Forbidden Desire

crystal-mist

Chapter 10

Complications

She looked up from the ground, only to meet the icy and enraged face of Shun's father. She closed her eyes waiting for what was coming next.

Her heart was beating in anticipation.

"You insolent brat. Do you honestly think that you can fool me? You people of Darkas are all alike, deceitful and untrustworthy."

She looked up at the king once again. It was obvious to see that he carried a personal grudge against those of Darkas. But why? That was her question.

"Please do not say that Your Majesty...We are peace loving people. We wish for peace, that is all." she answered in a shaky tone.

"Oh you don't say." snorted out the King mockingly.

What was it that made the King so bitter? Things then took a turn for the worst.

The King accused her of acting, of pretending to fall in love with his son just to destroy Ventus from the inside, and then kill him later when he least expected it. Tears slowly escaped Alice's eyes as she heard this accusation.

"I…..I would never." She said in midst of her tears. The King took no notice.

"I know your kind. This happened once before you know. One of your people came to this very castle fifteen years ago, in an attempt to make peace. Well that's what he said. But in the end he killed the Queen. He killed my wife."

So that was it. It was a person from Darkas that killed Shun's mother. That was why his father wouldn't accept her.

"Please believe me sir...I have no such intention. I am sorry your wife was killed, but you must understand I had nothing to do with the attack. So what could you possibly have against me?" she questioned.

"You dare question me foolish girl. Leave the grounds of this castle this very instant. Get out. NOW."

"This is wrong."

"You people of Darkas only know how to kill and cheat and be deceitful." These words went over the top. At this Alice looked up at the King, meeting his eyes directly. Her eyes were blank; there was no emotion in it, but rage.

"HOW dare you say that?" she snapped. "Dear King, do you think that you are the only one who has been cheated? That you are the only one who has lost loved ones? You are the very same King who assigned an assassination group and killed both of my parents. That was you, wasn't it?" Her hand was rested on where her heart was.

There was no answer.

"But, in spite of all of that. I am here in front of you. And YOU accuse me of something some other accursed, ungrateful person did? YOU orphaned me. It was because of you that I had to grow up without my parents. I was alone and lonely my entire childhood because of you…And you don't see me holding a grudge." Tears were freely falling from her eyes.

"You petty little girl!. Do you honestly think that you deserve someone like Shun. Do you honestly think that you are good enough for him? Do you think that you can make him happy and give him a bright future? Do you think that you can reach anywhere near his standards?"

Alice's eyes widened at this. It was then that she realized that she was blindly in love with Shun. So much so, that she hadn't thought about all this. Now that she considered all the options a new thought dawned in her mind.

Do I really deserve someone as wonderful as Shun? I mean, he is so nice and kind. He could do so much better and get a better person. Someone more beautiful and talented than I am. I mean, I am not good enough for him. I…..I….But I want to be with him…..I have to face the facts I AM selfish. So very selfish at that.

Seichiro was listening to all this. All this new information was too overwhelming for him.

"Get out of this place before I wish to kill you." Stated the King in a cold tone, extremely dissatisfied by Alice's little speech.

But Alice couldn't move. As all these thoughts flooded her mind she felt more and more helpless.

"I…..I love Shun with all my heart." She concluded. This only made the King more infuriated. He stood up from his throne, and he approached towards Alice. While doing so he unsheathed his sword.

He walked towards her. She looked up at him but mad no attempt to move. Her eyes were filled with a strange emotion...

But the King reached her and attacked her all the same. She closed her eyes and screamed. The impact never came. She slowly opened her eyes to see Seichiro there. He had shielded her with his sword.

The King's eyes widened in horror. "?" he stuttered.

Seichiro's eyes were filled with a strange sort of determination.

"I am sorry. I cannot let you do this to Brother." He muttered emotionlessly. He then turned to Alice. "Miss Alice, I think that it is best for you to leave the castle at the moment." He said. His voice seemed so caring and concerned that Alice found it within herself to nod.

Seichiro took a step back from his father and escorted Alice to the carriage.

"I am so sorry." He apologized for about the hundredth time. But, she did not answer, she could not. Her mind was just full of emotions. Emotions she couldn't voice no matter how hard she tried.

"Lady Alice…..Is something the matter?" asked the young Prince seeing her unnaturally spaced out expression.

"What is your impression of me Seichiro?" she asked nonchalantly.

"What do you mean? If you are concerned about what Father said, then please don't be. It was all just gibberish. He obviously is mistaken."

She didn't look convinced. "No, I mean does someone such as me even deserve someone as amazing as your brother?"

"Are you starting to have doubts?" she nodded slightly.

"Then I want you to know just one thing. My brother Shun, he is very serious about you. He really treasures you… I can tell." stated Seichiro with such sincerity that Alice couldn't help but believe him.

"But now…..I don't know what to do."

"Lady Alice….The reason my brother isn't here is because he was forcefully escorted to his room before by some guards….Please, you can wait until this Saturday right? He'll come…He will."

She looked into Seichiro's eyes with wonder, and then nodded silently.

"I know that he will…" she answered. Then she gave Seichiro a watery sort of smile before the carriage departed.

The carriage reached the castle of Darkas. As she had expected, Ace was there waiting for her. She did not have the strength to face him right then.

Ace knew from her face that the meeting had not gone well. He just stood by wordlessly and helped Alice to the main room.

"Do you wish to talk about it?" he questioned with genuine concern in his eyes after about ten minutes had passed.

She looked up at him in tears and ended up telling him everything that had happened. She was crying so hard by the time she had finished.

Ace slowly put his arms around Alice, comforting her. It hurt him to do so knowing that she loved someone else with all her heart. But nonetheless, he paid no heed to his aching heart; he only cared about the maiden crying onto him. He only thought of how he could diminish her pain. His pain was of no relevance according to him. He wanted to help her. The girl he so desperately loved with his entire heart.

Me- Chapter 10 Done. YAY! I originally intended this to be a fanfiction consisting of only 10 chapters….my efforts were futile. I couldn't compress this into 10 chapters…

I honestly so not know how many chapters this fanfiction will contain..So I hope you guys will be patient and continue to read this fic to the end…..

I solemnly swear that I will never leave a fanfiction incomplete…NEVER EVER.

By the way this is just my second fanfiction…So please review and tell me whether you like this story and whether you like my style of writing.

ARIGATOU