Punishment!?

The evident horror was quite distant on Alice's face where she felt her heart ready to burst out because of this news. "Y...You..said..that Flora escaped?"

At last, Mrs. Ira finally turned around to look at Alice to nod her head. The eyes of hers were filled with tears as her face was crumbled into pieces. "I...I had no idea...the..last time I met her, sh. she slept right here!!"

Pointing at the bed, Mrs. Ira was trembling in the worst manner. On top of that, she seemed to be in the worst condition ever as her daughter was nowhere to be found.

But more than that, whatever that Alice had imagined had come true. Her intuition worked in the right direction where she felt her own hands being numb. Staring at the scarf in her own hand, she can't help but look out of the window to find that it was leading to the front side of the castle.

Despite having no idea how Flora was successful in fleeing from their space and that too on the wedding day it did come no less than any major joke played.

Everything was at stake, so was her father's reputation. "Do you have any idea why she took this step?"

"I have no idea, Alice! She told me that she liked the crowned Prince and she was even looking forward to having a wedding with him. The ceremony will start in a few more moments..we don't know what to do. Alice..." Mrs. Ira lifted her teary eyes with a pang of guilt written everywhere

But Alice found this to be nothing but a bluff. Throwing the scarf on the ground, she walked in Mrs. Ira's direction with evident fury. "You are saying you don't know?! SHE IS YOUR DAUGHTER! YOUR BLOOD! How come you have no idea where she went?"

"You were with her all day and night! if she isn't here, then where can she even go? Answer me!" Alice lost her clam.

She found no reason to be calm anymore. The information that traveled into her ears was quite clear that Flora escaped her wedding and this will ultimately result in another disaster. This Alliance has the utmost importance.

How will others react to this information?! AND why will Flora talk such a drastic step? She talked with her on that day where she confessed that she would do anything to save her kingdom.

Everything confused her right now. Subconsciously, Alice's hand traveled to massage her temples where her wide eyes were all converted into the red. On the other hand, Mrs. Ira was crying uncontrollably, without anyone there to comfort her. Even the maids were quite a in dismay as the news was still present in between the four walls.

'So..was everything fake?' Alice recalled the visit to the back lake where she felt her aunt and uncle going there. Today, Flora fleed. So, was everything done simply to distract their mind?

Connecting all the dots present, Alice bit her lower lip to realize the irony present right now. She wasn't a fool to be made, and Seeing Mrs. Ira crying in such a dramatic way increased her suspicion.

Her face directly went towards the maid to ask, "When is the ceremony going to start?"

"Princess, the order can come anything to us anytime there. W-We were asked to keep Princess Flora ready by the sun rises till sun. And....it's almost the time.." Hearing this, only made Alice's lips turn into a straight line.

On the other hand, Mrs. Ira looked at Alice's shocked face. A faint smile lingered around but it faded before anyone could take those of the same.

Getting more tears into her eyes, Mrs. Ira walked closer to Alice when she held her shoulders, "Alice, I'm sorry. I failed as the mother and as the second lady..I wasn't able to keep my other inside the place when such an important occasion was going to happen..."

"Mrs. Ira, do you have any idea what is at stake?" Alice finally snapped, twitching her hand curved into a fist. "Do you have any hint that if..this alliance doesn't happen, the Kingdom will be given to those vampire kings!"

"I'm..I'm..sorry, Alice.." Mrs. ira lowered her eyelids, in the self-guilt which was reflected on her face.

But Alice was too preoccupied with the situation around to even mind the same.

She knew that the time is very dear, and they have to do something on an urgent basis, no matter what. Taking a deep breath Alice finally turned to face Mrs, ira with the clear-cut destruction on her face. She was furious, and the red eyes can never be hidden as well.

On the other hand, Mrs. Ira could feel the chills down her spines. Alice's glare was intensive to handle, as her hands were slightly trembling. Not only that, her tears stopped pouring out when she felt the devil standing in front of her right now.

"Mrs. Ira, tell me honestly..." Alice took a few steps closer to come near the lady before her eyes met hers, with the same thickness in the air. Even the maids around had to hold their breath because of the Princess's deadly aura.

"Is this your doing to not let your daughter marry that vampire? has Flora really fled away or..." Alice's brows lifted upwards, "..Is she intentionally sent away?"

Alice's question made Mrs. Ira alert. Disbelief was written on her face where she found it hard to accept. "Do..you have an idea what are you trying to say buy this, Princess?"

"I'm very much clear, the second lady. Tell me, is this what you're doing?" Alice didn't deny, as she asked with the same bluntness.

But Mrs. Ira, too, didn't step back from her place. Without blinking her eyes, Mrs. Ira's chin was lifted with her broad shoulders, "Princess Alice, with all due respect, I love my kingdom. this Kingdom is my home and for the Suzania Kingdom, I'm ready to sacrifice my life even.."

The same wordings brought Alice's eyes into a curvy shape. She wouldn't find it amusing, but at the same time, somewhat fake. Yet she had no option to do the same as her heart wanted to do so.

At last, taking a deep breath, Alice finally blurted, "I hope you aren't behind this, Mrs. Ira. Because if you are.."

"...Your punishment will be worse than that of death. Remember my words."

...

Do not forget to vote with your dear power stones!