Capítulo 15: Outside

Alice moved awkwardly around the kitchen.

Eventually, they finished cooking and Alice made two dishes while Florence made the main and three more.

Alice came outside first.

She coincidentally saw Lola flying back. She followed the owl with her eyes, knowing Sirius and the twins must be nearby.

She smiled when she saw Lola fly into the woods where their cave was.

Not long after, she heard three sets of paws running and their heartbeats. Florence also came out and stood beside her.

Alice's smile didn't falter even when she saw Sirius's huge wolf. They bowed as they shifted, and their eyes briefly met before she looked away. They came inside quietly.

These minuscule details of their routine are exciting, a little something to look forward to every time. Alice loved it, even if it's not much.

"Your Highness, Lady Alice cooked some dishes for us tonight."

Alice kept her head down so she didn't see his reaction. But she heard the twins':

"I'm excited! How does a noble lady's cooking taste like?"

"You don't need to mention noble lady. You haven't even tasted any other lady's cooking except Florence's. You're drier than the Tamar desert."

"Hey! At least I don't get dumped by ladies because of my high-ass ponytail."

"Shut up. You won't even know how to cut your hair even if it kills you."

Florence cleared her throat. They were already at the dining hall.

Sirius ignored their bickering and picked up his utensils. They immediately found their seats and started eating.

Alice nervously watched their reactions before even picking up her utensils.

Florence smiled, Dante's eyes widened and gave her a thumbs up, and Vito hummed in glee. Then her eyes finally went to Sirius. He chewed slowly, and his brows slightly rose. Surprised, probably?

"It's good." He turned to her. "Good balance of seasoning. I'm used to Florence's cooking, but this isn't too bad too."

The twins snickered and covered it up with a cough.

Alice's face didn't change. She stared at him while he finished her dishes. He really looks like he's enjoying it. Alice felt warmth spread in her chest and before she knew it, tears streamed down her face.

Sirius glanced at her and was startled to see her tears.

"Are you crying?"

The table goes quiet.

"Why? Did I say something wrong?"

"N-No, I'm sorry…" she sniffed. "It's just… It's the first time someone complimented my cooking. And tasted it, really. And it feels so… good. My heart feels warm." She gently places her hand on her heart and smiles brightly at him.

He stared, as if blinded by her radiant smile, and blinked repeatedly to regain himself. He looks away and bashfully finishes his meal.

"I was honest. It's good." His voice got quieter.

The twins side-eyed each other and simultaneously put a spoonful in their mouths. They also finished Alice's meals.

Florence lent her a handkerchief and worriedly caressed her shoulder. She glanced at the Prince and caught a tinge of pink in his face, with his head down—almost buried in the bowl. He stood up after he finished all the food. His plates were clean.

"You should cook again tomorrow."

Then Sirius was gone.

But Alice is still smiling to herself, her heart and soul full without eating a single bite of her food.

—

Last night left Sirius flustered. So he woke up early to clear his mind. He looks out his window and accidentally spots Alice sweeping outside.

It's only 5 AM and yet she's already cleaning. He leans on the window on crosses his arms, watching her quietly.

She stops sweeping after a while and rests her chin on her broom. Then she looks up at the sky with a deep sigh.

Alice raised her hand and almost immediately, a gray bird perched on her index and middle fingers. As Sirius squinted to see the bird more clearly, he realized it was an owl.

Is her aura this well-received by the animals of the forest?

Or is this an owl she befriended already only after a few days?

Her back was on him so he couldn't see much, but after a while, the owl flew away.

Sirius turns around once the sun rises to leave. His fiancée looks like she's doing just fine here, much to his relief. She's really odd.

—

As soon as they arrived in God's Palm, there was already a man waiting by the entrance of the forest.

He came inside with them and was given tea when they came to his office.

"Master, a Beta noble has put in a request to buy information on Antonio Danchev."

This man is Mateo, Killian Fox's assistant and representative. He's always the one out to be Killian's eyes and ears, and the customers come to him whenever they need God's Palm.

He leaned back on his chair.

"The Danchevs just can't be left alone, huh…"

"And they also want us to do some dirty work."

Smirking, Sirius asks: "This Beta noble is too demanding. Which clan is it?"

"He's Tamish Jaegyn, from the Jaegyn clan. Rumor's been spreading that he's part of the newly formed opposition party after the King's decree."

"They don't want a random guy to win against the King and be his heir? So that's why they're knocking at the Danchevs' nest." They don't align with the King's plan, so they want to install a new Alpha from the only other Alpha clan. "How interesting."

Sirius's eyes narrowed. Their plan is simple and transparent. This new party is a circus, they're putting on a comical performance. Almost hilarious.

"Alright. Let's play along."

Mateo immediately recognized that expression. He doesn't know them yet, but he already feels sorry for them.

—

Back at the mansion.

After doing their routine cleaning around the house, Florence had to leave to buy fresh ingredients. But after last night, she wants to include Alice in cooking the meals. Florence felt how touched the lady was, and how earnestly she made the food.

"My lady, do you want to go to the market with me? We need fresh ingredients."

Alice's face brightened.

But she still hesitated to agree even if her face said it all.

"I—I might just be a burden to you… I know nothing about the market."

"What do you mean, you've never been to the market?"

"No, I…. I was never allowed to go outside."

Florence's expression tightened. Just how cruel has her family been…

Still, she forced a smile back to her face.

"Don't worry, my lady, I will teach you everything you must know. Besides, you've never left this mansion since you arrived. You must be feeling stuffy already."

Alice only smiled. She wanted to say she's used to being in a gilded cage, but Florence didn't need to hear that right now.

Just like that, she is taken out of the mansion that has shown her kindness and back to the cruel outside world.

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