The hour was late in the city of Camelot. Rain was pouring down heavily and yet people were still flocking to the new Inn. For they were drawn to Lilis Little Lantern Inn by the sweet sounding Lute playing and even sweeter sounding young girl singing. Lilis voice was so enchanting that even from a far, people couldn't help but be drawn to the sound of it and go closer to hear more.
But not only was the song helping to draw people to the Inn, but the intimidating sight outside the Inn. There the people could see three great carriages parked. All of them held the symbols of the three great houses and were surrounded by heavily armoured men with cloaks over their faceless figures. They held large halberds in hand and the sight of their large armoured frames sent shock and awe into the people around.
But despite the large armoured men, people still found the courage to go past them and into the Inn. Although none seemed interested in ever leaving the Inn. And so as the traffic was one sided, the Inn slowly began to get packed up with more people that it could handle.
And as Lilis song came to an end and applause and cheers broke out Lili knew that something needed to be done. But as she was about to speak a commotion broke out to her left.
There in the fenced up luxurious area, Edgar stood up in a seeming rage that was pointed towards a blonde milf waitress that had been serving him drinks and food. Wilfred sitting on the sofa next to him tried to calm him down, but he didn't and instead turned to Lili and yelled. "What sort of nonsense is this Lili! Why is there a set limit on the amount of alcohol that I can consume? I am a Dukes son!"
Despite the boys age, his shout was so loud that all quieted down in the Inn and turned to look at the boy. And some men even cheered him on as they looked to Lili and said. "Yeah! Let us drink!"
It was true, before opening she had set certain rules to her Inn and this was one of them. While she would allow all to drink alcohol, she would not allow anyone to drink to the point of complete drunkenness. A point in which ones reason and judgement turns into stupidity and madness.
There was no scale for this and all waitresses needed to look at the person in hand and judge their limits for themselves. The bigger a person the more that person could drink, and older people could of course drink more than a young child like Edgar.
And so to Edgar's words Lili stood up and firmly said. "Why you ask, well it is simple! It's there for your own good, for your protection and the others around you! Simply put, I have set a limit there since none of you have the reason or self control to put it there yourself! True, I don't have the authority to enforce this upon you Lord Edgar! But as for everyone else I refuse to let you drink yourselves into a state where your sense of reason is lost and where your minds became clouded with stupidity and madness! I will not allow you to leave here in a state where your stupidity has risen to levels in which you go out, beat your own wives, rob, rape, steal, break things, cause accidents or simply get yourselves killed! I will not let you do this, because I care too much for all of you to see you do these things! That's why it is there!"
Hearing this the Inn went silent. People seemed to fall into deep thought and so Lili continued and explained as she said. "Alcohol is supposed to be good. It is supposed to help you relieve the pain and stress of your days. It is meant to ease your nerves and calm your souls so that you can go to sleep soundly and in peace at night, and then wake up the next day with a smile ready to face the day to come. So please, I ask of you to understand and do as I say. If not for me then do it for yourselves and each other."
Then as Lili finished her little speech, Jack followed by applauding. After which Chad began to applaud as well, followed by Sir John who stood guard there at the Queens side and soon the whole place erupted in applause and cheers. Edgar though didn't seem all too satisfied, he merely fell quietly back into his seat with a look of contemplation on his face.
People whispered amongst themselves saying things like. "The girls words do seem reasonable, see even the dukes son was silenced by them. She speaks the truth does she not."
One woman said to her man. "See even that little girl knows that which you seem to not realise. Your drinking has brought us, your family and relatives nothing but misery. I think it's time you listened to reason, listen to that girl and get a grip you drunken fool."
A man standing in a corner empty drink in hand muttered to himself. "Aah fine, I guess I'm going to have to head back to Bob's for more drinks then. Although this did taste a lot sweeter and better than Bobs drinks ever do. And the food here is really good too. Aah fine, maybe I'll just stay here a bit longer and listen to some more songs, drinking that piss can wait."
Seeing the positive response to her words Lili felt relieved. As a former police officer she knew all too well what alcohol could do to people and she knew what it did to society at large.
For instance in many countries like Russia, their leading cause of death is because of alcohol. Sure it's not the direct cause of death, but most of the time it is the indirect cause of alcohol that causes death, so you can say that alcohol is the leading cause of death.
And it is that because it causes many diseases, health problems and violence. That is why some say Alcohol is the drink of the wise, as only the wise know how to handle it and how to drink it properly.
So with this in mind, Lili definitely didn't want to see this kingdom of Albion spiral into such a serious situation as Russia with it's alcohol consumption.
You see, as Lili tried to revolutionise the food industry here she also wanted to set rules and standards that would protect the people. For instance having a place like her Inn which served alcohol and food was one way that she could do this. Because food can greatly reduce the effects of alcohol in your body. So it is always important to eat if you consume alcohol.
With this in mind, Lili then looked to the people and began ordering people who had already eaten their fill to make room for the new commers. She didn't want the place to be so stuffed that people would need to stand.
After saying this to the people, some reluctantly, but kindly began making their way out of the Inn. Seeing this Lili thanked the people for their understanding and then called her Mom and the little Nene to the stage, and a few of the Lycan's as well.
Before this Lili had created a few new instruments for the girls and thought them how to play and sing. Like so she had found a few talents among them and two of them were Nene and her Mom.
She could not always be here playing herself, so it was important that others could take her place. And luckily both Nene and Accalia had been practicing the songs of Lili and so they could do this.
Seeing this the crowd seemed disappointed as they said. "No let us hear you play more Lili."
To Lili these words seemed so familiar, long ago she had heard these words and so she was not taken a back by them at all and merely said. "Now now everyone, don't be so hasty in your judgement. For I assure you that you will like these girls as long as your willing to listen and keep an open mind. Besides everything should be enjoyed in moderation and you have already gotten to enjoy my songs long enough. So without further a du let me welcome on to the stage Nene Romanov all the way from the Tsardom of Kislev and her four compatriots."
After saying this people seemed hesitant to applaud. They whispered amongst one another and said things like. "The Tsardom of Kislev? What is that? I've never heard of it?" "Oh look, how small she is, this ought to be good, hehehe." Pointing to the Lycan's some whispered and said. "Can those dogs even sing? Do they even know how to?" "Maybe they're going to start howling, who knows, hehehe?"
Hearing some of the comments Lili was not pleased, but there were some who seemed excited and applauded, which were basically just the children and some of their mothers. But nonetheless Lili was satisfied with this and so she wished Nene and her mother luck and left the stage.
Standing there on stage with a tambourine in hand Nene seemed unsure and afraid, but Lili knew she could do it. After hearing the song Kalinka, the girl had gotten super excited about it and sang it over and over again. So Lili had thought the girl more and she knew that the girl remembered them all well. Nene would not disappoint and Accalia was there to support her and make sure of it, as were the other sisters as well.
Looking to the front door, Lili could see a few of the sisters take charge of it as Lili then headed for the private area where the Queen and other nobles were.
Sir John stood guard at the steps of the private area and made way, as Lili greeted him with a light nod. Seeing her coming the Queen waved Lili over to come and sit next to her as she said. "Lili my little angel come over here and have a seat with me."
Hearing the word angel Lili couldn't help but cringe a little. Nonetheless she did as the Queen said and sat down next to her on the sofa. On the table there were already a few empty drinks and a clean plate. It seemed that the Queen and the others by the looks of their tables had been enjoying the meals that they had been given.
Curious of this Lili was about to ask about it, but before she could the Queen turned all serious as she asked. "So Lili, care to explain yourself?"
Suddenly all eyes on the sofas turned to her, but Lili couldn't quite understand and so she asked. "What do you mean?"
Seemingly disappointed the Queen frowned a little and then said. "You know it's quite funny how you seem quite good at giving speeches and yet you fail to understand people's meanings in their words."
The Queen merely shook her head lightly in disappointment as she continued saying. "What I mean is, what are these Lycans doing here? I thought that after your lesson with Linn you would have realised just how dangerous they all are."
Hearing this Lili shook her head, she didn't agree with Queen Wilda and so she began to explain. "That's not true. They are not dangerous and they would never attack anyone without a good reason. They are not the bloodthirsty monsters you might think of them as being. They are living, breathing people like us who only wish to live in peace, have a home to call their own, raise kids and be free. You have to remember that it was us who have come upon their land and taken it from them to begin with."
Hearing this the Queens face merely turned to a deeper frown as she said. "Oh, and how would you then explain the war that is going on right now? How do you explain them attacking my people, spilling their blood and destroying their lands? And they do not just kill them, but eat them as well? To me this is inexcusable and just a clear demonstration from them that they are not like us, they are not human and are to be treated as such. Just tell me how can you look upon creatures that find pleasure in killing and eating little children and say that they are not bad? Shouldn't it be quite clear already to you?"
The Queens words were spoken so harshly and with such hatred that Lili couldn't quite believe what she was hearing. The words were like venom and made her feel sick and a bit mad. Now frowning back at the Queen herself, Lili said. "Yes what you say is true, the ones who attack Albion are no more than beasts, but they are not Lycan's. Understand this, they are not the same as these girls. Those creatures are the Feral Lycans, they are cursed and twisted versions of the Lycans, but they are not them."
Hearing this the Queens face softened. The others watched and listened to this with interest as Wilfred then joined in and asked. "What do you mean by cursed? Is it not possible for these women to turn into those blood-thirsty beasts as well? Isn't it just a part of their nature?"
To these words Lili quickly explained. "No, they are a completely separate thing. The Lycans say its a curse that a foolish ancestor of theirs cast upon some of their brethren in order to fight against us. But truthfully speaking I think it is more of an infection than a curse. You see the Feral Lycans spread this disease through their bite. It is as you know the bite will turn it's victims into those creatures, but it has nothing to do with the Lycans. You see because the simple fact of it, is that the Lycan's do not infect people with anything, because they do not carry the curse or disease or whatever in themselves. Their bite is not infectious. This is merely a disease that they just like us wish to see eradicated from Albion. The Feral Lycans are the problem, not the regular Lycans."
Edgar, Grandma Linn, Wilfred, the princesses and the Queen seemed completely oblivious to this fact as they seemed to fall into thought over Lilis words.
Seizing this moment Lili then continued by saying. "Please Queen Wilda and you all, trust me when I say that these are not bad people. And yes I know some people do not mix well together, for instance if ones religion and ways see the colour blue as something to be eradicated and another sees blue as sacred and something to be protected, then it will be almost impossible to see those two people unite and coexist. But here with the Lycans there is no such problem as they have already come to accept me as their leader and began to learn our language and ways. They are an open minded people and as long as we are willing to give them a chance and a possible home here in Albion with us, then there will be no problem. I believe they can be integrated to be a strength and a great beneficial part to this kingdom, instead of an enemy."
Just as they spoke the Inn had once more been filled with the melody of a new beautiful song. On stage Nene sang as Accalia and the others played and danced lightly to the song that was a foreign song, a russian song.
Nonetheless the people seemed to like it, although they were a bit hesitant at first. And as the Queen looked over her people and saw their smiles and happy faces, she smiled lightly as well.
Looking back towards Lili, the Queen then said. "You know, you're quite the talker and an Idealist Lili. Not many would dare speak so boldly and challenge my words like so. And even less would dare to side with our enemy."
Lili smiled lightly as she heard this and said. "Hehehe, well my friend did always criticise me for being somewhat of an Idealist and a democrat. But I do still hold reason in my beliefs, if something is clearly evil and needs to be destroyed and you have proof of it. Then I will not judge and I will even support destroying that evil, but here I simply just do not see evil."
Patting Lili lightly on the head the Queen took a deep breath and then said. "Fine, I will let this matter be and we shall in time see who is right. But know that I will not forgive them for the blood that they have spilled and if any of them do harm here then help me god. I will bring judgement upon them, that I swear."
This was not exactly the answer that Lili had been wishing for, but at least she and the sisters seemed to be safe for now. It seemed that the whole prison break thing had mostly been forgotten and the Queen wasn't putting any blame on these girls for it.
Looking upon the Lycan's, Eadlin then asked. "But do say Lili, where did you find all these Lycans. I'm pretty sure that I didn't buy them with my coins at least. Where did you get them from and how did you manage to get them to swear loyalty to you?"
Aileen also joined in as she said. "Yeah, that's what I was wondering as well."
Having practiced for this question Lili dumbly scratched the back of her head as she said. "Well let's just say that I managed to make some interesting connections during my travels. And well the fact that the busty Lycan playing there is my mother also helps."
Hearing this all were stunned, the Queen looked Lili over carefully as if checking for something and said. "What did you just say? How?"
Seeing all their expressions Lili realised her mistake and corrected it by saying. "Oh no, I don't mean it like that. She didn't give birth to me. Accalia is just my foster mother. You see she always wanted a daughter and I didn't have a mother so she decided to become mine and protect me."
After saying this the people's expressions calmed down and many awes of understanding were heard amongst them. From there the night proceeded in relative peace.
Lili vaguely shared her life story with them about her mother and such. Although as she talked of her mother and the memories she had of her appearance, Grandma Linn seemed a bit troubled as if she were remembering something.
But Grandma Linn said nothing and so Lili showed Wilfred the kitchen and how potatoes were made into chips and other things. The man even went so far as to try making them himself, in which Lili happily assisted him.
Although Lili made sure to keep his attention away from all the plants that weren't growable in Albion, as explaining them away would most certainly get her whole underground operation caught.
Other than that it was an extremely successful night, the profits were great despite the low cost of everything and so everyone was happy. The princesses even began to talk of the possibility of opening up more such businesses. They also took note of all the soft and cozy sofas, dresses and the materials used in the Inn. To this Lili merely said it to be her little secret technique and so they began to talk about Lili possibly making them dresses as well and maybe even opening up a tailoring shop.
They figured that if Lili truly held some secret to it all, then there for sure was a huge business opportunity just waiting for them. They talked and talked of the great possibilities and profits a tailoring business could have over a simple Inn.
Overwhelmed by it all and all the talk, Lili early in the morning as the Inn closed up waddled back to the castle. She made her way to her room and fell lazily into bed. And so it didn't take her long to fall into a deep sleep with now a few coins to her name.