Lily groaned as a beam of bright light stirred her from sleep. She slowly sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes and yawned. Strands of hair were pointed in all directions and she was still in her dress from last night. It was then the dress reminded her of everything that had happened in just a day.

Her friends were mad at her because she couldn't tell them why she had to marry Frederick. Will wanted nothing to do with her, and her mother was upset. But other than that, the rest of the kingdom seemed to be thrilled.

Lily now sat at her table in front of her mirror and began to tug at her hair. She winced when the brush got stuck in the knots of her hair. Once she was done suffering through the pain that her long, blonde hair. She had noticed over the past few years her hair color began to Lighten.

After staring at herself in the mirror, Lily sighed and stood from her dressing table. She undressed and threw on a long simple, white gown. She checked herself in the mirror and fixed her hair. Lily had never been one to care about her appearance, but now the Kingdom would expect her to look her best.

"Good morning," Frederick softly knocked on the door and slowly opened it. He peaked in and softly smiled at his fiancé.

"Come in," she gave him a small smile as he slipped through the door and shut it behind him. "So…about last night."

"I know," Frederick rubbed the back of his head. "I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking, and I was excited. But I thought you had already told everyone…"

Lily sadly looked away and wondered over to her window. "No," she breathed and stared out at her cherry tree in the garden. "I wanted to, but I didn't think a letter would be right. Especially for my mother."

Frederick approached the princess and placed a hand on her back, "Everything will be okay. They haven't seen how much I've changed from when we were kids… How's William?"

Lily's body tensed at the question and her arms hugged her chest. "Not very happy with me. I would be surprised if he ever spoke to me again."

The young Duke nodded his head, but then cleared his throat and smiled widely at the princess, "Maybe taking a walk down to the garden will make you feel better. You spoke a lot of that cherry tree: I often wondered how good those cherries actually are." He arched an eyebrow and smiled.

Lily smirked and waved her hand, "You still don't believe my cherry tree has the best cherries? Your life is about to change." Lily grabbed his hand as they walked down the palace halls.


Clara, William, and Charlie had left the dining hall, stomachs filled and content with their breakfast extravaganza. The servants were ecstatic to have their favorite children back in the palace, so they were sure to feed them well.

Charlie stretched his arms above his head and let out a satisfied sigh. "That was the best breakfast I think I've ever had." He glanced over at Clara and Will. His girlfriend and best friend had been quiet for most of the morning. Lily was clearly on their mind, and that was something he wouldn't be able to fix for them.

Clara, William and Charlie all strolled on their way down to the garden. The fresh air was doing them good, and smiles were starting to sneak onto their faces as the birds sang throughout the fresh morning. They came upon the garden that they all remembered playing in as children, but just as they turned into the garden gate, they were all stopped in their tracks at the sight of the white princess and her fiance, the duke, standing by the cherry tree.

"Oh...uh…" Charlie began fumbling a little, realizing the situation and knowing what the outcome would surely be.

William didn't even stand for three seconds before he stomped off, removing himself from any more difficult situations.

"Hey! -..." Charlie ran after his friend. "Wait up, bud!"

Clara stood there in sadness as she watched her best friend eating cherries with her new fiance. Anger didn't take long to creep upon her as she continued to watch on as the princess and the duke, were over by their cherry tree. Only now Lily found someone else to share cherries with. Clara couldn't take it anymore. Before Lily or Fredrick could see her, she slipped out of the garden and rushed back up to the hill, tears falling from her face.


"See," Lily proudly stated, "I told you they were the best."

Frederick grinned with a mouth full. He swallowed and took another handful. "I will never doubt you again, Lily." He took another bite and glanced around. "How did you get these cherries so perfect?"

Lily let out a sigh, a fond smile playing at her lips as she ran her hand along the tree's trunk. "Actually, my father planted the tree for my mother." Her bright eyes met his. "It was like having him around."

After swallowing, Frederick cleared his throat and combed his fingers through his hair.

"Well," he began softly, "I'm sure he's looking out for you… and the tree." His eyes gazed up at the brightly colored leaves and cherries. "I always heard stories of him. A great king, strong soldier, respected by all his subjects…" He paused and turned to meet Lily's face. "Truly a man among men."

Lily felt her cheeks heat and she turned away from his gaze. "Thank you… that means a lot." As Lily was looking out towards the palace, she caught sight of that wild red hair. Her heart leaped, and then she saw Clara's expression. As Clara turned and stormed off, Lily felt her heart drop. Could her friends really be this dissatisfied with her? This angry?

Without warning, Lily excused herself and took off after Clara, Leaving Frederick by her Cherry tree. She ran as quickly as she could, whipping around the bushes and grabbing Clara by the wrist. Red hair waved around as blazing eyes met hers.

"So, what, you two are friends now?" Clara angrily snapped. She took a step back.

"You're just going to let him ruin our friendship?"

Lily sighed with a roll of her eyes, pulling Clara towards the garden maze. Once she was sure they were alone, she caught her breath and faced her best friend. "Clara, please, just listen."

Clara gave a stale look and crossed her arms of her chest, leaning to one side. "Fine. You may begin to explain your lack of Lilyism."

A corner of Lily's lips ticked up into a small smirk. "If that's what you'd like to call it, then so be it. But what I'm about to tell you may rock you to your very core…"

Clara sighed and sat on the ground next to her friend. "What is going on, Lily?" She turned to get a better look at her friend.

Lily shook her head with a sad smile. "If I don't marry him, they would revolt against my mother- against this kingdom."

Clara's brows came closer together in confusion. "You two seem like your friends. Can't you just ask him to not?"

"If only it were that simple, little hatter." Lily let out a heavy sigh. "Frederick is much different than when we were children… It wasn't him that made the threat, but his parents. He's just as oblivious as the rest of the Kingdom." She shrugged. "Sure, he and I have grown close, even dear friends," her eyes met Clara's, "But he's not the one I love. I'm only doing this to protect my mother and kingdom."

After a second of letting it all set in, Clara shook her head. "But you have friends, an army, we can find help to stop them-"

Lily pulled her knees to her chest and hugged them. "It's not always that easy, Clara. I'm sorry. I really am. I am especially sorry to William… But I have to do this."