Albert reached the gazebo with Alice's hand in his, gently guiding her into the shed before letting her sit.
"It has been so long, I thought I might never see you again." He picked the bottle of wine on the table and began to pour it in a goblet.
"Me too." She said shyly before gesturing a thank you to him when he passed the goblet to her. "I thought you'd have been married now." She continued, unsure of how her statement sounded to him.
She knew Albert was just like her brother. Reserved and chaste unlike other elites who were quick to have courtesans. However, it was shocking finding out that he was not yet married.
"Did you really?" He raised his brow in amusement.
"Isn't that what every king does?" She asked the obvious.
"I'm amazed you'd consider me like any other king." Chimed Albert.
Of course, she wouldn't term him like any other king. There was something very different about him and his kingdom. Even if she didn't know much, she was aware of the mysteries Savannah held.
"So...what's stopping you from getting married?" She questioned, waiting eagerly for an answer.
"Nothing. In fact, I already have someone in mind I'm interested in."
"You do?" Alice raised a brow and Albert saw how her expression changed.
"Mmhmm." He hummed. "She's sitting right in front of me." He said without beating around the bush and Alice turned red at his statement.
Seeing her flush, he smiled in contentment. "The only problem is her. I wonder what she would say to my proposal." He made a sad face that Alice could tell was just a facade.
"You play too much, Albert." Alice told him with a hint of a smile on her face while her cheeks warmed.
On noticing how she dropped the title and called him by his name, Albert smirked.
"Now, that's the Alice I remember." He chimed with satisfaction.
However, Alice was stunned. Her palms turned sweaty realising what Albert was talking about the whole time.
"So you're saying-"
"I'm saying I like you and intend to get married to you after this upcoming war is over." Albert interjected before she could finish.
With her both hands clasping each other, Alice struggled to keep a straight face.
Whatever she felt for Albert was years ago when he had last visited their kingdom and they were still children then. She didn't expect that he would have taken her seriously especially since he was so fond of her sister then.
"Having second thoughts?" Albert suddenly stood up and the next moment, he was sitted right next to her on her side of the couch. "I knew it wouldn't be easy to persuade you."
"Albert, I find it-"
"Sudden?" He asked while pinching his brow and when she remained silent just staring at him, he raised his hand without warning and placed it on hers.
"I was your first love, Alice. Now, i intend to be you last." He whispered right next to her ears while gently caressing her hands but Alice surprised and pushed his hands away.
"No." She simply stated and retreated her hands.
She was already having enough problems with her sister. Agreeing to marriage with a man who loved Amie years ago just didn't sound right.
Back then, while she had secretly liked Albert, he was openly fond of Amie and she was always in the shadow.
Why would he be interested in her all of a sudden now?
"I know what you're thinking." Albert then went back to his seat unperturbed. "The thing is people change. And as it is, your sister already has been betrothed."
"Its not about that. This just doesn't feel like the right time." Knowing Amie, this news wouldn't elated her.
"She'll adjust." He didn't seem bothered by what Amie would feel and it sort of provoked Alice.
"I'll give you time to think about it. It's the only offer I have for your kingdom." Albert remarked and abruptly got up from his seat before taking her hand in his and kissing her knuckles.
Without any other word, he walked away from the gazebo, heading to his quarters.
Alice, understanding what his statement meant had her eyes widened.
Offer for her kingdom?
Her heart skipped, not expecting Albert to have made her hand in marriage the only prize he wanted for saving her kingdom.
_______________
Somewhere deep down in a cave, Melina who was knocked out few moments ago slowly began to gain consciousness, her eyes opening as she took in the place where she laid.
When she realized what was happening, she immediately rose up in fear, curious to see what had really happened to the white wall only for her to meet a different reality.
A wide dusty cave stood in front of her like a mirror, it's size vast enough for half the kingdom to contain. It was like a mystical mountain, separate from this world, with towering pillars.
Melina stepped into the cave with her heart thumping, wondering what something like this was doing in a palace.
This place was only found in unearthed mountains where no one lived.
It brought smoke that smelt stale and old like something ancient resided in it, making Melina's imagination of what was here unbelievable.
Nothing on this earth could nurse something here unless it was incredibly dangerous.
Her heart skipped thinking of what could exist and be brought to this place. Unlike before when she could here the growling, it had completely stopped, turning everywhere like a graveyard, a tranquil space that held nothingness.
Though scared and anxious, she continued her journey into it, wanting to know what growling creature resided in it.
"Hello?" She yelled for her voice to echo loudly, making her feet crawl.
Why did everywhere suddenly turn quiet? It was extremely unsettling.
"HELLO?" She yelled again in anticipation and her heart flew a thousand miles when she suddenly heard flapping from miles away head her way.
Instinctively, she moved back in shock, bewilderment filling her. Her skin prickled with goosebumps as she felt a primal energy surround her suddenly, heightening her senses.
Her instinct which was to flee enclosed in but her feet surprisingly remained rooted to the ground.
Looking up, her heart skipped on seeing the majestic creature that stood before her with its powerful wings, its two eyes shone like gold as it headed straight for her. On a normal circumstance, she was supposed to run like a hare but she stayed there, an unshakeable sense of connection to this creature held her in place.
However, the moment the creature reached the point where she stood in the cave, it was drawn back by a mighty chain which held it in its space, pulling it back to where it came from.
Melina couldn't explain what she was seeing in front of her.
It was like she was drowning in a sea of impossibilities, her head spinning as she took in what stood before her and she swallowed.
From the little stories Paloma had told her, creatures like this were a myth. They didn't exist.
So what was this that stood before her eyes?
"You," the creature's voice resonated deep in the cave. "I have been awaiting your return." Its golden eyes blinked at her calmly like it had finally found its redemption.
Her return?
This creature knew her?