I think she just realized it once she saw the maids. Edith asked why her face fell and Alicia was super nervous trying to bullshit a reason why she couldn't wear the earrings Edith gave her. Plus she seemed pretty certain that they were expensive earrings when she told Ares about them (right before he threw it in the lake). Probably due to the fact that those earrings were really well done.
I agree!
Then why was she acting like she knew she was gonna be screwed over for not wearing them long before she saw the earrings on the maids? That's odd if what you say is true. Plus her interactions with Edith up to now have always been the nervousness or rage simmering under the surface variety. Not the kind of interactions that would instill much trust between two people. Plus I'm not talking about her knowing she will be embarrassed. I'm just saying that even if she did know I'm sure she would find the first reaction more 'troublesome'.
KNEW it. I KNEW the reason Alicia wanted to wear those earrings had nothing to do with what she thought of Edith. She merely understood that not repaying a favor would cause her more problems that she, personally, would find FAR more troublesome than just simply being embarrassed.She wanted to keep her head is all.