Capítulo 14: New Home
"Apologize?!" Lady Veronica Sigertem sneered as soon as Sirius left.
"Why should we apologize to that girl?!"
Alice probably demanded that to the Prince. Because she knew they wouldn't be bothered if she asked for it directly, so she used the Prince to shake them up. How devious! Where did she get the audacity?!
Meanwhile, her husband was still dumbfounded beside her.
"I can't believe Alice will marry the Prince…" he murmurs.
He finally saw Alice's worth all this time.
"We will apologize. Being married into the royal family is the biggest honor yet and Alice has fulfilled that for us. Got it?"
His wife stared at him helplessly.
"Don't you see what Alice wants us to do? She wants us to be on our knees, my lord! That cunning little—"
"Enough."
Veronica flinched. He never reprimanded her when it came to disciplining Alice. So why now?!
"Mother," Milani spoke. She's been quiet the whole time, processing what just happened. "Alice isn't getting thrown away? She's getting married?"
Veronica exasperatedly sighed and dragged Milani out of the room.
She will not kneel for forgiveness. She is not apologetic, and she never will be.
That's how she ended up in the Kingsley mansion the next day. She and Lord Kingsley quietly drank tea.
By now, everyone in Sinhold has heard about Alice's engagement to the Prince. They must be expecting the Sigertem family to be over the moon about it.
"I need your help. I have to meet with Alice secretly."
"…"
"I'm well aware you wanted Alice instead of Milani. If you help me take her, you can have her after I'm done."
That caught his attention.
Lord Kingsley is an old friend of Lord Sigertem, and he knew Alice's mother. Because of her, he wanted Alice to be married into the Kingsley clan. That's why he offered his son to the Sigertems, hoping to get Alice since they didn't want her at all. But they sent her to the Prince and his son got Milani instead.
He'd been upset about that for quite some time.
And now an opportunity has arrived to retrieve what was originally his.
"Deal."
Lady Veronica Sigertem smiled like a vixen setting up her trap.
—
"Well, yesterday he was attacked on his way to Oskandor."
Alice gasped.
Livvy nodded, recalling Sirius's actions yesterday. Alice had been curious about his daily routine as his other identity, as well as the blood on him.
"Was that his blood that I saw on him?"
"No." She shook her head. "He and his twin friends didn't get any wounds. Those were the enemies' blood on them. The three of them were ruthless in battle, Eden was right. Especially him!"
"How is that?"
"He doesn't move an inch, but his enemies bleed on his command. It's frightening."
Alice felt goosebumps in her arms.
She believes his every word. But hearing how dangerous his ability is from someone else is truly frightening. But she didn't feel frightened when he was the one explaining.
"He said his ability is blood manipulation… how advanced do you think it can be?"
"Blood manipulation?!" Livvy shrieked and flapped her wings in distress. "That's deadly!"
"I know…"
"Alice, you should be careful around him. But since you're mates, I guess it's the more obvious logic that he'll protect you instead of harming you. Then again, it's nice to have such a dangerous mate. He can definitely protect you."
"I also… want to protect him."
"I love you Alice, but you can barely do anything with those noodle arms."
Her shoulders drooped and was visibly discouraged. Livvy averted her eyes in guilt.
"Then… what can I do from here?"
"I don't know. Show him your gratitude by doing something for him… Oh, cook!"
Livvy beamed.
"You cook really well! He hasn't tasted your cooking yet, has he?"
She slowly shook her head. Florence is in charge of cooking and she looks like she takes much pride from it, so she doesn't dare replace her. Besides, she's grateful enough that they're also giving her meals.
They're feeding her, giving her a nice room, and talking kindly to her. This is already enough for Alice.
But she does want to show her gratitude. Alice kept thinking about Livvy's suggestion long after Livvy returned to the others. Right, speaking of it, she misses Kiki and Mary a lot. She would only see the twin owls, and she saw Eden only recently.
How are they doing? I hope Kiki doesn't annoy Mary too much.
—
"Lady Alice?"
Alice shyly poked her head in the kitchen. Around this time, Florence would start to cook so that the meal would be ready when Sirius came home.
"I… If you don't mind, I can help you cook."
"Is that so?"
Florence immediately smiled.
"I would appreciate your help, my lady."
Alice couldn't directly say she wanted to cook. It's too much of a request. Maybe she'll do it bit by bit. She helped Florence prepare the ingredients, but she glanced at the pots or the furnace from time to time.
Florence noticed this and realized what she really wanted to do.
"Do you want to cook a dish, my lady?"
Alice flinched.
"N-No, I wouldn't dare… This is your kitchen."
"Nonsense, my lady. You're the future mistress of this mansion, so this is your kitchen."
Florence saw how surprised Alice was to hear it. She smiled sadly.
"Please, my lady, consider this your new home."
"Home?" The young lady murmured to herself.
Alice's definition of a home is not this warm, safe, and generous place.
She thought all homes were like hers.
Is this what a home should be like?
Presentes
-- Presente
recebido Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder