Eating breakfast at the table was very uncomfortable, as Lilli was trying her best not to act weird again and cry. She felt exhausted, and felt like she might collapse if she shed any more tears. She ate silently, fingers trembling a bit.
Gazing at the Grand Duke and Duchess across the table, she felt a sad twinge in her heart. They, after all, had been killed by none other than their own son, in one of his fits of rage. No! I mustn't think of that!
Lilli clenched her fists.
"Is something the matter sweetie?" The Duchess said, her crystal blue eyes shimmering with worry.
"Eh- No! No! I'm fine. Fine." Lilli said quickly, without taking a breath in between words.
The Duchess looked a bit surprised with Lilli's swift answer. She sighed, her pale blond curls falling onto her shoulders as she leaned forward. "Alright." She paused, and smiled. " What shall you and Adder do today, Lady Lilli? It is his day off from his studies after all. You always have some kind of adorable plan," Duchess Veria said with a chuckle.
"Oh! Oh." Lilli had to rack her brain for a response. They could do anything now. The opportunities were endless now that she had returned to this time. Unless…
"Um, how many days are left until Prince Adder's birthday?" She felt a lump forming in her throat as she waited for an answer.
The Duke put his hand to his chin and thought for a moment. "Hm… so today is December 7th, so in a week, on the 14th."
"I'm so excited!" Adder grinned widely. " My first birthday since my sickness went away… I bet it's going to be so fun!" He was absolutely beaming.
"Your father and I are doing our very best to ensure it will be. Dane even was able to convince the king to let us use the Greater Palace!"
"Isn't our Lesser Palace fine?" Adder asked, sounding almost a bit disappointed to be going away from home. He hadn't gone out much before, so it made sense he'd be hesitant.
"Son, the Greater Palace is the most extravagant and grand place you've ever seen, and that's just what we need for this momentous occasion. Plus, I'm sure you'll love running around the gardens." The Duke lowered his tone to a playful whisper," I know how much you love mazes." Duke Dane then grinned, like he knew exactly what he was doing, which was completely true.
The Prince's crimson eyes seemed to shimmer at that moment. He likely remembered the countless hours in his room he spent tracing his finger along the paper mazes the Duchess would draw for him. For some reason, he grew a fascination for them, constantly requesting new ones. He had looked over sketches for real mazes as well, which were included in the pictures of the Greater Palace.
Adder threw himself at his father, gripping him tightly. The Duke made a soft "oof" sound and stroked his head lovingly.
"Hehe! You know me so well father!"
. . .
Lilli couldn't stop the shaking. Every joint, every muscle in her body, every fiber felt as if it was screaming violently. It was like the crashing down of the glass roof on the palace of "that day". Like everything was falling.
Apart.