Chapter 5: I lost everything 005: The hidden secret and grandma life story 1
When your grandmother was a little girl like you, she was thought to be tough all the time, regardless of what happened in life. Lisa listens carefully, and her imagination runs wild, filling in the gaps between the sentences. She recognizes herself in the story, standing alongside her grandmother's younger self when she was a little girl.
"Alice, what are you doing there? You intend to be on top of the hill with me before noon; if the queen discovers that you are not in your room, you will be placed under house arrest for months or you will be watched at all times with guards by your side," he said.
Alice stumbled onto the grass, her breathing quickened, resembling that of a fish gasping for air out of water. "Give me a moment to catch my breath jake, or I might die if I move further !" she said, her heart still racing.
Jake is a handsome and tall gentleman possessing striking physical features including captivating blue eyes and shiny black hair. He holds a notable position in the city of Zeuong as one of the nobles with a high rank. Additionally, he is three years older than Alice and is on track to become a duke within his family. Presently, he holds the status of a knight but has aspirations to join the king's Royal court alongside esteemed members such as the Advisors, Seneschals, Lord Chamberlain, Courtiers, Heralds, Guards, and other significant individuals.
Jake ran down the hill to where Alice was, scooped her up from the grass, catching her by surprise. Her feet dangled in the air, making her cover her face in shyness, revealing her crush on him. He smirk aware of Alice's feelings and is perhaps even pleased by them. The fact that he's experienced this before, with other girls liking him, gives a glimpse into his charming and confident personality. He walked up the hill, gazing at Alice, who remains shy and covered.
Upon glancing between her fingers, she observed that he maintained his gaze on her, adorned with a heartwarming smile. She remove the hands off her face and look somewhere else deliberately avoids eye contact with Jake till they reached in top of the hill.
At the top,Jake lowering Alice to the ground, her feet touching the soft grass, and then she gracefully gets off him, taking a moment to compose herself before expressing her gratitude.
"Thanks," she said, her back turning away from him.
"No problem, I advise you not to go to the town again as a commoner." Jake said with a hint of strictness and care.
Alice turned to face Jake, raising her brow. "Why should I not go to the town or market? If I don't go, how can I fight for justice for those who have been wronged?"
"I know you're fighting for justice, but not like this," he said, his eyes filled with concern. "If someone recognizes you as one of the princesses, it could put you in grave danger."
Jake expressed his concern by placing his hands on her shoulders and advising her to prioritize her own well-being. He suggested that the task at hand could be better suited for a confidential informant or one of her father's most trusted advisors, allowing the king to address the matter formally in Court.
"Jake gazed into her eyes, his hand stretched out as he pleaded, "Just promise me you won't do this again, or our friendship will be broken into a thousand pieces."
Alice is torn between her desire to pursue justice and her cherished friendship with Jake. The symbolism of his outstretched hand, offering a choice between their friendship and her dangerous pursuits, highlights the difficult decision she faces.
Alice closed her eyes, and memories of their joyful times together flooded her mind, bringing a heartwarming smile to her face. She opened her eyes, and with a sense of deep affection, she embraced him tightly, as if it was her last chance to hold him close.
He was taken aback by Alice's sudden move, but a soft chuckle escaped his lips as he wrapped his arms around her, returning the hug. His fingers tenderly stroked her hair, like one would soothe a cherished pet, revealing the depth of his affection. "I know you're not heartless, Alice. You care deeply for everyone, but your father is the king, and his duty is to prioritize the needs of his people. You, on the other hand, are a wonder woman driven to protect and serve. Your paths may differ, but your hearts are both in the right place. You're not ready for this yet, I know. You can't let go of those memories, and I understand. You need time to grow, to learn, and to prepare yourself for the challenges that lie ahead." Still in he his embrace she stamped her heel down hard on Jake's foot, causing him to wince in pain. "This is just a warning,' she said, her voice firm. 'Don't ever make me choose between two things that are equally valuable to me again. Between our friendship and my desire to protect my people."
"Ouch No problem Alice," he's said still enduring the pain.
"That's a good boy so let be good now I can walk now," she said gently rubbing his back.
Jake parted the hug with Alice, as she held his hand and led the way.
****
Alice walked towards the back of the castle with Jake by her side, his expression perplexed as he wondered why she didn't head for the front gate. 'Why are we going this way?' he thought to himself, 'There's no door or entrance here, just the castle wall.'
Alice gazed at Jake, then released his hand. She approached the castle wall, placed her hand on it, and to Jake's astonishment, the wall parted like a curtain, revealing a hidden entrance. Jake's eyes widened in wonder, his mind struggling to comprehend the impossibility of what he was seeing. 'How can this be?' he thought, his astonishment evident on his face.
"Are you not going to come?" she asked, her smile beckoning him to follow her into the mysterious opening. Her eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief, leaving Jake even more curious and tempted to enter the hidden passage.
Jake cautiously stepped into the entrance, ensuring it was safe for them to proceed. After a moment, he nodded to Alice, and she followed him in. As soon as she crossed the threshold, the wall seamlessly closed behind them, its stone surface smoothing out to appear as if it had never moved. Jake's eyes widened in amazement, his mind struggling to comprehend the magic that had just happened.
As the wall closed behind them, the space grew brighter, illuminating a staircase leading down into darkness. Alice noticed Jake's curiosity and giggled softly, drawing his attention to her. "You have a lot to say to me," he said, his eyes locked on hers. She nodded softly, her smile gentle. "Where we are is my grandfather's secret escape room, a hidden passage unknown to everyone except us. It's a refuge in case of war or danger in the castle." Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "I love uncovering secrets and exploring the unknown, and I'm glad I could share this with you, Jake."
Where does the staircase lead to? Only to found out Let dig into secret spy.