Chapter VIII: Operation: Truce

Queen Beatrice’s POV

When I woke up the next day, I got ready. I roamed around the palace gardens then I saw Neil sitting and enjoying the sight, so I approached him.

“Hello Neil, what are you doing here?”

"Oh, good morning Beatrice. I'm just loving the view here,"

“Are you thinking about something?”

"Yes, I'm thinking about the incident yesterday, I'm sorry Beatrice,"

“It’s ok Neil, I know that you are a playboy and a big flirt, but I know that you don’t like me, you just like to tease Alaric, am I right?

Prince Neil’s POV

I was in the garden sitting and loving the view when Beatrice approached and greet me. I was thinking about last night's incident. To tell the truth, I like Beatrice, but as a friend, I just love to tease Alaric. Beatrice and I talked, and I was stunned because she knows that I'm just teasing Alaric, but I guess I went too far yesterday.

"I like you Beatrice, but as a friend and nothing more. You are right, I just love to tease Alaric, but I went too far this time. When I heard about Alaric's wedding, I went to meet you and planning to tease Alaric more. By teasing him, I observed that Alaric has changed and matured, and not a child anymore. He is in love now, I can tell by the way he gets angry when I'm flirting with you. He is jealous,"

“Yes, he admitted it to me last night when we were arguing”

“Are you two ok now?”

“Yes, we made up after our argument, by the way, is your bruise ok?”

"That's good to hear. My bruise is ok now. I want to apologize to Alaric, but he is busy, Livie said. He doesn't want to talk to me,"

"Maybe later? He is just being childish,"

"I will give it a try. So Beatrice, have patience with Alaric sometimes, he may be childish and arrogant, but he has a big heart. He doesn't show it much. He is a man now, even though he is just 13”

"I know. I learned a lot about him these past few months. I am now used to his personality. We made a promise to each other that we are going to face this together and be with each other. He is not alone anymore,"

“I am speechless about your promise to each other. Ok, I will be going now to my room, nice talking with you Beatrice,"

“Sure Neil”

I know that Beatrice can make Alaric happy. I may tease Alaric often, but it’s my way of cheering him up because he is so moody and grumpy, but I went too far yesterday. I just want him to forgive me.

Narrator’s POV

Queen Beatrice has a plan on how to help King Alaric and Prince Neil in good terms. She called it “Operation: Truce” but she will not do it alone.  She will convince Livie. She went looking for Livie, and she saw him in the kitchen and approached him.

“Uh, Livie, can I have a word with you?”

"What is it, your highness?"

"I have a plan to help Alaric and Neil be on good terms, and I call it, Operation: Truce. I want you to help me,"

"That's good, your highness, count me in. What’s the plan?”

"I will convince Neil, and you will convince Alaric. We will trap them in my room,"

"That's a great plan, ok I will convince him,"

"Thank you Livie,"

Livie went to King Alaric's office and told him that Queen Beatrice is looking for him in their room.

"I will be there in a minute,"

"Ok, your highness,"

Queen Beatrice also convinced Prince Neil to accompany her with something in her room. When they entered the room, Queen Beatrice pushed Prince Neil inside and locked the door, leaving Prince Neil inside. Livie and King Alaric are on their way to Queen Beatrice's room.  When they opened the door, Livie also pushed King Alaric inside. King Alaric was shocked by seeing Prince Neil.  

“What are you doing here Neil?”

"Beatrice said to accompany her here with something, but she suddenly pushed me and trapped me here, what are you doing here too Alaric?”

"Livie said that Beatrice is looking for me here, but I was pushed by Livie and trapped me here, now I'm stuck with you here,"

“Maybe it’s Beatrice’s plan for us to be in good terms. Look Alaric, I'm sorry about yesterday, I went too far, and I didn't intend to do it. I just like to tease you, but as I have observed, you have changed and matured now. You cherish Beatrice so much,"

“I’m sorry too because I punch you in the face. I was just jealous of you and Beatrice flirting with each other, and I cannot calm myself,"

“Don’t worry, Beatrice said that to me already when we were talking this morning.  She said that you don’t have to worry because you made a promise to each other”

“Yes, and I will not forget our promise,"

"So, are we even now?"

“Sure”

They shake hands and hugged each other. When they are about to go outside, the door opened, and it is Queen Beatrice and Livie.

“So, are you two ok now?”

"Yes Beatrice, we talked about it," Neil said

"That's great.  My plan worked, Operation: Truce,"

“Sure, it did work,"

"Thank you, Beatrice," King Alaric said while hugging her.

Queen Beatrice was shocked because King Alaric hugged her, and she also hugged him back. After that, they went to grab some snacks.

Glad they made up already. What’s next in store for them?

Find out in the next chapter.