Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 253: First Life, Alice. (20)

Chapter 253: First Life, Alice. (20)

A week later.

Thronehall.

Springton.

************

Alice is dressed primply and beautifully like a princess today and as she forced the guards to let her in the court after the lockdown the king put on her without reason the last time and she finally knew why now. He found out she was leaving to meet Theodore.

"What were you doing with a boy from the enemies kingdom?!" Albert thundered.

"He is not just a boy, he is a prince!" she retorted.

"Alice!" Albert snarled, his eyes wide with anger.

"He shall marry me and take me away, then peace shall reign" Alice declared after she squared her shoulders.

The king scoffed. "That can only happen over my dead body" he swore.

Alice appeared scandalized, "But father! Peace equals growth"

"Not with that kingdom, never!" he roared, his palm gripping his seat. "Princess Alice, leave" he ordered looking at the door.

"Please stop the war father" she pleaded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"He killed your mother!" Albert barked, resfusing to let go of his claim.

"Father, you and I both know that, mother died a natural death" she reasoned with him calmly.

"The queen was murdered" he gritted out daring her to argue further.

Alice frowned, wondering what the problem could be, "Does it not make you feel weak to admit that even if it was true?"

Albert was red now and full, "I fabricated nothing" he spat.

"Or do you feel weak knowing your wife died in your care and you could do nothing?"

"Alice!" he sounded hurt and she felt hurt too, they had suffered a great loss but he wouldn’t let them grieve together.

She gulped, "Father it is okay to hurt"

"Leave!" he ordered.

"Fath-" he cut her off. "Guards!" the king called out, and as the uniform men rush inside, he barked orders. "Take her away and make sure she does not see the light outside her chambers for the next month"

Alice shook her head, "They offered a truce father, and you rejected it!"

"Silence!" he appeared shocked and betrayed by what she said but if he was going to hurt his kingdom and daughter then she needed to expose him. His stubborness and greed.

And so they pulled the princess away from the furious king,

Albert could not believe his daughter was this far gone into the enemy’s web. He would bring her back.

*

* *

*

A week later.

Springton.

*************

"Conrad you have to help me" Alice begged as she drew the knight into her chaambers, she has been locked in here for days and she wanted some fresh air and Theodore.

Conrad nodded when she said, "I need to see Theodore"

"I miss him so much" she added making him blush.

"We were already planning something," Conrad assured her, "Tonight"

Alice’s eyes widened, "I could see him tonight?"

"Yes, if you get ready" he prompted and she glared at him, "Of course I would get ready"

Conrad nodded and left, while Alice found Harley who quickly helped her change into her first dungaree.

With the help of Conrad, Alice successfully left the castle, avoiding all the scrutinizing gaze of the guards behind.

Before she would reach the destination, she saw his silhoutte, Theodore stood regal and sure, his hands in his pocket as he watched the darkness of something so translucent. The waterfall.

"Theodore!" she squealed, her heart soaring like an eagle and falling like the waterfall.

He turned to her, his eyes alight with admiration, while his lips stretched to form a happy smile, he grabbed her face after she ran into his arms, and he engulfed her with his sweet warmth. "My love, how are you?"

Alice frowned, "My love?"

It took Theodore almost a moment before he understood what Alice meant, "Gooseberry, Gooseberry love" he purred and she giggled, settling in his arms. "That is a bit more like it" she whispered and then she pressed her lips to his, her action clumsy as she tried to deepen the kiss. This was the first time she’d initiate a kiss and it was the most innocent yet passionate of them all, he opened up when he teased and asked to be be le =t in and soon they were kissing like fate allowed them to.

"I love you" Theodore declared after breaking the kiss.

She blushed, releasing his shirt from the bundle she’d gathered it, "I love you too" she whispered.

As if suddenly struck by the idea, Theodore let out, "We should runaway"

"Theodore" she called sceptical. Was he serious?

"I mean it, we could leave all of this behind and be together" he persuaded.

"We should run" Alice echoed his words like she is only now contemplating it too.

"Yes" he assured and that was how the plan to run away leaving the greedy and stubborn father behind, to change the destiny.

"Next fall?" he asked.

"Next fall." she confirmed.

*

* *

*

Bedroom chambers,

Springton.

************

"Your highness, are you really going through with this plan?"

Packing her things, Alice looked up from the bag, "You should run too, they would kill you if I am gone and you are here" she advised her maid and friend. She wished she could carry her along.

Harley shook her head, "I will not leave, I need to be here to delay the search team"

Alice’s chin wobbled as she nodded, "Thank you"

"I hope you are not making a mistake" Harley pointed out sympathetically.

"Theodore can never be a mistake" Alice replied firmly.

"I love you, Alice and I shall miss you" she said giving the princess a big hug.

"I shall miss you too, I do not know where we are going yet, but we would get in contact someday"

"Let us go, princess" Holden called out from outside, prompting Alice to rush out.

They were leaving the greed behind, she knew it was worth it.

*

* *

*

Springton.

*************

Noah had heard and gone on to tell the king about the prince and princesses plans to run away in three days, "We shall ambush them" he nodded, silently agreeing with himself, "Capture the princess and send Theodore to hell" Albert ordered.

His advisor stood beside him with narrowed eyes, "Your majesty, do you think this is a good idea?"

"If his prince is gone he shall surrender" Albet said, referring to the king of Firseria.

"They shall be in that location attempting to run, kill him and bring back the princess" he declared and Noah smirked.

"Yes, your majesty," the knights nodded.

Albert smiled to himself. Firseria would be his, soon.

The next fall.

Everfall,

*****************

The men Albert sent missed Alice and Theodore because they travelled without an entourage so it was easy for them to start their journey.

The moonlight cast a silver glow over the dense forest, illuminating the path for Alice and Theodore as they moved swiftly through the trees, Holden had helped her over the fence because Conrad had gone missing in action for a few days now but the couple had to leave.

The soft rustling of leaves and the occasional hoot of an owl were the only sounds broke the serene silence of the night around them.

"I have my gloves and cloak" Alice mumbled to herself.

Their breaths came in quick, eager puffs, both exhilarated and terrified by the journey they had embarked on. Alice, with her long, midnight hair flowing behind her like a banner of defiance, glanced at Theodore beside her. His golden curls were tousled, his sharp blue eyes gleaming with determination.

Despite their youth, there was an undeniable maturity in their faces, forged by the heavy burdens they bore as prince and princess of warring kingdoms. They had left everything behind—their palaces, their families, and the duties that had chained them to lives of constant conflict.

The war between their kingdoms had raged for years, fueled by Alice’s father’s stubborn refusal to broker peace.

It was a war that had claimed countless lives and caused immeasurable suffering, a war neither of them wanted any part of. And so, they had made the decision to run away, to carve out a life of their own far from the shadow of their crowns.

The forest gradually gave way to rolling hills, blanketed with wildflowers that danced in the gentle breeze.

As they climbed a particularly steep hill, they paused at the summit to catch their breath. The view that greeted them was breathtaking—a vast expanse of untouched wilderness stretching as far as the eye could see, under a sky awash with stars.

"We will be safe if we reach the river by dawn," Theodore whispered, his voice steady but laced with urgency. He took Alice’s hand, their fingers intertwining, and together they descended the hill, moving toward the distant glimmer of water. Alice couldn’t help but smile, she loved this boy.

They crossed meadows where the grass was so tall it brushed against their knees, their presence startling small creatures from their burrows.

They forded streams, the cold water biting at their ankles, but the sensation was a welcome reminder of their freedom. Every step they took brought them farther away from the war and closer to the life they dreamed of, one of peace and anonymity.

"...But then I never got a brother..." As they traveled, they shared stories of their childhoods, moments of laughter, and fears about the uncertain future.

Theodore recounted tales of his kingdom’s grand celebrations, his voice tinged with nostalgia, while Alice spoke of secret gardens and hidden libraries within her palace, places she had sought refuge in during times of turmoil. "... the governess was simply too boring..."

The sky began to lighten with the first hints of dawn when they reached the river. It was wide and fast-flowing, its waters glistening in the early morning light. They followed its course for several miles until they found a shallow crossing.

"Oh my goodness Theodore" Alice gasped, "I am sorry Alice" Theodore muttered but Alice shook her head, "Do not start apologosing now, we have a long life to live"

The water was icy, but they waded through it, shivering yet exhilarated by the cold. On the other side, they found a secluded grove where they decided to rest for a while. Exhausted but elated, they sank down onto a bed of moss, the canopy of trees above them forming a protective shield.