~ Third Person's Point of View ~
Cartlon dropped himself into the ground when he realizes what he has done. Certainly, Alice would be furious and angry with him.
Without the princess approval, Cartlon abruptly kissed her.
In other words, he stole Alice's first kiss.
Billy and Sahara were still standing from afar. Witnessing and watching how the swordsman hit the ground as if he was too powerful and vital than it is.
Sahara leaned closer to Billy and whispered with pity on her tone. "I pity Cartlon! I would always gaze at him every time he talks with the Princess. You know what Billy, there is something warm in his eyes. And, I know that he loves Princess Alice."
Sahara let out a deep breath and added. "I thank God for not letting me fall in love with a man. With a man who's impossible to be mine."
She then turned her gaze at Cartlon while frowning.
Billy replied, "I object with your opinion, Sahara. Love is what humanity needs to conquer everything. Including this current zombie apocalypse that we are facing. Love is life, Sahara."
Love is life?
Those words were familiar with Sahara. As if, she heard it with someone a long time ago but she cannot figure it out anymore.
She repeated, "Love is life."
Such a beautiful proverb.
On the other side, Alice burst into tears when she realized what Cartlon did to her.
He just took her prestige! Her purity!
Alice uttered out of anger, "How dare he stole my first kiss?! I am not sure! I am a worthless woman now! He took my dignity away from me!"
The princess believed in her mother's words. That when a man kisses a woman without reciprocal sentiments is consider a forbidden; a sin.
And, the woman itself became valueless.
Princess Alice leaned her back into the wooden wall while sobbing like a lost child. She then touched her lips and trying to forget about what happened.
Cartlon took away her dignity. And, that's the only thing that Alice can remember.
Out of all possibilities, someone called out the princess by her name. "Alice."
The princess thought that she was daydreaming but she slowly lifts up her head.
There was a man figure standing at the door and his long cloak was visible.
"Cartlon."
It wasn't a question nor a guess. It's a statement that the princess has said.
Nonetheless, the man didn't answer. He was still standing and looking at the princess as much as he has time to do it.
The man's face wasn't evident as it was covered by a veil and a warrior's vizard.
Alice stared at the man as she knows him. Yet, as the time running– Alice was hypnotized with his gaze.
All of a sudden, Alice recalled the happenings during the nineteenth day of her origin.
*FLASHBACK*
Alice went down from the reception hall and wander around, outside. She looked up at the starry night, realizing that the moon was brighter than the other day.
The cold wind blew her majestic cloak and dress. Princess Alice heard someone gasp behind her, and she saw a figure of a man.
It was too dark to recognize the man's face, and so, the Princess ordered him to show off his face.
"As your next majesty, and as an order, get off from the darkness and reveal yourself!" Princess Alice said.
With the deep voice of the Princess, the man showed himself. He was slim and tall, he's wearing a simple and tanned plain blouse, matched with a pair of trousers.
The princess raised her eyebrows upon seeing his old and wicked shoes.
"Your majesty, I got bored at the reception hall and so I went outside to unwind. My sincere apology for startling you." Alice was not paying attention to what he was talking about.
Alice was ensnared with a man's face.
He was alluring and looked manly, Princess Alice gulped abruptly.
Like, she never acted this way since before, and not just gloating, Alice met handsome and wealthy Prince before.
The man waited for her majesty to respond. He's been bowing his head down for a minute. "Your majesty!" He exclaimed.
Princess Alice came back to reality when the man's voice raised up. She looked away, ashamed and said, "What class do you belong to?" She asked, to divert the tension.
Alice has never been looked intently at someone. He was too handsome and elegant despite his simple posture. "At the lower class, your honour." The man replied shortly.
On the other hand, the man looked at the Princess when she's not staring at him. He's stealing a glimpse of her majesty, at this late hour.
"But you look like not one of them," Alice said.
"I am, your majesty and I don't have the right to tell a lie onto you." He mumbled.
Alice thought for an exciting question and said, "Tell me your name!"
The man from the lower class widened his eyes in shock, he never thought that a Princess would ask his name.
It was his dream, to see and to meet the Princess personally.
"Please, as a loyal servant and subordinate of Alicesha give me a chance to hold and kiss your royal hand, your Majesty." For the first time, the man looked up at the Princess with a big smile on his face.
Princess Alice was stunned with his eyes. It was bluish and round, his shiny brown-curled hair was made for this night.
Alice shook her head in a decent manner, instead of saying no.
Most of the royal family didn't let the lower class touch nor talk to them. It was an insult for them, however for Princess Alice, as the Queen of Alicesha, she must know how to treat her people fairly and lawfully.
The man hold gently and with care the Princess's hand, he kisses it and it gives goosebumps for Alice.
"I am Zeln, your majesty." The man said, then letting go of her soft and fragrant hand.
Princess Alice was surprised when the man finally told his real name. What a royal name! At the back of her head.
"Zeln," Alice uttered, nodding her head down and forth.
Zeln smiled at the Princess, showing his perfect and white set of teeth. "Yes, your majesty."
Alice never falls in love with an ordinary man, or to be exact, she never fell in love with anyone.
The Prince of Vladimir is undeniably good looking and fearless.
The Prince of Parthia is a warrior that defeated its enemy for many times.
The Prince of Dillion is the most handsome and caring prince she met.
But, she never felt so nervous and uneasy in front of them.
"At this starry night, it is the best time to elude from reality, from responsibility, from all people that surround me, you, and us," Zeln told the Princess like they have the same status and level in life.
In the midst of the party, a nocturne was played beautifully.
It was breathtaking to hear with, something like the song talks to your heart and soul.
Zeln and Alice watch the moon peacefully like they have known each other for so long.
Until...
To be continued...