"Please, dear, don't joke like that," Alice complained, glancing at Alden, who was now beside her. She couldn't believe the explanation Alden provided about the little chaos that happened at Edrik and Viona's wedding party.

Alden shrugged. "I'm not joking about this one, Mi. There's no point in joking about something serious like this. Besides, it's not funny." Alden stopped walking. "Just think of a more plausible reason why Edrik came here last night. He's about to marry Viona in a few hours. And, as you saw earlier, he was still wearing the same batik outfit from yesterday."

Alice also stopped walking, taking a moment to consider Alden's words. Her...