004

Seated on the wheelchair Ms. Tony provided, I've never been so anxious in drinking. Surely the water will not descend slowly in a tiny drop if I put the teacup down but still… their gravity is disastrous. 

"You told Haris everything? He won't make fun of the information so don't worry!"

"But he's a man," I scoff. "It's embarrassing."

"Then why did you tell him?" 

"Because he's an inspector and I have to clear his doubts against me." 

"Inspector…?" Ms. Tony repeated for assurance. And then she laughs. "Oh no! He's a highly respected scholar in his academy because of his exceptional skills with magic. Not an inspector."

"What? He tricked me!?"

"It seems like it." 

"Aaargh!" 

"Apparently, your timing is perfect. Their current client is from the family of Beaumont. They can help you approach the prince. But… are you sure about him?" 

I exhale my frustration to answer her with a tender smile. I took the stress ball from the table and explained with my overflowing admiration, "Prince Almidoron gave this to me when I was amid dejection. I kept thinking about him ever since that day. I rejected several marriage proposals because there's something I've been longing for. Even until now, I still find it hard to say 'yes' with their proposal. Now, I am determined. Before I can decide on the current proposal, I want to meet the prince first. He was my drive to jump that high… because after all this time, his name is still written in my heart."

I was in awe when I landed sight on Ms. Tony, she has her hand on her chest and has been holding back tears. "You love him so much… So much that you would risk your life… You deserve his love, no, he must love you back no matter what." 

My head tilts. "Is that possible?" I questioned. Her teary eyes scream determination, somehow I think it's scary. She squeezes my hands and says,

"We will make him fall for you too 62 miles deeper!" She started pushing my wheelchair down to the kitchen, the burning desire to reward me with Prince Almidoron's love is written all over her face. I couldn't argue, especially that she's in my favor—this is why this should be limited to 'girls talk.' Probably, the one thing I find crazy is her unwavering confidence. 

"Sit and relax. I will prepare something that will make the prince fall in love with you," she said and winked. Her frisky yet infallible moves while preparing the ingredients amazed me; the way she sliced meat fleet and smooth, measuring powders and sauces through eyes and smell, including her spirited smile while she's doing everything. Her humming represents her excitement. 

So this is what Prince Harrison meant when he adores watching women do their passion. It's inspiring. 

"Ms. Tony, are you going to prepare a dinner date for us?" 

She speaks for clarity without looking at me—while she's mixing on a big pot. "No. A special meal that will make him love you. I was also a student of Venduque Academy and my specialty is putting spells on my dishes."

"... Like… magic…?" 

"Precisely," she hummed.

I guess people on Earth are crazier than me. I scratch my temple. Her kitchen is full of, probably, everything she needs for cooking. Outside is also a garden of abundant vegetables. On the side of the wall is a huge wooden shelf that covers it, full of glass bottles and containers for seasoning. Crowded but organized. 

"Is there anything I can help you with?" 

"Can you cook?" 

"Uuuh, no." 

I heard her soft chuckle. "So it's true that you're a noble? Haris mentioned that your hands are as soft as those who don't labor. Unlike mine." She raised her left hand to show the scars and wrinkles on it. 

I can't tell if 'twas an insult or a compliment! "I-It's not the only basis for royalty but he's right. I don't mind if you treat me normally."

"Can you give me that condiment behind your wheel?" she asks without even glancing. 

"Sure." I move a little backward and take the glass bottle from the shelf. I pushed it to her but instead of floating, the bottle dropped and shattered on the floor. Ms. Tony finally looked back in terror while my mouth was silenced by the same expression. 

"I just bought that yesterday…" she murmured. 

"I'm… so sorry…" I murmured back. I might break more objects in this world before I get accustomed to gravity! 

"No…" she picks a different bottle instead, looking mesmerized then smirks, "in this world, some things have to break in order to recognize something better that has always been there." She used it, and the scent became salty and sweet. I look at the unfortunate bottle and the scattered liquid. I grabbed the towel from the kitchen table and stooped down, but someone shoved the very same bottle on my face.

I held the bottle unconsciously as I stared at it, and when I glimpse at the broken glass, it's gone! The floor is neat again and I keep exchanging glances on it and on the bottle I'm holding. This really is the same bottle that broke on the floor. 

"There is one more thing missing," the tall, deceitful man said. "You have to learn how to walk." He sat on the table in front of me, tossed a nut from the table but it fell on his forehead instead of his open mouth. I pulled back a laugh. 

"Hey, Ms. Tony!" another man enters the kitchen. He's wearing the same uniform as Haris. "What is this delicious smell? Are you preparing for our breakfast?" 

"No. This is a special meal for Ashlene."

"Ashlene?" That's when he notices me. "Oh, so it's you! The one who fell from the sky."

Haris pulls back a laugh.

This man… He looks older than Haris but his mere presence brings lightness in this room. They have the same wavy hair as Haris although his is mid length while Haris' is shorter on the nape—the first thing I noticed on them. And when he politely bows and smiles, I just thought I met an angel. Benign manner. "It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Venji of Savante." And his voice is like a melody of a violin flying with the gentle breeze. "How are you feeling?" 

I couldn't help but smile back. "I'm quite fine. Thank you." Plus, he's thoughtful. Why didn't I crash land on him instead!? 

"Here's your special meal~" Ms. Tony hums and lays the plate on the table. The garnishing, the smell, and anything on the plate tempt me to eat. "The oysters' reputation for high zinc content enhances romantic feelings and increases sexual desire. And you will eat this." 

Questioning, I pointed at myself. "I thought I'd give it to him…?" 

"No. You will be the one to consume this. Then he will fall deeply, truly, purely, madly, obsessively in love with you 62 miles deeper from the sea level. This will be sealed, both of you chained in love that only death can tear you apart, upon a kiss." 

"Kiss!? D-Do I really have to do that in our first meeting in a while?" I fake laughter.

"Everything has a switch on. To stir the spell is to kiss him," she explained rather passionately.

"Whoa, whoa, ladies, are you going to use a love spell on a man?" Venji meddled. 

Haris answers with a smug smile on his face, "Not just a man, he's a prince." 

"Ehem! Gentlemen, it's feminine of you to stick your noses in this kind of matter." 

I was about to grab a taste of the love spell dish when Haris snatched it without even looking. "But Ms. Tony, every spell is affiliated with a curse to balance both positive and negative consequences. What's for this one?" He's twisting his hand holding the plate at the bottom while staring at it. 

"W-Well, if she fails to kiss the prince after the food gets fully digested, her stomach will close and she will starve endlessly t-to death."

"Too risky. She cannot take this," he decided. The audacity! I witness the sudden slump of Ms. Tony's cheerful expression. 

"But… I already cooked it." 

Taking this into consideration, Haris is right. It's too risky, death awaits if I fail. However, why would I escape Stell and jump from space for nothing?! Ms. Tony wants everything to result in definiteness, and we're on the same page! Haris was still gabbing and justifying why it's too risky for an ignorant alien like me when I snatched a fork on the table, jabbed the small piece of oysters on the plate and ate it. 

"Hey!" he exclaimed. Too late for him. They are all looking at me in silence with the same frightened faces while I munch. Meanwhile, I feel the pleasure to the extent that I groaned inwardly. 

"Mmm~ Wow… I've never tasted food as good as this before." 

"Aw, thank you," Ms. Tony replied with eyes pooled in tears. 

"Are you insane?" Haris irritatedly placed the plate back on the table. "Why did I even ask…" he muttered to himself. 

"But I don't feel anything," I said and ate the meal until the last piece, smeared the sauce with a finger and licked it. At least my demise tastes heavenly. 

"You will, 24 hours from now." 

"Haris," Venji tames with an angelic smile and a menacing glance at the same time, "it's the lady's decision. You have no authority to meddle with it, especially that we need her help." I blinked 3 times at him. My advocate is so melting. "Ashlene, we're gonna need your help with our investigation regarding Prince Almidiron's case."

"H-How?" 

"You will join us in our meeting soon. We are in pursuit of a tricky terrorist and Stell is their possible sanctuary. We've only expanded to this option ever since you came. Primary resource from you is our great advantage. In exchange, we will help you kiss the prince."

A thought passed by me and then I looked at him with resolution. "We have a deal."

"We need to move fast before your digestive system finishes its job. You only have a few hours to prepare to meet him."

I throw a glance on my legs. They feel so heavy but weak in this world. I can't propose a limp body to him! 

"Fine. In that case," Haris pulls out the wooden cane from the pocket of his black pants and sets it up in front of me, "you're gonna need that more than I do." I'm amazed how this cane can stand on its own. Venji, at first, was surprised then later smiles proudly at Haris. 

I spent the next hours thriving to stand and walk, for now, through the help of this magical cane. Ms. Tony cheerfully assisted and demonstrated everything for me. She informed me that the tea she made me drink is actually a product of epinephrine rush to boost my body's will to walk. And the cane will support me on its own. 

I found it true when I almost fell but the cane glided on the spot where it can support my weight—keeping me from falling. As if it has a life itself, I can feel it. I failed countless times. I got bruises. In the end, I learned how to stand with a 30-inch distance between my feet. Of course, I can't stand in front of my prince like this! 

I kept on practicing until the moonlight's silver tendrils crept across the landscape. A knock on the door caught my attention, Venji's gentle smile greeted me. "The prince has arrived in his palace. We should move."

Nervousness struck me. The next thing I know is me, Venji and Haris were sitting in the backseat of their black private car, I am between them. I've been squeezing the stress ball I covered in a handkerchief this whole time. I wonder what he looks like now. 

"So how shall we do it?" Venji initiates a conversation. "Shall we get him drunk?" 

"That's wild for a serious meeting. They'll find you suspicious," Haris said while his eyes stuck on the phone. "A kiss is a kiss. We won't be shady if we do it indirectly whether through a glass or bottle." 

"Surely the prince will not offer one glass for all." 

"We'll switch glass."

"He'll notice that."

"Don't make it too complicated," I meddled. "I'll request to stay overnight and during his deep sleep, I'll kiss him. Simple."

"Seems like you know a lot." Haris smirks.

"Watch your mouth."

"That's a compliment."

I was ready to counter the argument when Venji spoke on my behalf again, "Don't tease the princess, Baby Grapes." 

Haris stabs him with dark glares, then turns his head to the window, ears turning red. "Shut up." 

Venji laughed it out. I got infected anyway. Aside from their uniform and the way they sit right now with their legs crossed, I can't trace resemblance when it comes to their faces. All I know is that the older angel tames the younger devil. Travel didn'ts last long, we finally arrived at the palace of Beaumont and waited in a royal room with our same position.

And a butler entered. "The prince is here." A prick in my heart triggered.