96 Princess (1/2)

Leo returned to the room with a tray carrying several a bowls of soup and mugs of both water and ale. He hoped Iris would get along with the princess, but also knew it would probably be hard considering what happened before. Sure enough when he opened the door he found the princess crying her eyes out again, and he shot a look at his wife who immediately put her hands up as if to say she wasn't guilty. He set the tray down on the stand next to the bed, and said,

”Um princess, there's some food here if your hungry.” When she heard his voice she immediately turned to take him in, it was also the first time he got a good look at her. He thought she was pretty, but he was already happily married so he didn't register more than that. After a few seconds she seemed to smell the food and hesitantly took a bowl. Leo and Iris also took one and they all started eating.

Leo couldn't help but notice that every chance she got Alice was looking right at him, before quickly looking back at her bowl, then switching back to him. The three continued to eat in awkward silence, before they finally finished their food. As Alice moved to put her bowl back, Leo couldn't help but notice she was still wearing her torn clothes. He looked away, and said,

”Iris, is there something you could lend her to wear?” He two girls suddenly noticed, and Alice turned as red as iris's hair.Few minutes later he turned around again to see her in new clothes. He then started talking,

”So princess-”

”Alice!” Leo was confused and asked,

”What?” She blushed and replied,

”I want you to call me Alice, not princess.” He didn't know how to react, but amended his earlier words.

”So Alice, what was the princess doing walking around in the city without any guards?” She hesitated for a moment before answering.

”I wanted one day where I wasn't a prisoner.” Was all she said. Leo understood her intentions though, it was a common story in earth princess stories. He also understood that she was promised to Arthur soon, which meant that any free will she had would be taken soon as well. He was torn, he wanted to help her, but knew they had to keep a low profile. Before he could say anything though,

”I- I know I can't be happy. I want to avoid being with Arthur more than anything, but if I don't then he'll kill the entire kingdom.” Leo thought for a moment, he didn't know what to do. He decided that he'll take her back to the palace, then let fate go from there when they attack the city. He couldn't tell her though, as there would be the risk of their plans leaking, even if she didn't betray them. She then turned to him,

”Please, just let me have one night with you, um...” Leo then realized they never told her their names.

”I'm Leo, she's Iris.” Alice smiled as she tried to commit his name to memory, and continued,