The Men with Mysteries

ONE WEEK HAD passed since the carriage accident that sent Alice bedridden. She wasn't so seriously injured as to need it but Charlie, Wyatt, and even the ever-stoic Miles had been rather persistent in making sure she stayed in her room and rested up as much as possible. Even if she so much so as touched the ground, toes barely even grazing the wood, they would come running into the room, offering to carry her to her desired destination or fetch the item she needed for her.

It was a truly hilarious and heartwarming sight but Alice still felt restricted. Her legs had gone numb and were starting to cramp up easily as she wasn't allowed to stretch them as often. Staying in bed, a dream she had often wished for while she was still schooling, seemed so awful right now.

"Your injuries are healing up nicely," Wyatt commented. He had taken the liberty to address her wounds for her. Carefully dabbing her scratches with some cotton, he sighed, shaking his head. "Thankfully, too. It would be such a shame if you had a scar on your delicate skin."

"I think I would look rather badass," Alice huffed.

At her reply, Wyatt smiled. He placed the medical equipment down on the bedside table, freeing his hands. Gently, he combed back a few stray strands of Alice's hair, tucking them behind her ear. Unlike any other day, Wyatt wasn't using his signature gloves. Alice could feel his bare skin against hers, frosty, chilly, and cold against the warmth of her own skin. His touch was a surprise to her, causing her to jerk a little in response when he grazed her before relaxing again.

"And you would," he agreed. "The most beautiful one of all."

Not fully sure how she should reply, Alice simply kept her eyes wide and cheeks flushed, hoping the ever-observant Wyatt would realize that she was at a loss for words. She was used to Wyatt's charm and flirtatious comments but it seemed like these days, he was getting more and more flattering than before. The comments he gave were sugary and syrupy sweet, and beforehand, Alice knew that none of them were to be believed in.

However, she wasn't blind. Alice could see the difference in how he treated her back then and now. Wyatt appeared to be so genuinely affectionate that she might even convince herself that he had a liking towards her, something more than friends. Of course, she banished the thought as soon as it came.

Alice wasn't from this world. She had to remind herself that multiple times over the course of the last few days. There might be a time where she would have to leave this world behind and return to her mundane life.

Mundane, but also every bit as charming. She missed her family dearly and while the family she found in Gladiolum was very welcoming of her, she wasn't sure how much of it was real. What thoughts hid behind their pretty smiles?

"Would you like to come to the palace with me? Prince Hartley is almost recovered. He would want to see you." Wyatt's voice broke Alice's train of thought.

Lips parting, she stuttered, "Erm… S-Sure. Yes, of course. I've yet to thank him for saving my life, after all. It's only basic courtesy to go find him once I am allowed off my bed."

"I'll send word," Wyatt replied with a smile. Standing up, he returned the gloves to his hands. His long fingers disappeared behind the cloth, porcelain skin covered by matching fabric. "Do you need help getting ready? I'll have the maids come in and help if you like."

"It's alright," Alice turned down his offer. "It's been a while since I got out of this silly nightgown. I'll need the practice if I am to remember how to put on clothes myself."

Wyatt didn't reply to her joking comment. Simply nodding, he soon left the room, closing the door behind him in a soft thud.

☆ ☆ ☆

Walking again for the first time in a whole week was a refreshing experience. Alice never thought that she would actually miss the clicking of her heels against the stone floors, a prominent and consistent tapping that held a rhythm to it. Wyatt walked in front, leading the way while Alice walked a little behind him.

In just one short week, it seemed like much about the palace had changed.

The staff working seemed busier, less lively, and generally stressed out. There wasn't any gossiping between the maids nor playfully bantering between the knights. Everyone wore stern expressions, lips forced down in a frown as creases decorated their foreheads. Hartley's carriage accident had created a huge shift in the palace dynamics and that much was pretty obvious. Alice didn't need Wyatt to point it out for her to realize that.

"It's this way," Wyatt said.

They curve a few corners, going down a long corridor. The afternoon sun was bright and glorious, a welcoming shade of gold as if to celebrate Alice's recovery. Its warmth was comforting, allowing even a place as cold as the palace to brighten up with merry cheer. It was unfortunate that Alice was the only recipient of it, however. Even though Mother Nature was beaming, her people were unable to appreciate her beauty.

"We're almost there."

Wyatt and Alice didn't journey long before they soon reached their destination. Right before they arrived at Hartley's bedroom door, it opened. Out stepped Spade, closing the door behind him in a soft click.

Of all the people that Alice had encountered for the day in the palace, Spade seemed to be the most tired one of them all. He sighed, leaning against the door, his eyes shut.

With how the window and the bedroom door were positioned, most of the sunlight had missed Spade's figure. The second prince stood in the dark, covered by shadows. Internally, Alice could feel the tug on her heartstrings.

Prince Spade looked so lonely.

As always, Wyatt wasn't the biggest fan of the second prince of Gladiolum. That was something she had known for quite some time. The white-haired man stilled at the sight of the younger man, grimacing a little as he straightened his posture even more than before. From where Alice stood, she could hear him scoff a little in disdain. What Spade had ever done to incite such hatred from Wyatt, Alice might never know. Nor did she think that she would want to.

"Beware the second prince, Alice," Wyatt warned.

"He's a friend of mine," reminded Alice, gently.

"Many people can befriend snakes. However, how many friends do these snakes have, only they themselves can be sure." He turned around, stopping in his steps just so he could look at Alice as he spoke. Wyatt continued, "I am just worried for you. You're such a delicate flower, cast into an unknown world with no blood relatives to protect you. Every time I have to remind myself that in this world, you know nothing about the hunger nobility bore in their hearts, nor the evil certain folk hide behind masks. Prince Hartley and I can only protect you a certain way. There are still things that you will have to find out for yourself, to learn the trials and tribulations of. However, we share a collective desire of not wanting to see you hurt while doing so."

"I am stronger than you give me credit for, Wyatt." Lifting her chin up, the expression in Alice's eyes was fierce. Her lips were pursed, eyebrows furrowed in determination. "I am no delicate flower. Those are for the women that grew up in rich households and are pampered their whole life. I've seen for myself the trials and tribulations my world had to offer. And if I could survive them, who's to say I can't survive this world's?"

For the first time since they had entered the palace, Alice made the effort to walk ahead of Wyatt. She took a step, standing just one foot in front of him. Now, she was in between the man whose hair was powdered snow and the man whose hair was a raven's feather.

"I can judge for myself whether certain people can be trusted. And I simply hope that you, my family here in Gladiolum, can trust me in making such a decision."

With how firm Alice's words were, she left no room for Wyatt to rebut. He simply sighed, shaking his head before smiling affectionately at her in defeat.

"Then do not make me worry again, Alice. Those days where you were unwell… They weren't very enjoyable for me. And not just me." He looked up, sighing. "There were others in the royal palace that worried for you too."

In the distance, as if he finally sensed that he wasn't alone in the corridor, Spade opened his eyes and looked their way. His gaze was trained on Alice, lips slightly parted as he pushed himself away from the door. Under the sunlight, each strand of her golden hair was illuminated, perfect waves that sparkled under the natural light.

If he was the darkness people feared in the royal palace, then it was relieving that such an angel would still visit, giving light to all those in her path. Spade only wished that he could be one of those lucky souls that received salvation.