With the engagement made official, Prince Rawls went back to his castle and promised to send a carriage for her a few days later.
The maids helped her pack her few belongings in the traveling chests. The butlers took the full chests down to the awaiting carriage. Roy was sobbing openly as Lillian tried to leave the manor.
"No! Then I'll be alone! You can't leave me like William did!" He exclaimed as he pulled on her dark blue travel dress.
Lord Culpepper wanted her to be presentable to her engagement partner when she arrived at his castle so she had taken particular care of her appearance. She would never understand the reason behind getting dolled up for travel; one was bound to get dirty anyways. In this case, her dress was going to be soiled with the tears of a spoiled child.
When William, the oldest of the children adopted by Lord Culpepper, went off to study medicine in London, Roy cried for days that he was being abandoned. Nothing anyone could do would stop the tears. It was during this time that he began to cling more to me.
"Stop that. You'll soil my dress. William went off to school. You know he didn't abandon you. He'll return one day," she explained as she bent down to be on Roy's eye level, "and he does write to you just as I will. We will exchange letters and it is good calligraphy practice. Don't forget that Lord Culpepper is here."
"But I want you here! Who else will take me walking into the woods?" He protested trying to suspend her leave.
"The guards can and Lord Culpepper could use the fresh air once in a while. You are a growing boy so it will be quite soon when you can go into the woods on your own," she assured him as she gently took his hands from her dress and held them, "I need you to know that I love you very much. The people around you change but the people who love you will always do so. Please don't make this harder on me. I don't want to leave you either but this is my fate."
Roy let go of her hands and hugged her tightly while barely managing to speak, "I'm really going to miss you."
"I'll miss you too. For holidays we can plan something so I can see you again," Lillian told him softly.
He nodded but didn't look up at her again. She sighed and peeled him off of her. He started crying again before running off somewhere. She went to Lord Culpepper's office one last time. He was working on his papers like usual. No time for anything but work.
"I have come to say goodbye, my lord," Lillian said as she came to stand before his desk.
Lord Culpepper didn't look up from his writings as he spoke, "I know this isn't ideal for you but it is for the best. I wish you luck in your future."
"I understand the situation I put you in. The prince seems to be the best candidate thus far. Thank you for considering my future. Farewell, Lord Culpepper. I will send word once I arrive at the castle," she bowed to him before leaving to go to the awaiting carriage.
The servants were lined up to see the only lady of the house leave as was Roy who was still crying. She bowed her head to the staff as she walked past. They were always so nice to her, though she suspected it was due to her standing rather than any true feelings. Still, she would miss this place.
Lillian caught a glimpse of a face watching her departure from the window above. Of course the lord had too much pride to see her off properly.
She climbed into the carriage and settled in for the journey. It was ornate in its furnishings and definitely showed that the owner had substantial wealth. At least she wouldn't be expected to do physical labor there- the prince had enough money to hire servants.
"Goodbye Roy!" Lillian waved to him as he openly sobbed against a maid's apron now.
The carriage pulled away as she sat back into the cushioned seat. Why did this feel like she was making the wrong choice? Nothing to do with that man felt right.
She looked out the window as the city she grew to love became a dot on the horizon. She already missed the bakery full of sweets. To have some cake right now would be grand. Maybe that would make this feeling of dread go away.
---
The trip to the castle was uneventful as they passed from the human dominated areas into one's controlled by magic and the supernatural. Her skin crawled as the feeling of dread was sitting like a rock in her stomach. The smell of the sea and the rocking of the carriage certainly didn't help ease the feeling.
The smell of bread caught her attention though. She peek out the window to see that they were arriving in the town that sat in the shadow of the castle. Her mouth hung open as she looked around at the different shops and all the people. It was easy to tell that not a single one of them was human. They looked at the carriage with just as much surprise as she looked at them. As much as she wanted to go and explore, the carriage continued on its way to the castle looming in the distance.