Ivan’s mouth dropped to the floor, dumbfounded that Basil would change his mind at immediate notice from Alicia’s simple request.Before going out, Basil left with his last word. “Miss, I’ll be standing right outside the door. If anything happens, don’t hesitate to call me.”As the door closed, the room grew reticently quiet.Alicia sighed and looked at Ivan. “What happened, Your Majesty? You almost broke my ribs.” She pointed her finger at the medicine glass bottle that fell on the floor. “…..Why did you do that?”“What medicine is that?” Ivan asked, his glance stealthy.Alicia picked up the glass bottle and put it on the table. “It’s the medicine I’ve been taking since I was a kid, a collection of herbs that helps ease my tension. What’s wrong with this?”“It’s a problem.”“Why?”“You’ll become Ehrlich’s queen soon. Everything you touch must be thoroughly tested, be it food or medicine. Don’t you know that?” Ivan said with a straight face.“That’s true, but….” She who remained reser
Basil entered Alicia’s cabin snappily and ready to drag the black-haired-beast by the foot if need be. This was the best opportune time to gain Alicia’s favor. She would become Ehrlich’s queen soon. Once this happens, well… then it was time to switch sides.Ivan, on the other hand, was not finished with Alicia. He grunted and parted his lips, but Basil quickly shouted, “Your Majesty, if you’re done with your business, let’s go!”Ivan’s sharp eyes immediately flashed a deathly glare towards Basil for his sudden interruption.At his resentful gaze, Basil clicked his tongue inwardly.‘I’m just helping you. It will only get worse for you if you stay here any longer, Your Majesty.’“Your Majesty, please come this way!” Basil said, his tone proud and ever so brave.At Basil’s repeated urging, Ivan was forced to back down. He gnashed his teeth and said to Alicia, “…..Rest well.”And so, Ivan was driven straight out of the cabin pitifully. As soon as Basil closed the door, Basil tried to quic
“How…”As she looked at the view with a face full of surprise, Ivan said, “You probably won’t see them for a while. It’s hard to get here from Edirne. It’s also a good time to greet your mother. And it just so happens that we’re close to the harbor.” Ivan got off the wagon first, then he stretched his hand out to her and smiled lightly. “I can’t give you much time because of our tight schedule. Go and say hello. Your people miss you.”“Lady Alicia!”Soon as Alicia jumped off the carriage, people poured out of the mansion at once en masse. They chatted freely amongst one another as they saw a carriage emblazoned with the royal seal in front of the mansion. Then in front of their sight was a silver-haired woman getting off the carriage, her hands clutching onto a man. The memories of their young lady came to mind. She had grown up… and she had returned, at last…“Oh my god, My Lady, how could you not give us notice in advance…!” Mrs. Burns, the head chef, hugged Alicia tightly. Tears s
Surprise and bewilderment left the servants awestruck, their hearts jolting as they looked up at their king’s face, before quickly lowering their heads.James rarely wore a look of shock. This time he did. “My lady will become the queen of this country?”“Yes,” Ivan replied then looked at Alicia and said to her, “I said before that we’re on schedule. I can’t give you much time. Do you think you’ll finish up in an hour?”Alicia nodded. “Yes, that’s enough. I appreciate your consideration.”“I see. So…” Ivan picked up his foot and moved towards a certain direction.The servants sighed in relief and straightened their backs when he was no longer standing before their presence.Alicia smiled bitterly. “That’s how things turned out. Let’s go inside for now.”Alicia relayed to James the dismal and discouraging events that occurred in Coulson. They would find out soon enough… that Coulson’s king and nobles handed her over like a pawn in exchange for avoiding the war.Alicia, under James’s gu
Ivan flinched and hid his hands behind his back noticing Alicia’s lingering gaze planted on his fingers.Alicia looked away, deciding not to point out what she had seen.“….I had never thought to bring a bouquet of flowers,” she said.Heavy silence scattered all around thereafter. One could hear the steady rhythm of their heart. The series of incidents in the ship left the two parties, Alicia and Ivan, in a sour mood. They could not face each other properly, let alone talk. Though in truth it was Alicia’s doing. She chose to avoid him on purpose.Unable to bear the still sullenness, Alicia opened her lips and broke the quietness. “But mother had always loved flowers, especially flowers commonly found in the road rather than the large, exotic flowers in the garden. Thank you. I’m sure she’s happy.”“…..” Ivan’s eyes quivered and looked away.Alicia looked down, fingers wiggling. She had nothing to say thereafter.Then Ivan looked at the grave next to the countess coldly. “The count was
Alicia’s gaze turned downcast. Whenever Ivan called her name with slightly raised lips, a sort of welling sadness formed in her caged heart.He rarely called her by her name, if ever…“I want you to call me by my name too, Alicia. Ivan. Call me that. Is this okay with you?”Tears had fallen, almost. His carefree smile brought her back to their first meeting. The painful memories had been wiped out and only the memory of that boy in the garden remained. She hoped this could last.“Yes,” Alicia bit her lips and answered.“Alicia, I know you’re in a difficult position and I can’t imagine how you feel, but I’d like to make it clear to you that I’ve no intention of treating you like a hostage. You’re my wife. I’ll protect you from any danger. Don’t be nervous, please…”His voice was gentle.Alicia nodded her head. It would have been nice if he was like this in their past life, but she was satisfied. This, too, was enough.She never had any thoughts of getting back at him when given a secon
My wife doesn’t love me.This was the only thing I know.***“Your Majesty, where are you? Your Majesty, the Queen is looking for you.”The servant was looking for me. I had no intention to be seen and so, I hid behind the tall pillars and kept quiet. Troublesome and uncomfortable things await me; this I know well.“Your Majesty! Oh… Your Majesty! I know you’re listening to me. Your Majesty…!”Watching the servant’s movement, I slowly walked toward the opposite direction and arrived in the deserted garden. I laid there, resting, for the time being, hoping to avoid that slow-witted but determined servant.I sighed and looked up the blue sky, staring relentlessly at the glaring sun and the drifting clouds. But as somber thoughts came to mind, I covered my eyes with my arms and bit my lips tightly.“The throne was originally mine.”Mother used to hold onto me… I’d sit on her lap while she whispered words I never understood. Each time she said those words, the guilt that I’d taken away he
The book reverts back to third person.“…..I need to be stronger…” Ivan said, his heart bitter and disheartened. Greed had never controlled him. He hoped to be a king neither horrid nor incompetent but a king able to manage his kingdom well and to live a happy life with his wife, one whom he could respect as a human being, if not love.But… did he hope for too much?A soft hiccup snapped Ivan from his whimsical thoughts. He turned his head and saw a little girl. Tears fell from her cheek and she wiped it roughly with her sleeves. She looked distracted, thus failing to take notice of his presence.Ivan moved, not wanting to have his presence known. Though he unconsciously watched her from afar. She was pleasant to look at, cute like a doll. She had porcelain skin too puerile and silver hair too innocent. She was younger than Ivan, it looked like. Her beauty could not be disguised from the pearl-shaped tears rolling down her cheeks from her wide luminous eyes.“…..Huh?”Ivan followed he