𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐄

-𝘵𝘸𝘰

"I mean, it wasn't that bad," Mackenzie shrugged with a wince. Alice glared at her, making her raise her hands in defense.

"He could have banished you both from court, or had Marcus killed."

"You make a good point," Alice muttered in response. "I did expect much worse. I just hope he comes around. I love Marcus so much, I can't imagine not being with him."

Mackenzie wrapped her arms around her, letting Alice cry into her shoulder. They were currently in the wood house, where they could talk about what happened in peace.

"You will be together, Alice. Marcus loves you just as much, if not more. He isn't going to let you go that easily. I think Henry just needs some time adjusting to the fact that his little sister isn't really little anymore."

Alice stayed silent, knowing deep down her best friend was right. Henry spent a lot of his time protecting her, so it made sense that he would react this way. However, this was one of those moments where she felt jealous of her sisters.

"He let Mary marry Charles, and Margaret is off in Scotland. So why am I any different? Why can't I have a husband, especially one where we marry out of love?"

"You're the baby," Mackenzie shrugged. "Not saying you're an actual baby, but you're the most innocent out of all of them. They all feel a need to protect that innocence, and they know Marcus is the exact opposite of innocent."

"Rude," a male voice joked from below. They both looked down to see Marcus, smiling sadly up at them. "Mind if I join you?"

They nodded and opened the door, allowing him to climb up into the already crowded wood house. He immediately went over to Alice and scooped her into his lap.

"I meant every word, Princess. I will fight for you forever. You're my girl, nothing changes that."

Alice smiled, while Mackenzie fake gagged at the couple.

"Gross. How do you think it's going with Henry and Charles?"

Marcus shrugged.

"I truly don't know, I haven't been inside the palace ever since Henry told me to leave. I figured my face is the last one he wants to see."

Both girls nodded in agreement, then a moment of silence followed. Alice felt her eyelids growing heavy, already feeling exhausted after today's events.

Marcus noticed her breathing slow, indicating she let sleep take over. Mackenzie silently chuckled and shook her head.

"She'll fall asleep anywhere," she whispered. Marcus chuckled back and nodded in agreement.

"I'm sorry for what I said, about you not being innocent. I didn't mean any harm by it."

"I know, it's okay," Marcus side. "I am far from innocent, that's no secret. Alice changed everything for me, though. I finally want to settle down, get married, and have children with her. I want to grow old with her. Hell, I even want to die side by side with her. I can't imagine living a life that she isn't in."

"You're good for her," Mackenzie whispered back.

"She deserves the universe, and I plan on being the man who gives that to her."

"I have your backs, both of you. Whatever you need, I have you."

Mackenzie's family came from a long line of money, so she definitely had plenty. Her father sent her to live in court when she was young to become Alice's lady, where they ended up becoming best friends. He also was pushing for her to marry, but she knew exactly how to blackmail him into getting what they both wanted.