The wedding date was set for four months from now when the snow would hopefully be lessened enough for travel. Because of Claude's status as the crown prince, the other rulers of supernatural cities needed to attend as a form of diplomacy. The king and queen would also be there which made her the most nervous.
Claude's parents were out at a newly acquired territory which was why Lillian hadn't met them yet. She was worried they wouldn't like her due to her pedigree or lack thereof.
Princess Rawls, who insisted she be called Minnie, was keeping Lillian busy with different things so she had only a few moments to dwell on her situation. Since their first introduction at breakfast, she was hanging onto Lillian at every opportunity. The princess was extremely similar to Roy and Lillian taught her chess to keep her entertained.
A knock interrupted their lesson. The door opened to reveal the same man who was sparring with Claude before and was the general who looked so deep in thought before at the first breakfast here. He was called Baron Theodore Francis if Lillian remembered correctly. He was the prince's right hand man in matters that involved war. He came around several times while she was with Claude. Though she always felt hostility towards her and she couldn't understand why.
"Sir? I- oh my apologies princesses. I was- is that chess?" He asked, surprised.
"It is. Do you play?" Lillian was excited to have an experienced partner to play against.
"I do. I'm surprised that you play as well," he said, coming over to the table to inspect it.
"What else is there to do in a manor house or castle?" She laughed.
He chuckled as well which seemed to dispel the somewhat awkward atmosphere.
"I want to see you play!" Minnie demanded.
"Oh I'm sure I'm not good, princess," he said modestly.
"Oh come on now. Sit down. It will be good for her to see a game in action," she said as she brought over another chair.
He looked very nervous about this. He was obviously conflicted over the situation. What scandal it would cause with a man coming into the same room as two ladies. If anyone asked, she would simply say that he was here helping to move furniture around.
"It's fine. I request that you stay and play a game with me. I want you to give me a good fair game. Just because I am a lady I don't want you letting me win," she told him as she set up the board for their game.
"I shall not," he replied and bowed to her.
He sat down and looked over the board before making the first move. This was going to be such fun!
The game went by quickly and it ended with the baron's defeat. Lillian smiled at him sweetly as he sat there with his mouth agape. He was staring at the pieces like they had some sort of answer behind what had happened.
"Wow! Lillian, you must be the best chess player ever!" Minnie beamed at her in delight.
"Oh no. I simply learned well from my tutor. He was much better than I am. Now that would be a great game to watch," she said smiling as she reminisced about the past.
"You are too modest. You are a very skilled player," Baron Francis said and offered her his hand which she took, "good game."
"A very good game. If you are free I would enjoy another game," she replied.
"Another time. There are things I must discuss with Prince Rawls now. Good day princesses," he said bowing to each of them and left the room.
"He's such a stick in the mud I'm surprised he even stayed for a game," Minnie spoke after the door was closed.
Lillian covered her mouth to hide her smile, "I'm sure that Baron Francis is a busy man."
"Yes, he is always running around like a… like a chicken with his head cut off. He's always doing things for Father or Brother," she pouted.
Poor child. She patted her head and smiled at her which earned her a scowl. The little princess was so like Roy and Lillian took comfort in that.
She began setting up the chess board for another lesson when the door slammed open and there stood Claude out of breath. He looked at her with wide eyes and let out a sigh before laughing.
"Is… is everything alright, my lord?" she asked worriedly.
There were many rumors about how the prince was mad as a hatter. She tried to pay them no mind but at times like this she did have to wonder if there was some truth to the rumors.
Claude shook his head. "No no, everything is fine now that I see you here."
She gave him a worried look. She hated cryptic messages.
"That doesn't give me any relief," Lillian said, focusing her attention onto him as she placed herself between the prince and princess.
"There was simply a misunderstanding. Forget I even said anything," he replied with that cocky smile before leaving.
"That didn't sound very good," Minnie said as she clung to her dress.
"No, it didn't. I need you to stay here, Minnie. I will return when I find out what your silly brother meant," she told her, "I promise I'll tell you what happened when I return as long as you promise to be good and stay here."
Children hated being left out of things but bribing them to be good in exchange for information seemed to work on the older ones.
"Promise," she agreed and she gave her a smile before leaving.
The castle was in a tizzy as guards and staff scurried around. The most activity comes from the garden. She made her way through the crowded halls, smelling the scent of death as she went. Had there been a murder?
Coming upon the garden, she saw Claude barking orders and a pair of guards carrying someone on a stretcher. She looked at the body with a frown as it passed her. As much as she tried to run away from her past it seemed to have found her once more.