Minerva had once believed it, too. She had trusted that Alice was genuinely like a sister, the closest person to her, even closer than her parents or brother, soone who understood her thoughts and feelings in ways no one else could.
But that illusion had shattered. Now, she realized the truth that when Alice called her a best friend, like a sister, it wasn’t genuine affection. It was a calculated tactic, a way to bind Minerva to her, to manipulate her into doing Alice’s bidding and handling her dirty work. That supposed affection was nothing more than a leash, a subtle ans for Alice to control her and tighten her hold a little more each day.
After all, even though Minerva had been pampered by her family and treated like a princess, her parents and brother were always busy with their own affairs. They had little ti to spend with her, and without realizing it, Minerva grew up lonely, despite having all the wealth and luxury she could want.
So when Alice appeared and seed to understand her thoughts, offering the companionship she craved, Minerva beca attached. Wanting to hold onto that warmth, she treated Alice with care, gave her things she never asked for, and beca her mouthpiece, voicing grievances so no one would harm or bully Alice. In essence, she beca Alice’s loyal guard dog.
And now, when Alice claid that Minerva was the only person she could share her deepest secrets with, wasn’t that just another way for Alice to manipulate her? Another way to ensure Minerva acted on her behalf, doing her bidding while disguised as trust and friendship?
Like when Alice wanted to enter the entertainnt industry, she was beautiful, but her timid, easily bullied nature she made herself out to be, made her act hesitant for Minerva to see. Didn’t Minerva use her family’s influence and resources to clear the path for her, giving Alice a smooth start in an industry that could have been cruel and unforgiving?
Even when they weren’t particularly close during the variety show with Hera, didn’t Minerva still help Alice in countless ways back then?
And while Minerva’s reputation gradually suffered because she tried to protect Alice, didn’t that only contrast and reinforce Alice’s kind and innocent facade, the one that was fooled was not just Minerva, but nearly all the netizens watching.
Minerva might have even felt a subtle pull toward Alice, as if so inner voice was telling her this was how she should treat Alice. She never doubted it, believing it ca from the bottom of her heart, because Alice had always told her they were the best of friends.
But after spending ti with Hera and seeing what a true friendship should be like, Minerva realized that friendship wasn’t ant to be one-sided. A real friendship was a give-and-take, where both sides showed care, made each other feel needed, and treasured one another. With Alice, however, all she ever did was take, never giving anything in return.
Such a relationship was exhausting. Minerva felt drained, always being the one to give, to act, to sacrifice for Alice. No matter how much she tried to ignore it, she could no longer fool herself, as red flags kept popping up like mushrooms after the rain.
Perhaps Alice truly did think her naive, as she had insinuated so many questionable tasks for Minerva to carry out. And yet, Minerva, blinded by her once-unwavering trust, had never questioned any of it; she had done everything for Alice without hesitation.
But what had Alice ever done for her? Nothing... and the realization cut deep. After Minerva was abducted, instead of showing genuine concern for her safety, Alice had the audacity to sche to get closer to her brother instead.
Who wouldn’t feel heartbroken after that? Minerva had poured all her sincere, sisterly love into Alice, only to be t with indifference. Alice hadn’t even worried about her injuries or the terrifying experience she endured in the forest, the sa forest where she truly believed she wouldn’t survive if not for Hera. If it weren’t for Hera, they might have perished long ago.
And yet, did Alice ever ask how she felt? Did she show even a shred of concern for Minerva’s ntal state after such an ordeal? No. All Alice did was bring her so soup, and nothing more. anwhile, Hera, who had saved Minerva’s life despite all the trouble and pain Minerva had given her, still showed care and worry, even if it was for the sake of Minerva’s brother.
When Minerva began comparing Alice to Hera, it felt as if a sledgehamr had struck her head. Dizziness swept over her, and her mind spun. She couldn’t accept the truth. For a long mont, she clung to denial, struggling to process what her heart already knew, until finally, reluctantly and painfully, acceptance began to creep in.
Now that she had mustered the courage to ask Alice, it felt less like seeking Alice’s opinion and more like finding closure for herself. After hearing Alice’s words, Minerva’s expression softened, easing so of the tension within her.
Seeing this, Alice assud Minerva was ready to return to how things had once been, after all, without Minerva’s support during her darkest monts, she had felt utterly wretched, as if she had reached her breaking point. Alice had realized just how essential Minerva’s presence was and how much she needed her by her side.
But while Alice was lost in her own relief and happiness, Minerva took a quiet step back, a calm smile on her face. It was a smile that showed she had let go of the past, and of Alice too, on her own terms.
Alice still didn’t understand what was happening. She gazed at Minerva with teary, hopeful eyes and a gentle smile, but when Minerva took another step back, her smile distant and calm, Alice felt a creeping panic in her chest, as if she were losing hold of her. Her voice trembled before she even realized it.
"Minerva? What’s wrong? Hmmm?" she asked, forcing it to sound as sweet and soft as possible. She had always known how to soften Minerva with this tone, how to make her yield with gentle words and subtle care. Alice believed that if she acted concerned, showed remorse for any mistakes, everything could return to how it used to be.
But Minerva was utterly done. Seeing Alice again, after everything that had ford in her chest during her hospital stay, Minerva finally realized many truths.
"I’m sorry, Alice, but I don’t think our friendship was ever what I truly wanted... I know I was so lonely back then that I put myself in situations that now make question why I did all those things just so we could be closer like sisters."
"I couldn’t talk to my family about it because I didn’t want to be a burden, so I thought your companionship suited and made happy. But I didn’t realize it was only blinding ; it never really helped. Instead, it started eating away at , turning into soone I barely recognized..."
As Minerva spoke, Rafael’s head snapped to the side, his gaze fixed on his sister as if hearing this for the first ti. He was shaken. Though Minerva wasn’t blaming Alice, or even their parents, he felt a heavy weight of responsibility. Their absence over the years, the constant busyness and distractions that filled their lives, had left his sister lonely. Now that Minerva was openly admitting it, he felt a deep, gnawing guilt.
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