Chapter 27 Compassion
1634 Words
Alison's POV
"Okay, Ali."
The nickname Alissa called me before she drifted off to sleep was stuck in my head all night.
My mom was the only one who used to call me by that name. And I don't recall ever telling her.
It was sweet of her to offer to go look for my mom after all this and I agreed with her. But the truth is, I was scared of finding out if she was really dead or not.
Because if she was, it would be all my fault. She didn't have to pick me up that night, she could have taken me into the hospital so someone else could take me.
And she still lied to me, even after I thought she was telling the truth. She never told me about the necklace, Celia, this whole other universe. Not even that I had a twin sister out there.
I can't really blame her for all that because maybe she was afraid I'd think she was crazy. Hell, I would think she's crazy because I've always been a rational person who always thinks there's an explanation for everything.
But gosh! I couldn't help but be mad at her for not telling me sooner. I was having that dream for weeks, and I told her, I told her everything.
If had just told me the truth earlier her life could have been spared, Alissa's friend's life could have been spared. And I could have had a proper goodbye with her.
Or maybe she could have even come with us.
Who knows.
A soft snore escaped from Alissa's lips, catching my attention. I started to look at her face, studying it.
She really did look like me, just with different hair. Her lips, nose, face structure. Identical.
The small smile on her face warms my heart. I never thought about what it would be like to have siblings because I never really wanted any. It was always me and my mom, until Celia came along.
I remember at first when I didn't like her, because even though we just met her my mom was super nice to her and I thought she wanted to take my mom away.
A soft laugh escapes me as the memories flash across my mind.
I remembered the day she said 'I don't wanna take your mama away, I just want to be friends with you'
I was she relieved that I hugged her then ran around screaming with joy.
I think I should get some rest, or these memories will keep me up all night.
I carefully cover Alissa then got in to bed next her. I gazed at her face until sleep took over me.
******
I woke up to an unfamiliar voice and someone lightly shaking my body.
"M'lady it is time to wake up."
"Just five more minutes, I promise I'll get up after that." I mumble pulling the sheets over my head to block out the light.
"I'm sorry but there is much to be done today." I peek out from under the sheets to see the maids face, she wasn't as young as Philla, she seemed to be in her early twenties and took her job very very seriously.
"Okay." I murmur as I get out of bed. "Where's Alissa?" I ask noticing she was nowhere to be seen.
"She was up by sunrise." She answers then presses her lips into a straight line. "We must make haste, it is almost time for breakfast and you must not keep the king waiting."
"This king who sent spys to Lord Alvern's mansion, not to mention he would rather kill us then give up his claim to the throne." I ask her with a glare.
"And not to mention his daughter tried to kill me yesterday." I add in a monotone, "I think he can wait."
"You must understand and sympathize with the princess. She has been preparing her whole for for that day and it was ruin by people she's never even seen before. A coronation is more important than anything else to a princess, even more important than a wedding." She explains while undressing me.
"So that gives her to right to kill us?" I ask her as she leads me to bath.
"Of course not m'lady, but imagine how you would feel if someone ruined your wedding day."
She makes a good point.
"I won't have her executed or beheaded or anything crazy like that. So you don't need to worry about her safety." I tell her.
Two maids were ready and waiting for me in the large pool like bath.
I was weird having two complete strangers wash my body from head to toe. But there was nothing I could do about it.
They got me dried then dressed, when my hair was dry they oiled and styled it. Then I was escorted to the dining hall by Celia and one other maid.
When we got to the table, Alissa, Zian and Zane were seated and they had started eating without me. Julia was standing by watching over Alissa and that gave me some sort of comfort.
"Good morning your majesty." I bow in greating to the king.
"Good morning. At leastoneof the two has proper manners. " He says in a monotone.
"Old fart." Alissa mumbles under her breath and everyone looks at her wide eyed.
"What did you say." He asks I'm disbelief.
"Nothing your majesty." She drawls before lefting a glass to her mouth to drink.
"Good answer." He replies before continuing his meal.
A plate was made for me by one of the maids on standby and picked around the food, as then tension grew thicker by the second.
"So what do you plan on doing with my daughter?" He asks as his eyes shifts back and forth between us.
"What would you have had done to me if I tired to kill her." I asked him, he sucked in a sharp breath and gripped is knife and fork so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
"I think that question needs an answer. Don't you?" Alissa prompts him for an answer.
"Well? Your majesty?" I prompt him also.
Zian and Zane watched the exchange quietly, too afraid to say anything that would upset the king.
"I would have had tou executed." He grits out before slamming his utensils down onto the table.
"No need to worry, the world I grew up in isn't as barbaric as this one. So I'll show some compassion, some of what many of you lack.
I could see his entire body relax when the words left my mouth. I don't know what he thinks of us but I know it was nothing good and he probably wanted to see us dead. But I didn't care.
If I ordered her execution her blood would be on my hands.
After we finished breakfast the king left us alone.
"So what are your plans for today?" Alissa asks Zian.
"We're going home." He replies dryly.
"So what do you plan on doing to the princess?" Zane asks, starting a conversation with me.
"I actually don't know yet, but think she could be dangerous." I lay my thoughts bare and we spoke.
"Personally, I think you should keep her locked up until after the coronation. She could prove troublesome." He suggests and I could see worry in his eyes.
"I recall her saying you were brainwashed by us, why is that?"
"I'm a bit embarrassed to admit it, but here goes nothing." He takes a deep breath before speaking again." The princess has been obsessed with me since we were kids, when I was around the age of twelve she said we would get married and rule the land together. I was scared out of my mind. So I stopped coming to visit."
"And?" I probe him for more.
"She started summoning me, so I was forced to see her and when I turned fifteen she started planning our wedding and I ran for the hills and never came back. Unless I was on business with my dad of course."
I couldn't help laugh at his story. It sounded so cute.
"Too bad you didn't share her feelings." I say letting out a sigh.
"She's a bit to cunning for my type." He says with a strange look on his face.
"I see." I mumble. " I think I'll go see her, who can take me to where she is?"
"I would accompany you, but I can't risk her seeing me. Sorry." He blurts out quickly.
"Where are you off to?" Alissa asks.
"To see the princess of course."
"There's not way I'm letting you see her by yourself." She argues.
"By all means come alone." I offer.
A maid suddenly walked in and bowed to all of us.
"Forgive my intrusion your highnesses, but your carriage await."
"Its time for us to take out leave." Zian says bowing to both of us while a smirk stay permanently itched on his lips. "See you at your coronation."
So say our goodbyes and give them many thanks before seeing them off.
As we waved goodbye to them, watching the carriage ride away Alissa let out a loud sigh.
"What?" I ask.
"I have no doubt in my mind that, that b***h is going ruin our good mood."
"Tell me about it." Julia mumbles form behind us.
We all burst out laughing at her snarky comment.
"Its only fair since we ruined her life." I commented lowly but it seems like only Alissa head and she decided to keep it to herself.
As we were quietly led through the castle she grabbed a hold of my hand, squeezing it slightly for reassurance. Reminding me that we were still in this together.
- Writer
