Anybody But You

19

Chapter Nineteen

Vibe: Blue by Madison Beer

"My darling princess, what brings you—"

Alice's hand, grasping the white material of Narcisse's poet blouse, clenched so tightly she could feel her nails rip into the scarred skin on her palms as she leaned over the Prince's desk and yanked him forward. Her blue eyes were lit with flames as she stared into his dark and twisted soul.

Narcisse's surprised face straightened, as he glanced her trembling frame up and down, "Excuse me if I am incorrect, my lady... but it seems like you are mad at me."

Alice's voice shook as she stared his smug face down inches away from her own, "Don't you dare touch her." She warned, her voice almost a growl, "I swear, if one pretty red hair on her head is missing because of you... I will kill you." Speaking with exaggerated pronunciation, she barely refrained from slashing his throat right then and there.

Narcisse cleared his throat, his black eyes hardening as he instantly grew serious, "you realize if anybody heard you, your head would be cut off immediately, right?" With his surprisingly strong hand, he peeled her fingers off his shirt. "Now," he leaned back, his elbows on the arms of his throne-like chair as he folded his fingers together with a professional air around him, "Tell me, Miss Alice, what did I do to you to make you hate me so much?"

Alice's air seemed to deflate from her body, her legs collapsing under her as she fell to the ground. "Ha." She laughed with sudden tears in her eyes, "What did you do..." she shook her head, the anger and pain and frustration pounding at her head like a drum.

What didn't he do to her? She could feel it in her bones even if she didn't remember all of it. He had stolen her dignity, humiliated her, abused her, played with her, abandoned her, and took everything that a girl who was still a child at heart had to give. There was nothing he hadn't done to her—except betray her like Godric, because there had never been any loyalty or trust or love between them. All they had between them was pain that scarred her to the point of no return.

And nobody, not even the devil himself, and definitely not Lucy, deserved to be treated like how he treated her.

At some point Narcisse had crouched down in front of her, watching her with furrowed brows. "You won't tell me?" He spoke in a hum.

Wiping her tears in defeat she looked him in his eyes, "Just promise me," her voice broke, "Don't do those things to her—don't hurt Lucy."

Narcisse stared at her face, pulling his bottom lip into his mouth as he slowly nodded, "I promise I won't hurt Lucy."

She felt relief as she closed her eyes, releasing a sigh. For whatever reason, she believed him. And besides, she still had leverage she could use if he tried anything.

"Are.. are you okay now?" Narcisse's voice was uncertain.

Alice's lips felt numb, like a spell had been put on them so she couldn't speak, so she nodded her head instead.

"You can go lie down in my quarters, I won't bother you." He let out a breath as he stood up to go back to his desk.

Why was he being like this? Why was he making things so confusing with words and actions and behaviours he'd never shown to her before? It would be easier if he was cruel and merciless—kicking her when she was down instead of offering her a safe place for solitude.

Alice opened her eyes, pulling herself off the ground as she brushed her pink dress off—she hadn't even changed out of the sparkly ballgown she'd worn for Lucy's party. How pathetic she must have looked running through the castle. Frowning, she wondered why no one had stopped her. She'd passed all the guards and they just watched as she barged into the prince's room.

Glancing confusedly over at Narcisse, his cheeks turned red as he was caught staring at her. "Uh, any of the guards will escort you back to your estate if you need a ride. I told them not to bother you, so feel free to do as you please while you're here." His words stumbled out as she clenched her jaw.

She felt her eyes water for what felt like the billionth time, "I don't care what you do in this life." She spoke coldly, watching him still as she stopped at the door, "I will never forgive you for everything you've done to me." As his face flinched from the angry words, she pushed open the door, looking away from him, "Even death can't make me stop hating you, so just... stop."

Just stop confusing her.

~*~*~

A.N.

Alice *cry* I feel so bad. My heart hurts...
Also, Narcisse... no words. So confusing :(

Thank you for reading x