Chapter Eight: I’ll Protect You!

Alice followed Zach and Jason to a large courtyard. In the courtyard, their were pink, yellow, and white flowers. A pond was under a large tree, and reflected what sunlight hit it. It was the clearest pond Alice had ever seen in both lives.

It was cold to the touch, but warmed up immediately. It showed you a near perfect reflection, and you could also see how deep it went.

Jason and Zach walked up behind her. "Do you have other clothes to change into? We don't want your dress getting ripped up."

Alice nodded. "Is there anywhere I can change?"

Zach led her into the castle, while Jason went to grab wooden swords and other weapons. Alice stared in awe at the interior. Unlike the other part of the castle which was the east side, this part, the west side, had blue carpet flowing like a river.

He showed her to a changing room, and waited outside for her.

'Even this random changing room is big!' Alice thought. She removed her dress, gloves and flower, along with the necklace and shoes she wore under the dress. She put it all into the ring given to her by Zirian, pulling out nice black pants, and a plain white shirt. She put her hair in a pony tail, and put on black shoes made for adventuring.

She put on a gray jacket as well, as it began to get chilly in Dracmere. As they walked, Alice noticed a silver sword hanging on the wall. 'I'll ask about that later.'

Walking out of the room, she walked with Zach as he led her back to the courtyard, where Jason stood with a wooden sword and shield.

"Let's play Knights and Magic!" He shouted.

Alice grabbed one of the wooden swords he brought and began to play with them.

After a bit, Alice was chosen to be the villain.

Alice hit Jason's shield before backing off. "Return that jewel to me thief! I must return it to that nice old woman!" Jason pointed his sword at Alice, while Zach ready his wooden knife to attack her.

"Never!" Alice shouted. "You may not understand why I stole the jewel, you definitely don't! But that woman is the real criminal! One jewel is-"

"Jason! Zach!" A voice shouted from inside. They turned their heads to see an older boy walk out. He wore simple adventuring gear, and was followed by a white wolf.

Zach dropped his knife and ran to the boy. "Hello brother Kyle! You brought Shiro back with you!" He began to pet the wolf's head as it looked at him, wagging its tail.

Jason walked over with Alice behind him. "Brother, this is Princess Alice! She's been playing with us while you were gone!"

Kyle hit his chest as he spoke,"I'm Kyle Stravos IV, sixth in line for the throne."

Alice bowed. "I'm Alice Lucifer, the sole heir to the Lucifina Throne." She felt uneasy looking at the wolf, and a bead of sweat quickly formed on her face.

Jason turned with a big smile on his face to Alice. "If that wolf scares you, don't worry! I'll protect you!"

Zach hit Jason on the back of the head. "Brother Connor trained her well, she wouldn't attack someone unless they were a threat. Even then, it would just be to pin them."

Alice laughed. "Let's just go back to playing, I still have the jewel!"

Kyle left them to do their thing as he went to bathe.

After they finished playing, it was almost dinner time. They showed Alice the way to the dining hall, where Zirian and the others already sat.

Him and Nathaniel were talking about something, but immediately stopped as the three of them walked in.

Nathaniel sat at the head of the table while Zirian sat to his right, followed by Damien and Astris. To his left, Kyle and two more people sat. One was a young girl with long brown hair and big green eyes. The other was a more mature woman, with blonde hair and bright blue eyes. The woman smiled as she noticed them come in.

Astris motioned for Alice to take the vacant seat next to her, and Jason and Zach sat opposite of her, next to the young girl with brown hair.

Nathaniel stood up. "I apologize that the crowned prince or my other children couldn't be here to welcome you, Royal Family of Lucifina. They are busy and I won't make them stop their important business to come here and have dinner with us. That being said, let us eat!" He sat down.

Zirian laughed a bit. "No worries, my friend. I understand what it means to be busy. I just hope it's worth missing this meal." He and Nathaniel began to talk more as food was brought out.

There was steak, chicken, bread, bacon, gravy, and much more. The beverages to choose from was a variety of wine, coffee, tea, and then milk and water.

Under fifteen, you are not allowed wine, so Alice chose water, Zach chose tea, and Jason chose milk.

After the hardy meal, they all fast around and talked for a bit.

Alice learned the mature woman was Nathaniel's wife, Victoria Stravos. She was a kind, quiet person who enjoyed talking about flowers, books, and different types of animals.

The young girl's name was Lilith, and she was eight in line for the throne. She reveled in testing and studying magic, she even invented a term for her obsessive behavior. If you were female, you're a Witch. If you're male, a Warlock!

It may sound evil... because it it.

This young witch was too far gone...