After the expulsion of casters from the kingdom, the princess forced herself to be the person everyone expected her to be.
From the dark arts loving, spell casting, improper would-be witch, Lily gradually transformed to a fine, prim and proper young lady.
She observed decorum and etiquette and learned every single thing that a princess ought to do.
Because of the positive changes, people began to adore and love the lady the princess was growing to be.
However, every person has a dark side. Despite the changes, some things could never be left behind and forgotten.
In clandestine, she went to the graveyard. Although she never cast a spell again, she would still creep to her secret room and read few of the spell books that survived the purge.
Lily had almost the entire Kingdom fooled. People only saw her facade-the princess whom they had expected her to be.
No one saved for Hazel knew what the real Lily was truly like.
Marjoram, one evening in 18th year of King Fennel's Reign
"I don't like the duke's twin daughters, Lady Margaret and Lady Aster." Lily grumbled as she let Hazel comb her hair.
"Why?" the lady-in-waiting asked.
"Lady Margaret only keeps on talking about the season! Doesn't she know anything except flirting with the gentlemen?" Lily huffed in disgust, remembering one of the ladies who served as their guests.
"Lady Aster was even worse!" Lily added as she shuddered. "She forced me to play house with her and cradle her dolls! Can you believe it?"
"They were both 16, two summers older than I am and just a summer younger than you are." Lily grumbled. "Yet, Aster acts more like a child when she should've been acting like a lady! How absurd."
"Well, it can't be helped. That was Lady Aster's unusual hobby." Hazel said before allowing the princess to move and settle down on her bed.
"Everyone has his or her own quirky interest, your highness." Hazel shot the princess with a knowing look before bringing the covers up to the younger girl's chest.
"But I hate dolls! They're creepy." she shivered as she remembered those beady eyes which seemed to follow her every move. "What if they suddenly move, take a knife a stab you?"
"Does that mean you hate me too?" Killer reacted as he peaked from the drawer which served as his bedroom.
"Nope... you are just fine." The princess replied. Lily was quite glad that she managed to keep Killer alive for the past two summers.
Zeke left him in order to keep an eye on her. If he dies again, no one else will be able to revive him.
"If she has given me a skull, then I would have gladly accepted it."
Hazel's right brow rose at the princess's statement.
"You found the doll creepy but you are okay with a skull? Are you being queer again your highness?" she queried.
Then the lady's maid continued with a simple reminder. "You shouldn't be playing with such stuff. Princesses don't do such things."
"But I am a princess! And I like skulls... so princesses like skulls." Not giving her attendant room for any more objections, she declared with a queen-like confidence.
Hazel just gave a huge sigh and unconsciously took her amulet in her hand. It is no use to argue with the princess.
The maiden fully knew that Lily would only act this way around her. The princess would never act like that in front of anyone in their palace and most especially not in the presence of her parents.
"You miss him, don't you?" Lily asked which made Hazel snap from her reverie.
"Miss who?" Hazel acted as if she did not know what the younger girl was referring to.
"Zeke."
At the mention of his name, Hazel's cheeks heated up. "What made you think that?" she asked the princess.
"You are holding your amulet." Lily said in a teasing tone.
Looking at her amulet, the maiden noted the circular golden frame which held the five gems serving as points of the pentagram. Zeke had given the said amulet to her as a protective charm.
Turning her attention back to Lily, Hazel quietly replied and gave her a sad smile. "I do miss him and Master Chervil."
Sensing the melancholic mood trying to overwhelm the poor maiden, Lily tried to change the topic. "Can you tell me a story?"
Noting that the princess was far from being sleepy, Hazel sat on a chair beside the bed. "Aren't you a bit old for bedtime stories?"
"No one can get old enough to outgrow amazing timeless tales."
Forgetting about Zeke and the mood she had earlier, Hazel began narrating. "Once upon a time, there was a girl named Ella. She lived with her stepmother and two stepsisters..."
"Wait!" Lily cut her off with a frown on her face. She could recognize the characters and the plot. "isn't that Cinderella's story?"
"Yes, your highness." Hazel gave her a sheepish smile.
"Hazel... I am not a kid!" the young highness whined. "Don't give me a fairy tale. I have outgrown those."
"Well, you did say that no one can get old enough to outgrow amazing timeless tales." Hazel quoted Lily's remark.
As response, the young lady pouted at her.
"Then what should I tell you?" the lady-in-waiting asked.
The princess didn't hesitate to answer. "One of the tales you used to tell me when I was 12."
The attendant's brows scrunched in confusion at the girl's answer.
Ever since she was employed in the castle and served as the princess's lady-in-waiting, she had told stories before the young royalty would go to sleep. Over the years, she had shared countless tales.
Seeing the confusion on Hazel's face, Lily added. "About the absconding witch of Hallows Coven."
Hazel stiffened on her seat. Among all the stories, this was the one that sky-rocketed the princess's interest towards witchcraft.
Hazel knew that it was partly her fault that the princess had developed such love for the dark arts. It was she who told the stories of magic and witches to the princess.
Running out of stories to tell, she began weaving tales about witches. At first, she did it to scare the princess during Halloween and force the young girl to be obedient.
But instead of getting scared, the princess loved the stories about witches and would ask Hazel to tell her more.
A few years back, she had asked the princess why she wanted tales about witches.
"Why?" she asked the princess when the young royalty demanded another tale about casters. "why do love stories about witches? You know that they eat children, right?"
"Not all of those witches eat children. Those who lived in the outskirts of our kingdom never eat children. Plus, the witch you told me about- the absconding one- never laid a hand on kids." came the princess's reply.
So, Hazel was left without any choice but to continue storytelling about witches. In turn, Lily's fascination grew.
Hazel realized too late about the damage she had made, before she had the chance to stop.
"Hazel." The princess called which made the maiden snap out of her thoughts.
"Yes, my lady?"
"I'm waiting for my story."