"Father! I need your help!" I yelled as I burst through the doors of my father's study; some maids and butlers after me and Xavier hot on our trails.
The Duke jumped in his seat, causing him to spill a little of his coffee on his dark brown coat. He cringed a little from the thought of wearing a soiled jacket and stripped it off after placing his coffee back onto the saucer on his desk.
"Please have this cleaned and returned to me..." the Duke whispered to his butler before turning his gaze back to me, tugging on his two-toned waistcoat.
"How may I help you, YOUNG. MISS. LILY?" my father asked as he emphasised on my name. Clearly an indication that he was not impressed by my behaviour.
"Ah... Umm.... Pardon my sudden intrusion, father." I said as I bowed deeply. This was an emergency after all.
"... That's alright. I could go on about your ill manners and how that teacher of yours seems to be doing an inefficient job... but, that's not why you're here, right? Do... tell." the Duke said as he turned to sit back onto his leather bound chair; taking a sip out of his coffee cup.
"Well... its about that man... that I brought back last time..."
"... What... what man? You brought a man home?!"
"Ah, that's not what I meant! The prisoner?... I found something in his possession... After he killed himself in a vow of silence..."
"... I see... what did you find?"
"... This ore."
My father took the ore off my palm as he scrutinised it. Unsatisfied with only inspecting it with his bare eyes, he took out his magnifying glass and thoroughly inspected it.
"This... this ore... it makes sense that it has magic imbued in it but... It is also protected so I can't identify the magic inscribed within."
"What do you mean, Sir?" Xavier asked as he watched father twirl the ore over and over as if searching for an opening to break the protection seal.
"Young Xavier... it means, that I can't tell what the story behind the initial kidnapping is... However... I do know someone who could help..."
"Ah! Father! Then, that means we can go see this person, right?"
"... No."
"... Huh? Why not...?"
"I won't permit it. I nearly lost you that one time. I won't let you do something this reckless and dangerous and potentially get you to be kidnapped again."
"... But..."
"No buts! I'll deal with it! You can focus on your studies, Young Miss! End of discussion! You may leave." Father yelled in a rage of fury as he slammed his fist on his desk and stood up suddenly, his coffee spilling onto the desk and his heavy leather bound chair falling onto the blood red carpet floor.
"... Fine... Xavier. We're leaving. ... ... Thank you for your time... Duke." I said as I bowed, leaving the room with a heavy heart and eyes that started to water.
Xavier panicked as he turned from me to my father before bowing politely to the duke, chasing after me immediately.
"... I just don't want to lose you..." the Duke sighed as he scrunched his eyebrows, his palm resting on his forehead.
***
"Miss Lily... are you okay? Why don't you slow down? ... Lily...?" Xavier asked as he caught up to me, worry laced in his words as his face closed up to mine.
The tears that threatened to fall slipped as my face scrunched into a twisted mess. I tried to say something but my voice got stuck in my throat and I felt my face flush as I felt the frustration and anger within me rise up. My feelings exploding as I burst into tears.
It wasn't fair to just yell at me like that... I know he was being cautious and protective of me but... it just hurt my feelings when he didn't even allow me to say anything. I never had a dad back on Earth so I didn't exactly know how to communicate properly with Lily's father but I thought I was doing a fairly good job... My chest hurts so much... I can't breathe...
Xavier, unsure of what to do, quickly took me to a secluded area as he hugged me, stroking my hair gently as he said nothing.
It wouldn't do for an engaged lady to spend time alone with a man who isn't her fiancé... But... he's... No...
"T-thank you, Xavier... I'm fine now..." I said as I pulled away from Xavier's embrace, my eyes still dripping with tears. My lips pulled into a tight smile as I tried to keep my gaze from his.
"... Of course... Here." Xavier replied as he handed me his handkerchief. It was a simple light blue handkerchief with dark blue linings.
I stared at the outstretched hand holding onto the handkerchief as I hesitated taking it. Sensing my hesitation, Xavier took the initiative and wiped my cheeks with his handkerchief.
Embarrassed, I quickly grabbed onto his handkerchief and wiped my own tears and snot off my face, earning a rather conflicted expression on Xavier's face.
"Don't worry. I'll wash it before I return it to you. Thank you, Xavier." I said as I smiled weakly at him.
Xavier kept silent as he stared at my face for a moment. I turned my gaze away from him feeling embarrassed. It's the first time I cried this much in my life... in front of someone...
"I'll escort you to your room... Please get some rest." Xavier replied curtly as he swiveled, turning in the direction towards the walkway as he extended his hand for me to grab. I fell silent for a short moment before I took his hand, following his lead as he walked me towards the familiar direction of my room.
***
"Thank you, again... for just staying by my side. You're a good friend." I said to Xavier as I stood outside my room door, smiling sweetly at him.
"... No problem... It's my job... but... it's also because I worry for you. Just... your father treasurers you. I'm sure he is afraid of the incident that happened back when you were helping that other girl to occur again. Try to understand where he is coming from."
"... I do... It's just... he didn't even listen to a word I had to say... Even... even if anything were to happen... I trust that he would rescue me... plus, you'll be with me, won't you?"
"! Miss... Lily... ... Of course... ... Well... It's getting late now, I'll leave you for now to compose your thoughts. Goodnight, have a good rest... And I suggest using a wet towel to put over your eyes."
"Huh...? Oh. Umm... Goodnight, Xavier." I said as I waved him goodbye, opening the door to my chamber as I entered it. As I was about to shut the door, my eyes caught Xavier's and we stared at each other for a short moment before he bowed. Xavier then turned around as he quickly left the vicinity, leaving me standing alone in between my room and the hallway.
Why did he have that look on his face? ... More like... his words... its like he knew what I was thinking about...
I then shut the door as I sat on my bed, feeling the smooth silk beneath my fingertips. My mind being filled with the thoughts of the exchange between me and my father.
I know he did that for my sake but... I was sent here to take Lily's place for a reason... Even if I have to go against his wishes... I need to know what is in that ore...
As my mind spiralled with thoughts about how to find out about father's contact, I devised a plan to carry out. Xavier might be a liability so I decided to leave him out of the plan as I plotted my strategy to acquire the information.