Steve squinted as he materialized in a large cobblestone shed, Alice appearing soon after. Zak approached him, clearing his throat. Alice was nervously glancing at Zak with a mix of fear and concern in her eyes.
"Are you okay?"
With Zak's help, Steve got to his feet and offered assistance to Alice, but she refused, her attention fixed on the machines and artifacts that furnished the shed. The old contraptions caught Steve's eye as well, their antique charm and potential value to collectors was evident.
Curiosity piqued; Steve approached Alice. "What's going on?" he asked, trying to catch her attention.
Alice engrossed in inspecting a corroded typography machine, replied without looking at him. "Nothing."
Concerned, Steve squeezed her reddened cheeks gently. "Please, don't cry," he said, attempting to lighten the mood.
"I won't!" she retorted, pushing his hands away. Steve hugged her, hoping to provide some comfort.
"You arrived sooner than expected!" Zak interrupted, bowing in acknowledgment.
Steve sighed, realizing his mistake. "Ah, I should have paid attention to Alice. Taking the ring with me during my journey in the Ottoman Empire could have been extremely useful."
"You forgot it on the living room table. You could have escaped when they captured you," Alice interrupted her father, her cheeks puffed in frustration. Steve patted her head, acknowledging her point. "You fool!" She sighed.
Turning his attention back to Zak, Steve inquired, "Where is the old man?"
"He's organizing a meeting in the main hall."
"A meeting?" Steve scratched his head, puzzled.
"Yes, he started a few minutes ago. He sensed you used your rings and now that you're here, he's preparing everything and has called for everyone else to attend."
Grabbing Steve's right hand, Alice frowned at him. "What's going on?" he asked, while she led him upstairs, leaving Zak behind.
Ignoring Steve's question, Alice roared, "Nothing!"
Father and daughter ascended a flight of stairs, entering a gloomy, dungeon-like vaulted chamber made of blueish stone, lit dimly by chandeliers. Alice continued onward, determined.
"Follow me!" she urged.
"But shouldn't we wait for Zak?" Steve queried; his confusion evident.
"No!" Alice's response was firm, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Together, they reached a large circular hall, the space illuminated by a massive crystal chandelier suspended in midair. The wet and cold floor caused Alice to slip, but Steve swiftly dashed to her side. She knelt, on the verge of tears, her frustration overwhelming. Steve adjusted her clothes and helped her to her feet, acutely aware of her distress and her inability to face Zak.
"Do not worry," he whispered, trying to soothe her, but she didn't respond. Drawing his face closer, he examined her forehead, hoping to find solace in their connection. In an effort to provide comfort, he embraced his daughter tightly.
"It isn't such a big deal... to worry about things," Steve gently caressed Alice's forehead, hoping to calm her down.
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"What's wrong?" Alice stammered, her voice shaky as she bit her lips and rubbed her tired eyes.
"I know he mistreated you in the past, but he's changed and is trying to be nicer!" Steve kissed her forehead, attempting to reassure her. "Let's go to our chamber!"
They resumed their pace through a chamber with reddish stone walls and entered a bedroom located at the end of the corridor. Unlike Alice's room, this one had more cushions and a vibrant variety of colors.
"At least it isn't a mess like your bedroom!" Steve giggled, trying to lighten the mood. However, the girl seemed unaffected by his comment.
Alice jumped onto the bed. "I want to take a nap! I'm so tired because of school," she sniffed, wiping her wet eyes with the blanket.
"Do it while we wait, cutie!" Steve chuckled, encouraging her to rest.
In less than a minute, Alice was snoring softly. Steve sat on a chair beside the bed, staring absentmindedly at the ceiling. Lost in thought, he couldn't help but recall the two mysterious women who had set him free. "What did they want from me?"
And before he knew it, he had fallen asleep as well.
An hour later, a small peregrine falcon flew in through a window, perching on the chair next to him. Steve awoke and stared at the bird, noting its unusual appearance. Tied to its leg was a message. Taking the paper, he gawked as the bird suddenly exploded like a balloon, releasing a small gust of wind. Unfolding the paper, Steve marveled at the fine and neat handwriting.
"I am waiting for Alice and you. We will meet at the altar chamber in 5 minutes. Hurry up, or you will arrive late.
Völundr.
PS: If you do not know where it is, please remind Alice that it is the room where the ice cream machines are."
As Steve finished reading the postscript note, additional notes began appearing, one after another, as soon as he finished the previous one.
Note 1: There is no ice cream.
Note 2: Do not tell her, “There is no ice cream."
Note 3: If you say that, she will not want to come.
Note 4: HURRY!
Steve's eyes widened as he read the increasingly frantic notes. Völundr had written the last one enraged, causing the handwriting to become disfigured.
"Wake up, please!" Steve whispered into Alice's left ear, hoping to wake her from her slumber.
"No," she babbled, half-asleep.
"Alice, wake up. Please!" Steve chuckled.
"No...!" she jabbered, interrupting her own words. Steve couldn't help but laugh and decided to give it another try.
"Alice... wake up!" He tickled her belly playfully.
"Ah!" she yelled, hugging his face tightly in her half-asleep state. "Ah!" she shouted, squeezing even harder. However, as Alice awakened, she realized what she had done and quickly released him, causing herself to lose balance and fall out of bed.
“Careful!” Steve approached to help her to her feet.
"What were you doing?" She wheezed, trying to catch her breath.
"Just trying to wake you up,” Steve snorted. “It didn't go as planned."
"You moron!" Alice yelled, hastily running her fingers through her tousled hair.
"Alice!" Steve interrupted urgency in his voice. "We must go to the altar room. Völundr is waiting for us there."
"Huh?" Alice growled, still groggy from her nap. "Where?"
"That's the room where the ice cream machines are, my liege!" Steve bowed playfully, trying to lighten the mood.
"Oh my gosh! We must hurry!" Alice screeched, her eyes widening in realization.
"Be quick and change your outfit!" Steve urged her.
Nodding, Alice rushed to the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face. Meanwhile, Steve waited for her in front of a full-body mirror. He undressed and carefully selected his attire—a pair of black trousers and a long-sleeved gray shirt from a wardrobe nearby.
"Can you help me?" Alice called out as she emerged from the bathroom.
Steve gladly obliged, assisting her in unzipping her dress from the back. As she stood in her camisole and ruffled petticoat. He hung the dress back in the wardrobe.
"It's supposed to be a formal meeting. What should I wear?" Alice asked, her brows furrowed in uncertainty.
"A dress?" Steve smirked mischievously.
"Haha, so funny!" Alice huffed, not amused.
"This might work." Steve held up a pink shirtwaist dress.
"I hate pink!" Alice protested.
"What about this one?" Steve suggested, pulling out a black shirtwaist dress.
"This one’s cute!" Alice's eyes lit up, finding the dress to her liking.
"Isn't the dress skirt too short?" Steve pointed out, scratching his head in concern.
"This way is trendy now," Alice snickered.
"If you say so!" Steve shrugged.
He helped her zip up the dress at the back, and in turn, Alice assisted him with his red necktie. Once they were both dressed, Steve reached for a hat from the wardrobe.
"Will you wear a hat too?" He asked.
"You know I hate wearing hats. I only do it because it's mandatory at school. I h-a-t-e them!" Alice spelled out each letter with emphasis.
“Fine, fine!” Steve smirked at her, heading towards the doorway. “Let’s go!”
"Of course, of course! Move, move!" Alice giggled, following close behind.