As they sat in the garden, the moonlight gently illuminated the scene. Lia, feeling the effects of the wine, began to speak more freely. Her usual reserved nature seemed to melt away with each sip, and soon she was sharing stories from her past with the group.
Lia leaned back in her chair, her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, and smiled to herself before speaking. "I come from a small village far to the west. It's not much, just a little place with farmers and craftsmen, but it's home."
She took another sip of wine, "My parents… they worked hard all their lives. My father was a blacksmith, my mother a baker. Simple people, but they taught me the value of hard work."
The Countess smiled softly, watching Lia with a mixture of amusement and warmth. "I can see where your determination comes from," she said, her voice gentle.
Lia laughed, though there was a trace of sadness behind it. "I had to be. When my father passed away, I was just a girl. It was a struggle for us to survive after that. My mother took on extra work, and I helped where I could, but it was never enough. We lost the bakery eventually. That's when I decided to leave."
Emilia and Prince Dorian listened intently, both surprised at the depth of Lia's story, having never heard much about her background before. She especially felt a certain connection, understanding how life could push one to make difficult choices.
"It wasn't easy," Lia continued, swirling the wine in her glass absentmindedly.
"I came to the city with nothing but the clothes on my back. I thought I'd find work quickly, but it took months. I slept in alleys, ate scraps, and did whatever I could to get by. But eventually, I found my way to the manor. They needed someone in the kitchen, and I guess I just… fit in."
There was a brief pause as Lia stared into her glass, lost in thought. "I didn't know much about fancy desserts back then. Most of what I make now, I learned from the head chef. But I've always loved baking, maybe it's because of my mother. It's the one thing that reminds me of home, even when everything else is so different here."
Emilia leaned forward, her voice soft. "You've done well, Lia. You've come a long way from where you started."
Lia smiled, her eyes a little misty, but she quickly shook off the emotion. "I suppose I have. But sometimes, I wonder what would have happened if things were different… if my father had lived, if we'd kept the bakery. Life has a funny way of taking you where you least expect, doesn't it?"
Prince Dorian nodded thoughtfully. "It does. But you've made a place for yourself here. That's something to be proud of."
Lia chuckled, her mood lightening once more. "Maybe. I just know I'm lucky to be here… and to have the chance to do what I love, even if it's just making desserts for people who hardly notice me."
The Countess, who had been quietly observing, placed a hand on Lia's shoulder. "We notice, Lia. You're a part of this place, and don't ever doubt that."
There was a quiet moment between them, the night air heavy with unspoken thoughts. Then Lia, feeling the weight of the conversation, stood up a little unsteadily. "I think I've had enough wine for one night. Thank you for listening, but I should probably get some sleep before I say something I'll regret tomorrow."
Countess Evelyn, always the practical one, finally stood up after a while. "I think it's time for Lia to get some rest," she said with a kind smile, gently helping the young girl to her feet. "Come, dear. Let's get you to your room."
The other two chuckled, watching as Countess gently guided Lia back toward the manor, leaving Emilia and Prince Dorian alone to reflect on the story Lia had shared. It was a quiet, sobering reminder of the different paths life could take, and for them, it sparked a deeper appreciation for the people around, even those they might not have thought much about before.
A moment later, Prince Dorian turned to Emilia, his eyes thoughtful. "She's been through a lot, hasn't she?" he said quietly, referring to Lia.
Emilia nodded, her expression softening. "Yes… she's stronger than she seems. It's easy to forget that, sometimes."
There was a brief pause before Prince Dorian, seemingly out of nowhere, asked, "What about you? Your life before… outside the palace."
Emilia blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in conversation. She hesitated, not used to being asked about herself in such a direct way. "There's not much to tell," she said, brushing the question off lightly. "I've had my share of challenges, but I prefer to focus on the present."
Prince Dorian didn't push, but there was a curious gleam in his eyes. "You're so mysterious," he said with a smile. "It's as if there's an entire world you keep hidden from the rest of us."
Emilia let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "It's not that mysterious," she replied. "I just… don't see the point in dwelling on the past."
The conversation could have ended there, but then Emilia, wanting to steer the conversation away from herself, asked, "What about you? What's life like for you outside the palace?"
Prince Dorian leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "It's quieter," he said slowly. "I spend most of my time traveling, visiting different estates. But recently, something… unusual happened."
Emilia leaned in, intrigued. "Unusual how?"
"You know, my mother has been ill for years. The doctors gave up on her long ago. They said there was nothing more they could do."
Emilia looked at him, her curiosity piqued, though she remained composed. "But she's better now, isn't she?" she asked.
Prince Dorian nodded, but his expression was thoughtful, almost troubled. "Yes, strangely enough. It happened so suddenly. A few months ago, this man came to our manor. He claimed he could cure her… even when the best doctors couldn't. At first, I didn't believe him, but there was something about him. Something… unsettling."
Emilia's interest deepened, her mind whirling as she realized this might be the clue she had been waiting for. "What did he do?" she asked, leaning in slightly.
Prince Dorian hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck, as if recalling something he didn't fully understand. "It wasn't a normal treatment. He used needles. Dozens of them. Thin, almost invisible to the eye. He placed them all over her body, and… within a few days, she started improving. Her color returned, her strength as well. The doctors were baffled. But the way he went about it… it felt wrong. Unnatural."
Emilia's heart quickened. This sounded too close to the rumors she had been following. Could this man be the one she was searching for? The one responsible for more than just a few mysterious cures?
"Do you remember what he looked like?" Emilia asked, her tone controlled but sharp with urgency. "Anything about his appearance."
Prince Dorian furrowed his brow, trying to recall the details. "He was tall. Dark hair. His eyes… they had a strange intensity, like he knew things no one else did. And he never gave us his full name. He only went by..."
Before Dorian could finish, the soft sound of footsteps interrupted them. They both turned to see Alistair approaching from the shadows, his usual calm demeanor in place but with a fierceness in his gaze flickered between Emilia and Prince Dorian. His presence was commanding as always with unreadable expressions.
"It's getting late," Alistair said, his voice calm but firm. "I think it's best if Prince Dorian heads back for the night."
Prince Dorian, surprised but not offended, stood up with a smile. "Of course," he said, giving Emilia a nod. "We can continue our conversation another time."
Emilia, still caught up in the mystery of what Prince Dorian had been about to say, nodded in return. "Yes, we will."
Prince Dorian excused himself, leaving the garden and heading back toward the manor. Once he was gone, Alistair turned his attention fully to Emilia, his gaze softening slightly.
"What were you two talking about?" he asked, his tone casual but curious.
Emilia glanced at him, debating how much to share. "Just… life outside the palace," she said, not wanting to dive into the more sensitive details just yet. "Is your work finished?"
Alistair raised an eyebrow and sighed. "Not yet," he admitted. "I just needed a break.. Some fresh air. And… to see you."
There was something gentle in his words, a rare softness towards anyone. She looked at him, understanding the weight he carried, balancing his responsibilities and the moments he carved out for himself. "You do need to relax sometimes."
Alistair's lips curved into a smirk as he leaned back. "Maybe. But seeing you is enough of a break for me."
Emilia eyes narrowing with a smirk. "Is that your way of complimenting me?"
Alistair chuckled, the sound deep and full of mischief. "If I'm being honest, it's exhausting keeping up with you." He took a slow sip of wine from Emilia's glass.
The girl rolled her eyes, though a slight blush crept across her cheeks. She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table, looking at him with a teasing grin. "Is that right? So, I'm both your source of exhaustion and relaxation? Quite a contradiction you've got there."
Alistair leaned in as well, matching her playful tone. "Contradictions make life interesting, don't you think? Besides, I think you like being a little difficult."
Emilia pretended to be offended, placing a hand on her chest dramatically. "Me? Difficult? I'm the epitome of simplicity and grace, thank you very much."
He laughed, his gaze softening as he looked at her, clearly enjoying the playful banter. "Of course, you're a perfect mystery."
Emilia raised an eyebrow, leaning back in her chair. "And you're quite the puzzle yourself, Al."
Just as the tension between them seemed to spark with more excitement, a soft voice interrupted them from the side.
"Crown Prince," Selene's voice broke through, stepping into the garden with an apologetic look. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but Lord Georgy needs you right now. It seems urgent."
Alistair's smile fading as he glanced between Selene and Emilia. "Of course, it's always urgent," he muttered under his breath before standing up. "Duty calls, I suppose."
Emilia watched him rise, her expression neutral but with a flicker of disappointment as he prepared to leave. Alistair caught her gaze and gave a half-smile, "I'll go first."
Emilia nodded and a faint smile tugged at her lips. "Don't push yourself too hard."
Alistair turned to leave, walking toward the manor with Selene. As Emilia watched him go, she swirled her wine, letting the peaceful silence of the garden wrap around her. The girl's mind drifted back to Prince Dorian's story, the stranger with the needles still lingering.
***