His Witch Queen

Having said that, Alice kept her eye over him but there was absolute silence between them. No one even uttered a single word, where their breath was halting in the middle, "You aren't wrong either, Princess Alice...but I guess... I had expected too much out of you.."

With these words, at last, he had turned around to walk in the direction of the door of the chamber. He opened it and had once again closed it behind him, leaving her alone in the room again.

For the next few minutes, she didn't budge from her position. It was as if Princess Alice was frozen to her spot like any other statue. 'Did he just say that I'm not worthy?' 

Her lips turned straight as she realized his words again. It was ringing in her mind like many other statements. 

It made her clutch her clothes more vigorously where Alice could sense that her breath was getting deeper with each second. "I'm not able to understand him? Why the hell can't this simple thing fix inside his mind that I am a human and I can't see them drinking blood?!" 

The thought constantly revolved around her mind where Alice had to take the seat behind her. Sitting on the bed, she was still present in the daze where princess Alice was hurt by his words more than what she had expected.

'Was there any need for him to get so furious over something simple?' she didn't think so. 

In her mindset, she found him to be acting like any other five years old child, who needs care and attention. 

That was least expected out of him. 

But Princess Alice was soon broken out of her dream when she heard a knock on her door. Lifting her glance, it fell on the lady Ashley, who had decided to appear for now. "Lady Ashley...please come in.."

Picking herself up from the bed, she stood again with her broad shoulders. Holding all her sadness beneath her mask of a smile, she stared at the lady who had kept the same composure on her face when she stepped inside her chamber along with her two maids behind her. 

"Princess Alice...you suddenly ran away..." Lady Ashley asked, making Alice's heart skip a beat. 'Is she also here to talk about my unusual behavior?' Alice didn't have the heart to discuss it. 

However, knowing that this isn't being controlled by her hand either, Alcie finally nodded her head at her, "I am sorry for my sudden disappearance from the hall. I know we all were having the breakfast and I suddenly...came back to my chamber..."

"There is nothing to apologize for from your side. Even, I should be the one who should do so…" Lady Ashley's speech made Alice's forehead tighten into a frown. 

What did she mean by her words that it wasn't her mistake? Didn't just Prince Cyrus come to her chamber to bash her so badly? 

It reminded Alice that she really did a blunder by actually running and a self-doubt session was going on inside her brain.

But when Lady Ashley noted her doubtful expressions, did she say, "I should have been more careful. We never realized that you might not be comfortable seeing us drinking the drink. It was the usual practice here so I didn't think much.."

"But I should have been more careful. You are just married now, came into the Vampire's land, you must not be accustomed to seeing the blood..." Lady's tone gave Alice the insight that she was already dripping with guilt around her face.

In fact, what Princess Alice came across was the sight of her covered with sweat. It made her curious, but she had her lips sealed before she passed her a small smile. "You aren't at fault either. I'm just...not used to these things.."

"I had guessed it right. But, I know that Queen had intentionally talked about the drinks, to get a reaction out of you.." it was enough to send hints in Princess's direction, which made her brows curved upwards. 

Subconsciously, her lips parted but she had kept herself shut again as she noted that Lady Ashley wasn't interested in having the talk about it. 

All she did was pass the information in her direction, either to cause chaos or to alarm her.

'Maybe she is trying to tell me..who all are in my favor and who all aren't?' Alice wondered. 

Instead of trying to question this, Alice's eyes wandered behind the lady, to see the two maids standing there with something in their hands, covered by a cloth. "These two..?"

"Since you came so abruptly,  I brought some food for you. You must be hungry, after all, you had left the meal in the middle.." saying this, Lady Ashley motioned the maids to bring and keep the food on the table that was present in the corner. 

To her delight, when the maids had removed the cloth, Alice's sight caught the delicious fresh meal that she used to eat. It didn't make any sense though,  'What I ate there was different and this is different....how come?' 

It was still a curious and hidden fact, where Alice rotated her head to look at the lady, "I'm grateful that you actually thought about me despite me coming here, out of a sudden.."

"Oh c'mon! That is nothing, I told you, you can also call me mom. I have taken care of Cyrus from the time he was a few years old. For me, you are his wife and the new daughter in law and it is my responsibility to take care of you."

Hearing her words brought a smirk to Alice's face. 

Despite the multiple attempts in her heart, she couldn't help but feel immense want for this lady. As if, her sweet words did touch her heart and soul. 

It still was not clear to her about her intentions. Since she was very much high on her guards, Alice made sure to not make any opinions and close bonds yet. 

But for the period, she had witnessed how her husband's monster takes her and keeps her in high regard. 

It was still enough for her to understand that she has immense importance in this household. "Thank you for this then..."

"Also..." Lady Ashley's eyes sparkled again, "I know that I shouldn't tell you this because he has asked me to keep  my mouth shut on this thing.. but I think you should know." 

The words made Alice lift her head to the other side with the questionable gaze, seeming to be sending the obvious doubts to the lady as if it made no sense. "What do you mean to say, Lady Ashley?"

"It was Cyrus who asked me to bring you the food. He thought that you would be hungry. So he had specially asked me to prepare the special dishes for you....from the kitchen and bring them to you personally so that you can eat and not be left hungry either for the morning..." 

"T-that..." 

"You don't have to say. I just said what I wanted to." Lady Ashley's words made Alice close her lips again since she wasn't even finding the right words to define herself.

She was speechless, more or less, and it was hard to absorb even. Why was this man so nice to her as if she was really his wife? She might be, but..only in the status because of the alliance that happened... 

But surely his love and patience, care gave her the double meaning to conclude out of the very much situation.

"I-I..will eat. Thank you again.." Princess Alice muttered, making Lady Ashley shake her head. "Don't worry about me. But please... eat it fast so that I can give you a tour of the castle and tell you some secrets as well...be ready.." 

….

Very soon, Lady Ashley had left her alone in the chamber to finally finish her meal. She was delighted that she got some of her own space and time to complete her breakfast, at least not roaming here and there all empty stomach. 

After finishing her meal, Princess Alice stood in front of the mirror to see herself again. She had adjusted her clothes once again since she will be going out along with Lady Ashley to explore the castle. 

As the Queen-to-be, as well as the newly married, it was one of the most prominent tasks to get used to.

Taking a deep breath, she brought her hands together in front of her body to finally exit the chamber and found Lady Ashley, standing above the garden. 

Walking closer to her, she gave her a soft smile to finally say, "From where are you going to start, Lady Ashley?"

"Why not from here?" Lady Ashley pointed at the garden below them to where her gaze as well went, "This garden is one of the most famous ones in the entire castle. Moreover, we all love this the most... especially, it is the closest one to Prince Cyrus.."

"Closest to Prince Cyrus…?" Alice repeated again, with doubt. 

In response, Lady Ashley smiled at her while giving her a meaningful glare, "This garden used to belong to Prince Cyrus's birth mother."

.....

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