Stepping off the gangplank and onto the docks, Alexander was led to meet with the Queen and Béatrice by Antoinette.
"Your Majesty, my lady," Antoinette began with a respectful nod to each woman, "we have returned."
She then gave a salute, raising a fist to her chest as she stepped aside, revealing Alexander.
Alexander gave a wry smile as he shifted his gaze from one woman to the other. "Hey?" He said with a half confused half nervous wave.
Charlotte smiled warmly as she waved back. "Hello, young Alexander." She replied softly, "Welcome home." Her voice was calm and her demeanor held a regal air around it.
Alexander was slightly unnerved by her presence, his heartbeat quickening.
Béatrice meanwhile remained silent, her expression unreadable as she stared at him with narrowed eyes, her gaze piercing deep.
She was more terrifying than the Queen, her scrutinizing gaze only solidified Alexander's plan to get as far away from her as possible.
If I'm going to rebuild my house, I need to start planning now.
Lost in thought, Alexander hasn't noticed Louise's cautious gaze. She shifted uncomfortably, caught between a mix of disbelief and curiosity.
Elizabeth However, was on the verge of exploding and couldn't hold herself back any longer. She quickly released her mother's hand, tossing it aside as she blitzed towards Alexander.
With her long white hair billowing behind her, she crashed into Alexander with a tight embrace.
"Alexander!" She exclaimed, almost knocking him on the hard dock flooring, "You're okay!" She laughed and grinned as she buried her face in his chest, all while smelling of chocolate and vanilla.
Alexander was hesitant to return the embrace, caught off guard by its suddenness. "Yeah…" Alexander replied, his tone light as he awkwardly patted Elizabeth's back. "…it's good to see you."
Elizabeth pulled back ever so slightly, just enough to look up at him. "Don't you ever get sick again okay?!" She demanded, tears welling in her eyes, her voice catching, "Okay!?" She repeated, holding Alexander closer.
Alexander felt his cheeks flush red hot as he looked down at Elizabeth, her affection overwhelming. He didn't know how to feel.
Part of him felt guilty for having Elizabeth worry about him, but another part of him felt loved at how much she cared.
With a wry smile, Alexander properly embraced Elizabeth, wrapping his arms around her waist and squeezing her small body. "Okay." He answered softly, averting his gaze.
As he looked away, he began thinking about what Elizabeth had said.
Sick, did she say I shouldn't get sick?
Alexander quickly frowned as he looked down at Elizabeth, "sick?" He muttered under his breath curiously, "But I wasn't…"
"Alexander." The Question called his name as she approached, "Surely you must be famished after such a long journey from the hospital." She said with a concerned expression, her gaze flickered toward Elizabeth, before returning to him.
It didn't take long for Alexander to catch the Queen's subtle intentions.
Ah, it's for Elizabeth's sake, I suppose it wouldn't be a good idea to tell a seven-year-old her friend was kidnapped and held by demons.
With a chuckle, Alexander gave an understanding nod. "Right… my illness, it was terrible," Alexander said softly, tightening his embrace around Elizabeth. "But thankfully I'm okay now."
Elizabeth nodded, pulling back from Alexander's chest, her tears drying but eyes still shimmering with concern. "And it'll stay that way, right?" She asked, her light voice firm and stern, yet still laced with concern.
Alexander's heart melted as he looked down at her. "Of course." He replied with a confident grin.
"I don't mean to interrupt, your majesty," Ben chimed in with a respectful salute, "but, did you mention food?" He asked curiously, earning himself a glare from Antoinette.
The Queen chuckled softly as she covered her mouth with a hand. "Yes, a feast prepared to celebrate Alexander's recovery, organized by Lady Béatrice herself." She said with a gesture to Béatrice's estate uphill.
"You're all allowed to participate, you know?"
Elizabeth beamed as she looked up at Alexander. "Oh! I almost forgot!" She exclaimed, "Alexander, will you sit with me at dinner, please?"
Alexander looked down at Elizabeth and smiled. As he looked into her bright pink eyes sparkling with anticipation and hope, he could only answer one way.
"Of course, I'll sit with you."
Elizabeth giggled as she finally pulled away from Alexander, but still held his hand tightly.
"My-my," Charlotte said with a hand hovering over her mouth, "I believe Prince Alexander will be in the cards soon." She teased.
Alexander laughed, shaking his head. "Not me."
Elizabeth blushed as Charlotte shrugged her shoulders, "Oh well, can't stop a girl from trying." She then laughed, before turning towards the path that led towards Béatrice's estate. "Come along everyone, we have a celebration to attend."
As she walked, Béatrice and Louise joined her, followed by Antoinette then Alexander and Elizabeth, and lastly, Ben, who brought up the rear.
The pathfinders scattered across the deck meanwhile approached the ship, presumably to help unload it.
As Alexander and the others walked, Elizabeth looked at him curiously. "Do you not want to be a prince?" She asked, tilting her head.
"Hm?" Alexander responded, glancing over at her. "Oh uh, no I don't want to be a prince, it's too much responsibility, and well… I'm anything but responsible." He joked.
Elizabeth's expression fell slightly, her gaze shifting towards the ground. "Oh…" she said softly, "Well what if I help you, would you become one then?"
Alexander let out a long sigh as shifted his gaze towards the path that led up the large hill holding the Nova estate.
He didn't know how to answer Elizabeth's question without hurting her feelings. It was just the responsibility that pushed him away from the crown, it was her mother, and the kingdom itself.
Charlotte, despite her friendly exterior, was almost certainly someone who got their hands dirty; his experience with Béatrice all but proved that.
And the kingdom was far too powerful with too many political factions all controlling a small part.
Along with having to balance one person's needs against another, and dealing with the needs of millions of people who inhabit this land.
It was not a job for Alexander, and quite frankly it never will be.
Besides, he had his own ambitions with house Daname.
But he knew he couldn't answer that to Elizabeth, as he doubted she'd understand a fraction of it.
So he had to beat around the bush. "Maybe," he began, "but how would I even become a prince, wouldn't I have to marry a princess?"
Elizabeth's cheeks turned beet red as she tightened her grip on Alexander's hand, her gaze dropping to the white stone path. "W-well," she stammered, growing redder by the second, "I… you… only if you… want to."
Elizabeth was practically glowing at this point.
Alexander's lips curled into a teasing grin, "do you want to?" He asked curiously.
Elizabeth's eyes grew wide as she turned to look at Alexander, she began shaking her head furiously, "No!" She stammered, "I… we're too young, and I… you—" Elizabeth faulted in her denial, drawing a soft chuckle from the Queen and Ben.
"That was smooth, my lord," Ben said, giving Alexander a thumbs up.
Alexander turned to look back at Ben, "I learn from the best." He said with a wink.
As the group continued their journey it wasn't long before they stepped onto the courtyard of Béatrice estate, greeted by the familiar sights of the water fountain and lined carriages.
As the group approached the entrance of the estate, the fresh smells of roasted meats and fresh bread filled the air.
Alexander could feel his stomach rumbling with anticipation.
"Ah, you're back." Charles, who waited at the entrance, said with a bow, "The table has been prepared."
Béatrice nodded subtly, "lead the way." She ordered.