Chapter 25: A Gift of Surprises

After a few days, Lillian asked Klarion if he could send her back to Norrisville. She held the book with the remaining 995 pages then sighed softly.

"Remember what I told you..." Klarion said then Lillian nodded.
"I know and I'll be careful." Lillian said then Julian hugged the Fair Maiden tears pouring down.
"Don't leave me alone...!" Julian whispered then Lillian blinked.
"Julian, why don't you just come home with me?"

"Because he promised to spend his summer vacation with me." Maria answered as she ate some snacks that Kenny was feeding her. Julian grabbed Lillian's shoulders and brought her close.
"That girl is gonna murder me, Lillian...! Please stay here!"

"Julian you're overreacting. Maria is so harmless." Lillian said then when Julian turned to look at Maria, the small girl pulled out a plastic knife making the goth boy yelp.

"What? I was about to put some jam on the scones Kenny made." Maria said as she cut the scone in half then smeared some strawberry jam on the scone and ate it. Lillian looked at Julian then pat his head.
"There, there. You'll be fine, Julian." Lillian said then Klarion opened the portal and Lillian went through it.

Back in Norrisville, Dennis sighed as he finally finished working on a gift for Lillian.

Today's the day... He thought as he held a ring with a thorn design and purple jewels to make a rose in the middle.

"It took me a while to make since I had to find alexandrite stones but it was worth it..." Dennis sighed as he put Lillian's ring in a ring box then closed it. Sparky looked at Dennis then he pet the white tiger's head.
"I hope she likes it." He said then a portal opened and Lillian came out and landed on the couch.

"Fair Maiden! Welcome home!" Dennis greeted then Lillian sat up and smiled.
"Thank you. Ummm... I have something to give to you, Dennis."

"R-Really? S-So do I..." Dennis said blushing a bit.
"How about you go first...?" He asked politely then Lillian blushed a bit.
"Okay... Ummm... Here you go." She said as she presented the book Klarion gave her. Dennis gasped softly and then slowly took the book from her.
"F-Fair Maiden... Are you sure you want to give this to me...?" Dennis asked then Lillian nodded blushing a bit.

"Th-Thank you Fair Maiden!" Dennis said then he burned the book and began to absorb it. He sighed then Lillian looked at him.
"H-How do you feel...?"

"I feel... Great. Powerful in fact." Dennis answered then he smiled and gently stroked Lillian's cheek.
"Fair Maiden, thank you. I am most grateful." He said then Lillian blushed looking away a bit.

"Now for your gift." Dennis said as he twirled his finger. Suddenly little tiny fluffy bats flew towards Lillian and the Fair Maiden giggled as the little bats flew around her then she felt something land on her lap. When Dennis whistled all the bats flew and landed on Sparky making the white tiger lie down. Lillian opened the ring box and gasped softly.
"Dennis... This is... I don't know what to say... Thank you Dennis." Lillian said then Dennis took the ring out of the case then held out his hand.
"Let me do the honors of putting this on your finger." He said then Lillian blushed. She held out her right hand then Dennis gently grabbed it and placed the ring on her right wedding ring finger.

"There... A perfect fit." Dennis said then Lillian gazed at the ring then noticed Dennis was wearing a ring that has the same design as her ring.
"Dennis... Did you...?"

"I did." Dennis answered then Lillian blushed. She wrapped her arms around her ex boyfriend hugging him then Dennis smiled hugging her back and nuzzling in the small gap of her shoulder and neck.

"I love you, Li... So much..."

"Oh, Daiki. You're so sweet."

"Do you love me, Fair Maiden...?" Dennis asked then Lillian looked at him. He gazed at her but Lillian looked away. Dennis gently grabbed her chin and made her turn to face him.
"Please look at me... And give me an honest answer..." He whispered then Lillian blushed.
"I... I don't know, Dennis... I mean... You've changed quite a lot."

"All for you, Fair Maiden."

"Y-yes... But I just... I'm not ready to be in a relationship... Not yet anyway..." Lillian said then Dennis sighed softly. He kissed her forehead then rest his forehead against hers looking down at her.
"Okay... I'll wait for you, Fair Maiden." He said then when he pulled away Lillian looked at him.
"Den- -!"

"DENNIS!" Someone shouted then Lillian froze but Dennis turned in the direction he heard the voice. He created a small bubble and as he held it, the Ninja appeared in it.

RANDY?! Lillian thought then she looked at Dennis.

"The Ninja...? He's... He's alive?!" Dennis growled as he crushed the bubble then he stood up but Lillian stood up as well and tried to block Dennis.
"Dennis what are you gonna do?!"

"Step aside, Fair Maiden... This is between me and him..." Dennis said but Lillian pushed him back a bit.
"No! I can't let you fight the Ninja, Dennis! What will you gain if you battle with him?"

"The relief I wanted 500 years ago. Fair Maiden he stole you away from me! I loved you, not anyone else could compare to the kindness and affection you've given me 500 years ago!"

"But that was 500 years ago; when my parents were still alive and wanted me to be the good girl and marry someone they were proud of!"

"What is your point, Fair Maiden?! Because it sounds like you are defending him..."

"What matters is... You and I are here; both of our families are gone... And there's no one tell us what to do... Who we can marry and all..." Lillian said then Dennis shook his head.
"I'm sorry, Fair Maiden... But that's not a good enough answer. As long as the Ninja's still alive, I won't feel relived at all!" He said then he moved to the side but Lillian tried to grab him but Dennis trapped her in a bubble.

"I'm sorry, my love... But the Ninja must die!" Dennis said as he walked out leaving Lillian alone and struggling to break free.