Prologue
The man in front of me was down on one knee, peering up at me with a dazzling smile.
"Won't you accompany me on a date?" he asked.
Hold up. Most of you won't understand what's going on, so let me explain. My name is Alice Brandon, officially 22 years old as of 2 months ago, and, although I didn't realize at the time, that question changed my life forever. But I'll go back to earlier that day. I was out enjoying my first day off since arriving here in Charles Kingdom as an intern for the notorious Jean Pierre. It had been my dream since I was a little girl. You see, a few months ago, I lost my waitressing job at a small café. I was living in a small apartment and, due to my unemployment, I couldn't afford to stay. So in turn I moved back in with my parents while I applied for jobs. Unfortunately, all of my applications to different fashion franchises were turned down. You could say I was feeling pretty low. That is, until I came across an opening as an intern for Jean Pierre.
As you can imagine, I quickly sent in an application and received news that I had been accepted shortly thereafter, much to my excitement. I packed up all of my things, said goodbye to my parents, and found myself her in Charles Kingdom. Anyway, back to the story.
Charles Kingdom, with a history spanning 80 generations, values its people's autonomy over strict tradition and is well known for having a glamorous streak. A sense of charm seemed to envelop the picturesque streets of the old city, as well as the people that filled them. I had always dreamed of seeing it for myself, but never once imagined that my dream would become a reality. Seeing it in person proved to be an exponentially more beautiful sight than in pictures, which is a rather astute observation since the photos were always so gorgeous. It was then that I saw an older man in the streets, doubled over in, presumably, pain.
"Are you okay!?" I called out, hurrying to his side.
The old man looked up at me with a somewhat troubled expression gracing his elegant features. "Oh, I suddenly feel a tad unwell is," he assured, letting out a painful sigh.
"I saw a park over there. How would you like to sit with me on one of the benches?" I asked worriedly, rubbing his back gently, feeling the expensive fabric under my fingertips.
"That's okay, somebody should be coming for me soon enough…" the old man trailed off as his eyes came upon the necklace resting in the hollow of my throat. "Miss, that necklace…"
"What, this thing?" I asked as I touched the necklace that lay against my skin. "It's one of my personal treasures, from my mother. Is there something…?"
"No, no, it's nothing. Please excuse me. I can get distracted from time to time," he said with a polite smile.
"That's alright," I nodded.
A moment later, a rather expensive looking car drove up to us, and the man that climbed seemed to be in quite a hurry.
"Master, has something happened?" The young man asked his superior, the one whom I had just been talking to.
I addressed the now-kneeling man from the car, whose face had paled considerably. "He seemed to be feeling unwell."
The young man looked even more troubled by my words, and he stood up to place his hand on the older man's shoulder. "Are you alright, sir?"
"Yes, much better thanks to this young lady… Thank you." The old man leaned into the younger one's hand as he straightened up, smiling at me.
I blushed and rushed out a reply. "It was no problem, really. Anyway, I should get going…"
I gave a little bow and turned to leave, but the older man called out to stop me. "Please, one moment." I turned back and saw the old man whispering something to the other. "What is your name, young lady?"
"My name?" I asked confusedly, because really, why was he asking for my name.
"I'd like to know the name of the person who has treated me with such kindness. Wouldn't you?" The old man flashed me a cordial smile and handed me a piece of paper that he had received from the man at his side. "If you ever need any help please allow me to return the favor. All you need to do is contact me at this number." There was a telephone number written on the paper I had accepted without hesitation.
"Um… I…" Before I could form a thought, the old man spoke again. "Your name, miss?"
Startled by the slightly forceful tone, I replied in a rush, "Uh, my name is Alice Brandon."
"What am I going to do with this?" I wondered as I strolled aimlessly, looking down at the small piece of paper with a number hastily scribbled onto it. I mean really, all I did was rub his back a little. What am I supposed to do with his phone number? Well, for now, into my pocket it goes.
I felt something cold and piercing hit my skin and looked up to find the sky that had been so bright just a moment ago was now covered by dark rain clouds. Raindrops were falling and the rain continued to grow heavier and heavier, so I ran for cover under the awning of the closest shop. As fate would have it, the store I dashed into was a flower shop, and the variety of fragrances immediately invaded my senses. Suddenly overcome by all of the lovely bouquets scattered around the small room, I let out a whisper without thinking.
"They're so beautiful…" And then a soft voice reached my ears.
"Beautiful flowers for a beautiful young lady."
Who…? I turned around to see someone holding out an umbrella to me.
"I'm sorry. That was a bit forward of me. Did I frighten you?" The holder of the umbrella was a young man with a gentle smile.
That man… I felt like I'd seen him somewhere before. And those clothes... I cocked my head to the side, eyeing his fancy clothing. His smile was bright, reaching his hazel eyes.
"… Aren't you getting wet standing there?" The smile on his lips grew wider as he held the umbrella out to me.
The man reminded me of Charles' Prince Edward… But there was no way a prince would be wandering around a place like this…
"That's okay; I'm fine under this awning. I think you're the only one getting wet..."
"I'm all right," he said with a casual shrug. "You know, if you listen hard enough, it almost seems like you can hear the whispers from beautiful flowers. Hearing that, I came to this shop, and here, this beautiful flower…" He reached out and gently brushed my cheek.
Beautiful flower…? That smile seemed to suck me in, and suddenly I felt my heart pounding… and then, over the man's shoulder, I noticed the many black cars speeding by, and I couldn't help staring as they flew by, one after another. One of them splashed mud as it passed.
'Yikes! He was going to get his nice clothing covered in mud.' As I thought the words, I dashed forward to try and protect the man from the splash and then suddenly my clothes were covered with muddy water.
"Um…" As soon as he noticed what had happened, the man propelled me towards the flower shop and looked me over in concern. "Are you alright?"
"I… Yes," I said, but I clearly was not all right.
The car that had splattered me with mud stopped a little way ahead and a man stepped out of it.
"Please forgive me. Were you struck, miss?" As he spoke, his eyes fell on the man beside me. "Oh…"
'Oh' what? Do they know each other?
"Were you on your way to the party, sir?" the man from the car inquired, directing the question towards the well-dressed gentleman I was trying to protect.
Yes," he replied. Just then, a new voice snapped into the conversation.
"What are you doing?!" I turned in the direction of the disembodied voice and saw another man step out of the car, dressed in a black suit jacket with a blue sash, looking very official. Oh! I've seen him somewhere as well.
"Forgive me, sir. This young lady here was struck with mud due to my reckless driving and…"
"Mud?" the other man asked the driver while he stared at me boldly. Then he seemed to notice the man beside me and started. "Sorry, but I'm in a hurry. Luke, you take care of this." After he spoke, he turned his back on us and hurried back to his car.
What was that? He didn't even apologize?
"Er… please accept our apologies, miss." The man who splashed mud on me, now known as Luke, said. "You must allow us to pay to replace your damaged clothes. You need only send us the bill after you buy something to replace your outfit," he held out a card as he spoke.
"Come on! Let's go!" The man yelled from inside the car.
"A-at once, sir!" Luke replied hurriedly. I watched as he rushed back to the car and the two newcomers drove away. I heard a snickering laugh from behind me.
"He just never changes…" I saw the man, still holding the umbrella, smiling when I turned to look at him. "First, you take this." He held out a handkerchief. I hesitated slightly before accepting the kind gesture.
"Thank you," I lightly patted at the mud with the handkerchief and he spoke in a kind voice.
"I am sorry, though. Your lovely outfit was ruined just for me…"
"No, it's not… It wasn't your fault. Please don't worry about it." The man seemed startled by my smile and he stared openly at me face.
'What now?' I thought.
The serious expression he wore set my heart racing all at once. Then he dropped to one knee before me and took my hand. The words that came next from his mouth…
"Won't you accompany me on a date?"
Now is everyone caught up to speed? Okay good.