Another Path

Chapter 3:Alphonso

The next day, a parade for everyone was held, in the last few years, I was in a carriage right behind the King with Edward, but this year, there were 3 of us. Somehow, despite all the rumours of what happened last night, they still showed the world that they are pretty much in love. I tried ignoring them as best as I could, but it gets hard when they just kissed passionately as I spread flower petals for the townspeople, with some candy and cash too, of course. As I do his duty of winning the hearts of the people, I can't help but worry that he would do something too far.

When it was over, Edward got down first and offers his hand. I was about to get up and walk to him when Anastasia grabbed his hand.

"Hehe, I feel like a princess in fairytales now!"

"Unbelievable, Anastasia, the rules are that I, the crown prince's fiancée should get down after the crown prince. Although according to the rules you're not even supposed to be here..."

"Ethel, why are you so nosy? Do you think that I would hold your hand after you touched those peasants? Your hand is filthy now!"

Hearing that, I can't help but stay seated. Like a kid throwing a tantrum, I sat there until a man approached me. Somehow, I was hoping that it'll be the masked man from last night, Alphonso.

"My lady..." I recognized that voice immediately.

"Alphonso?" I exclaimed as I look up.

And there he was, like a knight in a fairytale, he just came to fill the hole that Edward left behind. I can't help but smile at him as I grabbed his hand and got down. I really, really hoped that he can stay here forever, but he can't, he has to come back to Saphyrex in a week.

"My lady, what should I call you?"

"Umm... my name is Ethel but I guess you can call me Luz or Abby as a nickname, Ethel reminds me of a particular person that I want to forget."

"As you wish. By the way, Luz, do you mind giving me a tour of the heir apparent's palace? I know you have full access there."

"Eh..., why not?"

I took him to the palace and to my surprise, Edward was standing in front of the palace. His hands are crossed, his face lifted up and filled with arrogance, and his eyes are piercing right through me. I was standing in in front of him with Alphonso next to me. His gaze cold as ice, and his lips smirking.

"Seriously, Ethel? Bringing an honorary guest from Saphyrex to MY palace? You've got some nerve..."

"What do you mean? He's didn't come here as an honorary guest from Saphyrex, he came here as my friend. Why do you even care? It seems that your GIRLFRIEND that you MADE OUT with IN a PARTY is in a similar situation."

I can see his face gets red as a tomato as he yells at the top of his lungs.

"THIS IS MY PALACE, YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO BRING A MALE GUEST, HE'S TRESPASSING!"

"With all due respect, your highness, me, a noble from Saphyrex, is not a trespasser. I've studied your rules before coming in here and a fiancée of a crown prince is pretty much allowed to bring guests regardless of gender to this palace."

Things were going to escalate if Anastasia didn't come out and hugged Edward from behind.

"Oh, Eddie, don't stress yourself up with these useless matters, let me help you release your stress" she said as her hands travelled lower and lower.

"Oh my, what a sight!" Alphonso said to me as Edward and Anastasia left, probably to his bedroom.

"Yeah, let's just focus on our thing..."

So, I gave him a full tour of the palace until 6 pm which is when Edward appeared again and forced some guards to take him out. He seems to be in a hurry because his hair is still messy, some of his clothes are unbuttoned, and his mouth reeks of alcohol. Disgusting...