The Royal Maid And The Lost Kingdom

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Alice’s POV

As I sat across from Prince Andrews at the dinner table, I couldn’t help but feel nervous. I had grown close to both of the princes, but I had made my decision and my heart belonged to Prince Edward. However, I wasn’t sure how Prince Andrews was going to react when I told him.

I was having dinner with Prince Andrew, and the whole time, he was trying to figure out who I was in love with. He kept asking me questions, trying to get me to reveal my feelings, but I couldn’t bring myself to tell him the truth.

The truth was, I was in love with Prince Edward. I couldn’t help but feel drawn to him, despite his initial cold demeanour towards me. I was more shocked with it myself when I realized that I was looking forward to see him and even though Andrew is a much better option I felt more for Edward. Both are commanding but with me Edward had always been so confident and commanding, and there was just something about him that made my heart race.

“So, Alice,” Prince Andrews began, breaking the silence. “I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”

“Yes, Your Highness?” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Who have you chosen between Edward and me?” Prince Andrews asked, his eyes fixed on hers. I knew Andrew was persistent, though, and he finally asked me outright who I had feelings for. I took a deep breath, mustering up all the courage I could find, and told him the truth.

“I’m sorry, Prince Andrews, but I have to be honest with you. I have chosen Prince Edward,” I said, looking down at her plate.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

“Really?” Prince Andrews asked, a hint of surprise in his voice. “Why him?”

“Because I love him, Your Highness,” I replied, her eyes meeting his. “I know it might not make sense to you, but my heart belongs to him. I can’t help how I feel.”

“I understand,” Prince Andrews said, a sad smile on his lips. “It’s just that, I had such high hopes for us, Alice.”

“I’m in love with Prince Edward,” I said again softly, my voice barely above a whisper. I glanced to see him send I saw that Andrew’s expression was a mix of surprise and disappointment.

“Really?” he asked, his voice surprisingly gentle. “I thought maybe you felt something for me.”

“I’m sorry, Andrew,” I said, feeling guilty. “I just can’t help how I feel.” Andrew nodded, a sad smile on his face.

“I understand,” he said. “But you know, Edward can be a difficult person to be with. He’s got a lot of demons, and he can be unpredictable at times.”

“I know,” I said. “But I still love him, despite all that.” Andrew gave me a long, searching look, and then he sighed.

“Well, I wish you all the best,” he said. “Just be careful, alright?”

“I’m sorry, Prince Andrews,” I said, feeling guilty. “I never meant to hurt you.”

“It’s okay, Alice,” Prince Andrews said, reaching across the table to take her hand. “I just want you to be happy, even if it’s not with me.”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” I said, smiling at him gratefully. “I appreciate your understanding.”

“So, what about Edward?” Prince Andrews asked. “Has he told you how he feels about you?”

“No, not yet,” I replied, my heart racing at the thought of Prince Edward’s feelings. “But I’m hopeful that someday he will.”

“Well, I wish you all the best, Alice,” Prince Andrews said, standing up from the table. “You deserve nothing but happiness.”

With that, Prince Andrews made his exit, leaving me alone at the dinner table. I sat there for a while, lost in thought, before finally making my way back to my room. I couldn’t help but think about Prince Edward and the love I felt for him. I was hopeful that someday, he would feel the same way about me. I stopped in my tracks as I saw a maid rushing towards me like she was on fire, I looked around and I saw no one chasing her, she stopped right at my front.

“Miss Alice,” she said, looking flustered. “Prince Edward wants to see you immediately.” Prince Edward wanted to see me immediately.

I couldn’t help but feel nervous. It was late, and I wasn’t sure what he could possibly want from me at this hour. My heart sank at the thought of facing Edward after what had just happened. I was afraid he would be angry with me, or worse, that he would never speak to me again.

I arrived at his room, and as soon as I entered, I saw him pacing back and forth, his hands clenched in anger. He stopped when he saw me and walked towards me, his brow furrowed. I raised an eyebrow as I found him pacing back and forth, a look of anger on his face. I sighed in my heart wondering who had irritated this Prince this evening. I took a deep breath and walked over to him, my heels clicking against the marble floor. He looked up as I approached and for a moment, we just stared at each other.

“Where have you been?” He demanded. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere.” He said, I felt my anger rising slowly. He had no right to be so angry with me, and I didn’t appreciate him speaking to me in that tone.

“I was just having dinner with Prince Andrew,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm and even. Edward’s expression darkened.

“With Andrew?” He said, his voice filled with suspicion. “What were you two talking about?”

“I don’t understand your grace.” I dragged out

“Dinner with my brother?” He repeated, his voice filled with suspicion. “What else did you two do besides dinner? What is it about that question that you do not understand?”

“Nothing, really,” I said, feeling flustered. “We were just having a conversation.”

“A conversation?” Edward repeated, his voice laced with sarcasm. “Is that what you call it?”

“What are you talking about?” I asked, confused.

“Don’t play dumb with me, Alice,” He said, taking a step closer. “I know what’s going on between you and my brother.”

“Speak what is on your mind Edward or if not allow me to return to my room.” I said as my anger got the best of me. “What are you accusing me of, Prince Edward?” I asked, my voice rising.

“I’m talking about the fact that you’re sleeping with my brother,” Edward said, his voice rising.

I was stunned. “What? No! I would never do something like that.”

Edward looked sceptical. “Really?” he said. “Because it sure looked like you were enjoying his company a little too much.”

“There’s nothing going on between us,” I said, my voice firm. “I actually resisted his advances tonight because of you.”

“What?” He asked, staring at me with his blue eyes wide.

“Edward, I swear,” I said, feeling hurt. “I would never do something like that. I couldn’t do that, not when my heart belongs to someone else.” Edward’s expression softened and he leaned forward, his eyes searching mine.

“And who might that someone be?” He asked, his voice low full of audible hope. I felt a blush rush to my cheeks, but I didn’t look away. ‘What if I told you Edward loves you’ the Queen’s word flashed again through my mind.

“You know who it is, Edward,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. Not saying any more than that, my cheeks and heart looks to be in sync with the way I blushed more and my heart beats faster. ‘Gather your thoughts and know what you feel about him.’ Miss Ambrosia had said.

“I’m sorry, Alice,” Edward said, his voice low and filled with regret. “I shouldn’t have yelled at you like that.”

I stood awkwardly in front of him, unsure of what to say or do. I have never seen the prince act so passionately before, and I was still trying to process what had just happened. Had he always been like this? I looked at him and I remembered the words I heard before I slept the day we kissed when I came back drunk. ‘See me.’ That was what he said, how long has he been holding his emotions in.

“It’s okay,” I finally managed to say. “I understand why you were upset.”

“No, it’s not okay,” Edward replied, his eyes filled with remorse. “I was just so jealous when I thought you were with my brother. I couldn’t bear the thought of losing you to him.”

“Losing me?” I repeated, my voice filled with confusion. “What do you mean?” I looked at him as I asked. Edward sighed, running a hand through his hair. Where they correct? Were they able to see something in him that I missed? Does he feel the same way I do?

“I’ve been trying to get closer to you, Alice,” he explained. “I’ve been wanting to tell you how I feel, but I was afraid of ruining our friendship.”

“How you feel?” I asked, my heart racing. Edward’s expression softened, and he looked away, feeling guilty.

“I’m really sorry, Alice,” He said. “I was so stupid, her was my mind thinking you were in love with my brother.”

“No, I’m not in love with him,” I replied, my voice softening. “I did at one point consider it. But I could not control who my heart yarned for.” I said, Edward sighed, running a hand through his hair.

“I’m sorry,” he repeated. “I shouldn’t have accused you like that. I just… I care about you, and I didn’t like the thought of you being with someone else.”

“Why would you say something like that to me.” I told him starting at him. Edward’s expression softened even further at my words, and he let out a deep sigh.

“I’m sorry,” He said. “I just… I don’t know. I guess I got a little jealous.”

“Jealous?” I repeated, surprised. Edward nodded looking straight into my eyes..

“I just… I don’t like the thought of you with someone else, especially not my own brother.” He murmured. I smiled, feeling my anger dissipate a bit.

“I understand,” I said. “But you have nothing to worry about. I only have feelings for you.” Edward looked at me, his eyes meeting mine, and I saw the relief in them.

“Really?” he asked, his voice filled with hope.

“Really,” I replied, nodding my head. I gasp as I felt his mouth over mine, the butterflies I had been keeping for so long was let loose.

“You love me?” I whispered still shell shocked.

“Yes,” Edward said, his eyes locking with hers. “I’m in love with you, Alice. I have been for a long time now.” I felt my knees go weak as I heard his words. I had always suspected that Edward had feelings for me ever since that night, but I never thought he would actually confess them.

“I’m in love with you too, Edward,” I whispered, my voice filled with emotion. For a moment, he was silent. Then, he stood up and walked over to me, his eyes never leaving mine.

“Alice,” he said, his voice filled with emotion. “I had no idea that you returned my feelings. I thought you were with my brother; I was so jealous. But if you’re in love with me, then why did you go to dinner with him?”

“I went to dinner with him because I wanted to make sure he understood that I’m not interested in him,” I explained. “But it’s not just that, I also wanted to see if my feelings for you were real, if they could withstand the temptation. And they did, Edward. I love you, and I want to be with you.” I said, Edward took my hand in his, his thumb tracing gentle circles on my wrist.

“Alice, I love you too,” he said, his voice filled with conviction. “And I want to be with you too. But there are so many obstacles in our way, the fact that I’m a prince, your position as a servant, my brother. It’s not going to be easy.”

Before I could say another word, Edward had closed the gap between them, pulling me into a deep kiss.

Our lips met with a fierce passion, both of us lost in the moment. The kiss was intense, filled with all the pent-up emotions we have been feeling for each other. I could feel Edward’s arms wrap around me, pulling me closer as we continued to kiss. But just as quickly as it had started, Edward pulled away, a look of regret on his face.

“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice shaking. “I shouldn’t have done that. I want you, Alice, but I don’t want our first time together to happen like this.”

I looked up at him, trying to focus my vision. My eyes filled with understanding, even though a part of me does not want to stop, I knew he was right, and I have to respect his decision.

“It’s okay,” I said, smiling. “I’m just glad you told me how you feel.”

“Me too,” Edward said, smiling back. “I’m just so glad we’re finally together.” I smiled up at him, feeling a sense of hope for the first time in a long while.

“I know it won’t be easy,” I said. “But I’m willing to face any obstacle, as long as I’m by your side.” I hardly got to finish my statement before he kissed me again.

I grabbed unto him as he robbed me of oxygen, it was way intense than what I remembered that night. I felt his hands roaming about as he grabbed my waist tighter, he relaxed his hands and the intensity of the kiss. My head still spins from how much emotion he passed through that simple kiss, yet I knew it was not that simple. Edward smiled, and I saw the happiness in his eyes. He took my hand and pulled me towards him, wrapping his arms around me.

“I’m so glad,” He whispered into my ear. “I don’t know what I would do if I lost you.” I hugged him back, feeling content in his arms. I knew that things were far from perfect, but for the first time, I felt hopeful about our future together. Edward leaned down and pressed his lips to mine, and in that moment, I knew that we could conquer anything as long as we had each other. As he stood there, smiling at each other.