The next day:
"Li, wake up. Are you awake?" I stood at the end of Li's bed and told her.
"No!" Li's voice came, muffled by her blankets and pillows.
"Li, if you answered me, obviously you'd have to be awake." I reasoned.
"Lilia, please let me sleep!" she begged.
"No, we're going to the menagerie today, remember."
"Fine, Fine. I'm up." She dragged herself out of her bed and over to the washbasin. "What should I wear?" This was Li's first complete sentence every morning.
"Li, how should I know? I've yet to memorize your wardrobe," I informed her.
The green dress with the yellow embroidery and collar. You are wearing, um, the sky blue dress with the lavender." I handed her the dress I had just described.
The day at the menagerie was perfect. Even Ally seemed to become interested in what Calder was talking about. Li, on the other hand, did not seem to be enjoying herself, and Regan likewise. And me? Well, I couldn't have asked for a better day. Hours talking and laughing in the sunshine with Reeve.
3rd person narration
"Your majesty," the adviser to the King of Maren bowed low to King Jonathan. King Jonathan nodded and motioned for the man to sit opposite him across the desk.
"What did you have to tell me?" Jonathan asked attentively.
"Well, as you know His Majesty King Arrio seeks a tie to Tortall, preferably through his son Prince Reeve and your daughter Lianne," the adviser explained. Jonathan nodded again. "Yes, well King Arrio thinks there might be a slight block in this plan."
"The King of Galla?" Jonathan asked.
"Not quite. You see, Prince Reeve has become rather close, too close, to a lady of your court, the king fears."
"Excuse me?"
"Yes, the Lady Lillianne of Mindelan. She and Prince were seen, in a, position, in the courtyard last night."
"I see."
"King Arrio is sure the lady is a lovely girl, but he wishes for it not to go any further. And as she is you subject…." He trailed off.
"I understand. I will have a word with the lady," Jonathan assured him. The adviser thanked him and left bowing. Jonathan waved to his manservant. "Send for the Lady Lillianne of Mindelan," he ordered.
What could this possibly be about? Lillianne wondered as she hurried to the Kings' office. She curtsied immediately as the King rose. He remained standing and so did she. It was obvious he did not intend this to last long.
"Lady Lillianne," the king started "you and Prince Reeve of Maren have become friends, have you not?" Lillianne nodded. "More than friends?" the king inquired.
"More, your majesty?"
"Yes. You were seen together in the garden last night." Lillianne blushed bright red. "You certainly know it is imperative that Tortall maintain close ties to its neighbors?"
"Of course."
"Then you must realize that your relationship with the prince should go no farther, and it would be appreciated if it were to end all together," the king said diplomatically. Lillianne blinked several times to get rid of the tears glistening in her eyes.
"I understand, sire. It will go no further." The king nodded dismissal.
Lilianne's POV
I continued to blink the tears from my eyes as I walked back to Li's room. Li and Ally were playing a board game on the flagstones. I joined them. After a few minutes, there was a knock at the door. Li and Ally were too lazy to get up so I hurried to answer it.
"Lady Lilia," Prince Reeve bowed. "I was hoping I'd find you here. I wondered if you'd care to join me on a horseback ride?" he asked.
"Oh, uh, well, um, I don' think so," I stammered.
"Come on Lilia, what else are you doing?" Li interrupted.
"I uh, just have to do something," I said. "Right now!" I added and bolted out the door.
As I ran down the long hall I heard heavy footsteps pursuing me.
"Lilia! Lilia! Wait!" Reeve demanded. He finally caught up with me and grabbed my arm to pull me to a stop. "What's going on? Why are you running away from me?" he asked, impressively not out of breath.
"I'm not running I told you I had something to do," I said calmly.
"What?" he challenged.
"None of your business!" I snapped coldly.
"Lady, did I do something wrong? Why are you mad at me?" he asked, confused.
"Reeve, I just don't think we should see each other as much as we have been." The look of pain on his fallen face could've made me burst into tears on the spot.
"What? Why? Did someone say something to you?" he demanded.
"Reeve, I just don't think it's a good idea, that's all!" I said coldly.
"Fine! I guess I'll leave you alone then!" he replied just as icily before marching away.
Luckily, he didn't turn to see me wiping away tears. I needed to be alone, so I couldn't go back to the room where Li and Ally would inevitably question me. Instead I headed to the gardens, where I sobbed in the secrecy of its drooping branches, hidden from anyone who was insensitive enough to bother me. While I sobbed uncontrollably, I didn't notice the footsteps approaching and passing through the leafy branches. Instinctively I clung to him as he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer to him. I was torn between being glad that it was not Reeve I was clinging to, and disappointed that it wasn't. However, in my melancholy state, I didn't mind that it was Joren of Stone Mountain who had come to comfort me. He whispered and hushed me gently, rocking me back and forth in his arms.
"What's wrong, heart?" he asked.
"Reeve," I blubbered, appalling myself that I was taking this so hard. I had known the guy for what? Two days? And already I'm acting as if we were betrothed and then it was broken off.
"He must not love you if he would hurt you this way," Joren observed.
"He doesn't know," I answered.
"You know, I would never hurt you, or let anyone else," he whispered.
"Why would you care?" I asked, disbelieving that anyone would feel protective towards me.
"Why wouldn't I?" he turned my face up to look at him, "Lilianne, you are the most amazing girl I have ever met. You're brave, smart, funny, clever, everything I could ever want!" he exclaimed. I couldn't help but smile at his flattery. He smiled too, before leaning down close. Even though I knew it was coming, his kiss made me gasp when he pulled away, still smiling.
"I'm sorry, am I being too forward?" he asked anxiously.
"No, it's just that, arrgh! Everything is so messed up! I'm so confused, I feel like everyone wants me to do something different, and I don't know what I want to do!"
"Who wants you to do what?"
"Reeve wants me to be with him, Li and Ally want me to be with Reeve, King Jonathan and Reeve's parents don't, and I don't know what to do!"
"I hate to add one more person wanting you to do something, but I want you to be with me," he said gently.
I couldn't help. The tears and sobs that had subsided returned. Joren held me even tighter.
"Lili, I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry again, I never want you to cry again!"
"Joren, it's not your fault. You're being so kind to me." A few last tears went down my cheeks before he brushed them away. "What about Li? She really likes you."
"I like her, but it would never work out anyway."
"It's funny, she's going to get the guy I wanted, and I'm going to get the guy she wanted."
He laughed. "You're going to get me?"
"Isn't that what you want?"
"I guess so."