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

ALICE SAT IN the middle of the white rose pavilion, her hands on her laps as she stared out at nothing in particular. From time to time, her heart clenched and skipped beats, a tell-tale sign that she had one too many anxieties swirling across her head.

The morning sun over her head was still bright, the skies clear, not a single cloud obstructing the endless pane of pastel blue. Alas, if only Alice had the ability to allow her mood to reflect the serene weather. Maybe she wouldn't be this conflicted in her heart.

"Alice!" a familiar voice called out to her.

Upon hearing her name, Alice spun her head over to the direction she heard the sound. A tuft of purple stood in contrast among all the reds, whites, and greens. Alice was sure that even if she was lost in the crowd, she could easily sift out her friends with their colorful locks.

"Charlie," she greeted fairly, rising to her feet so that she could meet him at the halfway point.

The Cat's Nine Lives