Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 254: First Life, Alice. (21)

Chapter 254: First Life, Alice. (21)

The run.

First Life.

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

As the first rays of sunlight pierced through the dense foliage, Alice and Theodore lay side by side, the warmth of the dawn spreading over them.

They knew their journey was far from over, but in that moment, they felt a profound sense of peace, something they had rarely known in their young lives. New beginnings called them.

Alice’s eyes fluttered closed, her breathing steadying as she drifted into a light sleep.

Theodore, however, stayed awake a little longer, his gaze fixed on the canopy above, where birds began to stir and sing with the dawn.

He would protect her even if it cost him his life, he knew his father would come to accept her but what if he doesn’t and he sends her back? he couldn’t accept that.

When they awoke, the sun was higher in the sky, casting dappled patterns of light on the forest floor. They ate a simple meal of dried fruits and bread Theodore had packed, sharing in the quiet companionship that had grown between them. The path ahead was uncertain, but the bond they shared gave them strength.

"What would you do first when we get to our new place?" he asked.

"I would get a painter to paint us, so we can place it on the wall" she replied with a smile.

As they continued their journey, the landscape changed once again. They passed through a series of rocky outcrops, the terrain becoming more rugged and challenging. Each step required careful footing, and they helped each other over the more difficult passages.

The effort was exhausting, but the stark beauty of the cliffs and the distant, snow-capped mountains inspired them to keep moving.

uhh, my feet, Alice wanted to whine about the horses they didn’t take but Theodore assured her they had where they would get their horses soon.

Theodore led the way, his eyes scanning the horizon for signs of pursuit. Although they had covered a significant distance, he knew they couldn’t afford to be complacent. Their fathers would not easily let them go, and he feared what might happen if they were caught.

Their path eventually led them to a vast, open plain, where tall grasses swayed in the wind like a golden sea. The air here was fresh and invigorating, and they reveled in the sense of space and freedom.

In the distance, they could see a small village, smoke rising from its chimneys, promising warmth and rest.

As they approached the village, they were careful to blend in. They wrapped themselves in simple cloaks, disguising their noble bearing. The villagers greeted them with friendly curiosity, offering food and shelter without prying into their pasts. For the first time in their lives, they experienced the kindness of strangers, unburdened by the weight of their titles.

They also got their horse here.

In the village, they found a small inn where they could stay the night. The innkeeper, a rotund woman with a warm smile, showed them to a modest room with a single, large bed. As they settled in, the reality of their situation began to sink in. They were no longer prince and princess but two young people on a journey to find themselves.

They were simply two people in love.

Theodore sat by the window, looking out at the village as the sun set. "We have come so far," he said quietly, his voice filled with a mixture of awe and resolve. "But we must keep moving."

Alice joined him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "We will," she replied, her voice equally determined. "We will find a place where we can be together, away from the war and the expectations that have defined our lives."

"I told you, I already have a place, Gooseberry, I am a man of many talents" he grinned making her blush.

Their journey continued the next day, taking them through lush valleys where the air was thick with the scent of blooming flowers and the songs of birds.

At night, they camped under the stars, their small fire crackling and casting a warm glow. They spoke of their dreams and fears, of the life they hoped to build together. The more they shared, the stronger their connection grew. It was a bond forged not just by love, but by the shared experience of escaping a life they had never chosen.

They passed through highlands where the wind howled around them. The landscape was wild and untamed, much like the spirits of the two young royals. They marveled at the beauty of their surroundings, finding joy in the simplest of things, a cluster of wildflowers, the play of light on a distant lake, the sound of a hawk calling high above. Alice was energetic as usual, it was a bit easy for them because they were not broke.

"We would taste rum the moment we settle," Alice said out of the blue making Theodore laugh.

"And then you can have rum anytime for the rest of life" his words made her day. "Yes!" she squealed and he laughed after her as they traveled away.

Through it all, they moved with a sense of purpose, driven by the dream of a life where they could be free from the shadows of war and royal duty. Their journey was a series of moments, both challenging and beautiful, that would shape their future and strengthen their resolve. And as they ventured farther from the lands they had once called home, they knew they were drawing closer to a new beginning, a life where they could love themselves.

*

Despite the risk, their journey that had been filled with hope and the promise of a new beginning took a tragic turn as the palace guards, sent by Alice’s father, finally caught up to them. The distant clatter of hooves on the rocky terrain reached their ears, a sound that made Theodore’s heart sink. He grabbed Alice’s hand, pulling her toward a dense copse of trees in a desperate attempt to hide.

But it was too late. The guards had spotted them and swiftly encircled their position. She let out a small cry of shock before clamping her mouth shut. Alice’s heart pounded in her chest as she recognized the colors and insignia of her father’s men. The captain of the guards, a stern man with a face as hard as the steel of his blade, stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he addressed Theodore.

"Prince Theodore," he spat the title with contempt, "you are under arrest for abducting Princess Alice and inciting treason against the crown."

Theodore stepped in front of Alice, drawing his sword with a steely resolve. "She came of her own will. We only seek peace and a life away from the senseless war your king perpetuates."

The captain’s expression hardened, and with a swift motion, he signaled his men to attack.

Holden came out of nowhere and started to help Theodore fight, he fought well but soon was brought down by the guards. Theodore fought valiantly, his blade clashing against the swords of the guards, sparks flying with each strike. He moved with a grace and fury born of desperation, but he was outnumbered. Each swing of his sword felt heavier than the last, his movements slowing as exhaustion began to take its toll.

Alice watched in horror as Theodore was overwhelmed, a guard’s blade slicing across his arm, another slashing his side. ’Uhh’ He stumbled, his blood staining the ground, but he refused to yield. The final blow came swift and cruel, a sword thrust aimed at his heart.

"Theodore! No!" Alice screamed, throwing herself in front of him. The blade pierced her chest, her eyes widening in shock as she fell to the ground, blood seeping through her gown.

"Princess!" the guards shouted.

"No. No. No." Theodore chanted as he rushed to grab her.

"Alice!" he wailed.

"Gooseberry!" Theodore’s scream was a raw, agonized sound as he caught her in his arms, lowering her gently to the forest floor. "Alice, no, please, stay with me," he begged, tears streaming down his face. Her breaths came in shallow gasps, each one weaker than the last.

"I...love you," she whispered, her voice barely audible. With a final, shuddering breath, her eyes fluttered closed, and she went still after whispering somethings.

"Alice, wake up please, you said we could runaway" he reminded her desperately wiping her hair away from her face.

He shook her already body, "Why did you have to take the attack?, I am stronger, I am!"

His sob increased and then his shoulders started to shake.

There is a huge commotion going on around him but he is oblivious to it.

The only sound he hears is Alice’s lost heart.

Silence.

There was no sound and no movement.

His Alice was gone and he was right there when it happened.

"Alice" he tried again, wiping his tears to clear his vision.

"Alice" he insisted.

And that was the end of the beginning of their ill-fated relationship for generations and lifetimes to come.

Theodore’s world shattered. The love of his life, the one person who had shared his dreams of peace and freedom, was gone. His grief turned to rage as he looked up at the guards, who now stood poised to strike him down.

"What have you done, you worthless prince, kill him" the leader of the guards ordered, But before they could move, Theodore pulled Alice’s dagger from her belt, his eyes wild with grief and determination. "For our uncompleted journey, I’d rather be with you," he whispered, and with a swift, determined motion, he plunged the dagger into his own heart. The pain was sharp, but it paled in comparison to the agony of losing her. As he collapsed beside her, his hand reached out, fingers intertwining with hers one last time.

The forest fell silent, the only sound the gentle rustling of leaves as the wind whispered through the trees. The guards stood frozen, momentarily stunned by the tragic scene before them. The captain, with a heavy heart, finally lowered his weapon.

In death, Alice and Theodore had found the peace they had sought so desperately in life. Their love, though short-lived, had been true and pure, a beacon of hope in a world torn apart by war. And as the first rays of dawn broke through the canopy, their souls were free at last, united forever in the embrace of the morning light.