New Lady of the House

The dated oak door creaked open.

It was a bedroom. Dark and dimly lit, it made Alice feel oppressed. 

They found a man sitting by the window seat, overlooking a view of the vast mountain ridges. The mansion was apparently on a high peak, where a mesmerizing landscape was in sight from the Prince's bedroom. 

But what made the view beautiful wasn't only the scenery outside.

The Prince himself was breathtaking.

He was lean, his limbs and torso perfectly long to make his figure seem unreal. However, despite the rumors, he did not seem frail. He was not the stereotypical strong man, but neither did he look weak. 

"I present myself to your Highness." Alice curtsies formally with a quiet, almost trembling voice. "I am Alice Sigertem."

But even if he did not scare Alice, her heart was still hammering. There is something about him… 

"…I am at your mercy." 

Why did she say that? She didn't know. It was her instinct that impulsively made her choke it out.

Alice kept her head bowed and her knees wobbling after the low curtsy. This was the first time she'd ever done a royal curtsy, as it was her only chance to meet a royal. She wasn't even sure if she did it right; no one ever taught her how to properly bow. 

"…How much do you want?" 

His low, quiet voice made her freeze. 

"Name your price, it doesn't have to be money. But once I give it to you, you will leave at once." 

What…? Alice was stunned. But her eyes remained on the floor.

"I-I do not desire any material possessions… I apologize, your Highness," she mumbles, her head still down even if she could feel his eyes on her. 

"Then, do you not feel the desire to get out of this house? It lacks security and is not nearly comparable to your family's mansion. You're not comfortable to be here. I can see that."

Her eyes widened. No—! 

Alice immediately shook her head and lowered herself to her knees. He will send her back to where she came from, just when she finally escaped it. 

"N-No... I don't want to go back! Please… Please, if you want to get rid of me, just exile me to a far away place… or just," her pupils shook in despair, "just- kill me…" 

She will not leave. 

She will not go back there.

Though her voice was shaking and nearly a whisper, she was sure he heard it. With the silence of the mansion, she was sure even the twins outside heard her.

"Oh dear, Lady Alice, please do not say those things! And please stand, your knees…" 

Florence rushed to get her back up by pulling her bony arms up. It was at that moment that she finally raised her gaze to meet his' and found them intently looking at her. 

Saying his face was handsome is an understatement. He had striking features that perfectly mixed together to create a masterpiece. High cheekbones, sharp, calculating golden brown eyes, and soft, wavy golden curls drape loosely over his forehead. He was every bit a Prince. 

And she… his supposed 'fiancée', looked like a dead girl walking. 

She pales in comparison to him. Literally.

"Why?" He asks, tilting his head. "You are not afraid of death?"

The setting sun from the window behind him cast a golden glow, highlighting his already golden aura. How did his past fiancées run away from this mesmerizing view? 

But then she blinks and realizes she's about to be returned to her evil family.

"I…" The words hang suspended on her tongue until she manages the courage to voice them out. She stared at him, her sullen eyes dark and resigned. "My home is worse than hell. Death or exile—either is a much more merciful fate for me."

He frowns.

The heaviness in the air was palpable as everyone waited for his decision. His gaze never left her. 

"And if you stay here, is that less merciful than death or exile?" 

She whispered, "it is the most merciful fate."

—

"And this is your room."

Florence twists the doorknob and welcomes Alice into the largest room she'd dare call her bedroom.

It was simple and had only all the necessary things, but it looked like luxury in her eyes. Pieces of furniture she'd see inside Milani's room were here—and they're hers here?

Florence watched Alice's stricken expression and pursed her lips. How horrible had she been treated in her home to warrant such a reaction just from seeing her room?

"I've shown you around the other parts of the house, so you won't get lost. The only other room I didn't show to you was His Majesty's study. It's just down this hallway. He does not prefer others going inside without permission, but the rest of the rooms and places, you're free to go to." 

Alice almost smiled. Hearing she has the liberty to wander around the house is good to hear. But she likely wouldn't, as she would be busy doing chores to earn her spot in this mansion. 

"I understand. Thank you." 

Florence smiled sadly. 

"Well then, I'll leave you to settle down. I'll be in the kitchen if you need me."

Once she was gone, Alice closed the doors and placed her luggage on the floor beside the large double bed. She falls along with her luggage, the fatigue finally catching up to her.

She leans her head by the bed and stares blankly at the sorry excuse of a luggage. She unties it slowly and pulls out her mother's necklace. Its orb glowed azure blue when reflected with light, exactly mirroring her and her mother's eyes. Or at least the servants said they had the same eyes.

Whenever she stares at this necklace, she imagines her mother staring back at her, her presence equal parts comforting and pitiful. 

Because in her darkest times, her company was just this cheap imitation of her mother's eyes. Nevertheless, they'd never failed her.

"To a new life, mother," she whispers to the necklace, clutching it to her chest, before letting darkness consume her.