"So that's what happened," Lillian told Jasmine who was still falling.
"I can't believe this." Jasmine rubbed her temples in frustration.
"I'm sorry. But, how is she able to make the wish? She's from another kingdom right?"
"That's no problem. After all, the Old Sage isn't limited to our kingdom only. The surprising thing is that it accepted the wish of the princess. This must be a serious thing."
"Yeah. I think so too." Lillian sat beside Jasmine, gathering her thoughts.
"So, what wish did she make?"
"It was very vague. 'Help my father'. Is something wrong with her father?"
"Not that I know of. That backstory teller was also incredibly vague about it. I only remember he can't use his Magic anymore and something about transfer of magic too, maybe that's it."
"Well from my previous experience, it seems the Old Sage accepts wishes then it gives me time to determine whether I will grant the wish or not. I guess it's something like that now too."
"Right. So what are you going to do now?"
Lillian bit her lips, trying to hide the smile coming on her face, "Well, I have no choice now except to tail the King."
"Wipe that smile off your face your true intentions can be read too easily." Jasmine looked around her, "Guess there's no choice then," she grabbed onto the narrow wall that surrounded them both which put a stop to her falling.
In a quick motion, she climbed it and reached the door she fell through, pulling herself out.
Lillian stared, her mouth agape.
"Oh, my dress got dirty." Jasmine began dusting herself off when she noticed Lillian's stare. "What?"
"What happened to that sweet, quiet Jasmine I knew?" Lillian cried out in distress.
"Huh? I've always been like this. It's just that Rose always stands out more than me and I let her. Now, we need to formulate a proper plan. So much for the original one."
"Damn, you're scary. I can understand Rose a little bit now. Why don't you see to our King and I tail the other King."
Huh? How did she know? It's completely dark around us.
"Lillian, stop smiling. It's getting creepy. What if the King is an old man?"
"We won't know unless we see. Plus, the one thing I am extremely confident in is sniffing out attractive people. So, you needn't worry about me."
"It's going to be dangerous. Remember, this isn't even our Kingdom. One wrong move and it will be like we are declaring war on them. You know we don't have the resources for another war just yet." Jasmine warned.
"I got it, I got it. Hey, are we going to keep talking in the dark like this?"
"Huh? Sorry. I was feeling too many things I didn't notice we were talking in the dark." Jasmine summoned a ball of light, brightening up the cave. "Did the layout change? I don't remember seeing that other path there. What are these inscriptions also?"
The walls were littered with inscriptions and carvings from a language they have never seen before. She paused and listened for any other sounds.
"Nothing. There are no creatures, here. That guy isn't as crafty as he thinks he is."
"Yeah, well we gotta give him props for trying."
Jasmine turned to face Lillian but couldn't see her anywhere. "Lillian, where are you?"
"I'm right in front of you."
"I still can't see you, even if you tell me that. Maybe because it's just your consciousness floating around that's why."
"Could be. Now, what should we do?"
"Exactly as you said. Go tail the King and princess. I will try and find that guy and our King. But remember, Lillian. I won't be able to interfere as much as I want to so please be careful." Jasmine said, turning her back on Lillian.
"Sure. But why won't you look at me?" Lillian floated in front of Jasmine and waved her hands, sticking her tongue out.
"I can't see you so it doesn't matter which way I talk to. Please, stop sticking out your tongue and behaving like a three-year-old. You're a grown woman behave like it."
"H-how did you know? You said you couldn't see me." Lillian floated away and hid behind a boulder. "Is that why, even when you were falling, you knew exactly when I smiled?"
"You are easy to read, Lillian. Really easy. Now, hurry up and go. We don't know what's happening right now and the King could be in danger."
"Ok, ok. I'm going. You be careful, ok Jasmine?" Lillian floated through the walls, her voice still echoing in the tunnel.
"You too." Jasmine turned her attention to the mysterious path that wasn't there before. "Now, what secrets do you hold? I better not be disappointed."
King. King. King. How do I find the King? Every room I have checked so far doesn't belong to the King. I can't enter another room seamlessly. I have seen too many things that I wish I could wipe from my memory.
"Princess, you must stay put." A maid and the princess walked past Lillian in a whirl of panic.
"I wish to see my father. Is that so bad?" The princess huffed, stamping her feet in the middle of the corridor.
"No, princess. You have every right to go see him. But-"
"Then I want to see him now! Why won't anyone let me see him? I haven't seen him in so long. Why?" The princess broke down in sobs as she said this, covering her face with her hands.
"Princess." The maid hesitated, "Why don't we go to your room? I heard that there is a wonderful new dress made by the Royal Tailor."
"It's not a new dress I want." The princess sniffled but she still followed the maid.
Lillian rested her back against the wall, watching the princess walk away quietly.
Poor child.
"I wanna see them. Why can't I see them? WHY? Don't they care anymore? Why is it always like this? Am I that hard to love?"
Lillian shook her head, covering her ears, willing the memory and voices away.
Sh*t. That brought back unpleasant memories.
She looked back at where the girl was crying and sighed. "After seeing that, I won't be able to just do it half-heartedly … Fine. This will be my good deed for the day."
Selfish. I am selfish. Yes.
Lillian entered the room she remembered to be empty and summoned her magic. Blue smoke surrounded her body as warmth engulfed her.
In a few minutes, the smoke dispersed. Her dress hung loosely on her body and long, straight ash brown hair flowed to her thighs.
"I can't believe that worked." Lillian murmured, looking at her hands.
"OK, time to get to work. I need a ball."