After that, Claire reminded me, âAnother time, another time, another time!â three times before we parted, and I arrived in front of the inn we had agreed to stay at.
The inn was a beautiful white stone structure, stunningly large. The light pouring out of the windows illuminated the pale blue-purple world created by the never-ending sun like a large street lamp.
Itâs really hereâ¦â¦From the looks of it, it seems that only the wealthy are allowed to use it, so I shy away and stand there. People passing by on the street looked at me as they walked away, wondering if something was wrong.
Embarrassed by the curious stares I was receiving, I walked towards the inn.
At that moment, a door opens, flooding the room with dazzling light. Alice came out of the open door wearing a uniform, lagging behind the light. She looked around suspiciously, and then stopped moving her head.
âChris! Youâre late!â
Alice accused me in a voice filled with anger.
Oh, thank God. I hadnât made a mistake. Even though I was being criticized by Alice, I felt better because I was allowed to enter such a luxurious place.
âOh. Sorry. Itâs okay if I come in here, right?â
I asked to make sure she was okay.
âWhat are you talking about? Youâre going to run away againâ
Alice then shouted loudly and approached me. People who were walking along the street turned to me and stopped when they heard Aliceâs voice.
âWhatâs this, a loversâ quarrel?â
âWhatâs she so angry about?â
âWho is that guy?â
I start to hear voices everywhere.
âAlice! Iâm sorry, weâll talk about this inside, okay?â
With people gossiping beside me, I grabbed Alice by the shoulders and proceeded to push her into the inn. I was embarrassed to find myself in a situation that was the exact opposite of the one I was standing in earlier.
âWhatâs that line? Are you trying to get me to make up with you?ãThatâs what I came to the inn forâ¦â¦.Donât push me! Really, donât push it!â
What reconciliationâ¦â¦?
I ignored Alice, who spoke unfamiliar words, and pushed her into the inn. I entered the room, took my hand off Alice and closed the door.
âWelcome. You must be a schoolmate of the princess.â
I looked at the voice and saw a man with a white beard and hair in a butlerâs uniform bowing. I was relieved and wondered.
Normally, if a princess were to be pushed into the room, it would be considered a crime of disrespect, and it would not be surprising if he were upset.
âWe are proud to be the best inn in the capital, so no matter what happens, we will do our best to serve you to the best of our ability, so please rest assured that we will never tell anyone about you.â
He can read my mind
âYeah, I see.â
âPlease donât worry.â
As I was having a conversation with the old gentleman, Alice interrupted me.
âWhat are you talking about, leaving me alone?â
Alice seems to be getting angrier, as if she feels sheâs been left out.
Sheâs waving her hand at the old gentleman.
âTake your time then.â
With that, the gentleman left.
âLetâs go, Chris!â
Just then, I hear a voice Iâve heard before.
âWait a minute!â
âWhat do you want, Seljan?â
Alice was more annoyed when she was stopped in her tracks.
âIâve been watching you since you were outside, but whatâs with that attitude towards the princess!â
A man dressed in black poked his finger at me and his face was familiar. I wondered who he wasâ¦â¦But thatâs not the point. The man was probably a member of the royal family, who saw me pushing Alice earlier and wanted to criticize me. What should I do?
âHow dare you neglect the princess as if she were air and talk to other people!â
âThatâs it!?â
âYes! Chris! You canât treat me like Iâm air, what do you mean Iâm air?â
âHaha, excuse me, Princess!â
Then, the man bowed his head deeply. Alice, could it be that your subordinates are taking you lightly?
âUm, what about the push?â
If I was being watched, it couldnât get any worse, and I asked to make sure Alice wasnât being taken lightly.
âWhat does it matter? What are you trying to say?â
The man really didnât seem to understand the meaning of my words, and his tone was harsh.
âWhat do you think I am? Only a wheelbarrow would take you for granted when it comes to pushing!â
âThe princess is very intelligent. Iâm not educated, so I donât understand.â
âHow could you not know?â
Alice let out a sorrowful cry. However, the man nevertheless kept his head down.
Yeah, I donât know if they take her lightly or not, but all I know is that the guy is an idiot and that I pity Alice.
âEnough! Letâs go, Chris!â
Then Alice took my hand and tried to walk briskly, leaving the man behind. But since I was still standing there, Alice lost her stance and almost fell, like a stretched rubber band coming back.
âWhy arenât you moving?â
Alice glared at me with tears in her eyes.
Because I donât want to leave you in a rut with this guy and have him go around saying it was my fault laterâ¦â¦.