"Um...Father, can I ask you something?" Acia whispered gripping onto the Queen's arm as the three strolled through the town, waving at all the residents.

The King tried to cover up a yawn and nodded. "What is it?"

"Well...you know how you said that I'm not allowed to, um...fall in love?" Acia muttered, glancing at Cedric to make sure he was listening.

He nodded slowly.

Acia suddenly stopped in her tracks and look down at the rocky gravel, her arm slipping out of Alice's.

"Well...um...I've been meaning to ask you this, but...why?" she asked. When her parents didn't respond, she looked up to see that they were both looking at each other warily. "Why can't I fall in love?" she repeated.

"Acia, baby, why don't we go see that famous ice cream stand you were telling us about earlier?" Alice asked, trying to divert from the question.

"It's a long story," Cedric said at the same time.

They both looked at each other, and Alice pursed her lips. "How about the ice cream, first?"

"I don't know, Mother...We do have loads of time..." Acia said carefully, afraid of wading into sensitive waters.

"Alice. It's alright. Either way, it's about time we told her," Cedric said quickly. "She's already 18 years old..." murmured, sighing.

Yes, time flies! Now get along with it!

"Ice cream?" Alice suggested one last time, her eyes pleading, begging.

Her parents may be royalty, but they sure didn't act like any.

Acia thought of how much she loved ice cream, and then of how much she wanted to know why..."Of course! Ice cream it is!" Acia exclaimed, suddenly excited now that she was definitely getting the inside scoop of the story. Her story.

"It all started the day your father and I decided to have a little baby," Alice said, smiling at Cedric.

Acia looked away and groaned inwardly.

On the other hand, Cedric didn't seem to be affected at all. In fact, his head seemed totally out of the game. He slowly scooped up spoonfuls of ice cream and stuffed them into his mouth, his eyes gazing emptily at a spot on the table.

"Kings and Queens came from far and wide asking to be betrothed to you. That, was when you were just born. However, we rejected them all. We knew that the decision had to be made by you," Alice explained, looking at Acia earnestly.

Acia nodded, but felt something bad coming up.

"All we've ever wanted was the best for you. We tried our best. For a long time, we rejected every single prince, and made sure that you were safe. However, it didn't last for long. When you were seven, the Prince of Wonderland came to ask for your hand. Of course, we tried to reject him. However, he was different. He was cunning and smart. In no time at all, he had us agreeing, even pleading for him to be betrothed to you, Princess," Alice stopped speaking and sighed softly. "We're so sorry, baby. We don't have any idea what he did to us, but...I just forgot everything...Oh, oh, oh... He just left, and he never came back. But, we've tried to take precautions. That's also part of the reason why you live here."

What's the other part? Why can't I just be married to him? Acia thought. "Is that it?" she asked. Seeing the shocked expression on her mother's face, she quickly added, "I just thought, you know, it would be much more interesting and less...cliché...I didn't think that people actually betrothed you. I-I just don't understand...so...that's why I can't be married? Because...because I already am...?"

They were all silent for a long time, Acia looking at Alice, Alice looking at Cedric, and Cedric looking away.

Alice took a sip of her strawberry banana smoothie, and sighed. "I'm sorry Acia. We're just trying to keep you safe. And, anyways, you can still get married with whoever you want. It doesn't matter."

"Of course it matters! You can't just betroth me and then tell me to run off with someone else!" I shouted, catching the attention of a few people nearby.

Alice took another sip calmly, and bit her lip. "I don't know...I mean, I don't know if it was official or anything like that," she said, glancing at Cedric for the millionth time. "Hun, do you know anything?"

Cedric scraped the bottom of his bowl, and shrugged. "I just don't like the new messenger. Say, what was his name again, Acia?"

Acia was caught by surprise, and hesitated for a few seconds before answering, "Jaxon."

The King nodded his head, and dropped the spoon into the bowl with a "clink." "I'm thinking that we should head back."

"Cedric," Alice snapped warningly. "We're in the middle of an important conversation here. Also, we aren't finished with our fancies," she said, glowering.

"It's fine, Mother. I'm almost done, and I think this chat can wait 'till later," Acia said, stuffing the last bit of her ice cream cone in her mouth. She stood up and tucked in her chair.

Alice looked disapprovingly at Cedric, her look saying it all. She blamed him for ending this conversation.

"Thank you for having us, Princess Acialeigha," Cedric said, in a rush to leave. He opened the front door and walked out. The door swung close behind him.

Alice smiled at Acia, slipping into her white satin heels. "I'm sorry about your father. He usually isn't like this...I don't know what's gotten into him. Personally, I really enjoyed my time here, and can't wait 'till next year when I come again. I'll make sure to stay in touch through letters, as well."

"Of course, Mother. It was lovely having you over," Acia said, curtsying respectfully.

"Oh, baby. I absolutely loved it," Alice sighed, curtsying back. "I think I should take my leave now."