Alice's eyes were wide as saucers when she heard her father's words. To be specific, it was the first time she has ever heard about an alliance between a mere and weak human and the Crowned Prince of the Vampires?
"Father, are you kidding me? How can Flora agree to this marriage?" She was taken aback. Her face showed her astonishment.
She clutched the side of the piano behind her with a tight grip since it wasn't easy to digest the information.
But neither the prince nor the King were surprised by her reaction towards the news, "You are right. It wasn't as easy as we all thought but this is for political reasons. To maintain the peace between the two empires."
"But father, they are... blood-thirsting monsters! How can you let one of our Royal be sacrificed by their hands..." In the end, it was no hidden fact that the Vampire loves to drink the fresh blood out of the human body.
Not only that, a human can never mate with a vampire. In the end, Flora will be the source of blood for their dynasty!
Alice felt conflicting in her heart. Somehow, this was a big blow to her. Moreover, she is aware that Flora isn't someone who will agree with her parents without revolting, as her nature didn't allow that.
Alice lifted her gaze to look at their father with a straight face, not much expression changed. In return, King Vilas never tore his eyes, to see her changing her demeanor and the mixed emotions surfacing on her face.
"Father, we... I do know that our families aren't on good terms either. Getting Flora married to a vampire is beyond our morals! They are vampires, we as humans are too weak against them."
She expressed her tension towards the entire situation present in front of her.
The Kingdom's politics isn't unknown to her, after all, her parents never let their daughter be uneducated. She read sculptures, from the past, learned different techniques to fight and what not?
Her teacher also told her about the war strategies that align with how cruel the entire world can be to them. In the end, her father and brother also started consulting her about the decisions related to the court. Although she never addressed herself formally in the court, yet her presence in the family was itself a big question putting a large pressure over them.
King Vilas took a deep breath and nodded his head. "You are totally right. We can't predict anything at this point and this is the only chance to remove the enmity between the two empires. It will flourish in our states."
"But father, she is your niece as well. Uncle will never favor his daughter getting married to some kind of monster." In her accordance, she found it totally lewd.
Dominic nodded his head with her statement, but came in support of his father, "We do know that your father will never take the decision ahead without any plan in his mind, Alice. We came here to inform you about our trip. Pack your stuff with the help of your two dear maids. We will be leaving very soon."
Alice nodded her head in return and looked at her father, giving him an expression of tension mixed with multiple emotions. Her worry for her father increased at a rapid speed, understanding that their future seemed quite dull.
No one can predict the future. What if the enemies are building up in your own family? There is no need for people to desire your blood rather than your own family members.
Both the father and son duo left the space, making Alice sigh. She looked at the birds who were sitting quietly at the large window. Her eyes were slightly upset regarding the present which wasn't hidden in her heart.
"Sorry birdy, I will have to leave for some time. Do not worry, I will come back very soon."
Despite the smile she brought on her lips to ease herself, her heart wasn't entirely convinced. Somehow this trip was making her guards raise. Her instincts were sending dagger signs but things weren't in her hand either.
Alice made her way to her bed-chamber where her maid came after seeing her arrival. "Princess, what happened? You look a lot stressed."
"Mary…" Alice turned around to look at her maid, more likely a mother figure who raised her and her brother since childhood was looking worried. Probably because of her facial expressions which weren't relaxed. Or most likely how her shoulders were stiffed.
"Princess, is there something which is making you sad? Has anything happened? Was your tune not loved by others?" She mumbled with the question. Alice simply shook her head in response, not giving any beneficial answer concerning this.
Taking baby steps towards the window, her eyes averted in the direction of the clear sky with her glittery eyes. As she wore a gold color gown, it shimmered when the natural light fell on her items of clothing. A shawl was wrapped around her shoulders with sadness creeping toward her heart.
"Mary, pack my stuff. We will be leaving the palace early tomorrow morning. Keep some clothes with heavy embroidery because it is a special occasion."
Mary looked at Alice with a puzzled gaze. The sudden departure must have confused her, thought Alice in her heart. Thinking of the mere possibility, a faint smile curved on Alice's face when she answered in the sweetest voice to make her understand.
"We are leaving… to attend someone's wedding tomorrow. As the journey is quite long, it will take us an entire day to reach there so take some comfortable dress for tomorrow."
"But where are we going, Princess? Who is getting married? We might have been made aware if someone was getting married, the news would have already spread but there is nothing in my knowledge."
Alice closed her eyes to control the emerging feelings. Why is she hurt and sad about the marriage? Not like she is getting married to that monster. But somehow the feeling of known and unknown kept on turning worse inside her stomach.
Turning around, she looked at Mary with her straight gaze, being utmost serious. "Flora is getting married to someone.. in Noman's land. We are supposed to go there tomorrow and have many events as well."
"Princess..."
Mary called her name yet it was of no use before Alice slipped from her bed-chamber and walked through the corridors of her palace. Her long silver hair was flying in the hair due to the wind but her speed was no less. She wasn't entirely walking but neither running. Worriedness in her heart made her react in such a weird manner.
At last, she arrived in the stable when she witnessed her horse eating the grass served to him there at his place. With light steps, Alice walks near her dear horse who was currently in the process of consuming his food.
Caressing its silky white hair, her eyes longed and watered a little bit at the weird feeling that her heart was undergoing. 'Why is it like that? Is something big going to happen soon?'
"Those are monsters. Flora agreed to this. They will drink her blood but why is my skin turning cold?" Alice found this sensation almost intangible and irrelevant.
Although her instincts were almost accurate, most of the time. Because of the same reason, she is afraid that everything will result in much damage. Telling her father about it? She can't just tell them so bluntly otherwise, they all will simply fall into grave tension and stress.
Her eyes stared at the soft horse of hers when she caressed its skin with her soft hands.
"Horse, we have a long way to go tomorrow.. get yourself ready, alright?"