Lily began laughing softly, politely. And then when she saw that the expression on the prince's face did not change, she paused.
"Are you serious, your highness?," she asked. "Surely, there can not be any other creatures besides humans in this world. I mean, there hasn't been any reports of non-humans in Alfadamia, has there?"
"Alfadamia is not the whole world, Lillian," Gilbert argued.
"How can you say that, your highness?," Lily asked, her brows furrowing. "I do not know what is wrong with you today but you are not yourself? Are you perhaps unwell?"
Gilbert sighed. "I am trying to decide if you are simply dumb or you are a good actress."
"Excuse me?," it was obvious that she took offence but Gilbert paid her no mind.
"You heard me," Gilbert said. "Alfadamia isn't the whole world and just because you haven't heard of a world beyond, doesn't mean there isn't one."
"But there isn't one," though she insisted, it was obvious to the Prince that it was only because she was curious as to what he meant.
"Then the Dark forest doesn't exist, perhaps? Is that what you mean?," he asked. Lillian pursed her lips in reply.
"You think there is a world in the Dark forest?," she questioned. She had considered it before but she hadn't been able to guess what kind of creatures would be living there.
Perhaps witches?
"It is obvious that there is. What else would be behind the killings?," Gilbert answered. He turned and began walking away, forcing the lady to trail behind him.
"Your assumptions may be wrong," Lily said.
"Yet, it is not completely impossible or out of the question," he said back. They walked away from the contortionist tent and back into the castle, bumping nearly right into the King and the Queen.
"Why, Lily," the Queen smiled, making her gentle features look even gentler and softer. It was hard to imagine that such a kind woman would dabble in the sort of things she dabbled in. "It is wonderful to see you again."
Lillian bowed low with a graceful curtsy. " You flatter me, your highness."
"It is wonderful seeing you both together," King George smiled. "Young love is beautiful, isn't it, dear?"
"It is," the Queen chuckled a reply. "I remember when we were young and in love like this."
The turn the conversation had taken made Lily slightly uncomfortable and from how rigid Gilbert stood, it seemed he was uncomfortable as well.
"But we are not in love, mother," he said.
"You will get there," the Queen gracefully replied, as though expecting the argument from her son. "I was not particularly in love with your father when he proposed to me, Gilbert."
"But here we are now," the King smiled at the Queen and she returned it. The loving look in their eyes wasn't fake and Lillian found it beautiful, momentarily forgetting the predicament she was in.
"I and the ladies are having tea while preparations for the ball are being taken care of," the Queen said, glancing at Lily again. "Would you perhaps want to join us, Lillian?"
"Oh, i-," before she could answer, Gilbert cut in.
"Did you not want me to spend time with Lillian, mother? Now you intend to sweep her away?"
The Queen laughed, "It is only for a few minutes, darling. Besides, your father intends to have a word with you. You can have her all to yourself during the ball, Gilbert."
She raised her hands and pinched his cheeks affectionately. He, of course, pulled away from her grip, his cheeks reddening in embarrassment.
"Mother!," he scolded and Lily couldn't help but let out a short, amused laugh. The interaction was affection and certainly amusing. She hadn't expected to see the perfect prince look so embarrassed.
The Queen merely laughed, leaving the King's side and walking to where Lillian stood, looping her arm around her arm.
"My apologies, I did not realise you did not want your mother's affection before your betrothed," she said, her tone taking on a sarcastic edge. She rolled her eyes.
"Mother, you are only making it worse," Gilbert replied. The King, who had remained silent let out a hearty chuckle, placing his arm around the prince's shoulder, leading him in the direction they had come.
"Let your mother be, Gilbert. You may upset her and it will be me to receive the sharpest edge of the sword," he said.
Lillian glanced at Gilbert, who did not seem the least bit pleased to have been interrupted. There was a mild frown on his face and when he met her eyes, he shot her an exasperated look before looking away.
"Come, Lily, let us go."