Chapter 31: 31. Meet Diona
While the atmosphere in the kingdom of pearls was very serene. Eden's king and Queen Berenice had a meeting with the royal ministers and an advisor.
Avery had failed to attend the meeting because Eden had forbidden him from entering the kingdom hall. That could be Avery taking all the time. Eden was still angry with him about Avery's feelings for another girl and negotiating about not marrying Ariadne.
The man took the crown off his head. The title crown prince doesn't exactly fit Avery. To Avery, his life had never been able to make Eden smile and proud to have it as a son.
Avery still finds Eden's stubborn ways every day. And every day Avery watches queen Berenice defend him and protect him from the king of Eden. Avery never felt like a real son to Eden. According to Avery, his parents were just berenice. Berenice is always there for him and always supports Avery in any decision.
"What are you doing here, prince? Have you had lunch yet?"
Avery turned to the right. Alice always comes when she's sad and needs someone to talk to. Avery sat silently on the balcony wall facing the front of the royal court. "It's okay. I just want to enjoy the afternoon air." Avery said.
Alice walks closer. Today the girl was wearing a blossoming housemaid's dress. Made her look graceful and very slim. "Berenice queen asked me to take you to lunch. I'll sit down with you at the table."
"Really? So you'll have lunch with me?"
Alice chuckled softly. "It's not like that, prince. I'll just keep you company. I'm not going to lunch with you. If that's the case, how am I supposed to face the sharp gaze of the other young servants? Of course I don't want to make many enemies in the kingdom."
"Is it wrong if you eat with me?"
"The other servants don't know how close we are as friends. Only my mother knows that. And of course Queen Berenice also knows that my relationship with you is as a friend. There are many young servants who admire you, and I don't want to be perceived as a rival." Said Alice with a faint laugh.
Avery smiled slightly. "Rival? How famous am I to the young servants? That's why I don't get too attached to other servants other than you and your mother. It was as if they were stealing opportunities to get close to me."
"Forget it, prince. It's lunch time. You should go to lunch and get on with your other thing."
At Alice's words, Avery stepped straight down the balcony wall and looked excited. The man smiled brightly. "You're right, Alice. I have to go to lunch and head to the field to practice another archery. And after that I have to meet Diona at the diamond village."
Alice's eyes were wide open. The girl's reaction was surprised when Avery remembered his promise to meet and express love to Diona.
"What's your plan today?" Asked Alice quietly.
Avery nodded his head as he walked down the hall. "Yes. I'll see Diona this afternoon. I hope it doesn't snow too much."
The two footsteps of Alice stop. Let Avery walk down to the dining room first. The girl moped at Avery's back as she pushed away.
That's how Alice felt about Avery. When Alice gets close, Avery's always away. And now Alice has to stop at the same point. Let Avery slip away and walk away on his own to find his one true love.
Today's love story is known for its faithful love story. Love expressed to one person only. And many couples grow old with the same love. Will Avery be able to get married to Diona as well? And what about Alice? What if the king of Eden defies Avery's decision?
Alice remembered Avery's words as they pulled out before the snow. Avery once said that he would still marry Diona even though the king of Eden would be furious. Even Avery left the kingdom to unite with Diona.
The more she think about it, the more dizzy Alice's head is. Apparently liking someone different from her caste is very painful. Plus Avery thought Alice was his best friend. Of course Avery didn't have any feelings for Alice.
***
The evening arrived. Now that Avery's horse rides at the border of pearl village and diamond village. Avery was wearing a thick coat with a hood on. His handsome face is safe and will not be seen by residents leaving the house.
Avery take the field. This afternoon the snow was not too heavy and the sky was still a bit bright. Maybe Diona was at the riding grounds even though it was cold.
And sure enough, as Avery made his way to the equestrian field located at the edge of the diamond village, Diona was there with her horse. Diona seemed to be standing in front of her brown horse as if talking to her.
Avery smiled sweetly at Diona. In the hanging bag next to the horse's stomach, there was already a box of cookies Avery had brought back from his kingdom.
Alice baked the cookies for Avery. Avery had Alice make him a heart-shaped pastry and put a cheese grater on top. The pastry in that box looks so delicious. Avery sure as hell is gonna love the cookies he's bringing.
"Good afternoon Diona.." Avery greets diona directly. The man immediately got off his horse and was approaching Diona, guiding his own horse.
Diona turned. "Oh my.. Is that you, Avery?"
"Yes. It 'sme. I haven't ridden in this field in a long time."
Diona chuckled. The girl's smile was very sweet and made Avery's heart skip a beat. "Many are looking for you. Three days ago the snow didn't fall and the snow layer wasn't too thick. The men also rode here and asked me about you. They say I'm very close to you. I don't know why you don't ride here anymore." Said diona in a kindly way.
"Ah, I'm sorry Diona. I have other interests."
"I understand. Would you like to ride this afternoon? It looks like it's going to snow a lot. I came because I wanted to take my horse for a walk."
Avery chuckled softly. "I didn't come here to ride. I came here to see you. Can I talk to you about something?"
Of course she nodded and smiled kindly. The girl is indeed known as the friendliest girl in the diamond village. "All right, Avery. Just talk.. What's up?"
"I just want to introduce myself to you, Diona. And I want to tell you something else." Avery said.
"Emm... Okay. Say what you want to say."
***
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone