Alo didn't sleep that night.
He spent hours drafting letters, reviewing alliances, and revisiting the plan forming in his chest. A plan he told himself was for James's future… even as something far more personal twisted beneath it.
By morning, messengers had already departed for the neighboring kingdom of Lorian.
And by the end of the week…
She arrived.
Princess Alice of Lorian.
The palace courtyard glittered with banners and guards .
James peaked through his window wondering what was going on.
He left his room and headed to the court.
As James approached Alo sighted him and smiled.
"Ah…just on time James"
James looked puzzled
"Just on time for…?"
Before the question could simmer a royal carriage rolled in, but James was not impressed.
Not even a little.
He stood stiffly beside Alo, arms crossed, mouth twisted like he'd bitten a lemon.
He wasn't sure what was going on but he had a bad feeling about it.
Ethan had spotted James in the courtyard from the garden and decided to join him.
Ethan stood just behind them, hands folded neatly, eyes calm but curious.
The carriage door opened.
Princess Alice stepped out gracefully, her gown sparkling with golden embroidery, her blonde hair styled in elegant curls.
She curtsied deeply, her smile perfectly practiced.
"Your Majesty King Alo… Prince James," she said sweetly.
James didn't bow.
He didn't smile.
He didn't even blink.
He stared at her like she was a poorly wrapped gift he didn't ask for.
Alo cleared his throat sharply.
James didn't move.
"…Welcome to our kingdom," Alo said, masking his irritation to James attitude . "We are pleased to receive you."
Alice's sky blue eyes brightened. She turned to James with a soft smile.
"It's an honor to finally meet you, Prince James. I've heard so much about you."
James raised a brow. "From who?"
Alice's smile flickered. "Well… from many. You're known to be quite charming."
Ethan winced.
Alo pressed his lips together.
James answered bluntly,
"I don't try to be."
Alo shot James a warning look.
Alice giggled politely trying to ease the growing tension . "You're funny."
"I wasn't joking," James replied flatly.
Ethan gently touched James's arm. "Your Highness…" he whispered.
James jerked his arm away, cheeks reddening, not from shyness, but irritation.
Alo forced a smile. "Alice, why don't you walk with James in the garden? He can show you around."
James snapped his head toward his father.
"What? Why me?"
Alo's gaze hardened. "Because I said so."
Alice stepped closer, smiling hopefully. "I'd love to see the gardens with you."
James stepped back. "I wouldn't, the garden is only for pretty people like Ethan."
Ethan nearly choked.
Princess Alice blinked, stunned for the first time.
"James…" Ethan whispered again, a little firmer this time.
James turned to him instantly, expression softer.
"What? I don't want to show her to the gardens . She looks like a monkey fish ."
"James…" Ethan said gently trying to hold back his laughter .
Ali shot James a surprised look.
"James!"
James crossed his arms
"What."
Princess Alice was to stunned to speak.
"Monkey fish? Me?"
"Ha…very funny prince James."
Alo's expression relaxes a little seeing the princess didn't take the insult to heart.
Alice continues "I'm just trying to get to know you prince James."
"Well, I'm not," James said, arms crossing even tighter.
Alo's jaw clenched. "James. Walk with her."
James glared at the ground, grumbling, "Fine…"
Alice brightened and reached for James's arm.
James sidestepped so fast she nearly grabbed air.
"This way," he muttered, walking ahead.
Alice hurried after him. "W…wait! Prince James!"
Ethan watched them go, shoulders dropping with quiet worry.
Alo watched Ethan instead.
In the Garden Alice tried.
She tried very, very hard to get James's attention.
"Is this your favorite flower?" she asked, pointing at a blooming lily.
"No."
"Oh… um… do you like the fountain?"
"No."
"Do you enjoy reading?"
"No."
"Oh. W…what do you enjoy then?"
James didn't hesitate.
"Ethan."
Alice froze.
Her smile cracked.
She blinked rapidly.
"Oh… the little attendant?" she asked cautiously.
James snapped his head toward her, eyes narrowed.
"He's not little. And he's not an attendant. He's Ethan."
Alice swallowed. "…Right."
James kept walking.
She tried to keep up again. "Prince James… maybe we can get to know each other more ?"
"No."
James didn't even turn around.
"Oh… well… perhaps in time…"
"No."
Alice's eyes widened. "You really don't like me, do you?"
James finally stopped and looked at her.
"I don't know you," he said honestly.
Alice retorted "But we're engaged."
Alice's lips parted as the truth settled.
James looked at her with disgust . "Huh? What? Engaged?"
"To you? Eww."
Alice lowered her gaze, fingers tightening around her skirt.
"I didn't choose this either," she whispered. "My father wants peace between our kingdoms."
James blinked.
For the first time… he hesitated.
"…Still not marrying you," he muttered, softer.
Alice let out a shaky breath. "I figured."
Back With Ethan.
Ethan was sitting on a bench in the courtyard.
When James returned, he marched straight to Ethan.
"She's annoying."
Ethan smiled weakly. "James… she's trying her best."
"Well I hate her best."
Ethan sighed. "You can at least be a little nice."
James frowned. "Why? I don't want her around me ."
Alo, who had been approaching them, paused when he heard that.
James continued loudly, "I only want you Ethan…"
Ethan slapped a hand over his mouth instantly.
Alo's brows lifted sharply.
James mumbled against Ethan's hand, "…as a friend!"
Ethan hissed, "Stop talking!"
Alice was standing a few steps behind so she heard it all.
Her cheeks flushed pink, partly from embarrassment, partly from shock.
Alo watched the chaos with a tightening in his chest he refused to name.
His plan…
Wasn't working at all