A week and two days had passed since Saber... Sir Romeo had gone missing.
Alice, the princess, gazed out from her room window, worry visible on her expression. The sun rose and set, but there was still no sign of him.
"I know he'll come back," she whispered to herself, but doubt crept in. "What if something happened?"
Though Romeo and she had only met for a couple of days, Alice could help but feel worried about him. However, she trusted him completely, believing he would never abandon her. He said that he would be back in a week, but he hadn't returned.
Yesterday, Alice sent out search parties, hoping for news, but the report returned with nothing. The kingdom was vast and dangerous. Woods filled with monsters and mountains that loomed high could hide anyone.
Not to mention, the Waves of Calamity is already getting nearer, a week and a half to be exact. If she didn't find him soon, she worries that something bad might've happen to him.
Alice paced in her chamber, her thoughts racing. "Maybe he's hurt… or lost." The idea shook her, a cold grip tightening around her heart. She had always felt safe with Saber by her side, and now that emptiness left her vulnerable.
She was slowly going crazy just by not being able to see him.
She decided to take matters into her own hands. "I will find him," she resolved, determination shining through her worry.
'What if he doesn't want to be found?'
As she prepared to leave, doubts fluttered in her mind. This thought crossed her mind, causing her steps for a brief halt.
'What if he was doing something very important? Will he gets angry to her if ever she tries and interfere with his work?'
"I... I should stay," She mumbled to herself. Romeo said that she only had to trust him and he will fulfill her dream of being able to walk again.
"I will stay."
Taking a deep breath, Alice sank down onto her bed, the weight of indecision hovering over her like a storm cloud. The soft linens enveloped her, but they offered little comfort. Her fingers traced the intricate patterns of the fabric, lost in memories of her past.
"Trust him," she whispered, echoing Romeo's words in her mind. But the mere thought of him drummed insistently in her mind... She really wanted to see him soon.
Just then, a faint sound broke through the stillness of her room. The soft creak of the door.
Alice's heart leapt. "...Who?" she called, sitting up and peering toward the entrance.
To her surprise, it was Jenna, her loyal maid, concern etched on her face. "Your Highness, Her Majesty asked me to check on you."
Alice blinked a few times, pulling her knees to her chest. "Mom, huh...?"
Jenna stepped into the room, her expression softening. "You've been in here for a while. Is everything alright?" she asked, worriedly.
Alice sighed, staring at the floor. "I don't know, Jenna. I just... I'm feeling lost right now. I don't know how to explain it, but I feel like I'm slowly going crazy just because I can't see Romeo..."
She slowly lifted her head to gaze at her maid, saying, "What's happening to me...?"
Jenna thought for a bit before facepalming as she realized why the princess was feeling this. With her face flushed, she moved closer, sitting at the edge of the bed. "It's okay to feel that way... I know that it can be overwhelming sometimes." she said to the clueless princess.
Alice, though confused by her weird reaction, nodded, still grateful for her maid's reassuring presence. "It's just that I keep thinking about him... My choices. About him."
This girl... she repeatedly said 'about him' without noticing it.
The smile on Jenna's face looked visibly forced as the side of her lips twitched slightly. "Romeo?" Jenna asked gently.
Alice bit her lip, nodding again. "I want to trust him, but... what if I'm wrong? What if he disappear like my father? I don't know what I'll do if that happens..."
The room became quiet once again before Jenna finally decided to speak.
"The heart is a tricky thing, Your Highness," Jenna replied, her voice warm. "Sometimes, you have to take a leap of faith. If you hold back, you might end up regretting more."
Alice glanced out the window, watching the twilight sky shift from blue to shades of purple. "It's just so hard," she admitted. "What if I get hurt in the end?"
"Only you can answer that," Jenna said softly. "But remember, you're not alone... I'm here for you, no matter what. I'm not your most loyal personal maid for nothing, Your Highness."
Feeling a flicker of understanding, Alice took a deep breath. "Thank you, Jenna. I really appreciate your support... I guess I need to decide what I really want."
Jenna smiled. "Exactly. Take your time, and trust your instincts. You have the strength to figure this out."
Alice felt the heaviness in her chest lift slightly. "You're right... I do want to keep him."
"Yes, Your Highness. You should—Wait, what?"
"Is my wish selfish...?"
"Erm... That... Maybe? I'm not sure."
Not exactly what I thought in my mind, but... That's his problem, not mine.
The maid hurriedly avoided the princess's gaze as she tried to look at her in the eyes.
The room held a tense silence. Jenna shifted uneasily, unsure of how to respond. Alice crossed her arms, her brow furrowing in thought. "I don't want to be selfish, but…" She trailed off, searching for the right words.
"Desiring happiness isn't selfish, Alice," Jenna finally replied, her voice steady. "You deserve to feel fulfilled, too."
Alice nodded slowly, considering her friend's words. "But what if my happiness comes at someone else's expense?"
Jenna tilted her head. "You can't control how others feel. All you can do is be honest with yourself and those around you... If this is what you truly want, communicate... uh, communicate... Yes, communicate that!"
Taking another breath, Alice felt a newfound resolve. "You're right... I need to talk to him."
"I'm proud of you!" Jenna beamed, her confidence boosting Alice's spirits. She felt excited as to the fact that she was finally able to shift the problem from her to the man the princess like.
He did this to her, so he should at least take responsibility!
"Just remember, honesty is key." As she was saying this, a glint of her eyes shows desperation.
"Okay, but… what if he doesn't feel the same?" A flicker of doubt crossed Alice's face.
He does and he will... If he doesn't want his life to end badly.
It was what the maid was thinking.
"Then at least you know. You won't have to wonder. And you can move forward, whatever that looks like." she said to the princess.
With a small smile, Alice felt the heaviness lift further. "Thanks for being here, Jenna. I didn't realize how much I needed this conversation."
"Anytime, Your Highness," Jenna said, her tone slowly softening as she took in a sigh of relief.
Alice took a moment, feeling a mixture of hope and apprehension. She had a decision to make, and the direction was growing clearer. "Okay, I'll do it. I won't let fear hold me back anymore."
"Excellent! Remember, you're a princess, and you have the power to lock him—I mean, the confidence to talk to him."
As Jenna's words echoed in her mind, Alice felt empowered.
...
..
.
A very different reaction from the man, however.
"What the hell...?"
Somewhere inside the Labyrinth, Saber suddenly felt a cold chill in his spine. It was as if his [Vibrational Sensing] had suddenly alerted him for no specific reason.
As for the girl, the way he sat up from her lap surprised her. She noticed the changes in his expression as she tilted her head.
"Are you alright? Do you feel sick anywhere?"
To which, he responded with a weak smile.
"I'm fine... I think?"