Chapter 21: Footsteps In The Shadows

At the end of the hallway stood her mother with her arms folded across her chest and a stern look on her face.

"Don't 'Ehe... mommy?' me, young lady. Where do you think you are going?" she asked.

Alicia hesitated for a moment, trying to make up an excuse. "I-I"

"What took you so long last night to reach home?" Her mother raised an eyebrow skeptically, stepping forward. "I tried to call you too. You weren't picking up the calls, Alicia," she said, gesturing to the phone in her hand.

Alicia swallowed nervously. "My phone was dead. I forgot to charge it properly before the day."

Her mother stepped closer, eyeing her head to toe suspiciously. "And where were you planning to go sneaking out of the house?"

Alicia bit her lips feeling trapped and looked down at her feet. "Just a stroll down the street toward the library," she lied, lowering her voice

"Without telling me?" her mother asked, her voice still firm.

"I didn't want to wake you up?" Her voice turned out to be barely above a whisper.

"To the Library? This early?" Her mother's expression softened slightly. "Alice. Dear, you know it's not safe to wander off like that so early in the morning. Not even late at night," she said the latter, rather more sternly.

"I know, I know," Alicia said hastily. "But I'll be careful, I promise. I just need to get some new books. Please, Mom?"

"Wasn't it a few days before that you got some of them?" Her mother questioned but then, let out a sigh shaking her head, "Alright, fine. But you have to promise me that you'll come back before it gets too late. And be careful, okay? If anything happens, call me right away."

Alicia nodded her head eagerly, feeling a rush of relief. "I will, Mom, I promise. Thank you!" She hugged her mother tight leaving a few kisses on her cheeks.

"Wait! You've recharged your phone, right?"

"Yes, Mom."

As she slipped out of the house and made her way down the street, she could not help but feel a sense of apprehension. Lying to her mom felt dreadfully wrong. She took a deep breath of the fresh morning air, feeling more alive than she had in weeks.

The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon, and the streets were almost empty. Alicia walked down the sidewalk, unable to shake off the guilt that was gnawing at her insides.

As she pushed her thoughts away and was about to cross the street toward the bus stand, she heard the slight rustle in the air behind her followed by a chomping footstep, which had her turn around. Strangely there wasn't anyone. She shook her head turned forward and started to cross the street before making sure no vehicle pass by, but she still heard the chomps.

She once again turned around.

"Am I turning paranoid that I hear strange sounds?" Alicia questioned, fisting her palms tightly. She frowned, her heart racing as she looked around, trying to spot the source of the noise. But the street was empty, and there wasn't anyone around in her sight. She shook her head once again, assuming that it was probably just her imagination playing tricks on her with all the things that were going on around her lately.

Just as she was about to reach the bus stand, she heard the sound again. This time it was louder than earlier, which had her take a deep breath and run with all her might toward the bus stand. Not once did she look behind. But she was sure someone or rather something was after her but didn't stop until she reached the bus stand.

A big relief washed over her as soon as she spotted someone at the bus stand. Panting heavily, Alicia turned around and saw that whatever had been chasing behind her was nowhere to be seen, adding more fear to her.

What was happening?

Alicia's heart was still pounding in her chest, and she felt like she was about to pass out.

"Are you okay?" a voice asked from behind her, almost taking away her breath.

Alicia turned around and saw a kind-looking old lady with a walking stick. She had almost forgotten she saw someone earlier standing nearby the bus stand with the run.

The old lady had a concerned look on her face, and Alicia could not help but feel grateful for her presence.

"I-I'm okay," Alicia stuttered, still trying her best to catch her breath. "Thank you."

The old lady smiled and patted her on the back. "You're welcome, dear. Do you need any help?"

Alicia shook her head, feeling a little embarrassed. "No, I'm fine. Thank you."

The old lady nodded and they both waited for the bus. Alicia felt a mix of emotions: relief, fear, and guilt, all at once, strangling her with her emotions.

As she waited for the bus to arrive, Alicia made a promise to herself that she would always be careful and make sure that she was safe.

____

"Princess Adrasteia!"

Adra was yet to let the men rise, but she soon glanced to her side and covered up for her brother gesturing him to go while she still had the attention of both the men.

Adrien nodded his head, and headed to her chambers in the shadow, making sure he made no noise.

Adrasteia watched as her brother slipped away and turned her attention back to the two men who were still bowing before her.

"Rise, gentlemen," she said, her voice commanding but gentle.

The two men stood up straight and looked at her in awe. They had never seen the princess up close before, and they were awestruck by her enchanting beauty with fair skin and delicate features. Her almond-shaped eyes were a darker shade of red, and her full lips were naturally tinted with a light pink hue.

"Your Highness," said the right-hand man clearing his throat, "what brings you here?" he questioned lowering his gaze and nudging the page to do so too.

"I came to see my father," Adrasteia replied, pushing back a strand of her long, thick hair cascading down her back in waves of black, adorned with a silver tiara that sparkled in the light that passed through the open high windows of the hallways. "Is he in his chambers?"

The two men exchanged glances, and the right-hand man hesitated before speaking.

"His Majesty is not in his chambers, Your Highness," he said. "He is still in the cabinets."

She knew it, but she pretended like she didn't with an 'Oh' look.

"Very well," she said. "I'll be heading to chambers, then. Thank you for your assistance."

The two men bowed once more as Adrasteia turned on her heels and walked away, clanking her heels softly on the carpets ornated over the polished marble floor, eager to see her brother after a long time.