Misconstrued (2nd Chapter)
'Okay, make that a fire breathing dragon in a blue gown.' Percival thought miserably. He looked at Borus who was smirking right back at him. He growled something beneath his breath then groaned. His gaze scanned the area and clashed with expecting lavender eyes.
'Well, what are you waiting for?' The message Lady Chris relayed to him by arching a thin brow punched him in the gut. Lord Salome, aware of his dilemma, shot him a sympathetic and then an encouraging look. Percival almost winced.
Instead, he shot his captain with an 'I'll-get-you-for-this' look. Chris merely shrugged and urged him to do his job. Straightening himself up, Percival took a deep breath. And made his way to the other side of the room where Lilly Pendragon stood alone.
"Go, Percival!" Borus cheered, his voice almost drowned by the lively chatter inside the hall. He gave the doomed knight a thumbs-up sign when the latter glared back at him.
He walked slowly, nodding and smiling to the ladies who caught his attention. Then he saw Leo leaning on one of the massive columns. The large knight straightened up when he saw Percival. Leo closed his right fist and placed it in front of his massive chest as a form of salute.
'Be brave, my friend. Be brave.' Percival could almost hear Leo's amused rough voice inside his head.
'Oh, please.' Percival rolled his eyes. He nonetheless returned the salute, in appreciation of Leo's concern. Bloody hell, he thought as he lowered his arm. It feels like I'm walking toward a guillotine rather than a guest. If they only stop overreacting.
He looked at the lady he was supposed to accompany during her stay in Vinay del Zexay. His renewed resolve slowly vanished as he saw Lilly yelling at an attendant who must have done something to displease her. Her raised voice was quickly attracting attention to herself and to the poor server. Everyone who heard the commotion felt sorry for the servant who was flushing deep red with mortification. The servant apologized profusely and excused himself from the hall. Percival shook his head and sighed as he continued walking towards her.
He paused for a moment, gladly welcoming the interruption, when a group of young ladies intercepted him with excited talks and laughter.
"It has been a year, Sir Percival!"
"I begged my father to take me with him so that I can see you again, milord."
"Would you kindly escort me tomorrow to the docks? I'd love to see the lake."
"Do visit my city one of these days, Sir Percival. You'll love it!"
"You're not seeing anyone seriously, are you?"
Percival laughed as he answered one question after another. His easy charm flowed through eloquent words and heart stopping smiles. But at the back of his mind, he knew he was deliberately delaying the inevitable. When he looked up over their heads, he saw Lady Chris standing behind the group, looking disapprovingly at him. He smiled sheepishly at her. Chris frowned in response.
"I'm sorry, ladies." Percival sighed and smiled apologetically at his companions. "Forgive me for I cannot stay for long. Duty calls." He winked at them. Protests were heard from the girls as Percival smoothly exited.
On his way, he saw Roland and Louis standing in a corner. The young apprentice knight gave him a wide smile, lending support in the upcoming ordeal. The Elf Knight nodded toward him, his calming presence which has always been like a soothing balm to the knights was ever present. Do I look like I need all the luck in the world just to talk to a guest? He thought irritably.
'She's just a girl.' Percival kept repeating to himself. 'Lilly Pendragon, daughter of the Tinto President. Not a bloody guillotine.'
"Go away." Lilly snubbed the third young man who approached her. "I don't want to waste my time talking to you." She snatched a glass of wine from a passing servant and took a sip. When the young man didn't move away, she snapped her eyes back to him. "Didn't you hear what I just said?" Her voice was filled with annoyance. "Your presence is not required here. Make yourself scarce!"
"B-But a beautiful lady like yourself shouldn't be alon---"
"GO AWAY!" Lilly shouted. Her blue eyes narrowed as she glared daggers at the sorry young man who was practically wilting in front of her eyes. Sure, she felt a little sorry for him, but she can't help it. She wants to be alone. She always has been alone anyway.
Water forming in his eyes due to embarrassment, the young man excused himself and turned to leave. Lilly refused to feel any remorse over what she had done. That'll teach other aspirant suitors not to even think about advancing on her.
She finished her glass of wine and placed it in a nearby table. She sighed. It was a little stifling in the banquet hall. She needs a breath of fresh air and remembered seeing a balcony just outside the room. She glided past guests, her regal bearing apparent with her every movement. Not one guest could possibly overlook Lilly Pendragon. Not only was she truly exquisite, the way she carried herself was majestic. She is and always has been a magnificent sight to behold.
Lilly rested her gloved hands on the cool marble balustrade of the balcony. She was the only one outside. Good. The sky was blanketed with hundreds of stars tonight. It was tranquil and beautiful. She raised her face to the sky, feeling the soft evening breeze on her face. During that moment, she remembered some things about her childhood. Some things she'd rather forget.
The peaceful and comforting evening sounds conquered her senses. That was why she didn't realize that someone followed her outside. And was totally caught off-guard when a chilled wineglass touched her left cheek.
"What the--?!" She gasped and instinctively swung her left arm to fend off the intruder. Only she struck air.
"Hey now." Percival swiftly moved back to avoid her flailing arm. "Good thing this didn't spill." He smiled at her as he offered her one of the glasses of wine he was carrying. She ignored his gesture and continued frowning at him.
"You!" Lilly wiped off the cooling effect the glass did to her skin. "Why did you do that?!" She glared as she recognized his face. He was one of the knights who fought alongside Chris during the recent war. Then again, she didn't bother knowing their names. She didn't really care. Besides, the knights all looked the same to her.
"I was just hoping that it'll cool your head." He grinned.
"And your point being?" She demanded with her hands settled on her hips. Her eyes which have always been as cold as blue ice pierced right through him. A lesser man could have shuddered.
"I wasn't implying anything."
"Indeed?" Lilly replied. "Well then, do not bother me with your petty thoughts. I don't have time for them."
"I beg your pardon?" He asked incredulously.
"That's what you do best, isn't it? Begging?"
"Sadie's Teeth, she's worse than I thought." Percival muttered under his breath.
"What are you mumbling about over there?"
'Nothing of importance."
"If that's the case, I want you to run off to your other duties." She ordered him. Percival didn't trust himself to speak. He didn't move as well. "Must I spell it out for you?" Her condescending voice was annoying the hell out of him. "Leave. Me. Alone." Every word was stressed out for his benefit.
'Bloody hell.' Percival thought. He looked over the scenery before him as he counted from one to ten in order to calm himself. It didn't help.
"I said go away!" She shouted at him as she pointed at the glass doors leading to the hall.. "Are you deaf as well as stupid?! Leave!" Why can't people just leave her alone? Like how they always did when she was a child? Like how her parents have always been treating her? Solitude has always been her sanctuary, her own little world when she was but a child. It is one of the major factors that molded her to what she has become. She will never share it. For it contained the fears she had kept ever since.
"I'm afraid I can't do that." Percival drained his glass of its contents and placed it on the handrail. When he looked back at her, all traces of friendliness disappeared from his handsome face. "I'd rather be anywhere in the world than here with you, Miss Lilly. Believe me." He forced a brittle smile, so brittle it could have cracked. "Then again, I have orders to follow."
He emptied Lilly's wineglass on a potted plant nearby. "So I guess it means we're stuck together until you depart for Tinto the next day." He turned to leave but left a parting remark. "Unless, of course, you decide to leave tonight. That'll save us both some migraines, don't you agree?" With that, he walked away.
Lilly remained behind fuming. How dare he say that to her, to her of all people? How dare he insult Gustav's daughter? He doesn't even know her! He doesn't even understand her! Nobody does!
Anger ruling her thoughts, she re-entered the hall and went straight toward the massive hall entrance. To hell with everything and everyone in Zexen! She is going back to Tinto. She doesn't really care. Everybody thinks she's selfish. Fine! She'll show them selfishness! 'Are you running away?' A little voice inside her head stopped her cold. 'I could just imagine that dark-haired knight laughing at that ugly weak side of yours that you're showing him.'
She turned from the double doors and saw Percival watching her. His guarded expression gave away nothing as he sipped his wine. He was leaning against the wall as he patiently waited for her to make her decision. He straightened up when she finally walked toward him.
"I'm no coward." Tightlipped, she told him. "I'm not running away."
'Okay, make that a fire breathing dragon in a blue gown.' Percival thought miserably. He looked at Borus who was smirking right back at him. He growled something beneath his breath then groaned. His gaze scanned the area and clashed with expecting lavender eyes.
'Well, what are you waiting for?' The message Lady Chris relayed to him by arching a thin brow punched him in the gut. Lord Salome, aware of his dilemma, shot him a sympathetic and then an encouraging look. Percival almost winced.
Instead, he shot his captain with an 'I'll-get-you-for-this' look. Chris merely shrugged and urged him to do his job. Straightening himself up, Percival took a deep breath. And made his way to the other side of the room where Lilly Pendragon stood alone.
"Go, Percival!" Borus cheered, his voice almost drowned by the lively chatter inside the hall. He gave the doomed knight a thumbs-up sign when the latter glared back at him.
He walked slowly, nodding and smiling to the ladies who caught his attention. Then he saw Leo leaning on one of the massive columns. The large knight straightened up when he saw Percival. Leo closed his right fist and placed it in front of his massive chest as a form of salute.
'Be brave, my friend. Be brave.' Percival could almost hear Leo's amused rough voice inside his head.
'Oh, please.' Percival rolled his eyes. He nonetheless returned the salute, in appreciation of Leo's concern. Bloody hell, he thought as he lowered his arm. It feels like I'm walking toward a guillotine rather than a guest. If they only stop overreacting.
He looked at the lady he was supposed to accompany during her stay in Vinay del Zexay. His renewed resolve slowly vanished as he saw Lilly yelling at an attendant who must have done something to displease her. Her raised voice was quickly attracting attention to herself and to the poor server. Everyone who heard the commotion felt sorry for the servant who was flushing deep red with mortification. The servant apologized profusely and excused himself from the hall. Percival shook his head and sighed as he continued walking towards her.
He paused for a moment, gladly welcoming the interruption, when a group of young ladies intercepted him with excited talks and laughter.
"It has been a year, Sir Percival!"
"I begged my father to take me with him so that I can see you again, milord."
"Would you kindly escort me tomorrow to the docks? I'd love to see the lake."
"Do visit my city one of these days, Sir Percival. You'll love it!"
"You're not seeing anyone seriously, are you?"
Percival laughed as he answered one question after another. His easy charm flowed through eloquent words and heart stopping smiles. But at the back of his mind, he knew he was deliberately delaying the inevitable. When he looked up over their heads, he saw Lady Chris standing behind the group, looking disapprovingly at him. He smiled sheepishly at her. Chris frowned in response.
"I'm sorry, ladies." Percival sighed and smiled apologetically at his companions. "Forgive me for I cannot stay for long. Duty calls." He winked at them. Protests were heard from the girls as Percival smoothly exited.
On his way, he saw Roland and Louis standing in a corner. The young apprentice knight gave him a wide smile, lending support in the upcoming ordeal. The Elf Knight nodded toward him, his calming presence which has always been like a soothing balm to the knights was ever present. Do I look like I need all the luck in the world just to talk to a guest? He thought irritably.
'She's just a girl.' Percival kept repeating to himself. 'Lilly Pendragon, daughter of the Tinto President. Not a bloody guillotine.'
"Go away." Lilly snubbed the third young man who approached her. "I don't want to waste my time talking to you." She snatched a glass of wine from a passing servant and took a sip. When the young man didn't move away, she snapped her eyes back to him. "Didn't you hear what I just said?" Her voice was filled with annoyance. "Your presence is not required here. Make yourself scarce!"
"B-But a beautiful lady like yourself shouldn't be alon---"
"GO AWAY!" Lilly shouted. Her blue eyes narrowed as she glared daggers at the sorry young man who was practically wilting in front of her eyes. Sure, she felt a little sorry for him, but she can't help it. She wants to be alone. She always has been alone anyway.
Water forming in his eyes due to embarrassment, the young man excused himself and turned to leave. Lilly refused to feel any remorse over what she had done. That'll teach other aspirant suitors not to even think about advancing on her.
She finished her glass of wine and placed it in a nearby table. She sighed. It was a little stifling in the banquet hall. She needs a breath of fresh air and remembered seeing a balcony just outside the room. She glided past guests, her regal bearing apparent with her every movement. Not one guest could possibly overlook Lilly Pendragon. Not only was she truly exquisite, the way she carried herself was majestic. She is and always has been a magnificent sight to behold.
Lilly rested her gloved hands on the cool marble balustrade of the balcony. She was the only one outside. Good. The sky was blanketed with hundreds of stars tonight. It was tranquil and beautiful. She raised her face to the sky, feeling the soft evening breeze on her face. During that moment, she remembered some things about her childhood. Some things she'd rather forget.
The peaceful and comforting evening sounds conquered her senses. That was why she didn't realize that someone followed her outside. And was totally caught off-guard when a chilled wineglass touched her left cheek.
"What the--?!" She gasped and instinctively swung her left arm to fend off the intruder. Only she struck air.
"Hey now." Percival swiftly moved back to avoid her flailing arm. "Good thing this didn't spill." He smiled at her as he offered her one of the glasses of wine he was carrying. She ignored his gesture and continued frowning at him.
"You!" Lilly wiped off the cooling effect the glass did to her skin. "Why did you do that?!" She glared as she recognized his face. He was one of the knights who fought alongside Chris during the recent war. Then again, she didn't bother knowing their names. She didn't really care. Besides, the knights all looked the same to her.
"I was just hoping that it'll cool your head." He grinned.
"And your point being?" She demanded with her hands settled on her hips. Her eyes which have always been as cold as blue ice pierced right through him. A lesser man could have shuddered.
"I wasn't implying anything."
"Indeed?" Lilly replied. "Well then, do not bother me with your petty thoughts. I don't have time for them."
"I beg your pardon?" He asked incredulously.
"That's what you do best, isn't it? Begging?"
"Sadie's Teeth, she's worse than I thought." Percival muttered under his breath.
"What are you mumbling about over there?"
'Nothing of importance."
"If that's the case, I want you to run off to your other duties." She ordered him. Percival didn't trust himself to speak. He didn't move as well. "Must I spell it out for you?" Her condescending voice was annoying the hell out of him. "Leave. Me. Alone." Every word was stressed out for his benefit.
'Bloody hell.' Percival thought. He looked over the scenery before him as he counted from one to ten in order to calm himself. It didn't help.
"I said go away!" She shouted at him as she pointed at the glass doors leading to the hall.. "Are you deaf as well as stupid?! Leave!" Why can't people just leave her alone? Like how they always did when she was a child? Like how her parents have always been treating her? Solitude has always been her sanctuary, her own little world when she was but a child. It is one of the major factors that molded her to what she has become. She will never share it. For it contained the fears she had kept ever since.
"I'm afraid I can't do that." Percival drained his glass of its contents and placed it on the handrail. When he looked back at her, all traces of friendliness disappeared from his handsome face. "I'd rather be anywhere in the world than here with you, Miss Lilly. Believe me." He forced a brittle smile, so brittle it could have cracked. "Then again, I have orders to follow."
He emptied Lilly's wineglass on a potted plant nearby. "So I guess it means we're stuck together until you depart for Tinto the next day." He turned to leave but left a parting remark. "Unless, of course, you decide to leave tonight. That'll save us both some migraines, don't you agree?" With that, he walked away.
Lilly remained behind fuming. How dare he say that to her, to her of all people? How dare he insult Gustav's daughter? He doesn't even know her! He doesn't even understand her! Nobody does!
Anger ruling her thoughts, she re-entered the hall and went straight toward the massive hall entrance. To hell with everything and everyone in Zexen! She is going back to Tinto. She doesn't really care. Everybody thinks she's selfish. Fine! She'll show them selfishness! 'Are you running away?' A little voice inside her head stopped her cold. 'I could just imagine that dark-haired knight laughing at that ugly weak side of yours that you're showing him.'
She turned from the double doors and saw Percival watching her. His guarded expression gave away nothing as he sipped his wine. He was leaning against the wall as he patiently waited for her to make her decision. He straightened up when she finally walked toward him.
"I'm no coward." Tightlipped, she told him. "I'm not running away."
