"Lillian." Vaille tried to whisper to her but Lillian was pumping with adrenaline from the pain on her arm and the constant, never-ending pull from her body.
Why? She was so good at controlling her true emotions all her life. So why?
She knows that she is overreacting but she couldn't control herself any longer. A thought just popped in her head and she couldn't help but to speak on it.
All these people are suffering so much because the King is afraid. That's it. He afraid of being betrayed so he only surrounds himself with people that he completely trusts and even the servants were less in number but they all knew the King from his younger years.
He is the one not willing to open the kingdom for trade business, the only thing he knows is how to conquer and now that he can't, he is shutting himself in the castle.
At the very least, Roman was trying to see what he could do for the people. It wasn't perfect but it was something. The only reason the people aren't going against the King here is because he has powerful people on his side that love him like this, and they still trust him, to some extent.
Afraid and easy to manipulate, whether he knows it or not. He needs to grow a spine otherwise this kingdom will fall into chaos.
"Pardon me, Lillian? What did you say?" Sappire asked, glaring at her.
I'm sorry but you're too attractive to be scary in my eyes.
"You need to grow a spine, your majesty. You are like a spoiled teenager. Sure you held this meeting but how many times have these been held in a year? And what conclusion did you actually come to? Judging by everyone's reactions and the state of the Kingdom, I can tell that you haven't ever come to a conclusion before. Or, you haven't carried them out."
Lillian stopped talking and looked at him, refusing to break their eye contact while her heart slammed against her chest and it felt hard to breathe.
"You seem to not have a very positive image of me, Lillian," Sappire remarked, making Lillian sigh.
This isn't the important thing at the moment.
"You are extremely attractive, your majesty. And I know you are kind and gentle, but that's really all you have to you. Besides, maybe being a demon on the battlefield."
"You are very honest, Lillian," Sappire said, then burst into laughter.
"Your Majesty!" All his advisors stood up, while Lillian took that time when no one is looking at her to tie the handkerchief around her arm.
Hopefully, they will think it's some kind of style.
Who am I kidding? You have to be really dumb to believe that. One problem at a time, Lillian. Remember you have insulted the King.
If I run away now, will I be able to make it out the kingdom before they figure it out? I could always try teleporting if worse comes to worse.
"Lillian," Sappire called to her as he too stood from his chair. "Come with me."
He extended his hand out to her but she only stared at him in confusion.
"Father, what are yo-"
"We will continue this meeting in an hour. After I have a talk with Lillian, privately."
"Father, your not-"
"Princess, please wait here with the rest of the ministers. We will be back in a bit, alright?"
"Yes, your majesty." They all said as he kept holding his hand out to Lillian.
"Lillian?"
Lillian sighed, then walked with the King not taking his hand. Sappire chuckled and followed her.
"I will send in food in the meantime so please excuse us for an hour. And, Commander Ray?"
"Yes, your majesty?"
"Make sure no one leaves the room, alright?"
"Yes, Sire."
_________
"Is there something specific you want to talk about with me, your majesty? Or are you thinking of punishing me?" Lillian asked as she followed the King's every step.
"Why would I punish you?"
"Didn't I commit some kind of offence to you, your Majesty?" Lillian asked, her arms wrapped around her chest to try and hide the stained handkerchief on her arm.
"You did. Offending the king can lead to execution without trial. You were very bold there." Sappire smiled at Lillian, amusement dancing in his eyes.
"So, am I going to get executed?" She asked as they stopped in front of a door.
"Now, why would you be executed?" He asked as he opened the door and entered in. "Please come in."
Lillian cautiously walked into the room, trying to be as alert as possible.
"You don't have to be afraid," Sappire reassured her but she wasn't having any of it.
The King's room is very simply decorated and filled with reds, and blacks, from the bed to the curtains. He really doesn't want any light to enter once he closes the curtains.
To be honest, same dude. If I had all the money I could wish for, I too would always lock myself in my room and ignore everyone else.
But then again, he is still the King. He still has duties.
"Sit." He said, pointing to the chair and Lillian cautiously sat down right at the edge of the chair.
"You … who, no I think there is a better question here, what are you actually?" Sappire asked, sitting on the chair opposite to her.
"Should I feel offended that your highness doesn't believe I am human?" Lillian asked as the emptiness she felt leaving the room suddenly came rushing to her.
"There is something so strange about you, Lillian, something so off. Like you do not belong here and your behaviour today proves it."
"Behaviour? You mean what happened in the meeting room?"
"Yes. I don't know if you felt it but Arthur was releasing magic throughout the room to bring out everyone's true intentions."
"So you were testing me." Lillian rested back against the back of the chair and fell into deep thought.
"Well, only Arthur and I knew about this. The others think they are testing you but there were caught in it as well."
"So you are testing both me and them? Why? Aren't they your most trusted ministers?" Lillian mocked.
"They are the ones with the most power, so I needed to check them too. They only ever agree to what I say and then do something else. As you know, I lost my magic so they may have become more confident in themselves.
"The thing is, I don't know how many of them are actually loyal to me and how many aren't. I was hoping to see all that today, but I didn't expect you to become like that."
"Sorry. No, I'm not going to apologise. I wasn't even aware of what was happening."
Sappire laughed, "Yes. You don't have to apologise. I am certain of your sincerity now. But am still wary of you. You aren't Lillian, are you?"
Should I tell him? What will that do for him or for me? What will change?
"My name is Lillian. That's all I can tell you, I'm sorry, your Majesty, but maybe I will tell you one day. Just not now."
"Alright. But answer this question for me, then I will answer what question you have."
"Fine. One question."
"How old are you?" He asked, leaning forward.
"Asking a girl her age is almost rude, don't you think so, your majesty?" Lillian raised an eyebrow, while a faint smile came on her face.
"I don't think that applies to me, Lillian. Now, please answer my question."
"I am twenty-five."
"Twenty-five? You do not look your age at all." Sappire thought for a while then laughed, "I can now understand why you were so surprised when Ray told you his age."
"Ugh. Please don't bring that back. It's embarrassing enough as it is in my memories." Lillian groaned, covering her face with her hands.
"It's alright, you are much closer to my age then." He said, smiling. "I think I can also understand why you would refuse to be my daughter so strongly."
"Ah … that." Lillian felt her face become red as she fidgeted with her hair. "Weren't you just trying to test me?"
"I was but I keep the option there. For all that you have done for Vaille, just come and ask me for anything and I will do what I can to help you."
"Wait, so you aren't mad? After what I said to you?"
"You said the truth so why should I be angry. A good King can take criticisms. Now, I brought you here because I need to ask you a favour."
"What is it?"
"Use your magic on me again. When you used it last time, I got back some of my own magic. So, there has to be something with your magic that's helping me regain my own."
"Your majesty."
"I know that I am a hopeless king that has been taking advantage of by his ministers. I need to gain back my magic to be able to exert my authority. They won't respect me unless they know I can destroy them."
"Your majesty … that's not true respect. You're relying on fear to get your people to see you as a king but that isn't going to work. Just like before, the respect will disappear easily. You don't have to show yourself as scary for the people to listen to you."
"Power is what makes a king. Losing their magic is like a death sentence on the King. I am barely alive even now. What's a king that lost all their magic and troops while trying to protect his people? A weak King." He looked at his hands and balled them into fists.
"A King isn't defined by power. Not to his people anyway." Lillian said, walking to him and placing her hand on his shoulder. "What the people want is a King that cares for them. Nothing else."
"You aren't wrong and I am obligated to believe you as you are the one with the most connection to the people."
"You are free to believe anything you want to. As the King, the people have the most trust on you by default. So, you just have to show them that you are worth it." Lillian said, smiling.
"You are a smart woman, Lillian. I can see why Vaille took a liking to you."
Woman, he called me a woman. Does that mean he sees me as one? Hmmmmmm …
"I am flattered, your Majesty. Now, if that is all should we go back? They will be feeling restless being stuck in that room like that."
"Wait. I need to discuss something else with you, Lillian."
"Ok?"