Forbidden Desire

crystal-mist

Chapter 11

Discovered

Days stretched on endlessly before Alice as she waited for the Saturday to arrive. She couldn't help replaying the entire scene in her mind over and over again. She wondered when everything started to go so terribly wrong. She would spend endless hours on the balcony, watching the garden below her. It pained Ace to see her like this. He wanted to kill Shun for making Alice endure so much pain. But, he continued watching her wordlessly from the sidelines.

Finally, the Saturday arrived. Ace could notice her uneasiness as she boarded the carriage. He didn't know why but he was a bit scared to let Alice go alone. But, he knew that she wouldn't let anyone go with her. So, the only option he had was to follow her himself... He sighed deeply as he mounted his white steed and followed the carriage without making his presence known.

Alice's heart started beating like crazy as she noticed that the carriage was almost near her destination. She closed her eyes and took a deep breathe, trying to calm herself down. Then she opened her eyes in a determined expression. The carriage came to a stop. She got out and thanked the driver before leaving. She walked towards the clearing. Shun wasn't there yet. She figured that she was early. She walked and stood near the field of wild roses and inhaled their fragrance. As the wind ruffled her hair she opened her arms wide and closed her eyes, embracing the feeling of the wind upon her skin.

Just then Shun reached there. His eyes were just as nervous as Alice's were. His lips tugged into a small smile as he saw the angel in front of him, in midst of the beautiful roses. He just stared at her for a little while, not wanting to take his eyes off the beautiful maiden in front of him.

Alice slowly opened her eyes. As she turned around, her brown eyes met Shun's topaz ones. They stared at each other wordlessly for a little while.

"I-" she started. But before she could finish Shun was beside her and engulfed her in a hug. She was speechless and completely taken aback by this gesture. She slowly encircled her arms round him as well.

"I am sorry." He mumbled into her hair.

They parted from the hug. Alice looked into his eyes and saw the hurt mirrored there.

"It's alright…" she said slowly, finding it within her to smile a wavering smile. "But now…I guess that we cannot be together anymore…" she stated looking away from his eyes.

"Alice is that what you want?" he questioned, doubt flooding his mind and his voice.

What if Alice hated him now? He had to admit his father was too rude to her and had insulted her. What if she didn't want to be with him anymore? The thought was too painful for him to think. He loved her deeply and didn't want her to leave his life…But, if that was what she wanted he was half-willing to.

"No, I mean your father obviously is against this thought." She answered, still not looking at him.

He slowly put his hand under her chin and gently pulled her face to face his. She looked into his eyes with a forsaken look.

"What's wrong?" he asked seeing her face. Seeing her sad like this tore his heart apart. In spite of the pain he looked on into her eyes with concern.

"I…I" that was all she could say before the tears she had held back, flooded her eyes and ran down her cheeks.

"Alice…." He held her close as her head rested on his chest. "Alice, if it pains you so much…Then…." He couldn't continue. The thought itself was too painful.

Ace was watching all this, his fists clenched in anger. He wanted to make Shun pay for making Alice cry like this. But, slowly he started to realize that the fault didn't lie with Shun…It was The King of Ventus. He was responsible for Alice's pain.

Alice slowly lifted up her head and looked at Shun through her watery eyes.

"I am sorry…" said Shun "I am sorry for hurting you like this….I guess you must not want anything to do with me from now on.." He said looking at her with a fake and forced smile plastered on his face. Even a two-year old could have figured out that smile was one of pain.

Her eyes widened at this.

"Shun, I know that I am being selfish when I tell you this but-"

"I understand…." He cut her short as he apologized again and took her lips in his. The kiss was filled with desperation, need and pure love. She was taken aback but she responded all the same.

He was surprised that Alice was kissing back. After some time they broke apart. Alice smiled lightly. But, he pulled away from her. He turned his back to her.

"So, I guess this is goodbye." He said looking at the sky.

"But why?" she asked surprised. Hadn't he just kissed her? Wasn't that supposed to signify love?

"You want us to go our separate ways right?"

"WHAT?"

A long silence followed. Then she realized how Shun could have easily misunderstood what she was trying to say.

"Shun, I was saying…I know that I am being extremely selfish…But, I love you."

The last three words took the wind prince by surprise. He whirled around to her, an incredulous look on his face. "What did you say? "He asked, his eyes wide, thinking that he had misheard her.

"I said…I LOVE YOU SHUN KAZAMI…" she said louder and clearer.

He looked dumbfound…"I love you too Alice Gehabich" he said taking her in his arms. "And nothing will get in our way."

"But your father-"he pressed his finger lightly on her lips to stop her. He considered the a bit of silence.

"Alice…Do you think The King of Darkas, Ace would mind if I came there...If I forfeited my title as prince… Would he let me stay in Darkas?"

She looked at Shun in surprise. He was willing to give up his crown for her?

"Don't worry...I don't want to stay at the palace…Just a normal-"

"But Shun…Why would you give it all up?"

"Just see if he will." Said Shun, smiling thoughtfully and not answering her question. "You know that I love you right?" he questioned. She just smiled as she nodded.

Ace was truly surprised that Shun was willing to do all of this just to be with Alice and to keep her happy. He smiled slightly. It seemed like Alice was really happy with this Prince. And if she was, then Ace had no choice but to let Shun come to Darkas. "As long as he loves her with all his heart." He whispered under his breathe.

*The Palace Of Ventus*

"Sire, The young prince is in the clearing of the Neutral Kingdom, meeting with a beautiful red-haired maiden." Said a soldier who was kneeling on the ground before the King.

"I see...So that is where my DEAR boy disappears to every Saturday." He declared in a hysterical tone.

"And apparently, he is planning to forfeit the crown." Continued the soldier, a bit uneasily.

"Is that what it's come to?" The King was furious.

"Call in your best assassins." Ordered the King in a cold and heartless tone.

"But, Sire… They are already on a separate mission."

"Then the best soldiers will have to do...Call them here pronto."

"As you wish Your Majesty." Said the soldier- general leaving to gather a group of his best soldiers.

Me- What'll happen next I wonder?

Runo- Hey…Why do we not know about our friend's romance?

Me- Actually Runo, you do and so does Dan, Marucho and Julie. Before the beginning of the next chapter Alice and Shun will write you guys letters, informing you the same.

Runo- We are not against it..Are we?

Me- No don't worry you aren't…Anyway to all my faithful readers..Thankyou for reading and please Do REVIEW..