Once they had returned to the mansion, Lily immediately went to the kitchen. She had plans to prepare a feast. Lady Sirelle had always said, a way to a person's heart is first through their stomach, and Lily planned to win Eiden over. She would spare no expense and take out her most famous recipes to prepare this grand meal. Eiden had to like her. He was Vale's friend after all. And she was Vale's friend. Wasn't she? Vale hadn't explicitly said so but, they had known each other for a few weeks now, she was sure that had to count for something.
Meanwhile, Vale had gone to the terrace, deep in thought. If the lords of Darkhaven were fighting, it would show Elyria that they were weak and leaderless. The fact that the Elyrian soldiers had gone to the Neverwoods to keep watch meant that they were assessing their enemies. He had to intervene before they decided that Darkhaven was defenceless. He may not be back to full strength, but it was enough to rally the loyal forces behind him. If he could show the other lords that he had returned and was as strong as ever, he could win them over without much hassle or show of strength. But that was just one of his worries.
He looked over to the mansion and could spot Lily in the kitchen window. He had to take her with him. Afterall, there was something he needed her to do for him. He looked up to the moon that shone beyond the mansion. Three quarters full.
"Eiden,"
"Yes, my lord," he appeared from out of the shadows.
"We may have to leave sooner than planned,"
He bowed his head, "As you command, my lord," he looked up, "what about the fairy?"
"She'll have to come with us,"
"My lord?"
"I still have use for her," his eyes darkened as they set on Lily once more.
~~~
They spent the entire dinner in silence. Eiden had refused to join them, with claims he had elsewhere to be. This left Lily feeling defeated as she pouted and ate her food without uttering a word. Vale watched her eat with an unsettling feeling in his stomach. A feeling one might describe as guilt, but he, who had never felt another emotion beside anger and resentment, found this emotion quite annoying. Why did he care if her feelings were hurt? Why should he care that she had spent all day planning this feast just to please his bodyguard? And yet, there he sat, watching her, pitying her. How soft this fairy had made him.
After dinner, Vale stood before the Tree of life. It stood in the center of a large room surrounded by bookshelves stacked with books of all sizes and colours. The tree itself had a thick trunk and branches that extended toward the glass ceiling.
Light steps behind him made him close his eyes and sigh. Lily stood beside him. He turned to see her holding the teacup she bought him.
"You seemed a little upset at dinner," she said.
"I don't want it," he looked back at the tree.
She sighed, "But I brewed it especially for you. I've noticed how off you've been these past few days, and I can't help but wonder if it has something to do with Darkhaven. But I guess it doesn't matter. You never really said where you were from, so I suppose the politics of other regions don't bother you. Nothing really bothers you it seems. But even still,"
"Enough!" he knocked the cup from her hands. The cup shattered at their feet. The blue and gold teacup, that was once a gift, was destroyed. Lily's eyes began to water. As she began to kneel to pick up the pieces, Vale grabbed her arm and hoisted her back up, "You think I care for your tea? Your grand dinner? Your ceramics and niceties?"
"I don't do all these things to be nice," she sniffed.
"Then why do it?"
"Because that's what friends do!" she shook her arm from his grip.
Vale's chest rumbled as a sinister laugh escaped, "Oh, but I'm not your friend. You have no idea who I am,"
"I do! You're Vale. You're a scholar with two siblings who you don't talk to and you only have one friend who walks on eggshells around you!"
He chuckled, "You're quite naive, little fairy," he lifted her chin, "You've been loyal, trusting," he smirked, "blind," his eyes began to turn a shade of red, "I am the ruler of Luneria, Tieran El'vanar,"
"Tier-," Lily's eyes widened and her body trembled as she stared into his eyes, "but King Tieran died," she murmured.
"A mere lapse in literature I'm sure," he smiled wryly. He let go of her chin, "But I am quite alive. Thanks to you,"
"M-me?" she stammered.
"Yes, you. You see, I had been imprisoned in a mountain for over 70,000 years, until you freed me and nursed me back to health, allowing me to gather my strength again. You're an accomplice now. Your fate is tied to mine, and there is nowhere you can run,"
"I can tell Lord Evrin," Lily tried to appear tough, "he-he'll believe me,"
"But will King Fjord?" he tilted his head, "Or will he smite you on the spot and turn you to ash?" he smiled, "colluding with the enemy is treason, you know,"
Tears began to form in Lily's eyes, "I thought we were friends," her lips trembled.
"I use people like pawns, dear fairy, you are no exception,"
Eiden appeared, "My lord, we must leave now,"
"Take her," Tieran said as he walked away.
Eiden nodded and took Lily by the arm and began dragging her with him. She struggled against his grip, "No! I refuse to go!" she cried as she tried to pry his fingers from her arm, "Let me go! Bear!"
Tieran sighed and flicked his fingers. Lily suddenly fell limp. Eiden then hoisted her over his shoulder. Tieran shot one final glance at the broken teacup.
"Let's go," he said and turned away.