"Princess, you're here." Lillian ran to greet her in the tunnel, ball in hand.
"Yes. Let's hurry. I only came to show you that I can do everything better." She said, walking without pause.
Lillian smiled looking at her. Though she says that, she wore the proper attire for playing. She even went so far as to wear worn-out clothes so that she wouldn't worry about getting dirty in them.
"Yes, princess." Lillian skipped next to her, grinning the whole way.
They walked with the help of the glowing inscriptions, making it out of the tunnel to the back of the town, right in the outside the wall.
So this is where it leads to?
"How did you get home?" The princess asked, staring at the wall.
"I took that path and just kept going. Before I knew it, I was home. Want to explore, princess?"
"No. I was just curious. Where's the ball? Let's play."
__________________________________________________________________________________________
"That was fun!" Lillian exclaimed, laying on the ground as she gasped for breath as sweat ran down her face.
"Yes." The princess replied, also in the same state.
"You were amazing, princess." Lillian turned over and grinned at her.
"You … I thought that with your dress you wouldn't be able to play but I was sorely mistaken. You played really well."
"Hearing you say that is such an honour. Thank you, princess." Lillian pushed herself off the ground and held her hand out.
Grabbing her hand, a small smile came on the princess's face as Lillian pulled her up.
"One more game?" She asked, taking the ball.
"No. I have to get back to the palace." The princess said, walking back to the tunnel's entrance.
"Awww~ Alright. Tha-"
"If you will come here at the same time tomorrow, then we may play another game." She paused at the entrance and murmured.
"Princess. I will come tomorrow! I promise." Lillian shouted happily as she watched the princess walk away.
Horror struck Lillian as she realized what had just happened and what she had just done.
What am I doing? Why am I like this? Mother will be so mad if she saw me.
Wait, mother?
She looked at the sky, making the golden ball disappear in a dust of golden glitters and watched the moon.
Mother, huh?
Lillian retained her original form again and stretched her body. Trying to get the thoughts out of her head.
"Being in a younger child's body is really taking a toll on me." She rolled her shoulders and sighed, "Ugh. I'm tired."
Though I still have to be careful. I need to know the reason for her wish. Why do I feel like every wish gets vaguer and vaguer and unnecessarily complicated?
The author hates me for sure.
"Oh well. Book or no book, I exist and I guess I am grateful. Somehow. I'll decide when we get to my back story."
"Right, I should check up on Jasmine. If possible she and the King should leave this place as soon as they can. I don't know how long I'll be stuck here and they need to go."
Lillian walked up the road and hid behind the walls. Making sure no one is there, she waved her hands and a mirror formed in her hands.
"Call Jasmine."
"Lillian?" Jasmine's face appeared in the mirror, she looks like she is hiding.
"Jasmine. Is this a bad time?"
"No, I was just thinking of a way to communicate with you. How did you do this, anyway? A mirror appeared in my hands and I saw you."
"I don't know. How my magic works are just confusing. Don't we have anyone that can help with this? Nothing makes sense. I keep getting into strange situations and- Ah, sorry. I'm rambling."
"Someone's full of energy today." Jasmine laughed, her kind smile is back. "Don't apologise."
"Ok, something definitely is wrong."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, last time I met you, you were a little more … you know… like that." Lillian scratched the back of her head, confused.
"Really? Maybe I am like this because I finally filled up my vial. I didn't notice that I was running out until I tried to use my magic and nothing came out."
"Isn't that dangerous?! What will happen if you run out?"
"A Magic Holder like me will die if my vial completely runs out." Jasmine laughed, "Can't believe I forgot. Rose was the one who always reminded me now that she isn't here …"
"What?! That very dangerous. Please be careful."
"It's ok, Lillian. The duchess gave me enough to last a year. I just have to be careful though. But, that would explain it if I am more cranky than usual. Sorry."
"No, it's ok. I wish you told me about this. Are you ok now?"
"Yeah. I am better than ok. When you absorb mana that is compatible with your body, you will understand what I mean. Now, where are you?"
"Uhh." Lillian looked around her, "Outside the castle gates."
Jasmine does look brighter, so I don't have to worry, right? She can take care of herself.
"What are you doing there?"
"It's a long story. What about you? You look like you are hiding."
"It's a long story for me too. But look! I got the King back." Jasmine held the frog up, smiling.
"Are you sure that's the King? Don't all frogs look the same?" Lillian asked, seating down on the grass.
Colourful leaves I can understand, colourful grass is something beyond me.
"Hmmm … You're right. Oh, I got it. Say something to it, Lillian."
"Something? Like what?"
"I don't know. So far, you are the only one here that can get the most reaction from the King."
"Should I be proud or?"
"You should be very proud. Now come on, Lillian."
"Fine. I'll look like an idiot. Hey, your Majesty, uh … I don't know what to say!" Lillian buried her head in her hand face burning with embarrassment.
Jasmine laughed uncontrollably from the other side of the mirror. "You are so awkward, Lillian."
"Well I am sorry for being so awkward," Lillian mumbled, looking away.
"It's ok. We at least confirmed something."
"And, what's that?"
"This frog isn't the King," Jasmine said, placing the frog down. "Guess I have to search more."
"What about you, Lillian?"
"Me?"
"Yeah, what are you going to do now? Have you seen the King?"
"No luck on my end either. But I have started talking to the princess."
"The princess? But even she isn't allowed to see the King right? I heard some servant's whispers."
"Yeah, I may have gotten a little sidetracked," Lillian said, sheepishly, scratching the back of her head.
"There's something about the princess that you couldn't leave alone?"
Lillian stared at Jasmine who had a knowing smile on her face.
"Yes. She reminds me too much of myself. I can't just leave her be. Jasmine, when you find the King, leave with him." Lillian ordered.
"Come on now, Lillian. DO you really think we will leave you alone? We came here together and we will leave together. Worry about them. Leave everything else to me. Ok?"
"Jasmine~ you're so kind." Lillian wiped her eyes, "Thank you."
"Hey, this is what friends do. I need to look for the King, who knows what's happening right now. Will you be ok, Lillian?"
"Yes."
"Remember, we are leaving together."
"Yeah, I'll keep that in mind. See you later, Jasmine."
"You too, Lillian"
Lillian's face disappeared with the mirror, leaving Jasmine empty-handed.
Jasmine sighed and pushed herself off of the floor. The inscriptions on the wall were increasing. Each one of them sent chills up her spine, unsettling her.
"I need to find the King, fast." She ran into another tunnel, maybe this one will be the one.
Lillian looked at her face in the mirror, she looked tired but her eyes have a glint in them now, something that wasn't there before.
She raked her hands through her hair, hissing in pain when it got caught in a knot.
"Forgot that I have a main like a lion's. Doesn't look as majestic on me as it would have on others." Jasmine placed the mirror on the ground and looked up at the sky.
A shooting star raced across the sky, yet the moon still held her attention with its soft glow.
"Friends, huh?" She hugged her leg and buried her face between her knees and chest. "Am I allowed to feel happy now, Mother? I … I want to feel happy."