33. Forgetting Is Hard

Alice will faithfully observe the snow that falls this afternoon. There's a lot of work to do as a waitress. Make Alice relax early.

Alice was specially assigned to set the table, watch the kitchen with her mother, as well as to clean the bedroom of the king and queen, as well as Avery's bedroom.

Of course Alice has servants lower than her. Alice has three maidservants so she can put them to work. The three servants were devoted by queen berenice to help Alice.

Alice's eyes focused on the fallen snow were forced to get sidetracked by Avery entering the palace. Avery's footsteps looked hurried and his face dejected.

Alice saw Avery's hands carrying a box of cookies. The box Alice had packed before Avery left for diona. Why would Avery take the box? Is there no way to meet Diona?

Alice gingerly followed Avery as she made her way to the garden behind the palace. When Avery went to his room for nothing, he was meeting with Berenice and Avery wasn't in the mood to see his mother.

Alice's two footsteps stopped as Avery stopped her and sat down in a park chair. That lawn chair is in the terad behind the palace. Sitting there would be snow protection against the roof of the garden seat.

"Prince, what is it? Why do you have it?" Asked Alice politely. The girl sat down next to Avery's right and looked at Avery with a curious look.

Avery looked up at Alice who was looking at him. "Alice, what do you think of me?"

"You? Prince, of course you are a good and handsome man. Everyone knows that. Even I admire you."

"Am I allowed to live like this? Can't love someone? Or am I just not allowed to love someone?"

Alice grabs Avery's right hand. Taking Avery's hand very gently. "Prince, tell me. What's up?"

"Alice.. Diona denied my love. She's getting married to another man next month. And she was shocked to find out I was a prince in the kingdom of pearls. Why is this so painful?"

Hearing that, Alice felt what Avery felt. Alice understood that grief because she was in that state, too. Alice likes Avery and Avery doesn't like her. Same as Avery's current condition.

The difference lies with Alice who hasn't Shared her feelings with Avery. Alice doesn't have the guts to do that. She was also afraid that she would feel a broken heart.

She could see Avery's tears falling all over her cheeks. Alice can't say anything. The girl had never seen Avery crying and crying before. When the king of Eden hit him, Avery never cried. Why did Avery cry when his love was denied a village girl?

"Alice, can you just hold me for one second?" Said Avery in a quiet voice.

Alice nodded. Then get closer to Avery and give him a big hug. Avery's face looked down on Alice's right shoulder. Avery poured his sorrows over Alice. Only Alice was there when he was sad and hard.

***

Days passed. Slowly Avery could be rid of diona and forget diona from her mind. Avery never visited the diamond village again. It's been almost two months since he has visited Ariadne again.

Of course the king of Eden was angry every day on Avery. Avery wouldn't go to the diamond kingdom before seeing the king of Eden go to visit Ariadne himself. Avery will still be waiting for Eden to visit the diamond empire. If Eden hadn't done that, then Avery wouldn't have gone near Ariadne again.

"Prince, talk to your father. You can't stay like this. You've been quiet for a long time. One more month this winter will be over, right? Do you still not wish to visit princess Ariadne?"

Avery turned his head to Alice standing to her left. They met together most often in the rear of the palace. Some servants are now also aware of their close friendship. And the young servants don't mind about it. Alice grew to be respected by many of the servants because Avery once told the rest of the servants that Alice was his special and that no one should disturb her.

"Alice.. You know I'm repairing my emotional condition. I do not wish to see Ariadne in such circumstances. I'm still very hard to forget about Diona. Ariadne is a good girl. I don't want to misbehave in front of her. Let my father decide. If he still doesn't want to go to Ariadne's kingdom on his own, then I dare break with the kingdom of Ariadne."

Alice stroked Avery's left arm gently. "Control your emotions, prince. Princess Ariadne does not know of your troubles with the king of Eden. So far, hasn't princess Ariadne never summoned the king of Eden to her palace?"

"It is true Ariadne has never solicited such payments. But he knew where I was wrong. Ariadne once told me, if the king of Eden goes to her palace and asks kindly to marry me, then Ariadne will accept it. That's if I'm willing. Ariadne and I have made a decision. If there is a pressing matter concerning the kingdom and the solution to the solution is to a marriage, then I shall marry her."

Alice's heart skipped a beat. She was surprised when she heard those words from Avery. Alice remembered Avery once explained this to her. Still, Alice's feelings will never be taken care of by Avery. Fate does say Avery aligned with Ariadne.

"Then marry princess Ariadne. I heard that the diamond kingdom was in conflict with the northern kingdom. Engaging in conflict with the northern kingdom is a dangerous thing, my prince. Do you not wish to visit princess Ariadne and inquire of the truth?" Asked Alice apprehensively.

"If the rumors were true, my father should have gone to Ariadne's kingdom and saved her from the conflict. My father once promised to help the diamond kingdom if she got into trouble." Avery said.

Alice breathed. She had Avery come to her. "Prince, come back like a prince Avery I know. Forget about Diona. Diona is married to another man. Are you going to be like this all the time? Until when are you going to be like this? I'm always by your side. Then you don't have to be afraid to face anything else. Go.. Go to princess Ariadne and help her." Said Alice.

***