Episode 5

"Their First Story "

Zion was moved to tears. As he read Princess Alice’s final letter, it felt as though every word he read was hurting him deeply.

“Grandfather, please stop crying,” Joseph said. “Every time I look at you while you read that letter, tears fall from your eyes, and I feel like crying too. Please, Grandfather, calm down.”

Zion smiled softly as he held the letter close to his chest.

Joseph asked, “Grandfather, may I ask how your story with Princess Alice began? Where did you first fall in love, and where did you meet for the very first time?”

Zion nodded. “Very well, grandson. I will tell you how we first met and became acquainted. Listen carefully, because I will share everything about us, from the very beginning until the very last time we saw each other.”

Joseph nodded. “Yes, Grandfather. I will listen closely, to understand the true meaning of the love you two shared.”

“Very well, grandson,” Zion began. “On the very first day we met, I did not even recognize her at first. It happened at night, when there was a special gathering in the village—like a great festival being held there. That evening, I went to the town to enjoy myself and hoped to find work, so that by the next day I would have something to do to support myself. Life was very hard for me back then; I was just a wanderer, earning nothing from painting things, so I really had to go to the town. And that night, the moon was full and bright, shining so clearly across the sky.

Unexpectedly, I was mistaken for a thief. I bumped into someone who was running, and suddenly that person grabbed me and pressed all the jewelry they were carrying into my hands. That night, all I had with me were my painting supplies, so I did not realize how close I was to losing my life that day.

There was a woman who bumped into me, and her whole body was covered, so I could only see her eyes. But even from what I could see, her beauty shone like the bright full moon.

And that night, when I turned around and looked at her, I saw the beauty and charm in her eyes as she looked back at me. At that moment, the cloth covering her head slipped off, and I realized for the first time that she was a woman. That was my first love—one I would never forget, even in my dreams. She always appeared before me, and it felt as though I was seeing a vision or a dream whenever I thought of her.

So that night was the very first time we met and knew each other.”

(Princess Alice)

“Oh dear, how boring it is in my room! There is no joy or fun here at all. Why must I always be locked inside? Am I not allowed to go outside, even just for a little while or for one day? I just want to breathe fresh air, see everything around me, and look out over our entire kingdom from far away—if only I could leave this place. Why is it always just the garden? I want to go out and explore. Please, whoever hears me, have pity on me!” she said to herself, feeling frustrated.

“Oh, is there no one outside? Can you hear me? Please, just let me step outside, even if it is only just the doorway.”

“If there is really no one to help me, then I will run away tonight. I want to see what lies beyond the kingdom’s borders. The tall, strong walls around us are so frustrating. So everyone who is guarding me, be prepared—I will make some trouble and go out!” she said, laughing.

As evening fell…

“What time is it now? Oh perfect, it is already seven o’ clock in the evening. I need to get away from here, this place is like a cage and it is so boring staying inside!” she said, stretching lazily.

Suddenly, something exploded far away.

“What was that? There are fireworks and they are so bright! They are over there in the distance,” she said, looking out the window.

The princess was amazed as she watched the beautiful fireworks.

“Wow, how beautiful! It looks like something wonderful is happening over there. Could it be a celebration? Oh, I know! I will go there and see for myself if there is a festival being held in the town,” she said, smiling.

“I am so clever! But wait—how will they know I am not in my room? And by tomorrow, I will not be here at all, because I will have been enjoying myself all night long,” she thought, making a plan.

“Haha! I know what to do. After all, everyone here always brings food and leaves it right outside my door, because no one can come inside. I am always hidden away, and I barely even show myself to the servants or anyone else in the whole kingdom.”

“Now I will start my escape. Goodbye, my parents! Tonight I will have so much fun. I am really sorry if I cause you trouble, my dear parents. But tonight, everything I have planned will happen. Goodbye to you both… mwah,” she said, smiling as she quietly left her room. She opened the door slowly, and locked it carefully behind her so no one could enter. She had made a special lock, shaped differently and unique, so no one else had one like it.

“Oh, at last I am free! But how foolish I am—I did not bring even a single gold coin or piece of silver. Life is really unfair! Today I finally get to go out, but it is also the day I have bad luck. This is really terrible.”

“Wait a minute—people might recognize me here, and they will see me and know who I am. I need to find something to cover my face. But look at what I am wearing—these clothes look like they belong to a princess! Oh, I have an idea. Why not ask for some clothes, and then I will get them wet so I look poor and in need. It is getting cold anyway,” she said, laughing at her clever plan.

“Excuse me, ma’am,” she said, knocking on the door of a house.

When the door opened, the woman asked, “Oh, what is it, dear? How can I help you?”

“Ma’am, may I ask for a favor? Could I please have some clothes and some cloth to wrap myself in? Even just a little piece of cloth would be enough. I am very cold, and my body is shivering,” she said, begging politely.

“Oh, alright dear. Come inside—you look all wet and you have no clothes with you. Come in and change your clothes. I will give you something to wear, you look like you fell into a stream or a canal somewhere,” the woman said, looking concerned.

“Tell me, dear—why are you all wet? Did you fall into the water, or were you bathing and stayed out late by the river or the sea, so you had no clothes with you?”

“No, ma’am,” Princess Alice replied.

“Really? Oh, it is quite a long story,” she said, laughing softly.

“Oh, did someone chase you here, or did you get into a fight with someone? Or are you pretending to need help when you are actually a bad person? Or maybe you have done something wrong back home?”

“Wait, let me ask you something—you seem unfamiliar with our town. But I do not think you are a criminal, do you?”

“No, ma’am, no—I am not like that at all,” Princess Alice answered.

“Oh, I know you are not a criminal. You have such a beautiful face, dear. What is your name?” the woman asked.

“My name is Alice Alfonso,” Princess Alice said.

“Oh, the name Alfonso sounds familiar. Are you from a wealthy family? Your last name is very well known here—everyone talks about the Alfonso, they are a noble and respected family.”

“Is that so? But you might not know about the Kingdom of Alfonso,” Princess Alice replied.

“Oh, I know them very well! I know they have the largest kingdom around here, and that they are known as kind people who live peacefully in their land. Tell me, are you from there? Or are you related to them? Or are you the daughter of the king?”

“No, I am not. I am just distant relatives, that is all. We are far apart, and there is a big difference between me and the princess, you know.”

“Oh, you are right about that,” the woman said.

“Here, this should fit you well. And this cloth too—you said you needed it.”

“It would be better if you stayed here and rested, and ate something so your stomach is full. You look like you have traveled far, especially at this hour. Come, sit and have some hot soup to warm you up. You got wet and you look cold. You look like you really need to rest.”

“No thank you, ma’am—I am in a hurry,” Princess Alice said.

“Why are you in such a hurry?” the woman asked.

“May I ask—what time is it now?” Princess Alice asked.

“Wait, let me check my watch. Oh, it is already eight forty. Why are you in such a hurry? Is there something wrong? Can I help you? Or is someone chasing you? Even if it is just for a minute, please eat something so you have strength to run.”

“Thank you very much for your kindness, ma’am. But I must go quickly because I am looking for something very important. I do not want to be a burden to your family.”

“Oh, don’t say that! My husband and I have three children. They are not here right now—they went to visit relatives in another town to celebrate the festival, because their aunts and friends invited them. So I am alone here in the house. I do not like crowded, noisy places, so I let my children go so they can experience other places, have fun, and meet new people. But I do not worry about them, because I trust them. Besides, they are already grown up and strong, so they can take care of themselves if someone tries to harm them or be unkind. But I never want them to have enemies or get hurt by others, because I raised them not to hurt anyone. So they never give me trouble or put themselves in danger. I had to raise all three of them alone, without a husband—I was both mother and father to them, and I was like the support and light of our home. Their father passed away a long time ago from heart disease. The children were already old enough to understand when he died, so I could not stop them from doing what they wanted. I did not want to be too strict with them, because I was afraid they would move away and leave me. When you are too strict, people often leave or disappear. So I chose to let them be free, and follow whatever path they wanted to take in life. I always reminded them to follow what was in their hearts, to choose the right paths, and to do what would be good for their future.”

“So everyone in this world has their own path to follow. We all have the right to live our own lives. Please remember this lesson, so that your life here has meaning and purpose.”

“Wait, it is getting very late now, dear. Why don’t you stay here tonight and rest? You can stay until morning.”

Princess Alice spoke up. “May I ask you something?”

“Of course, what is it?”

“How old are you? You look so young, but you are walking around at this hour,” the woman asked.

“I am only seventeen years old, ma’am. So tonight, I really cannot stay at your house. I must go now, and I will never forget you. Thank you so much for giving me these clothes. Oh, and ma’am, I almost forgot—what is your name?”

“Oh, please forgive me—even after talking to you for a short time, I have not introduced myself. My name is Rina Ellis. Since you really must leave and I cannot stop you, please be careful on your journey, dear. Be very careful. But tell me, where are you going?”

“I am going to the festival—that is why I am traveling. My relatives invited me, so I am going there,” she said, smiling and telling a small lie.

“Is that so? I did not know you had relatives there. I hope we will meet again soon. Now go and enjoy yourself at the festival—I am sure you will have a wonderful time. Until we meet again, Alice, take care of yourself. Since you are in such a hurry, that must be where you are going.”

“Thank you very much, ma’am. Until we meet again, kind lady,” she said, waving her hand and walking away quickly.

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