บท 45: The Glittering Responsibility

WITH THE STRESSFUL events of last week, Alice was sorely due for a time to unwind and relax. If she was back at Riverside Creek, she would be able to hang out with some of her girl friends, laze around in someone's house, go shopping in town, or explore the never-ending forests that lined the borders of her hometown. Unfortunately, in Gladiolum, she had none of these female friends to speak of. All her friends were male, quirky, and odd, to say the least.

Nevertheless, that didn't stop Alice from agreeing when Spade had invited her out for a walk in town that afternoon. Wyatt, of course, was less than elated when he had heard the news that Alice was going to spend the day with Spade. He had rushed down the stairs and towards the front doors right before Alice had left, nearly begging her — in his own way — for her to stay.

Unfortunately, Alice was adamant about her plans. She needed the time off to destress and there was nothing more pleasant than shopping therapy. The only thing she could think of that could even come close was stress-eating but the corsets and dainty little dresses in her wardrobe forbid she ever did that if she still wanted to breathe properly.

"I am surprised Wyatt let you go so quickly," Spade commented. "I imagine that poor bloke has a heart attack every time he hears you're spending time out with me."

"Well…" Alice hesitated. She shrugged, wincing as she recounted the scene that took place right as she was about to leave the estate doors. "Charlie and Miles had to hold him back. I'm pretty sure if I stayed even a second longer, he would've found some chains to lock the door shut. Maybe even some planks to seal the windows."

"Ah," Spade mused with a sigh. "Charming as always, old Wyatt."

The light of the afternoon sun was delightfully bright. However, it didn't bring any heat with it. Summer breeze rolled in through all four corners of the world, sending Alice's hair dancing in the wind whenever she picked up even the slightest speed. The weather was perfect for a trip out into town and Alice could already feel the tenseness of last week getting lifted from her shoulders.

This time, she had her dagger with her. She couldn't remember when she had lost it but Charlie had passed it back to her shortly after she woke up. Needless to say, she was surprised that it ever left her side since she didn't remember placing it down. Then again, forgetfulness often struck whenever someone had their guard down. It wasn't really that big of a shock for Alice to falsely remember such a thing. Nevertheless, she was determined to keep the dagger with her this time around. While it wouldn't have been useful in the carriage accident, it might've been if there really was someone out there trying to get her — and her friends — killed.

"There's a ball coming up," Spade piped up, causing Alice's head to spin towards him.

"Another?" The skin on her nose wrinkled. While she loved the beautiful galas and whimsical flair of royal balls, it didn't feel too long ago had she just attended one. More often than not, the beauty in things was due to their rarity.

"Well, this one is the King and Queen's way to celebrate Brother's recovery. They're planning to host a grand celebration in his honor," explained Spade.

"It just seems a little odd that they're holding it so soon, isn't it?" Alice frowned. "Hartley just got better. Wouldn't he need the rest?"

At her words, Spade barked out in laughter.

"Oh Alice," he mused, "Brother is tougher than you give him credit for. The doctor that was hired to tend to his injuries is very skilled in the art of healing, among other things. He is already perfectly fine, pink in health, even."

At the mention of the doctor, Alice's thoughts were filled with nothing but the head of burgundy hair and the eyes that seemed like citrine jewels, flecked with hints of lime. Her mysterious smile and enigmatic words had thrown Alice's head in a loop when they were spoken. However, after thinking it through, it was indeed best to let it rest. Doctor Lavender had said that when the adventure ended, Alice would naturally have a way home.

Who knew how long the adventure would last?

"And how did you even know to look for this doctor?" Alice asked, suddenly curious.

She had been around town before but she had never seen any of Doctor Lavender's practices. That only meant that she might not even have a clinic open in the city. Even Hartley had said that the doctor's message was to look for her at the cafe. Alice wondered if that was how things operated here, that famous doctors were too busy doing house runs that they didn't have the luxury to open up their own clinic or work at the hospital.

"She is a… personal connection of mine," Spade vaguely answered. "I've known her for a while and know of her unique talents."

For a brief few days, Alice had forgotten that Spade was like this. He was always a bewildering and secretive existence, careful not to reveal too much. If she hadn't known him as well as she did — not that it said a lot — there might even be a chance he wouldn't even reveal his connections to Doctor Lavender. It was so obvious why Spade had not many friends to speak of.

He never let anyone too far in.

"Anyway, while the ball is to celebrate Hartley's recovery, there's more to it than meets the eye. I suppose it's okay to let you know since you were a part of the incident as well," Spade continued, returning to the topic at hand. He lowered his voice to a whisper, barely even audible. "While it's a party on the surface, in the shadows, it's for us to sift out some possible suspects."

Alice's eyes widened in realization. "The sabotaged carriage," she deduced.

Nodding once, Spade continued, "There's a chance they'll try again. Poison, kidnapping, assassination, you name it. These were all things that have happened before in the royal family's history. If we're able to shorten that list, we'll be able to find out who to guard ourselves against. And honestly," Spade's voice returned to his normal volume, "Wyatt is starting to become a pest that is hounding my tail. He assumes that I'm the one behind the incident."

"Because of the…" Alice hesitated, not sure if she should continue her sentence.

"Yes," Spade answered simply. "The glittering, golden responsibility that everybody desires but no one can handle."

"And are you?" Braving the question, Alice asked, "Are you guilty of it?"

"Why, Alice?" Spade leaned in a little, his lips quirking up into a slanted half-smile. He countered, "Do you want me to be?"

Immediately, Alice shook her head.

"That's not what I meant, Spade."

"Then what is it, little bird?"

"I just wanted to hear you deny it," Alice clarified. "But for the record, I've never doubted you. You're a warmer person than you think you are. Especially when we're out here in the streets." She gestured to the buildings that surrounded them and the paved road. The bustling people out there doing their shopping paid her no heed. "When we're not cramped up behind castle walls, you're no longer the second prince that vies for that so-called glittering responsibility. You're just… you. For the record, 'Spade' seems more like the alter ego to the true 'Johann'."

Something flashed in Spade's irises. It moved by so quickly that Alice hardly even caught it. However, whatever brief sight she managed to glimpse from it, she was able to sift out one familiar word— recognition. That name was more to Spade than the name he had been given at birth.

"I'm on the streets now, aren't I?" Spade finally said. He offered Alice a soft smile, fully shedding the cold persona that always cloaked him whenever he was within those frightfully chilling palace walls. "Maybe that's why you think that I am more 'Johann' than 'Spade'. It's only because this place I'm at finally allows me to be."

Alice's heart crunched painfully beneath her ribs. She felt it tighten and squeeze at his words, pity flooding her chest as she watched the tall man stride under the sunlight. He had been covered by so many shadows, so many storm clouds throughout his life that he had forgotten what it was like to be under the warmth of the golden sun.

Mustering up her courage, Alice jogged a little forward to catch up with him. Slipping her hands into his, she intertwined their fingers, tightening her grip when he turned over to look at her in surprise.

"Then let's go, Johann," she beamed, "Let's enjoy our time in wonderland."