"And they all lived happily ever after." Fiona yawned and stretched her arms, "Oh please read some more, Mommy." Lillian ruffled her hair and smiled, "I think that's quite enough for one night. See, you are already tired." Pouting, Fiona folded her arms in protest. "You are not a duck dear, please stop. I promise I will read to you again tomorrow night". With a heavy sigh, Fiona unfolded her arms and slid under the covers, "Pinkie promise you'll read me two stories tomorrow night, pretty please!" "Alright then, I pinkie promise", Lillian replied, reaching under the covers and tickling little Fiona. All that could be heard from the room was whole hearted laughter. "I love you Mommy." Kissing her daintily on the cheek Lillian replied, "I love you to, night night." After tucking Fiona in and blowing out the candle beside her bed, Lillian made her way to the bedroom door. Before she exited the room she turned and faced Fiona's bed, as she did every night before she left her room, and a single tear escaped down her cheek.
With silent tears, Lillian woke abruptly from her dream. Sitting up and gathering her breath, she turned to see if she had woken Harold. She hadn't. Lillian slid on her slippers and dressing gown, picked up the candle that sat on her bedside table and made her way out of her bedchamber. Walking though the quiet castle corridors gave Lillian time to compose herself. Lately she had been having dreams, flashbacks of times gone by, particularly of Fiona. Lillian felt guilt for sending her daughter away, but she also felt sorrow at the fact that Fiona was her only child.
The early morning walks always lead her to the same place, Fiona's bedroom. Gently turning the door handle, Lillian tiptoed in silently, making no sound. The purple wallpaper has dulled somewhat over the years and the furniture had gathered dust, but it still resembled a child's bedroom. Fiona loved to draw and every prised picture was hung by the fireplace. All her pictures where of the same occasion, the day when her true love would rescue her from her dragon guarded tower. Lillian gazed at them for a while, doubting herself wither that day would ever come. She turned and ran a hand over the harp that sat in the corner, the dust from it floated around the room like glitter as it caught the moons light from the window. Lillian wondered over to the white vanity unit, it was full of photographs ranging from Fiona as a baby to treasured days the family had spent together. There was a doll sitting on the bed, it had been Fiona's favourite doll. Placing the candle on the bedside table and lifting up the doll, Lillian held it close and started to cry. The door of the bedroom opened quietly. Harold knew where Lillian went to every night. Walking over to her, he turned her around and held her close. The two monarchs sat on the bed holding each other, surrounded by the haunted memories of their mistakes from a past life.
