11. The Other Side of Avery

Alice started compressing Avery's cheek. Clean up the rest of the blood on the corner of Avery's lip.

Avery always shuts up when his wounds are being cleaned. To Avery, the wounds on his body were nothing compared to the pain of living every day. Even the man didn't grin at all when Alice pressed the wet cloth.

Alice asked, "Doesn't it hurt, prince?"

"No. The wounds on my body are nothing compared to all that happens every day. The punch of the king of Eden has been my dinner."

Alice wanted to cry at Avery's words. Because she helped Avery almost every day to heal his wounds. And when Avery's wounds were healed, the king of Eden sent Avery to see Ariadne again. It was an abomination of Avery. Should Avery be honest with Ariadne? But will Ariadne help him? There would have been a royal war.

"I'm just in charge of cleaning and compressing your wounds, prince. But I also felt the sting." Said Alice, feeling sad.

Avery smiled slightly. "It's only natural that you are. You're a woman, you have a soft heart. But I thank you, you were so patient to help me. Especially when you have to wake up in the middle of the night just to compress my wounds."

"It's all right, prince. It is my duty. My mother has also approved queen berenice's request for this. Because I'm the only one who knows the safe passage back here."

Avery said, "which way do you think you're walking?"

Because walking past the guards is very difficult. Not to mention Alice's fitting room with the rest of the royal servants. Where the door leading up to the servants' rooms there must be soldiers.

"The servants' rooms were near the royal kitchens. I always lead down the hall to the servants' room. There's a small door. When it is opened, it focuses on the small space behind the pantry pantry. That narrow opening no one ever knew. So I walked down the street like an opening between the royal hall." Alice explains.

Avery nodded in his understanding. "Why don't you ever wear shoes?"

"For it will make a sound. The guards' ears are sharp. If I get caught, I'll never see my mom in the room again."

"I'm sorry to trouble you like this."

Alice chuckled small. "I told you it was okay, prince. It's my duty."

"Ask for something, I'll do it for you. As a token of my gratitude to you."

"Oh, don't be like that. I'm just the daughter of a royal servant. The prince doesn't need to reply to me."

Avery shook his head. Reject Alice's statement. "Permit me, I will grant any wish. Except to be a queen in this kingdom." He said: amused.

Alice couldn't help but laugh. She had often seen Avery's undulating laughter. Avery's smile was so sweet for Alice, let alone her laugh. "You're quite good at joking, prince."

"Of course."

"What about princess Ariadne? Are you gonna marry her soon? I'm sorry I asked like this."

"No. I will not marry Ariadne. Nor would I take away that girl's honour. My father's plan was evil."

Alice looked straight in Avery's eyes. "What if the king of Eden is very angry?"

"I don't know. But I'm sure there will be another way."

"I'm sorry to ask you that, prince."

"Don't apologize. You've been like a good friend to me."

Alice smiled happily. "Rest when I finish your compress, prince."

"Okay.."

Then the two no longer spoke to each other. Alice nimbly finished her activity until the warm water inside the container was cold.

About thirty minutes after Alice finished her compress Avery. The wounds on both cheeks and the corners of Avery's lips were better.

"Is it done?" Avery asked Alice.

Alice nodded politely. The girl removes a soft cloth and a container of water for her to carry with her.

"You really don't want anything from me?" Said Avery once more. To make sure the offer is completely acceptable to Alice.

"No. I won't ask anything of you, prince."

"Okay. Then let me drive you."

Alice was shocked. "Take me where?"

"Go back to your mother's room. Aren't you going back there?"

"Yes. But you don't need to take me, prince."

"No. This time I'm forcing you. If you don't, we'll stay like this until morning." Avery threatened.

Alice inevitably nodded her head. "Well, if it's the prince's will. But you can only get me to the back of the royal kitchen."

Avery nodded instantly. "Okay. You just walk ahead, show me the way."

"Prince Avery sure? I'm so afraid the prince can't come back."

Avery chuckled. "Who do I look like, huh? I am the son of the king of Eden. If any of the bodyguards see me, they won't dare touch me."

Hearing that has made Alice understand. The girl nodded in agreement and finally began to walk first.

There were no bodyguards in front of the empty room. For no one knows the rudeness of the king of Eden against his own son.

It was a lonely night. Avery took small steps from Alice, who sneaked out whenever she passed through any of her security detail. Avery patiently followed Alice's movements, and even the man was barefoot.

They both came through the gap between the buildings. The road is a little muddy because of the rain. Avery figured out why Alice's feet are always dirty. Most of the girls travel this narrow road.

And finally, the two of them were already behind the royal kitchen building. Alice is turning on Avery. The girl bowed.

"Thank you very much, prince. It got me here. Are your feet okay? No wounds, right?"

Avery chuckled. "I'm a man. My body is strong. If my feet are hurt or dirty, I'll have servants cleaning up all over me in the morning. You just relax."

"Okay. I thank you again."

"Yes. You're welcome, Alice. Come on in."

"No. The prince should go first. I will stand here until the prince is no longer seen from the cleft."

Avery shook his head. To deny what Alice wants. "If I ask for a thing, then just change it. Go get in the kitchen. It's two in the morning. In two hours the servants will awake."

"Ah, well. I'm coming in." Alice said, bowing her head again.

Avery nodded and smiled. The man patiently watched Alice walk slowly into the kitchen through the back door. And after the back door closed, Avery hurried straight back to the inner palace area. He also needs time to rest before he welcomes the next day.

***