Chapter 10

Stephen was in the drawing-room, sitting on one of the couches and reading halfway into the book when David came in. The youngest prince would sneak glances at the window, watching Charles swordfight with Alexander, then go back to reading. The book Alexa let him borrow was quite interesting, to which he had his attention stolen by it. Books rarely catch his interest, and he never goes past halfway into a book when he had the time to read one. But this certain book was what he could consider as his cup of tea.

"What are you reading, brother?" David sat beside Stephen.

"The book Alexa recommended to me," he spoke without looking up from the book. David knew that the book Stephen was reading really did catch his interest.

There was a small silence as David watched Charles and Alexander, and Stephen had his eyes glued on the book.

"Do you mind telling me what that girl Alexa is like? I'm curious."

Stephen then looked up at his brother and a smile widened his lips. "She might be a few years younger than me. She has this long curly hair that stood out from the rest of the villagers. She works at the library at the Central, at the West Village. She seems like a very kind and gentle person to me."

David nodded while Stephen spoke, with his gaze out the window.

He set the book down on the table before he spoke. "There's this thing about her that tells me I know her. D'you know what I mean? Like she was a long-lost childhood friend, or maybe a cousin I missed, or possibly a sister. I was drawn to her--well, not romantically--but like as a friend that I loved talking to."

"You must seem to like her then."

"I can't tell. It's not butterflies or whatever they call it. It's just like we missed each other, like a close relative I stopped keeping in touch with years ago."

"You said she looked like Mother?"

Stephen's eyebrows rose. "Yes! What's weird is that she looks like Mother when she was younger."

"Maybe it's just a coincidence."

"Or it could be Alexandra?"

David looked at Stephen with furrowed eyebrows. It was just now that the name Alexandra was mentioned in the palace, not to mention from his younger brother, from 20 years ago. Of course, they won't ever forget her and Amelia. But to think that maybe she's alive or she's around the Central is just a little strange.

The princes didn't know the whole story of how Alexandra and Amelia died. Or got lost. Or how Midas captured both, never to see them again in broad daylight.

And that's the point.

They know nothing at all. No hints. No clues. Not even any word from Midas, as if they would expect him to reveal anything about the princesses. But he would, right?

No, he wouldn't. He could've gone back to the palace if he didn't have the princesses. But he didn't.

So, possibly, Midas is behind all of this.

But then, Midas could've told the king, saying how he got the princesses. And what a great sacrifice they made for the kingdom.

All of these thoughts gave David a headache, and he only snapped back to reality when Stephen called his name with a snap of his fingers.

"David? David! Are you alright?"

David made sure to lean in and whisper so no one could hear their conversation. "Do you really think it could be Alexandra?"

"I can't be sure. I mean, it could just be a coincidence that she looked like a relative. But what do we know, right?" Stephen whispered back.

David stood up, glancing at the window before speaking. "Not a word about this to anyone. Just between you and me."

He leaves Stephen in the drawing-room, and Stephen didn't know whether he should continue reading or stop. While he walked, David thought about something that could or could not be a hint to them.

The name Alexa.

~~~

Catherine made her rounds around the castle, making sure that every prince is in his own chamber by now, eight o'clock. She also made sure that Charlene would be in theirs now, hoping she'd be doing her duties instead of just reading. She knocked on the princes' doors, to which they would open and be surprised that the duchess would come knocking in their doors just to see if they are inside.

The conversation would come like this:

"Your Grace," the prince would bow.

"Good to know that you have plans in sleeping early."

"Uh, yes, your Grace. I hope you have a good sleep this evening."

"I hope you won't go around the castle late at night. Princes don't stay up late at night."

"Certainly. Good night."

"Good night."

And the rest would come off the same.

But as she reached Alexander's room, after knocking thrice, there was no response. No one opened the door, and when she opened the door out of impatience, the room was empty. No sign of the eldest prince in the big chamber.

She decided to find him in the rooms and to ask servants about the prince's whereabouts, to which she earned no's. She grew irritable from this attitude that she got from the prince. He simply chose to disobey her rule about being in their beds at eight o'clock. She would've expected that from the youngest, but no, she thought wrong. It was the heir who would be treating her disrespect by not following her.

She arrived at the palace library, making haste, and soon she found the prince she soon found herself despising the most.

Alexander was by the window, at his favorite space, reading yet another book about the kingdom. He didn't sense her presence, focused entirely on the words printed on the pages until she cleared her throat.

"Prince Alexander. Why are you still here? Bedtime is three minutes ago."

This time, it was Alexander's turn to clear his throat. "I'm sorry, your Grace. I didn't track the time."

"Or you just simply won't obey my order."

Alexander opened his mouth to speak, but Catherine continued.

"Didn't I make it clear that your bedtime is eight o'clock? You must be in your rooms before the clock strikes at eight. And while your brothers are already in their beds at this time of the night, I find the eldest prince out and about. Do you really have the thought to disobey me?"

"That is never my intention, Duchess Catherine," he shook his head to prove his point.

"Well, I certainly hope you are true to your words, Prince Alexander. I will not tolerate this behavior, especially from you."

He bowed his head, embarrassed, and decided to leave the books he planned to read for the night on the table. Catherine watched with watchful eyes as Alexander walked to the door.

"Straight to your bedroom," Catherine ordered before she left to her and Charlene's room.