twelvewstars

Gifted a candle that was said to make wishes come true, Alice Clemente burned it to find herself awake in a different world. She had wished for a life of adventure away from the city and its routine. With her wish granted, she was no longer in the 21st century and was instead lost in the middle of the Kingdom of Gladiolum, a place reminiscent of the 1800s.

With luck, she soon gained connections to the rich and powerful of this new world— the nobility. However, how much of it was good and how much of it would eventually be detrimental? After all, mingling with royals not only meant extravagance and daily parties. It also meant warfare and death. 

Caught in the middle of the two princes and other nobles, Alice would soon have to face the battle between those two royal brothers― a fight for the throne.

She had wished for adventure, after all, and she received just as such.

Kept in the center of all this, would Alice be able to emerge from the rabbit hole unscathed? Or will the overwhelming troubles of love and war be too much for her to bear?


***

“And what if you, too, are unable to help?” Alice threw the question back. “What if helping would risk everything?”

Spade didn’t miss a beat.

“You are everything.”

“Don’t say things that you don’t mean,” Alice chided. “You’ll leave a trail of broken hearts.”

“And would you believe me if I say that I have no intention of breaking yours?” Spade countered. “However, mine is yours to play with. Shatter it, fix it, do anything you desire. As long as it feels the warmth of your hand, I am content.”

***

Image used in cover not mine.

A Courtyard of Roses

THE WEATHER WAS brighter than ever on the day Alice arrived at the palace. A part of her had prayed that it would rain. Perhaps then the tea party with the queen might've been canceled. Unfortunately, Mother Nature wasn't on her side.


Alice had already wrung the fabric of her skirt over a million times. Her fingers hadn't left it, wrinkling the cloth until it was filled with crinkles and lines. Nevertheless, that did nothing to soothe her anxiousness.


Each step she took was a step closer to the queen. An attendant had arrived to get her at the doorstep and now she led the way to the familiar garden ahead. It seemed like it was the royal family's favorite spot to have a gathering and Alice couldn't blame them. 


Such a beautiful garden should indeed be their pride and joy. 


"Her Majesty is waiting for you in the Red Rose Pavilion, My Lady," the servant said, bowing. She stopped in front of the bridge, not stepping any further. "This servant will not go any further."


The Queen at Tea