All Novel Sweet
52
CHAPTER FIFTY – TWO
Alice’s POV
I decided to sit down with him in the garden, amongst the blooming flowers and chirping birds. I chose a bench under a large oak tree and gestured for him to sit next to me. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come.
The garden in my castle was a breathtaking and peaceful oasis, surrounded by towering stone walls. From the moment one entered, they were transported to a world of natural beauty and tranquility. The garden was large and sprawling, filled with a variety of trees, shrubs and flowers, each more vibrant and fragrant than the last.
One of the first things that caught your eye was a stunning array of roses, in every color from pale pink to deep red. They were arranged in intricate beds, with paths leading you through the blooms and the sweet fragrance was almost overwhelming. Beside the roses were lush shrubs, dotted with clusters of delicate flowers and buzzing with activity from bees and butterflies.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.
In the center of the garden was a tranquil pond surrounded by willow trees. The sound of the water was soothing and inviting, and a small wooden bridge arched gracefully over the pond, leading to a secluded spot perfect for reflection. Koi fish swam leisurely beneath the surface of the water, adding an extra touch of peacefulness to the already serene surroundings.
Another area of the garden was dedicated to fruit trees and vegetable gardens. The fertile soil was bursting with life, providing a bounty of fresh produce that was served in the castle kitchens every day. The fruit trees provided shade as well as a sweet treat for those walking by, and the lush greenery was a welcome contrast to the stone walls surrounding the garden.
A pathway lined with towering trees led to a secret garden, surrounded by a tall hedge. The secret garden was a place of mystery, filled with rare and exotic plants, and the air was always scented with the fragrance of blooming flowers. It was a place where one could escape and be completely surrounded by nature, completely removed from the outside world.
In one corner of the garden, there was a small gazebo. It was a perfect place to sit and watch the world go by, or to simply bask in the sun and take in the beauty of the garden. The gazebo was surrounded by a variety of blooming flowers, and the view from its vantage point was breathtaking.
The garden was a true work of art, a place where one could come to escape the chaos of the world and simply bask in the beauty of nature. It was a place of peace, a place where one could find solace, and a place where I often retreated when I needed time to think. It was my sanctuary, my refuge, and a place I treasured more than anything else in my castle.
Edward sat down beside me, his eyes never leaving mine. He reached out and took my hand, his fingers gently stroking the back of my hand.
“Alice, I’ve missed you so much,” he said, his voice soft and filled with emotion. “I’ve been searching for you everywhere and I never would have thought to find you here as the Queen of your own kingdom.”
I smiled, feeling a warm flush spread across my cheeks. “I never thought I would see you again either, Edward,” I replied. “But I’m glad you’re here now. I want to know everything that’s happened to you in the past year.”
Edward nodded, a sad smile on his face. “It’s a long story, Alice. But I’ll start from the beginning. After you left, I searched for you everywhere but I couldn’t find you. I was heartbroken and I felt lost without you.”
He went on to tell me about his travels and how he finally came across the news of my coronation as the Queen of Ull. I listened intently, my heart filled with both joy and sadness. He told me of how his parents did not let him out until six months ago and that was when he started traveling.
“Why not just ask Andrew which direction my Kingdom was?” I asked him.
“Andrew is on an ambassador trip to a far away kingdom and he will be gone for a while. He left not sooner after you had defeated your uncle.” He told md
“Your Father killed my parents Edward. There is no future for us.” I told him as I felt saddened. I know I love him as had loved me.
“No he did not. They never told him that they had a daughter and when he found out through some people that they had in fact came with one, he looked for you but was not able to find you anywhere because he had no idea what you looked like fully. Your hair came from your father and my father thought you were the replica of the queen. ” He spoke. “Not long after he told your parents that he could not find you, he came to the underground dungeon that he had clean for them to stay in but they had committed suicide. I guessed it was their way of granting you one last layer of protection from your uncle so he didn’t find you.” He told me.
Edward’s words hit me like a ton of bricks. I had always thought that his father was the one who killed my parents. To find out that they had taken their own lives was overwhelming.
I felt a surge of emotions wash over me as I tried to process what Edward was telling me. Tears streamed down my face as I imagined my parents living in hiding, living in fear, and ultimately taking their own lives.
I broke down in tears as the reality of my parents’ death hit me. I blamed myself for not being there to protect them. But Edward didn’t let me continue in my self-blame. He pulled me into a comforting embrace and whispered, “It’s not your fault, Alice. They did what they thought was best for you.”
“I’m sorry, Alice,” Edward said, reaching out to comfort me. “I wish I could have known earlier. I would have done everything in my power to protect them and find you.”
I took comfort in his arms, feeling grateful for his support. “It’s not your fault, Edward,” I said. “You had no way of knowing what had happened. And I’m grateful for the kindness your family has shown me over the years.”
Edward held me close as I cried, offering me words of comfort. I was grateful to have him by my side during this difficult time. As I finally calmed down, I felt a sense of peace knowing that my parents’ death was not caused by Edward’s family, and that their memory could be honored properly.
“Thank you, Edward,” I said, looking up at him with a small smile. “I couldn’t have made it this far without your support.”
“I’ll always be here for you, Alice,” he said, giving me a kiss on the forehead. “No matter what, I’ll always be by your side.”
We stayed like that for a long time, watching the sun dip below the horizon. Eventually, a guard approached us, reminding us that the court was still waiting for us.
I pulled away from Edward, wiping my tears. I took a deep breath and stood up straight, determined to put on a strong face for my kingdom. But as I started to walk back to the court, Edward reached for my hand, stopping me.
“Alice, I have a proposal for you,” he said, looking into my eyes. “Will you marry me and be my Queen?”
I was caught off guard by his sudden proposal, but as I looked into his eyes, I realized that this is what I had wanted all along. I couldn’t imagine spending my life with anyone else.
“Yes,” I said, smiling through my tears. “I will marry you, Edward.”
Edward took me into his arms, kissing me deeply. And in that moment, surrounded by the beauty of the garden and the love in Edward’s arms, I knew that everything was finally right in the world.
We walked hand in hand back to the court, ready to face whatever the future held for us. Together, we would rule our kingdoms and create a brighter future for our people.
As we arrived at the Royal Court, I led the way to the throne and stood in front of it, facing the citizens and the council of seven leaders. I cleared her throat and announced,
“People of the Kingdom of Ull, I have an important announcement to make. After much consideration and thought, I have chosen the man I wish to wed.”
The crowd held their breath, waiting for me to continue. I turned to look at Edward and took his hand in mine. “I have chosen Prince Edward of the neighboring Kingdom to be my husband and the future King of Ull.”
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause. The council of seven leaders looked pleased with my decision and the citizens of Ull were overjoyed to have a strong and just King to rule their Kingdom.
Edward and I hugged each other, both relieved and happy. We had come a long way since our days at the neighboring Kingdom and had been through so much, but now we stood together, ready to face whatever challenges may come their way. We would rule the Kingdom of Ull with fairness, love, and compassion, and they would bring peace and prosperity to the land.