Two weeks on sea were more than enough time for Kanna and her allies to plan out how to start her new life. Turns out, Alice's father and teacher already made a lot of preparation. An identity named Kanna, the first daughter of a wealthy merchant, was already made for her the day she was announced as crown princess of Airen. And now that she needed that identity, she will have to take her place.
" When we get there, you will be under the guise as my niece. And from now on… We will call you Kanna." Lady Leisha brought in boxes of new clothes and laid it on the bed before facing Alice. "Your father must have chosen that name to get you closer to your real name" Her real identity, actually.
Alice always wanted to ask why her father call her "Kanna". Even though she understood that it was derived from "Alicia Kannary Airen", she still didn't know why she had that name. She never had the courage to ask her father. 'answers will come when they are most needed.' Even her teacher said only that those words when she asked her. She gave up asking since then.
Alice opened the boxes of dresses. Alice knew the clothes were from Lin Empire. They were in the ship for two weeks already. Airen was long gone in their sight. Lin empire was the place she was going to start again.
The clothes were soft and thin, though there were a lot of layers. They were very different from what she used to wear. Airen was always cold, she couldn't brave through the days wearing a thin fabrics.
" How did you have a private business line in Lin empire?" Alice looked at her teacher. Lady Leisha glared, she didn't seem to want to answer the question. As a teacher, she accepts any kind of question, just not personal ones. Alice shrugged, "If I'm going to be your niece, I have to know how my aunt acquired such wealth, don't I?"
The teacher in the room finally sighed, " I came from a family of merchant… from Lin Empire."
Alice's eyes widened. This was news to her. "I didn't know. I thought you were from Airen… I mean, with your golden hair…" she trailed off, letting Leisha continue with her answer.
"My mother was from Airen. I got it from her." A hint of sadness and longing flashed in her eyes. Lady Leisha had been Alice's royal tutor for ten years. She always remembered her as strict and straightforward. Though Leisha knew everything about the princess, she never shared anything personal to her.
Alice looked at the teacher's golden hair and unconsciously touched hers. She was the heir apparent of the royal house of Airen, but her hair was black as the ravens that flew around their city. She never knew her mother. She was told that her father just came home one day, carrying a black-haired girl in his arms, and announcing that she was his child and heir. No one knew who the mother was, or how princess Alicia kannary came to exist.
"Enough with idle talk. I need you to memorize your new identity as so as possible. We will reach Lin empire tomorrow." Leisha left her a book before leaving Kanna alone again.
Alice opened the book. And she saw the girl that she was supposed to be.
Kanna was the niece of Lady Elisha Gu, the first daughter of a wealthy merchant in Lin. Kanna had always been weak ever since she lost her parents in a fire. She lived in a remote place for recuperation until Lady Elisha took her in her home. When they reach the capital city after a few days, she will have to act like Kanna.
"Kanna Gu" Alice whispered, as if trying the name for size. Her father was the only one that called her this name… but now, every people she will meet will call her this same name. The same name that made her father caring whenever he calls her that.
Alice sighed. Realizing how her father had protected her, she can't help but feel miserable again. the resolve to come back as Alicia Kannary Airen welled up in her heart. She will come back one day, and finally take back what was rightfully hers.