After that incident, Rainer decided to stick to Lilia very closely. He would grab her every day almost the second she walked in the door, always taking her to public places to play. Naturally, this vexed the First Prince, but he did not overthink it. Rainer was just a child; he wouldn't know anything. However, the Queen believed in her son's intelligence and thought he was choosing to protect her.
Lilia was thankful for Rainer's youthfulness and was happy to play with him daily, thinking she just got lucky that he seemed to enjoy her company. The staff at first was unhappy about the special treatment but got used to it; Rainer stopped running around the castle so much, which did make their lives a little easier.
One day Rainer and Lilia were playing in the Solar when Prince Ekrick came in. He walked up to Lilia and whispered into her ear.
"Playing with the little brat will not protect you. I will have your body eventually."
Lilia's face turned pale as a sheet. She was horrified; not knowing how long Rainer would fancy her company, she was freaking out. Finally, Rainer stepped in, and he spoke in a grave tone.
"Brother, you are scaring Lily; leave her alone."
Prince Ekrick frowned inwardly; he cursed.
'How dare you speak to me like that, you imp. I am your elder brother and future King; know your place.'
Prince Ekrick wouldn't voice any of this out in public, but he intensely loathed his new brother. It was because his mother, the Queen, doted on his youngest brother, always talking about his astuteness and love for magic. Yet she only showed disdain for him like he was a plague to this family, but one day he would show her. Ekrick stormed out of the room, but just before exiting, he turned and blew Lilia a kiss. She collapsed into a pile.
"Are you okay? Lily."
Lilia had grown fond of her unusual moniker and quickly gathered her wits.
"I am okay, Rainer. Your brother caught me off guard; he isn't as kind as you."
Rainer hugged Lily, but inside he was fuming; over the past few weeks with Lilia, he had to begin to see Lilia as a sister or daughter.
'How dare that Scumbag. One day I swear I will break his face on my boot.'
Later that day, after Lily went home, Rainer knew that it wouldn't be safe for her, so he went to his mother.
"Mom, can Lily be my private attendant?"
Rainer showed off more and more in front of his mother, no longer so scared to reveal his intelligence. Asking for Lilia to be his private attendant was a big deal. Typically personal attendants for the royal family were groomed from a young age in combat, magic, and politics. They would be their bodyguard, tutor, and confidant, also being close to the same age as their assigned royal. Their importance was far beyond that of just a regular maid. She was about to reject her son when he looked at her with giant puppy dog eyes.
"Let me talk to your father."
After arguing with the King for a few days and some persuading during the nights, the Queen got permission to send Lilia away for training. First, however, the Queen sat down with her before she was sent away.
"My son, Rainer, has asked that you be allowed to become his private attendant. Although I don't think he understands what that means. I have been thinking about it."
Lilia gasped. She knew how big of a deal that was.
"I knew nothing about this, your majesty."
"I know. Do you know that Rainer is protecting you from Ekrick?"
The Queen observed Lilia's reaction. She didn't seem very surprised.
"At first, I believed he had just taken a liking to me, but then I started to suspect. He seems to understand that I am scared of the First Prince, always wanting to play in public places, never very far away from the guards. Finally, he appears very cold to his elder brother. I know he is just a baby, but I think he is special."
The Queen paused and decided to give her approval.
"I agree he is quite remarkable, which is why we have decided to allow you to train for this position. Should you agree."
"It would be my privilege, your majesty."
"It settled then. Your training will start immediately, inform your parents and pack your things. There is a lot of work to make up for if I don't think you are capable; I won't hesitate to replace you, do you understand?"
Yes, your majesty."
She was sent to a secret military base in the mountains. She wouldn't return for five years.