Prince Brandon's POV
Prince Brandon made his way down an extravagant hallway, with beautifully hung portraits and floral decor. Light golden walls with silver trim, angels and flowers carved into the honey colored pine wood. Crystal chandeliers hung throughout the great hall with cream colored carpets to finish off the design. A few family portraits hung throughout the hall. The tan and coral colored trimmed curtains hung gracefully throughout the hall, the colors of the hall were accommodating the natural light from outside. When you looked outside the windows, you would catch a glimpse of all the beautiful scenery that Maybelle had to offer. From the lush green forest, all the colorful plants and different types of flowers. The wild life and livestock all the way to Maybelle's vineyards. The palace had a view of it all, including the sleeping giant that laid dormant for the last 10 years. Maybelle was a European Kingdom that was nestled nicely and comfortably in the mountains surrounded by volcanoes and other wonders that nature had to provide. Maybelle's dark rich volcanic soil made anything they did desirable for the outside world. "It's always the Queen's job to decorate a castle as she sees fit." The Prince thought to himself. "The Queen has good taste" The Prince continued his train of thought as he continues to walk to the Queen's office. He wondered "how would Princess Lilly decorate their castle?" The Prince stopped in his tracks and froze what was he thinking? He doesn't even know how the Princess feels about him, he has never even talked with her about it. The Prince began to lower his head, feeling a sharp pain in his heart. He took a deep breath and did his best to shake off his despair. He held his head up and began his walk to the Queen's office once more.
He made a couple of turns and bumped into some servants along the way until finally he was face to face with the Queen's office door. He was feeling on edge, not knowing what he was going to say to her much less how to bring the topic up. He was a guest there but he has also known them since he was a baby. He took a couple deep breaths and knocked holding his breath till he hear the Queen say "enter". At first the Prince hesitated everything in him was telling him to run. He stood his ground and opened the door. The Queen sat there looking at him for a moment and she said "Yes dear? How can I help you?" she had a soft smile on her face but his blood still ran cold. He took a moment before entering her office, he stared at the dark hickory wood trim in her office the cherry oak desk she sat at, the red wine carpet, deep orange colored walls and golden framed family portraits covering her walls. He even looked at her ruby chandelier hanging just above her head. After looking around the office and memorizing every detail his eyes met the Queen who was still staring at him, he looked and seen her hair done up nicely in a bun a copper colored tiara with diamond encrusted flowers on it. her pearl ear rings and her light green dress with a brown sash tied around her waist. He makes his way into the office and froze his breathing hinged. The Queen was known for her duel personality and is said to even a company the King in the dungeon when he sees fit to help him interrogate the worst of the worst.
Which was odd because everybody knows and sees her as a very kind, patient, loving and, energetic woman. No one would guess that she is known to bring grown men who have done and seen the absolute worst to tears and the blink of an eye. Usually when she talks to people it's very mother like very kind and warm. she's known to be overprotective and over doting when it comes to children, I should know I've seen and experienced it first hand. She treats every child as though they're her own. I've also seen the scary side of her. I know how fast she can go to being the woman everyone sees and knows to being hateful, vindictive, spiteful, mouthy, cold and emotionless in a blink of an eye. What terrifies me the most is how quick she can flip the switch into this unrecognizable person. "Young blood are you alright? Did someone hurt you?" I froze and my head snapped up to look the Queen in the eyes she had that scary look on her face. "No I um I.. I heard from Princess Lilly, that Prince Zeal set his sites on her. I want to help protect her, I want to be part of the plan to protect her. I don't want him marrying her I don't want her future endanger. There must be something I can do." The prince replied in a haste his breath hinged as he stared at the Queen, not knowing if now he should run or stay and stand his ground.
The queen cleared her throat and looked at the trembling child in front of her "Darling you have nothing to fear my husband and I are coming up with a plan to protect our daughter, I know you love her and you want to help protect her, however this is not a job for a child. I appreciate that you're wanting to go to grave lengths to protect my daughter. I assure you were coming up with a plan in hopes that she will still be here." The Queen replied in a motherly soft voice. It disarmed the Prince allowing him to breathe he took in a breath and replied. "Of course I love her I've always have, however there must be something I can do even from a "Child's stand point" I've told you countless of times I'm not a child I'm 19! I can help! I want to help!" At this point he felt helpless and he could feel the tears threatening to fall. The Queen just smiled with a mischievous smile. "Sweetheart you will always be a child to me, even my own children are still babies in my eyes. I'll tell you what I'll let you in on a plan that the King and I have been discussing. Under the agreement that you will use this time to stay by my daughter's side and make her smile." the queen replied with a grin on her face.
The prince nodded and stood there silently waiting for the queen to speak. "Currently there are two guards outside my daughter's bedroom door, two guards out on her balcony, two guards that are visibly seen outside her bedroom window on the first floor, and 20 to 30 guards that are currently hidden in the shadows and the trees both in and outside the palace. Lilly is under strict orders not to leave her room or step outside for any reason. She is to act as though she is sick, there are only two maids in her room at all times, to assist her with anything that she needs and, the doctor is under strict orders to not go into full detail of Lilly's condition. The only thing he's allowed to say is that she is sick and he doesn't know if she's going to make it. hopefully with this Prince Zeal will lose interest in Lilly and move on to somewhere or someone else. This tyrant is the very reason that other kingdoms are hiding their daughters and claiming that they are already married when most of them aren't even engaged yet. It's speculated that he needs a life in order to fully get the throne, If he cannot get it in time then the throne will automatically be awarded to the eldest of his brother's children." The Queen said she then reached up and grabbed her tea cup to take a drink.
The Prince was about to speak when the Queen set her tea cup down and continued. " If this plan does not work and should he catch on, we will be sending Lilly away to one of our castles, she will only have 4 or 5 maids with her, and about 20 to 30 guards if not more, plus a doctor in case she were to get sick or injured." The Queen finished and Prince Brandon's blood ran cold with the thought that Lilly might leave either way. He got sad and felt pain in his heart again. Before he went to open his mouth to protest The Queen spoke up " No need to look so grim you can go with Lilly if you want, you would just be one more person to help protect my daughter." Prince Brandon froze and felt relief go throughout his body he gave a smile and nodded. " Just let me know if there's anything that I can do to help protect her. I'll do anything." Prince Brandon said The Queen nodded and said " Just stay by my daughter's side and make her smile." The prince nodded and excused himself he felt relieved that there was a plan in motion and, that they were going to do everything in their power to protect the princess. After the meeting with the queen he felt exhausted he didn't sleep much that following night after hearing the news, he was filled with worry and dread, so he decided he was going to go back to his quarters and take a bit of a nap before lunch.
Princess Lilly's POV
Lilly woke up to being surrounded by guards, outside her bedroom door, her balcony and, her bedroom window two stories down. She saw two maids that haven't left her sights and she woke up. She was still in shock of what her parents had told her, she was to play sick not brush her hair, and to wear only casual loose-fitting clothing or, pajamas. She was also told not to step outside or open her curtains for any reason. She had to stay in her room at all times. Her meals would be delivered to her bedroom but she was not to be seen taking the tray, her maids would have to bring it to her anytime that door was open she had to be in bed lying down pretending to be asleep. They used non scented white powder to make her appear pale. They would cake on the powder on her face neck and hands. They had random bottles and vials of medication sitting next to her bed she wasn't allowed to touch them or move them out of place.
------OFFICIAL ROYAL STATEMENT------
Princess Lilly fell gravely ill after falling into a pond. This tragic ordeal happened at her sister Princess Veronica's wedding, One of the horses got spooked from a firework display knocking Princess Lilly into a pond near by. The Princess has not woken up and the Palace doctors are said to be doing everything in their power to help the Princess recover. The Palace didn't disclose anymore details about the Princess or the incident that occurred. It is said that the horse in question is out of commotion for the time being, until it's properly trained in dealing with loud noises and feeling comfortable around such environments. The King and Queen deeply appreciate all the support and prayers being sent to them during this rough time.
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Princess Lilly was amazed by how quick that statement was read and sent out. It had only been 3 hours since that statement was released and already it had reached even the remote parts of kingdoms near and far. She even over heard some of the servants talking about it in the palace and, they truly believe it to be true. Lilly's parents said that the least amount of people that know about it the better it would be. In fact only four of the guards were aware of the truth, The two that were outside her door and the two on the balcony. Lilly couldn't believe how far things had gone all to protect her from Prince Zeal. It only made her feel more scared about what would happen if Prince Zeal found out about this lie and take her away for good.
She took a few deep breaths as one of the maids finished putting the white powder on her face, neck and hands. She had to keep her hands and feet cold and her lips dry. She had to make sure she looked tired too. She never knew pretending to be sick could be so much work. Her parents put her on a diet that consists of soup and bread, jello and other soft foods. The reason being the servants that brought her food might catch on if she ate regular food. So everything even in the palace had to be believable, the more staff that spoke about her being sick the better. Lilly was instructed not to eat all her food, since sick people never fully finished their food, she had to leave at least more than half of her food on her tray. Her mother told her to relax that when they order food for the servants rather than two plates being sent up they'd be three one was for the Princess to eat. The queen wasn't about to let her daughter starve for any reason. So if anybody asked there was three maids in her room at all times.
4 to 5 times a day the doctor would be in and out of her room to make it seem as though he was treating her, He would stay 40 minutes to an hour in her room. He would usually read a book or play chess with the Princess to pass the time. Anytime there was a knock on the door they knew it was time to play the part, The Princess would rush to her bed lay down, while the maids placed the blankets over her, do another pat down with the white powder, put a cloth over her forehead and the doctor would take a seat on a chair next to the bed. The maids would then act as though they were assisting the doctor in some way while the doctor would act busy and look concerned. The nurse would be the one to always open the door once everyone was in position. It helped that the lights were kept to a dim so the Princess looked far more pale. The nurse would make certain steps so servants could get a sneak peak of their "sick" Princess so they could spread the news of how frail Lilly was.
It had been two days now and rumors were spreading like wild fire, The people were saying things like Princess Lilly could die at anytime, she looked so pale and so thin and people flooded the Palace with gifts and letters of support it didn't take long before the news reached Prince Zeal and his Kingdom. Lilly was laying on her bed as the nurse was getting the tray of food for her, the maids went all out and made scary pale even did something to where her lips where a pale blue color. Her hair was all messy and tangled and how she was laying would make anyone believe she was on the verge of death. The nurse was happy with the maids response to seeing Lilly, she watched as the maids face dropped and drained of color. Worry filled her face and eyes. The nurse pretended not to notice and grabbed the tray from her. The maid was about to walk away just as the King and Queen were walking up. The maid took a step back and gave them both a side look. The King and Queen went into their daughters room and the door shut behind them.
Once the maid walked off without any words being exchanged she began to talk to the other servants about what she saw.
----------------Maids POV.-------------------
As I was going to deliver the Princess's food, I had hoped to catch a sneak peek of the Princess to see how she was doing. I knocked on the door like I usually do, the nurse opens the door and just as she did I caught site of the fair Princess and my heart ached. Princess Lilly lost so much weight, she was so pale and now her lips are blue, the other maids look on edge and absolutely distraught, they're faces are grim and full of sorrow, what a horrible sight to see, the doctor looks like he's out of options and, the nurse doesn't look like there's much hope left for the princess. The scene let me know the princess was running out of time, When the nurse reached for the tray I was about to start walking back to let the other servants know the site I saw. I know they would want to know how our dear Princess was hold up. Princess Veronica's wedding was private, it was a very intimate affair with only the main family from both sides there, even so there were fireworks during that day from the commoners and a festival thrown for our own little celebration to congratulate our young Princess on her marriage.
The only people to see Princess Lilly fall in the pond would have been the people at the wedding. It's true no one seen Princess Lilly since the fall, to think she has fallen ill so fast leaves an ache in my heart even more so since she's only 18. When I was about to go tell the others about what I saw, I seen the King and Queen walk into her room. The Queen was in a black dress and vail, she looked beautiful but she looked pale and tired. The King was dressed in black as well he looked like he was barley keeping it together. After that door closed I rushed back and told the other servants what I saw, For the past 2 days the princess's plate looked to hardly be touched, when I went to collect her tray the food hadn't been touched at all. Truth be told we were all keeping track of the amount that the Princess was eating soon followed there were no plates being ordered for their princess at all.
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Lillie's POV
Once I heard my door shut, the nurse tugged on my sleeve letting me know it was safe to sit up, When I did I saw my mother and father, They both looked like they were going to a funeral. My mother spoke. "We have news.... from today on there will be no plates ordered for you. There will only be three place ordered as far as the palace is aware it'll be for the servants. Obviously one of those 3 plates are for you. It's going to be important now more than ever for this to work. Prince Zeal has heard about your "sickness" and is currently on his way here he will be here tomorrow morning. So now more than anything we cannot afford any slip ups. So tomorrow while Zeal is here the only time you can be out of that bed is when you have to use the restroom. The doctor and nurse are not to leave this room tomorrow no matter the reason. We cannot let him catch on!" The Queen said with determination and urgency.
Lilly's heart sank and for once since this whole ordeal she didn't need the powder to look pale. Her body ran cold as she felt the fear and anxiety take effect, she began to shake. "Hummingbird everything will be fine just stick to the plan." Her father spoke trying to comfort his daughter she nodded and her parents bent over giving her a hug and a kiss. They saw themselves out leaving Lilly in a fearful daze, her body went numb and she immediately felt sick. Tomorrow is going to be the day she will fear the most! Can she pull this off? Can they fool the Prince into believing she is ill? Will he lose interest in her and set his sites elsewhere? The problem with planning a royal wedding is, Firstly both parents need to talk and agreed to the marriage, Then the parents of the bride talk about the diary, in layman's terms the amount of money her in laws will get so the bride will contribute to her new kingdom.
Then setting up the day and time for the wedding and figuring out what Castle or Palace will be bestowed upon them for a wedding gift. The bride ultimately gets to decorate once she and her new husband move in. For example my sister Seleste and her husband Prince Andrew from the kingdom of Ireland live in Cypress Woods Castle on the out skirts of Scotland gifted to them by her in laws. Our parents paid for the decorations of the place after they moved in. My parents gifted Princess Veronica and her new husband Prince Mateo their palace in Italy and Veronica's in laws King And Queen Isabella will pay the bill after she is done decorating her new Palace. So there is a lot that goes into work for a Royal wedding. Usually you're engaged when you're 16 it happens anywhere 2 to 3 weeks after your coming of age ball but I didn't bother showing up to mine. There were too many people and I was to engrossed in my book to even leave the library. I'm beginning to regret my decision right now. Had I shown up I could be engaged to anyone right now even Prince Brandon.