~ Third Person's Point of View ~
The night was quiet like it was used to be. The stars and the moon were not visible due to thick and dark clouds.
Yet, crows and vultures were flying around the Alicesha to gawk; to probe dead corpses of both humans and zombies.
Frogs were noisy and busy with finding insects for supper. They love to do it at nocturnal, then dawn.
On the other side, Princess Alice can't sleep because of what happened earlier between her and Cartlon. Alice never thought that after almost two decades of knowing Cartlon, they would argue like this.
"Oh, father in heaven. What should I do? I'm being too hopeless and naive!" Alice uttered while lying into cold; rough bed without bedding.
However, she never regret living in a small and cold but with the swordsman, and with the two juveniles; Sahara and Billy. Alice never regrets trusting Caliek as her friend; as her servant.
She moved into sideways as she struggles to fall into a deep sleep. Alice halted upon meeting Cartlon's warm and peaceful face.
She took a very deep breath when she thinks of touching his countenance. Cartlon has been on her side for her entire life but she never sees him more than a good friend. Alice never felt in love since the day she met a young man during her 18th royal birthday celebration.
"Please do forgive me, Cartlon. I cannot give you the same love as you're giving and showing into me. I know, deep somewhere in this beautiful and wonderful world, you will meet the woman who destined to be yours." Alice touched his face and paused.
"A woman who looks at your eyes like she was never done it before. A woman who wipes your tears when you're crying. A woman who shows up a kind of love that lasts forever; you'll be going to meet here at the right time, Cartlon."
Alice smiled bitterly as she caresses the swordsman's shiny hair. She believes that it is better to be true than giving someone false hope.
As the princess watch him sleeping, Cartlon moved a little bit closer that made her gulped and stuck with her position.
Now, she almost regrets for not accepting Sahara's offer. "If only I know it will happen then I'll accept Sahara's overture to sleep together with her."
Alice slowly stood up, making it sure not to disturb Cartlon. She then looked at her right side, watching Billy snoring and drooling over while sleeping.
Princess Alice gets off from it as she didn't know that Cartlon will sleep beside her, tonight.
The Princess was prowling when she accidentally tossed out his long legs. Alice closed her eyes, praying that he will not be disturbed because of being careless.
"Go back to a night of deep sleep, Cartlon. I know you are tired; shuteye well." She uttered.
However, the moment she turned his back at the sleeping man, Cartlon grabbed her hand.
Alice was dumbfounded and can't believe how it happened. She looks back, realizing that he's still sleeping peacefully.
Gently, he losses his grip into the princess's hand. But before letting her go, he murmured, "I like you, Alice. But, you love someone else that I've never met before."
Upon hearing those, tears springing into her eyes. Alice cannot bear to see him hopeless and with broken wings.
"My sincere apology, Cartlon."
By then, Alice totally walked out of him and directly went to Sahara. "Ohh! Poor man, I do hope you can condone me."
Tears flow down into her cheeks as she lay down next to Sahara. Alice has never been guilty and remorseful before; until such time passes through many years.
Out of nowhere, Sahara changed her position and faced the weeping princess beside her. Alice was starstruck by her angelic and soft face.
She then wiped her tears away and caress Sahara's long, and shiny hair. "Who are you, Sahara? I can't express it by words, but I felt a strong connection with you."
Alice stared at her like she's staring at her younger sister; Shaotzie. She tucks her long hair into her ears, gently and with care.
Until her eyes were stuck on a birthmark found in Sahara's upper right back. It was a butterfly birthmark that is not prevalent.
Alice remembered the Queen's story about the lost princess. The late queen was usually read Alice a story during bedtime; especially about the lost princess with a rare butterfly birthmark.
"Mother."
She uttered until Alice falls into a deep and comforting slumber.
**
~ At Prince Zeln's Hideaway ~
Princess Shaotzie and Zachary were deterred like they were an intruder. Danaya ordered her men to do it as the only way for them not to elude from her.
Princess Danaya walked closer to the wardens and said "Guard them until the sun rises up! Make it sure that none of them can escape!"
"Yes, my lord!" Two wardens answered.
Danaya beamed at them and raised her eyebrows at Zachary. "I've never trusted anyone especially the day I met you, Zachary. I do not understand either, how my half brother counted on and treated you as his real brother. Where in fact, you are just a slothful and worthless slave from this kingdom!"
Princess Shaotzie was taken aback as Princess Danaya underestimating her kingdom. Her homeland; her world. "No shall dare to insult and hurt the feelings one of my thousands of men, Princess Danaya."
Zachary stiffened and needles between them. "She's right, Danaya! Do not speak beyond your limitations in front of the Princess of my homeland."
Shaotzie was disgusted by the Princess of Atlantis. She thought that first impression would last and will still remain in the end; but unfortunately; on the very rare moment of her life, she was disgruntled.
"I want to eliminate you and Princess Shaotzie right now but I have an adequate and better plan for the two of you." Danaya fondled her stomach as she sneered so flamboyant and sonorously.
Before leaving the villains sitting and was tied up at the corner.
"Remember this Zachary; if you can't find the Prince as soon as possible; I will pare your head off and throw your headless body into the monster river. Mark my words, swordsman!"
Zachary didn't look frightened and or terrified by the princess's words. Danaya walked away from them and went straight into a vacant compartment.
The princess yawned as she watched Danaya walking away from them. She murmured, "I'm sleepy, swordsman."
"Sleep, for now, your majesty. Because tomorrow, we will be in a hard and tough fight to impose with.
Zachary uttered as he let the young Princess lean her head into his tired and broad shoulders. He then slowly closes his eyes and forgot the pain in his leaking wound.