Alice
I wore a princess-style gown as I attended Karina's father's trial, where we aimed to prove his innocence. Last night, we managed to find the Magical Bug, and fortunately, it recognized our presence, resulting in the blinding light we witnessed.
Currently, the underground royal room was packed with people, and the living mirror was securely locked away. The Windston Royal family, along with the most trusted royal knights, gathered here.
As the royalties engaged in casual conversation on the left side of the room, I couldn't help but notice Prince Casper's restlessness in the right corner. Karina was bombarding him with questions, and he appeared agitated.
The Royal Knights began arranging the four mirrors to form intersections, one each for the south, north, east, and west. They placed a round table within the mirrors and set the magical bug on top. The room filled with a blinding light as the magical bug reflected in the mirrors.
Prince Casper erupted in anger, spitting accusations at the King while pointing his finger. The royal knights swiftly apprehended him for his audacity, as pointing at the King was a crime in itself.
"Stop it, Dad. If you're innocent, there's no need for you to be concerned. Just follow the King's orders to clear your name," Karina's voice, devoid of emotion, prevented her father from causing a scene.
"Don't make this hard for me, please," she added, almost in a whisper, audible only to me.
"No! I won't allow you to test me when I did nothing wrong. I won't put myself in that thing, and you can't force me to do your bidding. I'm a prince!"
"Why does it seem like you're so afraid? What are you hiding, Casper? I don't care about your title because you would never be a prince if my sister hadn't married you," the King's calm but lethal remark sent shivers through the room.
"Place him in the center and let the bug unearth all his skeletons in the closet."
"NOOOOOOOOO!" Casper's screams filled the room as he struggled against the royal knights.
The King's patience was running thin. "Chain him."
The knights followed the King's command, chaining Prince Casper so tightly that even the slightest movement would cause wounds, as the chains were coated in thorny particles.
'He's undoubtedly looking for trouble. If he's innocent, he wouldn't be acting like this,' my growing suspicion led me to this conclusion.
I glanced at Karina, who seemed exhausted by the unfolding events. Harriet and I walked over to her, offering our support.
"Are you all right, Karina?" Harriet asked, concern etched on her face as she noticed Karina's fatigue.
"No, I'm exhausted by everything that's been going on. I'm not sure who I should defend: my family, my dignity, or the kingdom," Karina confided.
I patted her shoulder, offering my silent support. I might not be good with words, but I could show her I was there for her.
"Allow it to rest, Karina. This, too, shall pass, I believe. If your father is not guilty, that's a good thing. But if he is, well, he's still your father, and I have no say in your decision," Harriet comforted her, holding her hand.
As the living mirror began displaying images and videos of Prince Casper's activities in the past few months, the room fell into silence. My eyes widened as I saw him entering the enemy's kingdom and interacting with their people. He was a Dehovian, but he had promised to cut ties with his lineage upon marrying Princess Cassandra—a promise he had broken.
Karina's sobs diverted my attention. "He did it. I... I can't believe it... I really can't," she said, almost in disbelief.
Harriet consoled the distraught Karina, while I returned my gaze to the mirror, witnessing how Prince Casper manipulated a drunken Princess Cassandra into opening the vault. His devilish smile was etched on his face as he took the gem, leaving Princess Cassandra on the floor, incapacitated.
Is this why he refuses to be tested? He's the thief.
"Get him out and unchain him," the King ordered as the living mirror returned to a clear gold and revealed nothing more.
"Speak," the King demanded, but Casper remained silent, wearing a smirk as if he were proud of his actions. Karina unexpectedly kneeled in front of the King and begged forgiveness for his father's doing. However, she was forced to stand by her father.
"So what if I stole the gemstone, Lexus? Are your knees shuddering in fear now because my King will undoubtedly kill you?" Prince Casper laughs devilishly and mocks the King while clutching Karina tightly. "I don't owe any apology from a feeling-superior king like you," he spits in the King's face.
Unable to bear the disrespect for my father, I drew one of the royal knights' swords and slashed at Prince Casper's hand, causing it to bleed profusely as I severed his finger.
"Who gives you the authority to disrespect the King?"
"You have stolen the Royal Gem, and yet you have the audacity to talk rubbish," I furiously uttered.
None of the royal family had ever disrespected my father like this outsider. It was unacceptable.
"Seize him and put him in the upper portion of the punishment room," I commanded without waiting for my father's approval.
After the royal knights removed the screaming Prince Casper, the King lectured me about my impulsive decision but didn't punish me because he knew it was the right thing to do. If I hadn't acted, he might have killed Casper on the spot.
After the chaos, I didn't hesitate to apologize to Karina for my actions towards her father. She seemed frozen and unable to process what had happened, so I signaled Harriet to assist her.
While we had located the thief, we still needed to track down the gem that had been handed over to the enemy's troops. Once the King of Dehova obtained the gem, he would undoubtedly launch an attack, which concerned me greatly.
Alice Even though it was 9 a.m., the sun refused to shine. Thunder and lightning raged on the ground, and thick clouds obscured the heavens. Rain fell in torrents, making a buzzing sound on the ground. The weather seemed to mirror the kingdom's misfortunes and reflect my own turbulent emotions. Confused thoughts raced through my mind as I paced back and forth in my room. The fire in my heart grew stronger with each passing minute; I felt an urge to sneak out of the castle and venture into the enemy's den to find the diamond. However, my mind was torn as I weighed the possible outcomes. If I left, my father would undoubtedly worry, and it could ignite a sudden war, which I desperately wanted to avoid. This was turning out to be one of the most complex decisions I had ever faced in my life. I finally sat down and scratched my head in frustration. The King's birthday was approaching, yet retrieving the gem felt increasingly difficult. Not only could the coronation be delayed because
Alice After an hour of preparation for my father’s approaching birthday, I decided to head down to the underground battleground. I needed to vent my stress through practice, hoping to let go of all my anxieties and disappointments. My father seemed unconcerned about the stolen jewel now, which perplexed me. Just days ago, he was the one most worried about the lost diamond, and now that we had discovered where it was, he appeared indifferent. “Argh!” I yelled with each stroke of my blade. The metal figure swung back and forth, north to south, in response to my strikes. The piercing sound of grinding metal reverberated throughout the vast space. I paused, taking a deep breath. After an hour of practice, I could feel the weariness in my knees as they wobbled. I decided to sit on the ground, using my sword as a prop. My face was drenched with sweat, and my exhaustion was evident. “Alice!” “I’ve been looking for you...” I turned my gaze to the wooden elevator as Harriet emerg
Alice Two days had passed since Karina’s disappearance, and there was still no news. I felt as if everything was moving at a snail’s pace, but deep down, I knew I had to trust my father—he knew better than I.“Princess, the King would like to see you,” a maidservant called out, interrupting my thoughts.I took a deep breath, pushing aside my worries about Karina as I made my way to the throne room. I hadn’t realized how distracted I had been; today was my father’s birthday, a day I should have been celebrating instead of dwelling on the missing pieces of my life. As I entered, the grand room was adorned with decorations—streamers and banners of gold and blue hung from the walls, and the scent of freshly baked pastries filled the air.“Ah, Alice,” my father said warmly, looking up from a pile of documents. “I’m glad you’re here. We have much to prepare for today’s celebration.”“Father, I—” I started, but he raised a hand to silence me gently.“I understand your concern for Karina,” h
There's an adage that goes, 'it's a bit easier to run a private family than a huge country,' and I agree. My name is Alice Windsor, and I am the future ruler of Bridgeton. My life revolves around the palace, following a set of rules and training. I had actually never been free. My father often reminds me that a queen has to embody twice the qualities an ordinary person has. Instead of going out, I spend my leisure time reading and practicing. "Are you excited for tomorrow?" my cousin, Harriet, inquired. She's referring to my father’s birthday. I sighed, then shook my head and stared at the target. I was not a big fan of parties, not to mention the fact that many royals would arrive to attend. The need to socialize is draining the energy out of me. It wasn't really ideal. "Don't you like it? Maybe you'll run across your future husband?" she teased. I drew the string, relaxed my muscles, and let go of the bow, striking the center. I glanced at Harriet for a moment as she sat
Alice It was already time for the firework display when I arrived at the orphanage. After meeting Rembrandt, my father didn't let go of me immediately and subtly pushed me to entertain the man. And by the look that he gave me earlier, I knew that man had already become his prospect. Rembrandt, without a doubt, is handsome but his cold manner does not help matters. “You’ve been spacing out since you came. Is there a problem?” Harriet tapped my shoulder. I forced a smile and shook my head. “There’s nothing.” The future remains hazy, and whoever my father wants me to marry, I have no option but to acquiesce. It has long been a family practice to arrange marriages among families of similar stature in order to maintain our title and position. Unless I wish to give up my rank and become a commoner, I don't have any independence. I heaved a sigh. It is still too early to worry about that. "You're like a dark cloud bringing thunder but no rain," Harriet added. “So gloomy.” I ignore Ha
Alice It was almost midnight when we reached home last night. A couple of realizations hit me, and somehow, those realizations made me want to become a more humble ruler in the future. Ianie, the kid, slept in my arms last night as I tried to give her comfort before my cousin and I went home. It was such an experience that I've treasured. This morning, I woke up early, just as I do every day, for my daily training. Contrary to the common belief that a princess's life is easy, it's far from the truth. I dressed in a pair of well-fitting black shorts, matched with a snug, buttonless long-sleeved top. My hair was neatly tied up in a bun, and I wore comfortable combat boots. Today's training focused on archery, though I wasn't sure if my cousins, Harriet and Karina, would join me. We had different trainers. After getting ready, I headed to the underground training area. "Good morning, Princess," Niccolò, the head of the castle's weaponry, greeted me. "Are you ready?" he asked. I nodde
Alice As my cousins and I made our way to the royal kitchen, something strange caught our attention within the palace. It was impossible to ignore – every royal guard and even the palace knights had paraded into the royal hall. The same hall that was reserved for important meetings and deliberations, especially during times of war. We exchanged puzzled glances, our curiosity piqued and decided to follow the crowd into the hall. Upon entering the venue, I was taken aback by what I saw. A long table dominated the center of the room, already nearly complete with attendees. Even the entire royal family was present, which was unusual for an unscheduled conference. I took my seat, choosing one close to my mother, the reigning Queen. My confusion was evident in my expression, and I couldn't help but convey it to her with a questioning look. She, in turn, simply urged me to be patient and wait for the meetings to proceed in their proper order. Restlessly, I scanned the room, my eyes comin
Alice As my cousins and I ventured deeper into the Enchanted Forest of Doria, the conversation from the day before still lingered in my mind. Karina's desperate plea weighed on me, and I wished I could have helped her more. But the truth was, I couldn't. The wand, Elizabeth's wand, could only be used by her descendants, and I wasn't one of them. "Alice, as much as I may appear thick-faced... can you assist me in detecting who the culprit is? You have the greatest authority among the three of us. Can't you use Elizabeth's wand?" Karina's anguished plea had tugged at my heartstrings. "Of course, I'll help, Karina, but as you know, I'm not a sorcerer. I'm unable to utilize the wand," I explained, the frustration evident in my voice. Elizabeth had been the kingdom's most powerful sorceress, and her wand was a symbol of her unmatched magic. Even though she had passed away many years ago, her descendants were yet to be found. "Wait! Do you remember the Mirror of Truth in the Longsati c
Alice Two days had passed since Karina’s disappearance, and there was still no news. I felt as if everything was moving at a snail’s pace, but deep down, I knew I had to trust my father—he knew better than I.“Princess, the King would like to see you,” a maidservant called out, interrupting my thoughts.I took a deep breath, pushing aside my worries about Karina as I made my way to the throne room. I hadn’t realized how distracted I had been; today was my father’s birthday, a day I should have been celebrating instead of dwelling on the missing pieces of my life. As I entered, the grand room was adorned with decorations—streamers and banners of gold and blue hung from the walls, and the scent of freshly baked pastries filled the air.“Ah, Alice,” my father said warmly, looking up from a pile of documents. “I’m glad you’re here. We have much to prepare for today’s celebration.”“Father, I—” I started, but he raised a hand to silence me gently.“I understand your concern for Karina,” h
Alice After an hour of preparation for my father’s approaching birthday, I decided to head down to the underground battleground. I needed to vent my stress through practice, hoping to let go of all my anxieties and disappointments. My father seemed unconcerned about the stolen jewel now, which perplexed me. Just days ago, he was the one most worried about the lost diamond, and now that we had discovered where it was, he appeared indifferent. “Argh!” I yelled with each stroke of my blade. The metal figure swung back and forth, north to south, in response to my strikes. The piercing sound of grinding metal reverberated throughout the vast space. I paused, taking a deep breath. After an hour of practice, I could feel the weariness in my knees as they wobbled. I decided to sit on the ground, using my sword as a prop. My face was drenched with sweat, and my exhaustion was evident. “Alice!” “I’ve been looking for you...” I turned my gaze to the wooden elevator as Harriet emerg
Alice Even though it was 9 a.m., the sun refused to shine. Thunder and lightning raged on the ground, and thick clouds obscured the heavens. Rain fell in torrents, making a buzzing sound on the ground. The weather seemed to mirror the kingdom's misfortunes and reflect my own turbulent emotions. Confused thoughts raced through my mind as I paced back and forth in my room. The fire in my heart grew stronger with each passing minute; I felt an urge to sneak out of the castle and venture into the enemy's den to find the diamond. However, my mind was torn as I weighed the possible outcomes. If I left, my father would undoubtedly worry, and it could ignite a sudden war, which I desperately wanted to avoid. This was turning out to be one of the most complex decisions I had ever faced in my life. I finally sat down and scratched my head in frustration. The King's birthday was approaching, yet retrieving the gem felt increasingly difficult. Not only could the coronation be delayed because
Alice I wore a princess-style gown as I attended Karina's father's trial, where we aimed to prove his innocence. Last night, we managed to find the Magical Bug, and fortunately, it recognized our presence, resulting in the blinding light we witnessed. Currently, the underground royal room was packed with people, and the living mirror was securely locked away. The Windston Royal family, along with the most trusted royal knights, gathered here. As the royalties engaged in casual conversation on the left side of the room, I couldn't help but notice Prince Casper's restlessness in the right corner. Karina was bombarding him with questions, and he appeared agitated. The Royal Knights began arranging the four mirrors to form intersections, one each for the south, north, east, and west. They placed a round table within the mirrors and set the magical bug on top. The room filled with a blinding light as the magical bug reflected in the mirrors. Prince Casper erupted in anger, spitting acc
Alice As my cousins and I ventured deeper into the Enchanted Forest of Doria, the conversation from the day before still lingered in my mind. Karina's desperate plea weighed on me, and I wished I could have helped her more. But the truth was, I couldn't. The wand, Elizabeth's wand, could only be used by her descendants, and I wasn't one of them. "Alice, as much as I may appear thick-faced... can you assist me in detecting who the culprit is? You have the greatest authority among the three of us. Can't you use Elizabeth's wand?" Karina's anguished plea had tugged at my heartstrings. "Of course, I'll help, Karina, but as you know, I'm not a sorcerer. I'm unable to utilize the wand," I explained, the frustration evident in my voice. Elizabeth had been the kingdom's most powerful sorceress, and her wand was a symbol of her unmatched magic. Even though she had passed away many years ago, her descendants were yet to be found. "Wait! Do you remember the Mirror of Truth in the Longsati c
Alice As my cousins and I made our way to the royal kitchen, something strange caught our attention within the palace. It was impossible to ignore – every royal guard and even the palace knights had paraded into the royal hall. The same hall that was reserved for important meetings and deliberations, especially during times of war. We exchanged puzzled glances, our curiosity piqued and decided to follow the crowd into the hall. Upon entering the venue, I was taken aback by what I saw. A long table dominated the center of the room, already nearly complete with attendees. Even the entire royal family was present, which was unusual for an unscheduled conference. I took my seat, choosing one close to my mother, the reigning Queen. My confusion was evident in my expression, and I couldn't help but convey it to her with a questioning look. She, in turn, simply urged me to be patient and wait for the meetings to proceed in their proper order. Restlessly, I scanned the room, my eyes comin
Alice It was almost midnight when we reached home last night. A couple of realizations hit me, and somehow, those realizations made me want to become a more humble ruler in the future. Ianie, the kid, slept in my arms last night as I tried to give her comfort before my cousin and I went home. It was such an experience that I've treasured. This morning, I woke up early, just as I do every day, for my daily training. Contrary to the common belief that a princess's life is easy, it's far from the truth. I dressed in a pair of well-fitting black shorts, matched with a snug, buttonless long-sleeved top. My hair was neatly tied up in a bun, and I wore comfortable combat boots. Today's training focused on archery, though I wasn't sure if my cousins, Harriet and Karina, would join me. We had different trainers. After getting ready, I headed to the underground training area. "Good morning, Princess," Niccolò, the head of the castle's weaponry, greeted me. "Are you ready?" he asked. I nodde
Alice It was already time for the firework display when I arrived at the orphanage. After meeting Rembrandt, my father didn't let go of me immediately and subtly pushed me to entertain the man. And by the look that he gave me earlier, I knew that man had already become his prospect. Rembrandt, without a doubt, is handsome but his cold manner does not help matters. “You’ve been spacing out since you came. Is there a problem?” Harriet tapped my shoulder. I forced a smile and shook my head. “There’s nothing.” The future remains hazy, and whoever my father wants me to marry, I have no option but to acquiesce. It has long been a family practice to arrange marriages among families of similar stature in order to maintain our title and position. Unless I wish to give up my rank and become a commoner, I don't have any independence. I heaved a sigh. It is still too early to worry about that. "You're like a dark cloud bringing thunder but no rain," Harriet added. “So gloomy.” I ignore Ha
There's an adage that goes, 'it's a bit easier to run a private family than a huge country,' and I agree. My name is Alice Windsor, and I am the future ruler of Bridgeton. My life revolves around the palace, following a set of rules and training. I had actually never been free. My father often reminds me that a queen has to embody twice the qualities an ordinary person has. Instead of going out, I spend my leisure time reading and practicing. "Are you excited for tomorrow?" my cousin, Harriet, inquired. She's referring to my father’s birthday. I sighed, then shook my head and stared at the target. I was not a big fan of parties, not to mention the fact that many royals would arrive to attend. The need to socialize is draining the energy out of me. It wasn't really ideal. "Don't you like it? Maybe you'll run across your future husband?" she teased. I drew the string, relaxed my muscles, and let go of the bow, striking the center. I glanced at Harriet for a moment as she sat