~ Third Person's Point of View ~
*FLASHBACK*
Zeln was too young to fall in love with a woman. With a promising and prominent princess of his homeland.
Both of them were innocents and clueless that starry night. That they are meant to meet each other but was destined to set apart.
The princess was still watching the stars when she caught his gaze. She then burst into genuine laughter and said, "Do not try to hide it, Zeln! I caught you while you're staring on me."
The young man bowed his head and replied. "Forgive me, Princess! I do hope that you will let me glance at you, tonight."
Zeln smiled sweetly as his face turned scarlet. He watches how the princess tucked her hair and giggled.
Alice replied, "Yes! Of course, you can! Most of the man wished to be my prince, my King! But, among them, you are different. Your wish is something favourable and simple!"
Zeln couldn't be looked away from her soft and mesmerizing beauty. She was right, and he can't object to the princess's statement.
However, without them knowing. King Sulliman was looking around for his daughter but he can't find her at the hall.
Fortunately, Cartlon came closer to the King as he was trying to find the princess. King Sulliman called him and whispered into his ears.
"Please, do look and bring Alice back here! She's been out of my sight for almost one century! Go forth, Cartlon!"
The swordsman shook his head and replied, "I've been looking for her too, your highness. Thus, I can't see her around even at her favourite spot."
King Sulliman gulped upon knowing it. Alice must be around, seeking for a fresh and wild breeze.
Prince of Dillion called the King. He said, "King Sulliman, it would be my pleasure if I can dance with your beautiful and noble daughter, Princess Alice."
The prince kneeled down and bowed to the king.
King Sulliman and the swordsman looked at each other. Trying to talk about the whereabouts of the princess.
The king said, "It would be my privilege, Prince of Dillion. However, my daughter is nowhere to be found! My sincere apology."
The prince looked dismayed and disappointed. He thought that he can ask the princess to dance, tonight. He replied, "King Sulliman, I do understand but I am willing to wait for Princess Alice."
The prince smiled bitterly at the King. He then gasped and looked around the hall, yet, he can't find the perfect woman he was dreaming for.
King Sulliman nodded his head as a sign of an apology. The prince was too kind and understanding that made him surprised and astonished at it.
He said, "I will acquaint you, as soon as Cartlon found her. I am pleased and grateful for your offer, Prince of one of my ally– Dillion."
The prince remained standing when Sulliman added, "Excuses us, for a while!"
Both of them walked into the corner of the hall. No other guests nor visitors that can hear us. Cartlon said, "Your highness, you have to calm down and alleviate! You shall not worry about Alice because she used to be missing in the midst of the day of her origin!"
Cartlon leaned closer to the king and tapped his shoulder to ease the fear and his worries.
King Sulliman replied, "Search the palace and do not come back while you're not with her. Cartlon, you have merely a restricted time to accomplish and when you succeed. I will give you a reward."
Cartlon bowed to the king as he was ready to locate Alice. He knows where she used to stay at, during this kind of events.
It was indeed his plan not to disturb the princess. That's why he chooses not to go to Princess Alice's favourite place.
He said, "Aye! You will never be disheartened for choosing me as your right hand, your highness!"
Sulliman abruptly remembered one of his great comrades. He was Cartlon's father but unfortunately, he died because of a rare illness that has no cure.
He then tapped Cartlon's shoulder and smiled. Sulliman cannot withhold the truth, that his comrade and Cartlon seems like a twin. "I do always remember your father, Cartlon. How I wish that he didn't vanish that too early."
Sulliman paused for a while. He was trying to uphold himself not to burst into tears.
Because it wasn't the right moment to feel lonely. To feel how painful it was to lose such a great father.
"Thank you for letting me in and entrusting me as her right hand, your highness. However, I must see Alice first. I will be right back, King Sulliman!" Cartlon uttered.
Without a doubt, the king blessed Cartlon for him to determine the path into the princes' whereabouts.
The king gulped to earn enough courage and to get rid of Alice. He must not be too concern regarding her adamant daughter.
On the other side, Cartlon immediately went outside of the hall. From then, a fascinating and bright moon welcomed him.
He exclaimed, "Full moon and the starry night!"
Cartlon already have a notion where Alice is staying at.
He then walked nearer to the secret garden that only a few individuals know.
He reached the secret garden in a few minutes and he halted for no reason. Cartlon barely closed his eyes and inhaled the cold breeze. It was too quiet. Relaxing, and away from the crowd.
The door was hidden by the elongated flowers that Alice planted when she was fourteen. It grows well and healthy.
Cartlon traced the mark and pushed it gently.
The door opened like it was a portal into a different dimension. Into another world, to be specific.
Blooming flowers were everywhere. Red roses, dark blue roses, peach and yellow roses were all blooming.
There was a short bench for two people on the left side where Alice's favourite flowers grew.
Cartlon walked peacefully. From afar, he could barely hear the princess laughing and talking with someone.
He didn't stop walking until he saw the princess with a man.
~
The princess came to be too bored watching the moon with Zeln. She then asked him to go to the place where she used to be, every day.
Alice said in a sweet tone, "Can you accompany me into the garden?"
The young man widened his eyes upon hearing it.
"Am I dreaming? The princess is inviting me to accompany her!" Zeln whacked himself that made the princess laugh.
He added, "It's my pleasure to be with you, your majesty. And, I don't have the right to reject your offer."
Immediately, Alice and Zeln went to the secret garden. He was then mesmerized and amazed by the place.
Alice said, "Come on! Let's have a seat!"
She grasps her long dress and seated back. Zeln was smiling and can't still believe that the place really exists.
"I haven't seen any garden like this, your majesty! To be honest, I felt like I am in paradise tonight!" Zeln uttered as he seated beside Alice.
He was staring at Alice as he tells how much he loves the place. However, Zeln stopped from speaking when he saw some strands of Alice's hair in her face.
Without permission, Zeln tucked it back on her ear and said, "You are certainly beautiful, Princess Alice."
Zeln was still touching the princess's hair when Alice hit his shoulder. She was giggling and looked down when Zeln complimented her refinement.
Out of the blue, Zeln cupped the princess's soft face. He was looking at her eyes, down to her pointed nose.
Until he landed into Alice's crimson and thin lips. "Alice."
As he uttered her name, his lips touched against Alice. Both of them closed their eyes, savouring the first and last kiss.
All of a sudden, Cartlon showed up and saw the Princess and a man, kissing.
He doubted if he would disturb Alice but he saw the man's suit.
He wasn't a prince nor part of a royal family.
Cartlon shook his head and began to speak. "Your highness, your father has been looking out on you!" He said, staring at Zeln with doubt and infatuation.
Alice abruptly pushed Zeln away and touched her lips.
She was surprised and shocked by what happened. It was too quick and out of her knowledge.
Cartlon grasps her wrist and pull the princess into his back. He was glaring at Zeln furious and mad, "How dare you touch and kiss Princess Alice!"
Alice wanted to defend Zeln from Cartlon but she doesn't know-how. She knows that it was not a good thing to do as she is a princess! An honourable individual and a King's daughter.
"Forgive me for what I've done! I... I was carried away!" The young man knelt down and begged to accept his apology.
However, Cartlon was too occupied by the King's order that's why he can't punish Zeln. "We need to go back to the hall! Your father is too worried about you, Alice!"
Cartlon pulled her hands as the princess shook her head.
For the last time, Alice stared at Zeln before going back to the hall, stunned and at the same time, dismayed.