Authors Note:

Hello people! :D I'm sooo happy for the two reviews I got, that I thought I should mention the sweet people who reviewed:

Guest-Thank you!

Flopi216-Thank you! I'll update as soon as possible :)

Again thanks for reviewing, and reading my story! Please don't be shy and tell about anything you want (your life, teachers, the food you ate, etc..) Your review does not have to be about this story. :D

Aye, one last thing! I looked at the traffic stats and noticed that PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORRRLDDD ARE READING THIS! My first that was "I don't believe them..." People from Poland, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, etc. have read my story. (btw I actually visited Saudi Arabia once, its a beautiful place!)

:D Again, Many thanks to my beta Jay W Ce for putting up with me and my slow writing! Enjoy! :D

-Chapter 2: Obey me!

-Shun-

Where is Alice?! I've been worried sick about her! The king, may he live forever, will be mad when he hears his only daughter is missing! When I heard from Dan that Alice had suddenly went away, I bolted out and began searching for her right away. I was holding an oil lamp and searching around, when I finally found her standing between the rose bushes, surprised to see me.

I breathed in relief that she was still alive, and began scolding her, "Where were you! I was worried sick! Who knows what may have happened to you!"
She looked as if she had been crying moments ago. "My princess, are you alright? What's wrong?" I looked at her, trying to decipher her emotions. I did not want my princess to be sorrowful. The reason I live is her. She is the one and only reason, I live to serve her. I held her in my embrace. She needed comfort. She looked like she was holding back tears.

"My princess, you don't have to stop your tears, cry all you want." She sniffled and tried to refrain from crying, but eventually gave up. She sobbed into my chest. I calmed her down and made her sit in the grass.

"It will be alright..."

She cried harder and shouted back, "No it won't! Nothing is! Your problems are worse than mine! I've seen you cry too! Like there isn't any hope!"I flinched. Me crying is a touchy subject. I would usually cry to myself in the gardens…

I sighed, "I will not tell a single soul… Trust me."

She sniffled and said, "Dan said that he loves Runo and that he shall propose to her…"

Even if I'm just her servant, Alice is still is a very important person to me. She is my flower and the only master I have ever seen who will actually understand me a bit. I have been with her for a long time. Even when my mother died, she felt sad for me. Unlike her father who did not care one bit, she deeply cared. I would never ever want to lose her.

"Remember I'm there for you, you will always have me. I will forever do anything for you to be happy…"I said hoping she will smile again.
She shook her head, "Dan is my love and I want him. I admire you trying to help but I will not be satisfied with anyone other than Dan."

I frowned; I still don't like Dan... "So, are you going to do something about it?" I asked, wanting to know what my orders were. I've known Alice for a long time and she won't give up without a bit of a fight.

She thought for a moment then replied, "I'll think a bit about this..."
I nodded, "Very well my princess..."

Alice thought for a while, "Who do you love?"

I tried to come up with a safe answer; I did not want to confess to Alice that I loved Runo, the cause of this problem. That would make her sad and angry at the same time.

I thought up an answer, "Depends on your definition of love, I think I love my mother, friends, and you..."

Alice shook her head, "Not that kind of love, I mean courting." I sighed trying to come up with a different person other than Runo, because like I thought before, I really don't want to confess now of all times. She wanted an answer and she wanted it now, I could see it on her face.

I decided to use Julie, "Um... I think I love Miss J-Julie?" It sounded more like a question.

Her eyes widened, "Really?" I nodded in an unsure way. I saw a hint of jealously in her eyes. That made me curious, what happened to her? After a few moments of silence, she suddenly broke down into tears. Her breathing uneven, her eyes shut, sitting on the floor grabbing onto me as if I was her last string of life.

"I-I don't know what to do anymore! I envy you so much, you have the open freedom to go up to Julie and ask for her hand! If you are as loyal as you pledge, go and kill Runo with your own hands!" She shouted with tears running down her face. Now that got me on the verge of tears, I loved Runo with all my heart... Though, Alice still comes first. Alice didn't look at me in the eye; I could tell she was extremely angry and loathed Runo, yet she still loved Runo and could not come to another way to solve this problem. She stood up and silent tears dropped down her pale and fragile face. I didn't want to see her sad… I knelt down on my knees, bowed, and took her hand in mine.

I said in an obedient tone, "Yes, my dear princess, I will follow your orders. Anything for you…"

She nodded, "Thank you, my loyal servant." she smiled with contempt. Her face was wet.

"Let's go back, you need to take your bath Milady."

She nodded, "Yes..."

We walked back to the castle and Alice went to her room to take a bath. I went to set up some warm tea in the kitchen, and made some sweets to bring up with me.
I slowly opened the door and said, "Princess Alice, I brought some tea and sweets." She was sitting on her bed in her nightgown sewing a doll, singing to herself. She looked beautiful. Who wouldn't want her? Yet Runo looks so beautiful with her blue hair let out.

I placed the tea on her nightstand. "What are you sewing?"

She looked up from her work, "A doll for you. I know it might not look that nice, but I think you will like it."

My eyes softened, "Thank you." I whispered. She smiled at me.

I went and gave her a hug, "You're so sweet, peach."

She laughed, "Say, where did you get that nickname from anyway?" she asked.
I answered right away, "Your hair! It's a beautiful shade of orange and it reminds me of peaches, sweet and beautiful."

Alice blushed, "Why, thank you."

All I hope for is this moment would continue forever, all I want is Alice to smile... Couples who are together may never know when they may have arguments, but a friend like Alice is always your friend. She sipped some tea, like she was taught to, with her fingertips, like an elegant woman.

I asked Alice out of the blue, "Is it hard being a princess?"

Alice put her teacup down and nodded, "Yes, harder than others might think. You have no control of your life, the adults do. It's easier for me because I am going to be crowned Queen of this kingdom soon enough, and I have no siblings or competition, but I still have to have manners as a princess does."

~Pearlene Nishimori