I can’t help but notice Alicia’s deep interest in the kingdom of Laval. I’m interested in other countries, too, but there’s nothing I can do about it, given my station. If I can, though, I want to make all her wishes come true.
…Even if it means being apart from her.
She’s not meant to be arm candy. Even a monkey can put on a pretty dress and stand quietly by my side.
Alicia’s special. She makes her own destiny, slashing out a path for herself with her bare hands. That’s why I fell in love with her.
Part of me wants to embrace the foolish notion that she should just stay with me, but I know that will never happen. Alicia always flies far higher than I ever imagine.
I want her to experience Laval firsthand. See it with her own eye. Hear it with her own ears. Feel it on her skin.
That’s why exile is the only option.
And the fastest way to do that is on false charges.
Not a single thing she has done all these years deserves punishment. No excuses or accusations can possibly give her the strict sentence of banishment.
Besides, I hear conditions in Roana are improving because of her. If anything, she is a person Durkis should revere and protect. If I am to send her to Laval as she wishes, though, I can’t revere or protect her. Quite the opposite. Forcing a crime onto her doesn’t sit right with me, but I know she won’t let something like that discourage her.
Knowing Alicia, she may relish it.
As predicted, she happily plays along with my forced scheme to try to convict her for stealing my memory. It hurts to pretend that I’ve forgotten her, even though I know it’s a lie. I will never forget her, no matter what.
Until my life burns out, I will love her with my every breath.
I knew full well what a reckless scheme it was. But I knew it would work. I knew, because Liz Cather has so many blind devotees who love her, and because I’m the prince of Durkis. Alicia would never be exiled if everyone thought rationally. Nothing I said would carry any weight.
And the cherry on top? I’m the prince, so no one came to Alicia’s defense. The one gallant soul in the room was Gill.
Gill needs Alicia, just like I need her. Stepping forward to protect her may have been second nature to him, but as the little boy stood up to challenge the enemies who surrounded him, he looked more dashing than even the bravest knight.
To stand bravely and continuously assert yourself with such conviction at such a young age is extremely difficult. Had he been born into a noble family, I wonder how things might have been different. He may have put a stop to Alicia’s exile.
Alicia sure has some great friends.
I marveled over that to myself as I sent her away to Laval. Every time I looked at the pendant she returned, a smile spreads on my face.
I thought my days without Alicia would be dreadfully boring, but I’ve been busy. There’s a lot of work for Durkis that can only be done thanks to her absence.
Roana Village, Liz Cather, the recognition of Alicia’s sainthood—so many matters have to be resolved.
……But nothing can fill the lonely, Alicia-shaped hole in my heart.
One day, as Gill and I are walking down the hall, Gill suddenly blurts out to me, “Just so you know, if Alicia doesn’t come back, I’m going to Laval.”
The thought never crossed my mind that Alicia would never return. Nor that Gill alone would go after her. I assumed Gill would insist he and I go after her together. As I brood for a while in silence, Gill grins, looking more mature than his years suggest.
“I’d rather die than have a life without Alicia.”
“I feel the same way.”
“That’s why if Alicia chooses to stay in Laval, I’m going to join her.”
“And what if some other guy takes Alicia?” I ask, giving him a taste of his own medicine.
I don’t want to believe it, but she has the power to charm. It’s a charm of a completely different nature than Liz Cather’s. I know that well.
I know Alicia Williams’s charm is genuine.
That was my biggest fear of sending her on a journey out of my eyes’ reach. What hearts would she win on the other side? I can’t begin to imagine.
I don’t care how strong she is—just the thought of another man snatching up the woman I love sickens me.
“Don’t worry, Duke. You’re the only guy I approve of,” Gill replies.
“Thanks.”
“Oh, but if Alicia finds someone else she swears is her soulmate, I might have to give up on you.”
“Just whose side are you on, Gill?”
“Alicia’s of course.” His smile is mischievous now.
“Well, I’ll just have to win her heart all over again if that happens.”
“Your confidence astounds me, Duke. Alicia sure is lucky, being so deeply loved.”
“Alicia’s heart dwelling on me even for a minute is life’s biggest luxury.”
“Whoooo, gushing, aren’t we? Hey, it might be a different type of love, but she loves me, too,” Gill retorts, puffing out his cheeks haughtily.
I’m relieved he hasn’t let the darkness consume him after Alicia’s exile. I worried Gill might act self-destructively in Alicia’s absence, but there’s not even a hint of that sort of behavior. He’s taken on Alicia’s responsibilities and is working hard to improve Durkis. He’s so much younger than I am, yet so strong.
“If you and I were the same age, Gill, we’d probably be rivals.”
“Yeah, well…I’d have no chance in hell of beating you, would I? If it’s a romance I have no chance of winning, I don’t want to even bother.”
“But choosing love in the face of defeat is what romance is all about.”
“Yikes, those are some grown-up words.”
“Well, I am a grown-up,” I say, smiling down at Gill.
“Oh, Maaaster, why are you staring at that pendant and mopiiing?!”
What should catch me by surprise doesn’t. I’ve grown quite used to Mel’s sudden outbursts.
She’s smushing her face against my window, staring at me from outside my room. I open it with a sigh.
“How many times have I told you not to climb that tree to come in through my window? Get in before you fall and break your neck.”
“Oh, come ooon, it’s more fun this way!”
Puffing out her cheeks in a pout, she nimbly tumbles into my room. As an attendant, Mel is gifted and I have no complaint. As a person, though, she’s lacking here and there. Maybe it’s how she either loves or hates everything so clearly… The way I see it, she and Gill have a lot in common.