Chapter 251 The Villain Lady Arrives 79
When Alice heard this, a gleam of disbelief flashed in her eyes, which was then replaced by deep worry.
She looked up at Vivian, and the eyes that were once full of hostility now revealed a bit of tenderness and understanding, which softened her heart involuntarily. However, when her thoughts drifted back to the cruel reality of the third prince being imprisoned, her heart suddenly became heavy as lead.
"Princess Vivian," Alice's voice trembled slightly, with a hint of imperceptible pleading, "I... I really appreciate your tolerance and understanding of me. However, there is a concern in my heart that I cannot let go of, and that is His Royal Highness the Third Prince. He has been imprisoned and tortured innocently, and I... I can't just sit back and watch."
Vivian frowned slightly when she heard this. She seemed to be able to feel the struggle and pain in Alice's heart. However, as the future queen, she was well aware of her responsibilities and position, and a complex emotion flashed in her eyes.
"Alice, I understand how you feel. But you have to know that some things are not as simple as they seem. My father... he has his own considerations and plans. The Third Prince's affairs are not something I can change alone." Vivian's words revealed helplessness and fatigue. She seemed to be conflicted and struggling with her own position.
Alice's heart tightened when she heard this, but she did not give up. She took a deep breath, mustered up her courage and continued:
"Princess Vivian, I understand your difficulties. But the third prince is innocent, and he should not endure such suffering. Moreover, your father...he usurped the throne and imprisoned the king, queen, and two princes. Is such an act just? I ask you to let him go for the sake of the third prince's innocence and let him regain his freedom."
As soon as Alice finished speaking, the air around them seemed to freeze, and the classmates opened their eyes wide and looked at her in disbelief.
They had never seen Alice so bold and outspoken, and not afraid of power, and they never expected that she would make such a "treasonous" request at this moment.
Vivian's face also turned gloomy instantly. She didn't expect Alice to accuse her father so directly. However, she didn't get angry immediately, but looked at Alice with a complicated look, as if evaluating her true intentions and courage.
"Alice, I admire your courage. But you have to understand that this world is not black and white. Many times, we need to weigh the pros and cons and make the best choice for the overall situation." Vivian's voice was low and powerful, and her words revealed an unquestionable authority and determination.
"But..." Alice wanted to argue, but Vivian interrupted her.
"No buts, Alice. Everything my father did was for the stability and prosperity of the kingdom. As for the third prince, if he is truly innocent, there will naturally be a fair trial waiting for him. And you and I, as part of the kingdom, should do more to safeguard this hard-earned peace and tranquility." Vivian's words revealed an unquestionable firmness and determination.
Alice listened to Vivian's words with mixed feelings. She understood Vivian's position and difficulties, but she could not give up her deep affection and concern for the third prince. She was silent for a moment, then slowly raised her head and looked at Vivian firmly.
"Princess Vivian, I respect your position and choice. But I also ask you to understand my feelings and persistence. The Third Prince is more than just a fiancé to me. He is my friend, my relative, my... lover. I cannot watch him suffer and remain indifferent. So, I ask you to at least let me see him, even if it's just for once."
There was a hint of pleading and expectation in Alice's words, and her eyes were shining with determination.
Vivian shook her head gently, and that movement seemed to contain a thousand pounds of weight. A complex emotion flashed in her eyes, including deep sympathy for Alice and helplessness about her own situation.
"Alice, I feel your feelings, but this matter is of great importance. My father...his decision is difficult for even me to change. He strictly forbids anyone from approaching those...prisoners, let alone allowing you to meet the Third Prince."
There was a hint of bitterness in Vivian's words, and she paused for a moment, as if she was looking for the right words to ease the heaviness.
"You may not know that during this period of time, there have been undercurrents in the kingdom, and every decision is related to the safety of thousands of people. Although my father's methods are tough, his starting point is to maintain the stability of the kingdom. As for the third prince...his affairs are much more complicated than what appears on the surface."
Vivian's eyes became deep, as if she could see through those unknown secrets.
Alice turned pale when she heard that, but she did not back down. Instead, she bit her lower lip tightly, trying hard not to let her tears fall.
"Princess Vivian, I... I understand what you mean. But please believe that my feelings for the Third Prince are sincere. No matter what he encounters, I am willing to face it with him. Even if I can only see him once and confirm whether he is safe, I will be satisfied."
Vivian sighed. She knew Alice's persistence and affection very well, but this affection became an unspeakable burden at this moment.
"Alice, I am touched by your trust in me, but reality is often more cruel than we imagine."
At this point, Vivian's voice trembled slightly, as if some unspeakable secret was about to be revealed.
When the students around heard this, they began to whisper to each other and talk one after another.
Some people sympathized with Alice's situation and thought she was too infatuated; some people accused her of ignoring the overall situation and making things difficult for Princess Vivian; some people began to praise Princess Vivian's kindness and helplessness, thinking that it was not easy for her to be caught between friendship and responsibility.
"Alice, you're really going too far!" A girl who was usually on good terms with Vivian stood up, her brows furrowed, and her tone was somewhat dissatisfied, "Princess Vivian has tried her best to fight for peace and tranquility for us. How can you be so selfish and make such a request?"
"That's right, Princess Vivian has sacrificed so much for us, how can you still make things difficult for her like this?" Another boy echoed, his eyes full of admiration for Vivian and dissatisfaction with Alice.
Alice's face turned even paler when she heard these accusations. She felt an unprecedented sense of shame and powerlessness. She knew that she was indeed a little impulsive, but the concern and persistence in her heart made her unable to give up easily. "I... I just..." Alice's voice choked. She tried to explain, but found that she couldn't find the right words at all.
Seeing this, Vivian stepped forward and gently held Alice's hand, giving her a little warmth and comfort. "Alice, don't be sad. I know how you feel, but there are some things we really can't do anything about. Perhaps this is fate's arrangement." Vivian's words were full of helplessness and emotion, and she seemed to be heartbroken for her own inability to do anything.
Alice looked up at Vivian. Her eyes, which were once full of hostility, were now filled with tenderness and understanding. She felt Vivian's sincerity and care, and the persistence and unwillingness in her heart gradually dissipated. "Princess Vivian, thank you...thank you for understanding me." Although Alice's voice was weak, it was full of gratitude.
Vivian looked at Alice's eyes that were full of pleading and determination. She was silent for a moment, then slowly shook her head.