In the Horace's Estate…
Lilia was in contemplation imagining various scenarios by which she can allow Alice and Charles to meet.
"Sigh... It will be another four years before I will be introduced to Charles Gwindel and if I wait for it…"
"Yep, complete termination for you indeed."
And just like that 709 went back to sleep. Lilia thought about it and it seems that the best way for her is to meet Charles first and to do that she had to go to the palace through her father.
"Father, will you go to the palace again today?"
"Yes, Lilia. What is with the sudden interest?"
"With my daily meetings with my friends over tea, we came to discuss about princess Clouie, I am very much interested in her and I think I would like to meet her."
Lilia cannot use Charles as an excuse. That would be improper of a lady so she can only use the princess this time. She only heard of the princess in passing, about how the older noble ladies complain of her unladylike appearance and unladylike behaviour. She knew from the novel that princess Clouie of Asmira was supposed to be a princess of great stature and grace. Clouie was the only daughter of the queen and the king so she is an apple in their eyes. Any bad rumour about her would have evaporated in a flash. This time, however, unpleasant rumours of her, ran rampant in the noble's circle. This detail was another diversion in the novel.
"She must be lonely without any friends in the palace. I would like to be her friend."
Lilia proclaimed shyly to her father.
"Oh, my little Lilia is growing up… Alright, I will bring you with me to the palace but we cannot bring your sister with us."
I know, Alice was not properly introduced to society yet. It would be a scandal and a smear to the honorable house of Horace if they knew that the count had a child outside of marriage.
"I understand, father. Alice has still not fully learned how to become a proper lady…"
Lilia faked a sad expression to that. Throughout the years, she had donned a loving and caring mask of a sister in front of her father. She cannot let it slip up just like that.
"Be quick and prepare yourself then, we shall depart to the palace."
Lilia together with the count arrived through a carriage, guards were standing erectly on both sides of the humongous gate. The carriage's driver showed them the pass and the gates opened. The Horace estate was already grand for Lilia but the palace is on a whole other level. She felt like she entered a new realm where one can only describe as heaven on earth.
After traveling for several more minutes, they arrived in the main palace. Lilia was escorted out of the carriage and together with her father went inside. The outside was already a treat to the eyes. On the inside, she was greeted with the sparkling and intricate designs of gold and silver. Asmira was rich in minerals and this can seriously be seen in the structure of the building alone.
They were lead to the throne room where Lilia saw the king and immediately followed protocol, greeting him properly.
"I see you have brought your daughter, Sean! Hahaha, she is as charming as you have described her!" The king's laughter echoed out through the room.
"Yes, Paul. She had insisted on wanting to meet the princess. I am not sure what is with the sudden interest but I cannot help but spoil her"
The count freely talked to the king. The novel stated this two were close friends so she was not surprised that they would address each other by their names.
"I am also troubled by how Clouie doesn't seem to have anyone proper in her age to talk to. Their ages are only about two years apart, I indeed would be very pleased if our daughters can be as good friends as we are. Anyways, wish granted, young lady! Haha, I know! Why don't you become her study mate as well?"
Lilia beamed at this and immediately thanked the king as well as her father. A servant escorted her out and led her to the princess' compound.
"Nice to meet you! I am Lilia Horace"
Meeting the princess, Lilia did the customary greeting.
"It is with pleasure I meet you, Lilia Horace. I am Clouie Gwindel, but you may just call me Clouie. Indeed, I have expected your arrival"
Clouie Gwindel, true to the story, took after the king. She had an androgynous face, hard to tell if she was a woman or a man. Presently, her face is not the only issue among the aristocrats, it is also her actions unbecoming of a proper lady. She learned fencing, horse riding, and other stuff only their male equivalent may learn. Lilia was quite jealous of how free Clouie can do all of it just because she is a princess doted on by her parents.
She had once requested those things to the count but was greeted with a cold rebuke and a lesson on how improper it is for a lady like her to learn all those things. However, Lilia did not let it deter her. She secretly learned it from books but really, it is not the same learning when one experiences it.
"Finally, now that we have greeted each other. Let us stop all the formality between us! So what is your hobby? Huh? Me, I like fencing…"
The princess immediately became a bubbly outburst of energy. Lilia was expecting a more mature princess as she was two years older than her but she is like an older version of Alice. She was quite shocked but regained her composure as she went along with the conversation.
"Sorry, I haven't spoken like this with anyone for ages. I am actually surprised that you know all about the things I am talking about. My brothers consider me crazy whenever I try to have an intelligent discussion with them. I like you already! Haha, let's be friends, alright?"
To this, Lilia responded affirmatively. She was also surprised by how this princess' knowledge is already on par with her knowledge that she felt like she was talking to a woman her age, not this life's age but the age before she died. She was around 29 years old at that time if she remembered right. She also liked this princess but she was quite saddened knowing that ten years from now, such a princess will not be in Asmira anymore. She will be married to the prince of a neighboring kingdom called Lavister.
Lilia and Clouie were happily discussing when a palace servant informed them that the count called for Lilia and it is time to go home. She said her goodbye to Clouie with it being politely accepted. Lilia, together with her father went home without any incident. Following that day, she would frequent the palace.
"Hey, my dear host… you've got only fifteen days before your complete termination. Even though you have befriended that princess, you still haven't met that crown prince."
"I know... but it would be strange if I ask about him from the get-go..."
"Anyway, just hurry up with your plans already. I am quite bored with your constant chatting with that princess, Yaawn. I'm gonna sleep some more, okaaaay."
709 went back to sleep again. Lilia had planned to ask about Charles through her meetings with Clouie but she just cannot seem to insert him when Clouie starts talking.