Albert made his way to where the servants queued, following a pattern.
He made sure his actions were subtle since he was a king and as such, his presence could easily be noted.
The mild trace of dark magic gave him the same ominous feeling and carefully, he treaded along with the crowd of servants who followed the alleys.
Although not sure, he had an inkling that if this person was among the servants, it simply meant there was a traitor or it was the same red haired girl from the coronation party.
As they closed and passed the infirmary, he went through a different corridor, the back yard of the palace, not wanting to draw attention to himself when suddenly, he bumped into a frail figure.
"Ouch!" Alice yelled, losing her footing and almost landing on the ground when Albert caught her by the waist. It was a close call.
"Alice," he called her name with narrowed eyes.
"Albert?" She creased her brows when she recovered from the shock.
"What are you doing here?" They asked each other but Alice knew her question was more valid.
"What are you doing here?" She asked him again, making emphasis on the 'you'.
Albert blinked at her for a moment, thinking of the perfect lie to give her.
"I came to check on Advisor Matthew," he said, looking at the infirmary that was only a few meters from him.
"Why do you look pale?" He threw a question at her when it appeared she wasn't buying his lie.
Alice, on the other hand had just returned from her brief mode of rest. She had still not eaten anything and her under eyes had dark circles like she had been crying.
Albert, also was not aware of the gravity of Matthew's illness as the news had still not spread since no one was aware of what caused it.
"You were going to see Matthew?" Alice raised a brow at him while ignoring his earlier question.
"Yes," he maintained composure.
Alice stared at him briefly, creasing her brows before turning to look at the lane at which he had passed.
As if realizing what was happening, Albert held his breath in embarrassment, facing another direction and avoiding Alice's piercing gaze.
Turns out he was heading to a totally different lane from where the infirmary was.
Instead, he had followed the back of the palace, rearing towards the garden place which had been where Alice was just coming from.
Albert clenched his fists, thinking of what to say to counter this lie since it was obvious that was not his intention.
The brief silence between the both of them caused an awkward moment.
"I believe you are headed there as well," he changed the topic as he brought his hand forth for her to take, "Shall we?"
Alice seemed taken aback by his actions but since she had not taken care of herself and felt too dizzy to talk much, she placed her palms on his and he held it before the both of them sauntered to the infirmary.
Albert wondered what had happened to Alice that made her look so unkempt and sick.
Was it perhaps related to Matthew? He gaped at her.
"You look dishellved," he commented, noting how their intertwined hands made her act strange.
Was he affecting her?
"I am aware," she curtly replied, not further expatiating.
"I wonder why. Care to explain?" He raised his brow at her, waiting for her answer.
Alice briefly scanned herself. Usually, she would have taken a shower and wore her perfume oils like any elite lady but Matthew's situation made those things utterly useless to her.
"No."
Her answer startled Albert as he turned his gaze to her, wondering what had come over her.
Alice, nevertheless, didn't look back at him or react.
The last thing she wanted was for him to think she had one bit interest in him.
"Your countenance today is different," he noted, not giving up on starting the conversation.
"It is. The day has been plentiful." She said, her dead eyes looking anywhere else but at the Savannah King.
"Mmhmm," Albert hummed thoughtfully. He could tell she was uncomfortable with him but he didn't know if it was a good or bad thing.
Regardless, he didn't loosen his grip on her hand. He held her tightly, unwilling to let go.
Their walk went silently as they approached the pavilion of the infirmary, not until Albert's thumb slightly brushed against her knuckles.
She jumped in her skin, turning her eyes to their tangled hands.
"Your hands are cold," he said. "I thought to warm them," was the defence that shut out from his mouth when he noticed Alice's reaction to what he did.
Alice said nothing but her unease grew particularly when they entered the infirmary. She genuinely wanted Albert nowhere near Matthew.
She wasn't sure she could behave herself before Albert and for someone who was seeking her hand in marriage, it would be inappropriate to stay close to another man in his sight.
She was trained by a governess so she knew the rules that guided betrothal.
"Your Highness," a guard who stood at the front of the infirmary bowed in greeting before halting the both of them.
"What is it?" Alice asked, trying to free her hand from Albert's grip.
"My Lady, His Highness has ordered that no one be allowed into the infirmary while the priest performs the ritual." He informed with pleading eyes as he knew the people before him were royals.
"The priest?" Albert was the one to ask this time around as he finally let go of Alice's hands.
Rituals? What rituals?
"Pray tell, what business does the priest and an infirmary have?" Albert was confused and stared at the other guards for explanation.
The guards held each other's gazes for a short while before replying, "We do not know in detail, Your Highness but we believe the King will not withhold the honour of explaining to you himself."
Alice shook her head in dismay at this news, "What is it you all hide from us concerning Matthew's state?" Her face holding no glint of acceptance as she stepped forward, ready to enter when someone pulled her back.
"Wait, Alice," Albert grabbed her wrist and it took her all her self-control to not pull out her hand from his grip and glare at him, considering there were guards here watching the scenario.
"I want to see Matthew." She said while subtly throwing him a stern look. Yet Albert didn't take the hint.
"I believe Advisor Matthew is fine. You should let him rest," he told her, not aware of Matthew's grave predicaments.
"No, he is not. He's dying and nobody is willing to say what's going on," she wrested her hands from his grip again but he refused to let go.
It was getting Alice angry.
Albert was taken aback by her strong resistance but from the look of plea the guards before him gave, he knew King Regaleon's orders were strictly to be adhered to.
"The priest is in there. I am sure whatever is going on will be handled perfectly by him." He persuaded Alice, smiling subtly to ease the tension between them both.
He had sacrificed his opportunity of finding out whoever was leaving mild traces of dark magic to following her to the infirmary to see the King's right hand man.
It wouldn't hurt if she could make this one sacrifice for him, would it?
Clearing his throat, he chided her before she could voice out, "Perhaps we should take a walk, have dinner together." He suggested and the guards nodded in agreement with him, glad that someone was helping them out of this situation the king put them,
"Yes, My Lady, you need to eat and refresh yourself," the other guard said in a low tone, bowing his head.
Alice felt her blood boil as she gaped at these men but she made sure to not show it and instead, brought forth a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Hmm. Sure, Your Majesty." The sarcasm could be heard clearly in her voice yet Albert blatantly ignored it.
He was no fool who couldn't tell she was intentionally trying to push him away.
"Come along," he pulled her and she raised the hem of her dress gracefully while walking out of the pavilion before the infirmary.
These were one of the times where she had to do otherwise what she felt.
It ached her heart to suddenly leave who she really hoped to see but for the sake of prying eyes and whispering mouths, she decided to pass on this.
Albert, however, smirked inwardly seeing her behaviour.
He knew she was in love with Matthew but it was elating to see she still held respect for him and his position so it was only wise to use this to his advantage.
He had no plan of letting her go like she presumed, especially not now when he had upheld his own part of the bargain he made with Regaleon.
He was certain the king would not break his word.
He was going to get married to Alice regardless of how she felt about it. Even if she didn't get to accept him now, she will when she realized she has no choice.