Maruf and Alicea have reached their destination. Maruf goes ahead and knocks Luwi's door. The tension continues between Alicea and Maruf. Well that is what Maruf feels considering how he is feeling after... Well that ordeal last chapter between him and Alicea. Alicea on the other hand tries to move on from that since she is already still feeling mildly guilty and thinks that she deserved it. Fortunately they don't have to wait long until the door opens. 

***

Alicea's pov:

I feel nervous. This is the first time in a long while that I visit someone's house whom I have just met. Well "just met" might be a bit of an exageration. The door open_

*a cat jumps out of the door*

What!? Who is this adorable fluffball!? A round tabby circles around me purring before it then goes to greet Maruf. Seeing the cat made my heart throb. I miss my precious babies. What makes it more painful is that I do not know if they are dead or alive. I don't even know where my jaguars are. Home or here. Tears start flowing down from my eyes. I brush the tears away quickly before anyone notices under my glasses.

"I'll go get the guests daddy!" a girl's voice sounded out.

*The girl opens the door fully*

"Hello Maruf!" I heard the girl greet.

"Greetings Dahlia. How have you been little darling?" I heard Maruf respond to the girl.

"I'm not that little! I'm taller now y'know!" I heard the girl respond_

"Hello! Ya must be Ally right?"

I snap out of my thoughts. I blink a bit and raised my head up. 

"Haha! Down here silly!" the girl called chuckling.

I look down to the girl and smiled warmly to her. I then crouched down to her level and hand out to her.

"Hello young lady. I apologize for not answering sooner I was lost in thought," I greeted the girl.

"It's alright!" the girl answered smiling brightly.

Her smile warmed my heart and made my smile wider.

"What is your name if I may ask?" I asked her name.

"Dahlia!" she answered.

"Such a pretty name," I responded.

"Thanks!"

*From a distance*: "Daahliaa dear! Don't keep keep guests waiting outside!" Luwi called.

"Yes Daddy!" Dahlia replied joyfully.

After Luwi's call Dahlia invited us in. She is such an adorable girl.When we get inside Luwi's house I admire his house's interior.

How cozy. Luwi's house is filled with usefull plants from various herbs to teas. Stone walls filled with spiraling colours of the rainbow the sand coloured stonewalls tieing it all together into a harmonious display of colours. The house's furniture wasn't anything flashy by appearance it is rather humble but what I can recognize is good craftmanship. The way all the wooden furniture sofa, table... Well everything you can imagine essential in a home is wellmade. The smell inside here is just so calming due to all these herbs. The rays of the evening sun just making this house's atmosphere all warm and homely. How calming. *Alicea yawns*

Luwi then comes to greet us.

"Hello yall !" greeted Luwi brightly.

"Greetings dear fellow idiot" Maruf greeted back.

"Oi! Think that be bit too harsh?" Luwi retaliated playfully.

"You are extremely foolish at times, no?" Maruf stated.

"Well_!..." Luwi was out of words.

Witnessing their small spat was so entertaining that I had to hold my amusement to not appear rude. Luwi then turned his attention to me as Maruf continues his way to the wide dining table.

"Hello Luwi! H-how are you recovering?" I finally greeted back.

"Healing well Ally. I have a great helper" Luwi replied.

He was smiling tenderly. Hmm.. Oh yeah the bread! I must not forget the bread. I poured my heart into baking the bread.

"Oh yeah! I also baked some bread too. Hope you like it"

I then take the bread out of my bag and give it to him.

"Thanks a bunch Ally!" Luwi thanked.

"I would also like to formally apologize for causing you your injury" I apologized to Luwi as I bowed down for a few seconds before getting back up.

"Aww chucks Ally! I already told ya it's fine" he answered mildly alarmed.

"Apologies Luwi. It has become an habit due to my former position of authority" I explained bashfully.

We then laughed a bit before continuing our way to the dining table where Maruf was helping Dahlia set the table.

"Dahlia darling! Look what Ally has gifted us," Luwi said to his daughter.

Dahlia turns around to look.

"Oh wow braided bread! Looks yummy. I'll go get the essential condiments" she beamed and hurried to get two bottles of said condiments.

Dahlia then returns to the table with the condiments and we started eating.

***

The atmosphere between the former princess, the seemingly stoic and calm friend of the king and the sometimes slow cinnamon roll and his darling daughter was at the surface rather pleasant. The bread Alicea put her heart in baking was well received by Dahlia and Luwi. Alicea's heart warmed from how much the bread was well praised. Alicea was finally at peace.

"This is the best bread I have yet to eat! My new favorite," Dahlia beamed.

"I can bake more next time I visit if it is alright" Alicea replied to Dahlia with gladness.

"Sure no probs Ally" Luwi responded. 

As they continue eating Dahlia observes Alicea in wonder. Something in Alicea makes Dahlia feel like she has seen her before. Of course she hasn't seen Alicea ever before. Well she has rather heard a lot of stories and circulating hearsay of recent happenings about Alicea. Dahlia ponders a little her round Smyrna blue eyes widen in realization. Her already bright smile widens even more upon figuring out who Alicea is.

"Hmm Ally. Alicea...Sounds oddly familiar. Wait a minute! Ally are you THE Alicea Jaguar Princess THE SKULL CRUSHER!?" Dahlia exclaimed.

Alicea upon hearing what Dahlia asked excitedly more or less choked on her drink and starts coughing. Luwi and Maruf get surprised by Dahlia's sudden revelation.

"Dahlia dear. What did we discuss about getting sudden revelations about people and how to confront them about it?" Luwi rebuked Dahlia.

"Do not suddenly ask them out of nowhere" Dahlia answered her father apologetically.

*Cough* *Cough* "It is alright__" *Cough* "No need to reprimand her Luwi" Alicea managed to say.

After Alicea has finished coughing and has recomposed herself she answered Dahlia's question:

"Yes Dahlia I am her though 'Skull Crusher' is a new nickname I have yet to hear. Neither do I take pride in crushing people's skulls"

"Weell haha the latter one is my own nickname for you if I were to be honest" Dahlia answered to Alicea in a bashfull tone scratching the back of her head smiling awkwardly.

Maruf hearing Alicea admit in not taking pride in skull crushing tightens his chest.

"Have my judgements been wrong? Who is she!?" Maruf ponders in his mind. Luwi notices Maruf's stoic pondering and plans to have a talk with him when the moment is right.

On the other hand Alicea has gotten curious of Dahlia and her intelligence. Well there is no wonder why. Dahlia has a unique appearance. Dahlia's hair colour is like rose quartz and her eyes a bright Smyrna blue that contrasts her copper complexion that's like the warm sunset. She also has freckles on her shoulders and cheekbones.

"Dahlia, how old are you?" Alicea asked Dahlia with curiosity.

"I'm seven!" Dahlia answered innocently.

"That's wonderful to hear. You are such a bright young lady then" Alicea responded her hands clapped at a side of her face as she smiles with delight.

" I would also like to know how did you figure my identity? Not that I try to deny nor hide it" Alicea continues to ask Dahlia.

"It is because I've heard so many stories about you and you fit all the descriptions in them short, jade eyes and long golden hair and I heard about the things that have happened in the palace" Dahlia explained beaming with excitement.

After hearing Dahlia's explanation Alicea starts to wonder why Dahlia's reaction to knowing her identity doesn't make her afraid of her.

"Interesting. Here is my last two questions for you regarding myself: Why are you so delighted to know that I am the Jaguar Princess instead of the opposite? Where do you hear or read about me?" Alicea asked Dahlia now her tone of voice being slightly more serious.

"Why would I fear the princess who loves her kingdom by protecting it? Well all the positive ones I hear from ms. Feah all the other ones I hear from different merchants and from the library books" Dahlia responded wondering Alicea's strange change of her tone of voice.

"Princess who loves her kingdom by protecting it... How heartwarming to hear" Alicea thought astounded by Dahlia's response.

"By the way Ally. Is it true that you guys drunk your enemy's blood after you won them?" Dahlia blurted out her question.

Now everyone's eyes were wide from astonishment except for Dahlia who sits innocently smiling. Alicia got so astonished that she had to fix her glasses.

"Dahlia must you ask that at the dining table? Ally please forgive my daughter's reckless question" Luwi rebuked his daughter and apologized to Alicea.

"Nonono i-it's alright. I was just taken aback by the sudden question also no need to worry I was not offended" Alicea said trying to ease the situation.

Alicea then took a deep breath before answering Dahlia.

"It is a lie but we did use animal's blood to write a threatening letter to the enemy if I remember right as a tactical move" Alicea answered Dahlia calmly.

"Oh ok! Sorry for asking without thinking" Dahlia apologized to Alicea.

"It's alright" Alicea answered smiling tenderly.

Maruf's pov:

We all have now finished eating. Dahlia insisted on having ms. Alicea helping her clean up so now I am left with this dummy. Luwi and I are now sitting in the living room while the ladies are cleaning. Luwi looks at me his face stern.

"What's ya problem with her?" he asked me with furrowed eyes.

"With who? I do not quite understand what do you mean" I answered back.

"You know who I mean Maruf. Now spill it or I'll never gonna let it go (stubburn asshole)" Luwi answered me his voice filled with irritation.

Fine. It seems that I have to tell him.

"I...I do not trust her" I admitted to Luwi.

'Why and on what grounds?' is painted on Luwi's face. I clench my teeth.

"How can you be sure she is not like those vixen who act innocent and then stab you in the back or in the chest?" I gritted out.

"My goodness gracious with you Mar" Luwi mumbled under his breath massaging his temples.

"Firstly I'm not that stupid Maruf to distinguish people from 'vixens' whatever those are. Secondly she seems like a no nonsense type of person. Thirdly if she were a 'vixen' or whatever I wouldn't be alive by now. Fourthly Maruf she was in trance like state and lastly who on earth would not be in total shock and weeping when they realize what has happened endlessly apologizing under their breath their body shaking from fear" Luwi challenged.

"Also don't even get yo self deceived. You'd know in your gut that she'd not be a threat if you help her to come and visit me and my darling daughter" he added.

I let out a deep breath.

"I still do prefer to go by careful observation and logic than intuition" that was my answer to Luwi.

"Well you sure made the most illogical decision and that is to bring her here. Considering us (yes that includes you too Maruf) she is at least not a threat to us. Haven't you observed her enough? You should apologize to Ally anytime soon and this convo ends now" Luwi concluded our conversation.

After my conversation with Luwi ended. Dahlia and ms. Alicea joined our company. After that Alicea and Luwi started to have a lively conversation about baked goods and whatnot. Leaving me as Dahlia this darling kitten to play hairdresser I as her only client. Her reason being that she doesn't want to ruin ms. Alicea's braids and that having my hair simply tied together wasn't enough. But we both know is that she simply wants to play with my hair and practice making long braids since Luwi's hair isn not long enough for that. And for sure I let this Kitten make braids with my dark ashy silver hair. The sun has already set so the house is now lit up with many candle lights making the already cozy house cozier.

The more I observe ms. Alicea the more guilt starts to grow in me. Maybe that dummy Luwi is right...

A while has passed and Alicea and Maruf have to leave since it has become late:

We now have said our farewells and exit Luwi's home to head back our torches lit up. We walked a long while in rather awkward silence.

"Did you enjoy your visit today?" Alicea broke the silence.

"I certainly did...How about you?" I asked back shifting my view to ms. Alicea.

Alicea smiles. "I did. It was delightful" she answered back.

Upon looking at her Luwi's words pop into my mind You'd know in your gut that she'd not be a threat... Haven't you observed her enough? Illogical decision...Apologize to her.. My chest starts to feel tight. I guess Luwi is right. If I was absolutely sure that she was a threat I would not have risked Dahlia's and Luwi's safety. To be honest I have not even seen anything in my observations that would prove her to be a threat. To us at least. Also Alaric my king did say that ms. Alicea is innocent.

"Actually ms. Alicea I am deeply regretful of my past actions towards you. I now humbly beg for your forgiveness I apologize for making an error in my judgement towards you I deeply apologize for it I beg for your forgiveness" I apologized to Alicea while bowing to her.

A moment of silence. The townspeople have all gone to sleep so the only sounds you can hear are the sound of the wind and crickets. Then I heard Alicea walk towards me. Then I felt her hand on my right shoulder which wasn't holding the torch.

"Please don't bow to me for I am not worthy to be bowed for. I forgive you Maruf I really do. I do not blame you at all for having doubts about me. If I were in your shoes I would too have doubted you. So please straighten up" Alicea responded her voice tired.

I did as she said. I then looked at her face. She bore a sad smile. I could not see her eyes since her glasses reflected the torch's light.

Alicea's pov:

We have finally arrive to the palace. I thank Maruf for bringing me back to the palace. We then wish our good night wishes and then go on our ways. As I walk back to my room through the courtyard I spot a figure__ Is that prancing I am seeing?! Towards me in a thick silk cobalt blue bathrobe. I stop midway when I recognize who is coming towards me smiling tenderly. It is no one other than him. His majesty.

"Good late evening Alicea" his majesty greets.