"Is the food not to your liking, Lillian?" Vaille asked seeing Lillian's downcast expression.
"Huh? Oh, I'm fine, Princess."
"Are you sure? You do not look so well."
"I apologise for worrying you, Princess. I am fine, perhaps a little tired." Lillian wanted to smack herself in the face but she managed a smile.
"Oh, maybe we can help to rejuvenate you a little. Father, can we call him?"
"Sure."
"C-call who? What? I'm fine really."
There you go again, only troubling people.
Lillian shook her head to get that voice out.
"Magician," Vaille called clapping her hands and in a flurry of red smoke, a very familiar blonde head appeared.
Arthur.
Lillian gripped onto her fork and knife the moment she saw him, trying to steady her ragged breath.
"You called, your highness?" He oozed charisma he didn't appear to have before, wearing a blood-red cape with gold accents on it. He wore the Kingdom's crest that is a gold wolf with Apache Tears as its eyes.
"Yes, Arthur. Do you have a spell to remove fatigue?" She asked while Lillian stared at him testing her luck and my patience to see if he would recognize her or not.
"A spell to remove fatigue. That is relatively simple, princess, I can do a lot harder spells. You should ask me more. Who do you need me to use it on?" He spoke with a flourish and a lot of dramatic cape flipping like he was trying to impress her or maybe it's the King.
"Could you use it on my new Lady-in- waiting?" Vaille indicating to me.
"New Lady-in-Waiting? Princess, you finally chose one? Who is she and where did you find her? I don't believe I've seen her before." He strides to Lillian looking at her up and down.
"Yes. I chose one. Lillian, this is the Court Mage, Arthur. Arthur, this is Lillian, my new Lady-in-Waiting."
"Lillian?" He asked moving closer to her, suspicion growing in his face.
Lillian got up from her chair and gave a curtsy, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Arthur. So you are the court magician? What type of magic do you use? Are you a Magic Wielder or Holder?"
"Do you have an interest in magic, Lillian?" The King asked nothing about his expression revealed anything he might be thinking.
"Yes, your majesty. I have travelled around before coming here and I have seen incredible Magic Users. I am just curious to see if he is anything like them."
"That's right, you only came here a couple of months ago. What have you seen Lillian? Could you show us?"
"Show?" Arthur asked while the King raised his brow at the question.
"Yes, Lillian is also a Magic User. Could you show us what you mean?"
"I am still a little fatigued, Princess. I don't know if I'll be able to use my Magic that well at this state."
"That isn't a problem. I will just caste a simple spell on you and all your energy will return." Arthur said rushing to Lillian's side of the table. He released soft red smoke from his fingers and covered Lillian in it.
I keep digging a deeper hole for myself. But I need to get closer to Arthur. He seems to be suspicious but isn't too sure yet. Maybe I can use that to my advantage.
When the smoke dispersed, she could feel all her energy return to her. It was like a good stretch after a nice warm bath.
This feeling is better than waking up refreshed. I need to ask him how to do this.
"How are you feeling, Lillian?" Vaille asked, a little concern in her voice.
"I feel incredible," Lillian reassured her.
"Was I being doubted? Don't worry, Princess, I wouldn't harm your friend."
"Of course you won't." Vaille answered, "Now, Lillian. Show us."
"Yes. Show us your magic, Lillian. I am curious to see your abilities." Arthur took a seat beside Lillian, resting his head in his hands as he gave her his full attention.
"Won't it be rude? To do this at dinner? What do you think, your Majesty?"
The King looked taken aback when Lillian mentioned him, "Me?"
"Yes, your majesty. The final verdict is on you." Lillian tried to communicate with him by staring into his golden eyes.
Say no. Please say no.
"If the Princess wishes to see it then I don't see why not."
Damn you, putting your daughter first … You'll make such a good husband. I wanna cry.
"Are you sure?"
"I do believe you are stalling, Miss."
I really don't like you, Arthur.
I can't show my magic. He will instantly know the extent of my magic if I do anything. What should I do?
She looked around, turning her attention to the fireflies and the princess. An idea struck her as she remembered seeing Vaille with her tutor, practising magic.
"I am a little embarrassed because my Magic isn't very strong, especially after the Princess is speaking so highly of me. Princess, could I ask you for assistance?" Lillian extended her hand to Vaille, who had a confused look on her face but recovered instantly.
"Of course, Lillian." Vaille stood from her seat but the King spoke up.
"No."
"What?"
"Father?"
"I will not allow it. I apologise if I am overstepping myself but I do not entirely trust you just yet. So I do not know what you may do to my daughter." He answered, a hint of irritation in his voice.
Overstepping your boundaries? You are the King, the same rule doesn't apply to you as it does to us commoners.
"Father!" Vaille raised her voice, indignant.
"Of course, your majesty. I understand. I also apologise for displeasing you. Then there is nothing we can do, Princess." Lillian internally rejoiced, because either way, it works for her.
"I still wish to see Lillian's magic. Don't you think so too, Arthur?"
"Yes, princess. I do wish to see her weak magic. If it is indeed weak. Who knows what kind of asset she will be to the kingdom."
Arthur.
"You need someone to assist you, right? Why not use father?"