They couldn't help but notice the thoughtful frown on Alicia's face.
"What... are you thinking about, Milady?" Paulina asked softly, and Alicia sighed as she looked at them.
"I don't know. Different thoughts are running through my mind," Alicia said, unable to shake off the thought that something was wrong.
Somehow she had a feeling that everything was related and that those dreams she had about Princess Amber were not mere dreams. What if they were messages from her subconscious trying to help her figure some things out?
Since Harold mentioned that he and Tyra had been in that village where Amber had drowned, she had been unable to shake that dream from her mind. She was having a hard time believing in coincidences lately.
"Tell me about them," Harold said softly, and Alicia shook her head.
"Later. I should let her finish speaking," Alicia said, and Harold looked into her eyes before giving her a nod, understanding that whatever she wanted to say couldn't be said in front of the others.
"Please go on," Alicia said, and she listened as Susan brought her up to speed with everything that had happened and how they all teamed up and tried to delay everything while also trying to gather evidence. Susan, of course, didn't mention the oath they had taken.
By the time Susan was done, Alicia let out a deep breath and looked at them with gratitude. It was funny how people she knew for years were quick to discard her when the media was against her. Yet, these people she had barely known for a long time stood by her even though she had been accused of murder and there had been a "witness".
She laughed ruefully and raised her head to blink back tears before sniffing and looking at all of them one by one.
"Thank you. You all saved me, and... I'm grateful," she said quietly.
"You would have done the same and more if it were someone else," Luciana said in a soft tone as she looked at her. The others nodded in agreement. They imagined if it had been someone else in her place, the person wouldn't have even gotten to the point where they would face execution, even if it meant Alicia was going to pull the Queen and Damon's hairs to suspend everything.
Harold looked at her softly as a smile played on his lips. He wondered how someone could be so fierce and so compassionate at the same time. It just didn't make sense that the people in her world didn't value her.
Alicia smiled in embarrassment, as the atmosphere was too uncomfortable for her. She didn't want to cry. But she was always going to remember this day and all they had done for her.
"If you don't mind, can you excuse us for a moment? I want to speak with Harvey and Prince Harold alone," Alicia said, and the rest of them exchanged a look, while Alvin looked at Harold, feeling left out.
Harold gave him a nod to leave with the others, knowing that if Alvin left with them, no one would be around to eavesdrop on their conversation.
Alvin nodded and made his way to the door as he waited for the others to leave first. When it was his turn to step out, Harold spoke in his head. 'There are a lot of things I want to tell you, and I will tell you. I... promise.'
Alvin looked back at Harold and smiled a little before he stepped out to keep the others from eavesdropping.
Once they left, Alicia looked from Harold to Harvey and then back again. "I think we should tell the others the truth about me," Alicia said, and Harold exchanged a look with Harvey, who shook his head.
"That is too risky. We can't trust them not to tell anyone else about it," Harvey said, and Alicia shook her head.
"They have risked their lives for me. They've believed in me even without any evidence. I don't think I should keep any more secrets from them," Alicia said, and Harold's brows furrowed.
"How much do you want to tell them?"
"Everything. My real identity as well as the truth about Amber's lineage. They are our allies, and they should know," Alicia said, and Harvey shook his head, totally against the thought, but Harold merely sighed.
"Was that what you were thinking about earlier?" Harold asked her.
Alicia shook her head. "Do you think Tyra is telling the truth?" She asked, and Harold shook his head.
"You told me already that you didn't do it..."
"Yes, so you said. But I'm asking, if I didn't tell you that I was innocent, would you have believed her? Do you think she has any reason to lie against me?" Alicia asked with a frown.
The last thing she wanted was to turn Harold's heart against his only sister. The only other person who seemed to care about him in the palace. Tyra was also her friend, and she had grown to treasure her a lot. But it was important that she ask him this question.
"Do you trust her?" Alicia asked, and Harold hesitated for a moment while Harvey kept looking between the two.
"Why are you asking me this? Do you suspect her?" Harold asked without answering her questions, and Alicia sighed.
"I don't know. From what Susan said, the only people who were in the palace that night with me were Beth, Tyra, and the maid. Tyra and the maid are a team, and Beth was probably acting on her own..."
"You think Princess Tyra might have done it?" Harvey asked while Harold frowned.
Although he had his own suspicions, he knew Tyra wasn't strong enough to take on Beth. "She couldn't have killed Beth," Harold said quietly.
Alicia turned to face Harvey and asked him seriously, "You know Princess Amber quite well. Do you think she is capable of killing someone that way?"
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