The man stared down at Lillian with his golden eyes and she had to do everything in her power and force herself not to combust at that very moment.
"Hello again, Father." Vaille cheerfully greeted him. "You needn't follow me here."
"How could I not when you took off running in such a state of panic? I worried that something may have happened. Now, who is this?" He spoke like his voice was the wind flowing hither and thither. A soft melodic voice that transcends human understanding.
Lillian lightly tapped on Vaille's shoulder. "Do you need a stepmother?" She mumbled.
"What was that, Lillian?"
Taking in a deep breath and swallowing her words she smiled brightly at her, "Is this the King?"
"Oh yes. I'll introduce you to him." She turned to face the King, gripping Lillian's hand tightly.
How is he so tall? How? I reach just below his chest, above where his bellybutton should be. I wonder how my real body height would be compared to him.
Well, I doubt it would hardly make a difference.
"Father, this is her." Vaille beamed up at him, introducing her like she was a treasure to be shown off.
Please don't be so proud of me Princess. You're only going to be disappointed.
"Lillian, this is my father, His Royal Highness, Sappire Ragelous, King of Lurais."
"Pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty." She gave a little curtsy and smiled up at him too. "I apologise for the inconvenience I may have caused to both you and the princess."
"That was my fault, Lillian. It completely slipped my mind that I needed to give you an invitation. I suppose I was too accustomed to seeing you around the castle that I forgot you do not reside here."
"It's alright Princess. Were you having your meals? I hope I didn't disturb you."
"We were on our way to the dining hall as my daughter told me about you that was when the maid came and informed us of your arrival. I apologise for the inconvenience we caused you." The King spoke with a voice like honey and bowed his head to Lillian as a show of apology.
Forget the Frog King, this is heavenly beauty.
"D-d-d-d-d-don't a-a-a-a-apologise, S-s-s-s-sire. I-I-I-I-I-"
"Lillian, calm down. Breathe." Vaille had a sly smile on her face looking at Lillian's flustered appearance.
"I'm sorry. I'm just not used to all this." Lillian tried to cover up, wishing the ground would swallow her whole. She felt her face burn but was it from embarrassment or …
It is embarrassment!
She was thankful for the darkness, because of it they couldn't see how red her cheeks have become.
"Shall we go to eat then? The palace banquet will go to waste if we are too late. Come, Lillian. Father." Vaille held Lillian's hand in one side and the King's in the other, pulling them into the castle.
"I'll see you later, Berthol! Lance!" Lillian called to them and waved at them with her free hand. They smiled and waved back at her stopping suddenly to rush back to their post.
Strange. They look like they saw a ghost.
She turned from them and looked to her right, to see the King staring at her. Panicking, Lillian smiled at him but he didn't smile back and turn his attention back to the front.
Don't just randomly look at me like that, your majesty! I thought I was going to melt under that gaze! Great, my cheeks are burning again.
They walked up the stairs lit with lanterns that held light orbs of varying colours.
The castle smelt delicious to someone who hasn't eaten since morning. That someone is Lillian who is sucking her stomach in to try and prevent her stomach from growling. Especially now because all that could be heard are footsteps.
"You look really pretty Lillian," Vaille said, filling the silence.
"Thank you, Princess. But I can't compare to you who always looks radiant no matter what it is you wear."
"I know." Vaille laughed when Lillian made a face after hearing her reply.
"By the way, Princess. You didn't tell me that it's your birthday. Had I known, I would have gotten something for you."
"But, Lillian, you have already given me a gift."
"I have?"
"Yes." Vaille grabbed her hand and held it, looking at her with happiness in her eyes. "You agreed to be my Lady In Waiting."
"That's such a small thing, Princess."
"It's not small, Lillian. Not after all that you have done for me."
"Do you mean the pastries? They were delicious right? After five tries that is. Though I'm surprised the chef had an idea of what I was talking about."
"Yes. He is from the Isle of Relos after all. They are famous for their baked goods but they don't make it unless specifically asked. He would never have made it if you hadn't tried to make them yourself. Thanks to you, I got to taste something wonderful. You have done that and many more. You did a lot for me, I couldn't ask for anything better than to have you beside me always."
"You praise me too much, Princess."
"I'm only giving praise where it's due. You're incredible, Lillian."
"Then, thank you, Princess."
Is this the princess? Is this really her? She's been acting like this since yesterday. What happened to that prideful girl?
"We're here."
They stopped in front of a large wooden door with the same inscriptions like the one in the underground tunnel with Arthur. The guards with us opened the door, bowing as we entered the room.
The dining room was beautifully decorated with plants hanging from the ceiling with little lights that look like fireflies but they are magic. It gives a very woodland feel.
"Wow." Lillian couldn't contain her amazement when she saw the little suspending orbs scattered all around the room.
"What do you think, Lillian?" Vaille asked while the King took his seat gracefully.
"It's incredible." She gasped out, afraid to be too loud in case everything disappeared. She followed Vaille and took her seat opposite to her, the King at the front.
They are yet to bring out the food, so the three sat there with the wine cups filled by the servants as they awaited beside each seat for instructions.
Lillian felt conscious of everything she did with the maid standing next to her.
"Really? This is minimal as compared to what we used to do before. My daughter asked to make the banquet hall look like a forest with fairies this year." The King said, taking a sip of the wine they provided. He never smiled, dare I say, he looks sad but every time he spoke of the princess, there was a hint of pride in him.
"Really? The princess was the reason for this? Incredible, Princess. You have a knack for interior designing." Lillian began mumbling, "If I could bring you back then the Masquerade ball will be a hundred times better with your insights. I wonder."
"Pardon, Lillian?"
"Oh, no. I'm sorry, my mind wandered to a work I have to take care of."
"Work? Do you mean in the town? What work do you do, Lillian?"
"Well, I help to carry the feed to the animals, also collecting the eggs from the chickens. It's a hassle fighting them for it. I can't count how many times I got hurt because of them." Lillian laughed, remembering how she ran from the chickens that morning.
"I also collect milk from the cows. It took me a while but I finally got the hang of it. Mister Kore's cows give the tastiest milk. I don't know how that is possible but they are incomparable." An idea struck her. "Would you like me to bring some to you, Princess, Your Majesty?"
"I would love that, can she, Father?" Vaille and Lillian turned their attention to him.
"If you wish to." The King answered, taking another sip. He whispered to the servant beside him.
The servant clapped his hands and shouted, "Bring in the food!"
One after the other, the servants came in carrying delicacies. There seems to be a never-ending train of food.
"If I bring milk tomorrow then I can bring some of Mister Garish's eggs and also his bread. We can make something with them tomorrow, what do you think, Princess?" Lillian looked up, finally noticing the food spread around them and that it was only the three of them there.
"Eh?"
Where did the other servants go? Wasn't one standing here with me?
"I think that will be lovely. I don't have anything planned tomorrow. We could have a little picnic in the garden. What do you think, Father?"
"I think it is fine. Now, please begin eating. You must be starved." He said to Lillian, a hint of a smile on his face.
H-how did he know? Did he hear my stomach?!
"O-Of course, your Majesty." Lillian wrapped her hand around her stomach, her face burning with embarrassment.
He's so attractive I feel like I'm dying. Why do I keep embarrassing myself? Mother will be disappointed.
Mother?
Ah, I remembered something annoying.