"…So," Alice began, pressing her fingers against her temple as if to suppress a headache after listening to my explanation.

"Father has… been spreading the royal bloodline far and wide, taking in anyone who showed potential, then raising them as his own sons and daughters?"

"If the Emperor's words are entirely true, yes," I replied.

"And you're saying he mistook you for Claire and ended up bringing you in when it should’ve been her?"

"That’s correct."

"That doesn’t make any sense."

Alice shut her eyes tightly and spoke with frustration.

"If these ‘bloodlines’ were so carefully managed, shouldn’t he at …