Chapter Four: Deal

It was a dark and cloudy night. A small shadow could be seen running across the roof top of the castle in Lucifina. The moonlight reflected off the castle's surface, giving it a shining surface. The shadow snuck its way around all the guards using trickster Magical Arts and sneakily entered a room. It took off it's black hood, revealing long pink and white hair. Bright pink eyes were the only visible thing in the room after the figure shut the window curtains.

Alice threw off the cloak before laying down on her bed, holding a book. It was titled: "The Seven Human Wars".

She began to think about how to open the lock on it as she heard someone in her room.

"Ahem." They cleared their throat. "Alice, do you think I would just let you take a book from my personal collection? Especially one of such importance?"

The light crystals in the room flickered as they were brought to life, as Zirian was revealed to be sitting in the same rocking chair he had almost eight years ago.

"I just want to know what humans are like, and apparently Cecile isn't a good reference, seeing as she doesn't remember anything before coming to Lucifina. You also won't let me leave the castle. I just don't-"

Zirian sighed loudly. "I know I haven't let you out of the castle, and that's my mistake. You will be able to read my collection once you turn eighteen.

I was going to wait until tomorrow, but I'll tell you now. I'm going in a few days to the Human Empire."

Alice's eyes gained a sudden sparkle in them. "What do you mean?"

Zirian nodded. "The Emperor and I began working on a treaty shortly after your mother passed, however due to interference, we've only just been able to finalize the details. We're going the day after tomorrow to sign it."

Zirian has been lying to Alice about her 'mother'. He took it so far as to add a grave with a fake name on it in one of the courtyards of the castle. Alice knew of course, that it was an elaborate lie, but would let him live in his lie. He even began to slowly believe it, as did the servants and guards.

"I want to go!" She threw the book to Zirian. "Can I go?"

As Alice said this, Zirian shook his head. "Sure... just wear a dress."

Alice's head slowly tilted to the side to Zirian. "A dress?"

He nodded. "You're a princess, and I would like you to look more... presentable to the humans than you usually do. I will also announce your existence at the signing of the treaty. They invented a new magical device called a Broadcasting System.

Using one's magic, you can interface with ongoing broadcasts and watch from wherever in the world! Isn't that cool?"

Alice frowned at him, ignoring the thing about broadcasts she said,"But I hate dresses! Why can't I just wear nice clothes?"

Zirian shook his head before walking over and sitting next to Alice. "How do you think people perceive a princess? She must look like royalty, or no one will ever take her seriously. At least, no one has proven that wrong."

She reluctantly agreed as Zirian began to cheer for a second.

His face turned serious. "GOOD! Tonight you will not be sleeping, and neither will Cecile or I! I had her secretly take all your measurements, so that we could make multiple dresses in multiple materials and colors."

'There are so many problems with that...' Alice thought as the door burst open. Cecile came into the room with another maid, and a clothing rack. It had at least twenty dresses on it.

'Oh no.' Alice tried to change her mind, but it was too late. She was already standing in front of a mirror, wearing a long black and pink dress. Her hair was somewhat curled as it flowed down her back, and her hands were covered by silky pink gloves. Atop her head, a shining tiara was seen. She looked very innocent, apart from the dress being mostly black. It gave off an odd feel.

Cecile, Zirian, and the maid shook their heads. "Too dark." They all said.

Cecile ran her hand through Alice's hair. "We need to get it dyed completely pink, or else I don't think we can bring it together with any of the white dresses... Sonya!" She called the other maid. "Use your dye Magical Art to change the white to match her pink."

Sonya nodded. Activating her Magical Art, she touched Alice's pink hair. The Art copied the color and as she ran it through the white, Alice's hair became a flowing pink ocean.

Cecile and Zirian nodded. "Let's keep trying dresses."

Hours and hours past, before the sun finally rose. No one but Alice was tired, so Zirian used a Magical Art to rejuvenate her. "This is the one. What do you think, Alice? Willing to wear this dress in public?"

Alice looked in the mirror. She wore an innocent white dress with some accents of pink running through it. It had flower designs on it, and on her neck sat a beautiful pink and white pear necklace. The same tiara was on her head, while her flowing pink hair still went down her back. Her hands were covered by silky white gloves, that went up to just above her elbows.

She looked like a flower that had never been touched the the cruelties of the world.

Alice opened her mouth. "I think I liked it more not being known about."

Zirian nodded. "If it makes it any better, I can have a sword made for your ninth birthday in a few months. I know a dwarf."

Alice looked at Zirian through the mirror. "Do you think he could teach me how to make weapons and armor?"

Zirian's mood seemed to change a bit. "How about this: I'll think about it, and I'll have the sword made for your ninth birthday? Deal?" He reaches out his hand.

Alice takes his hand, as a green and black flame overtakes their hands, sealing the deal.