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CHAPTER FIVE - Finding out
Lady Justina stared at the two figures, embracing each other. She had sneaked out after Prince Charles, believing his abrupt exit was because he wanted to have her. Unbelievably, instead of wanting a lady like her, he had gone and touched…a servant! She felt as if she had been slapped. She wiped her hand viciously, hardly believing that she had let his filthy lips graze her hand. A smile grew on her face. She could use this to get rid of the wench and marry the prince-making sure that her mother and she could live happily ever after. She stood up and hurried towards the ballroom, a plan forming in her head.
Lilia brushed the floor with the brush, still under the spell of last night. After she and Charles had kissed, they stayed for a moment longer, lingering, before Lilia slipped away. She leaned against the brush, her lips curving into a dreamy smile. Oh, how wonderful it felt, forgetting reality and pretending to be equals.
"Lilia!" Helen squawked, interrupting Lilia's thoughts.
"Yes, miss?" Lilia asked, hurriedly continuing brushing the floor.
"Lady Justina informed me that you were kissing my brother, knowing that Lady Justina would become Charles' fiancée!" Helen snapped.
"No, miss."
"Are you telling me that my friend is a liar? Why you-you-" Helen sputtered. She couldn't think of anything strong enough to say, so she drew back her hand and slapped the maid across the cheek, leaving behind a red swipe. Lilia flinched as a sting bloomed from her cheek to the whole side of her face. Helen drew back her hand once more for another slap, but her wrist was grabbed from behind, forcing her to look behind her. Her face drained of all color and her arm dropped limply to her side.
"M-Mother!"
"That's enough, Helen," Princess Ella said coldly.
"I-I-I was reminding this wench of her status her place and…" Helen faltered, seeing her mother's usual calm green eyes flash with anger.
"You are excused," Princess Ella said.
"But Mother-"
"Do as I say!" Princess Ella's voice rose. Helen bowed her head, cast a spiteful glance at Lilia, and stalked away.
"I do apologize for my daughter's behavior, Lilia," Princess Ella said softly.
"I do not understand," Lilia said, furrowing her brow. "I am but a servant and you are a noble, the next queen. Why did you help?" Lilia glimpsed a shadow of a sad smile upon Princess Ella's face.
"My past was not much different from yours." With those words, Princess Ella turned around and began to walk back to the parlor. Suddenly, she stopped and turned around. "Lilia, do try and avoid my son. It would be wonderful to have Charles find a young woman like you -- even more wonderful if that woman was rich. I do not want Charles to have the difficulties Char had."
Lilia was left gaping at Princess Ella's back as she exited.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A tear slid down her face as she remembered the past. She knew it was scandalous to be with him, but he was so irresistible. Twenty years of age, sea green eyes, wavy blond hair, luscious lips, and a face to charm anything. She believed him when he declared his love for her -- what stupidity. After he found out she couldn't marry him until she turned sixteen, he ran off with the next girl in sight!
And now, Lilia was here. As if to remind her of him.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
In the country of Spireal, a land not too far away from Kyrria, King Fredrick carefully opened the golden heart-shaped locket and looked at the face of his wife, Constance. She was so beautiful: wide, sea green eyes that could capture a man's heart in seconds, long, beautiful blond locks that always floated over her slender shoulders, a kind heart, wise mind, and a smile that could brighten anyone's day. He once had a daughter that resembled Constance. He once had Constance. He once had happiness. But now: nothing. His whole world was slowly crumbling; it had begun crumbling after his wife's death and crumbled even more after he found out that his abandoned daughter was nowhere to be found. Nothing could return it to its normalcy, not even his books. A tear slid down his weathered cheek and he gently closed the heart and placed it back into the hidden safe, locking it away until the next time.
