Chapter Nine: Everything is Fine

Alice was led to her room by Zirian, who told her goodnight and left, shutting the door behind him.

She laid on her bed after taking off her shoes, and quickly fell asleep.

After waking up early the next day, she grabbed a new set of clothes. She pulled out blue shorts, black shirt, and the same jacket from the day before. Alice went to bathe, but realized she had no idea where to go.

She found a nice young maid who helped her out. The maid led her down two hallways to a large door, which when opened led to a large bath used by guests of the Emperor. It was early, and not many other people were up.

As she took her bath, she looked up at the ceiling, which was a stained glass picture. It showed an emperor holding a giant sword as other kings bowed to him.

Alice clothes her eyes as she allowed herself to be submerged under the water. 'I hope they hurry up and sign the treaty soon...' She dozed off in the water.

Opening her eyes, Alice found herself in a vast black field. It led to a red horizon, as a dying sun set. Looking around, their were withering trees and mindless creatures walking about, slowly, with withering white wings. What made this scene most unsettling was a few feet in front of Alice.

A woman with long glowing white hair sat in a rocking chair, rocking back and forth, holding a burnt book.

Alice had no idea what was going on. As the woman began to turn to her, Alice found herself on the bathroom floor, gasping for air in the arms of a maid.

"Someone get King Zirian! I'm taking her to her room."

"Yes ma'am!" As a maid ran off, the maid that found Alice drowning took her to her room, putting her under the covers of her bed.

The door opened as Zirian came in, followed by Damien.

"What happened?" Damien asked the maid.

Zirian immediately walked over and grabbed Alice's hands. "Are you okay, my daughter?"

Alice nodded. "I was just taking a bath... and then I was on the floor."

Zirian sighed. "You need to be more careful as to not fall asleep bathing, Alice."

Alice nodded. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I guess I was more tired than I thought."

Damien nodded. "You need to get some rest. Zirian and Stravos decided an hour ago to sign the treaty in three days."

Alice shook her head. "But I got in the bath early in the morning, the sun was just coming up. How long was I in there for?"

The maid's face was plastered with confusion. "Princess Alice, you asked me where the bath was around noon, not early in the morning."

"You just rest, don't worry about it that much. It could be that you were so tired you forgot what time it was.

You'll need your energy, Zirian is announcing you to the world at the signing as well."

Alice stared blankly at the foot of her bed. "Yeah..."

Damien and the maid left, leaving Alice and Zirian.

'I'm sorry, Alice. If you knew what happened...' He told her to get to sleep before leaving and shutting the door.

Alice closed her eyes as she fell deep in thought. 'No I'm positive it was early! Are they trying to hide something from me?' She yawned, deciding to use this opportunity to sleep on her thoughts.

Zirian walked through the castle with Damien as they discussed something.

"Zirian, if what the maid saw was true..."

Zirian grabbed Damien by the collar. "No, it wasn't. It's impossible. She's never been to the Gates of Hell!" Letting go of his collar, Zirian walked away, leaving Damien staring at his older brother's back.

Zirian just had one thought in his head: 'Everything is fine. Everything is fine. Everything is fine. Everything...'

Alice woke up the next day to someone falling in her room. She rolled over, turning on the light crystal in the room.

Zach and Jason were both in a daze on the ground, slowly getting up. "Jason, why are you such an idiot? Now we can't surprise her."

"It's not my fault the door opened that easily."

Alice chuckled at them as she rubbed her eyes. "What time is it?"

"It's just past noon." Zach answered. "We'll leave you to get ready, you'll stand next King Zirian in two and a half hours."

Alice tilted her head. "For what? The treaty, right?"

Jason sighed. "What else could it be? You've been asleep for three days."