An Unexpected Encounter
I forgot to put this in the first chapter…this is supposed to take place some time after the end of the Outlaw Star anime series…I am going to use its characters but with no bad intentions of claiming them as my own.
Note: Text in italics is the characters' speech in thought – This pertains to what is going on in their minds.
Chapter 2 – Lily's Relation
For six years after her purchase by King Celeas, Lily tried to adjust to her new surroundings. She had everything and anything a girl could ever want. All of the clothes, money, servants…all was done for her. She was more than just a princess; she was queen to an entire planet! Yet, deep within her heart, she had much dread and sadness that she wished to overcome. Celeas had fallen in love with her and had been very good to her ever since she came to his palace, but he was twice her age and sick, growing weaker and weaker each day. Lily was forced to marry him, for she was a slave, but as a young girl and teenager she always had hopes of being independent and doing her own thing…no strings attached.
Lily felt as though she would never be happy as long as she was a part of Quarlia and Celeas. She had been on this planet for six years now and had grown lonely. Although her royal subjects showed great respect and showered her with gifts and much love, she was not content. Not to mention the fact that Celeas' only son, Rume, had tried to make moves on her made things worse.
As Lily lay on her bed, in tears, she thought about all she had been through since she was in Quarlia. How much she just wished to leave freely, but she was committed to a man she did not love.
What did I do to deserve this life that I have? I hate it! I may be in power over a whole planet, but I don't love Celeas and I definitely don't love that jerk, Prince Rume. He thinks he can have whoever he wants just cause he's royalty. Well, he's wrong because if his father hasn't even slept with me, no one will…ever…That sounds like a long time. I'm only 21 and my fate has already been decided for me. I'm in Quarlia with no way out…All I can do is dream…
While lost in thought, a servant girl named Fera faintly knocked on Lily's door, being respectful as she usually was. Although she was a servant, Fera might have been Lily's best friend at the moment, as well as the only person she mostly confided in. Fera kept every single secret to herself and considered the queen to be more than royalty. Lily was someone she looked up to. She might have been six years younger than Lily, but she understood her completely. After all, the roller coaster ride all started when Lily was Fera's age.
"Queen Lily," Fera asked. "Are you there?"
Huh?
"Your highness, may I have your permission to enter your room?"
Lily quickly stood up and wiped away her tears. "Yes of course, Fera."
Fera entered Lily's room and closed the door behind her. "How do you do, my queen?" She noticed that Lily had been crying and said, "I am sorry if I interrupted you in your private moment."
"No, Fera. It's ok. You know that I enjoy your company very much. You remind me much of myself when I was fifteen and I first came here."
"Thank you, your highness. You are too kind."
"Please, Fera. I have told you a million times to call me Lily. I confide in you, why can't you confide in me?"
"I dare not, Queen Lily. Although you see me as a friend, I cannot disrespect you. It is the way I was raised to be. I am ordered to do things for the queen out of kindness. And you, more than anyone in this palace, deserve that kindness."
Lily raised an arched eyebrow. "And what if I were to order you to call me Lily? What of that?"
Fera just smiled. "I rather not make a habit of it, my queen."
"Okay, okay. I can take the hint," Lily giggled. "So what of your visit?"
"Ah, yes. King Celeas wishes to speak with you in his chambers."
Lily looked surprised. "Really? What of? Is there another problem that needs to be settled? Quarlia has been at peace for some time now. What could he want to speak with me of?"
"I do not know, but he just asked that I come and tell you to see him right now."
I wonder what it could be about.
"Okay. Thanks, Fera. I'll go see him now."
"You're welcome, my queen. I will go back to my duties." Fera left Lily's room and went off to go help out with palace chores.
What could Celeas want to see me about? The only thing he's ever spoken to me about has been his treaties…Oh no! He can't be…dying??? Lily shook that thought away. No maybe it's something good. Something I would be happy to hear. Lily reached Celeas' chamber and knocked lightly.
"Who is it," asked a grumpy sounding man from behind the door.
"It's your queen, Celeas…your wife." Lily felt so sad on saying that. She wished that she had met the love of her life and marry him instead of some old king who had a disrespectful son.
"Ah! Yes, come in my queen," Celeas said with delight.
Lily walked into Celeas' chamber and said, "I was told that you asked for me, my king."
As happy as can be, Celeas motioned for Lily to come closer to him. In his usual royal purple robe, he struggled to get his way around the palace, mostly dragging himself along. Unable to walk, Celeas was practically glued to a wheelchair. "I need to have a serious conversation with you, Lily."
Lily walked over to Celeas and gave him a kiss on the forehead. "Of course, my king. Is something the matter?"
"No, actually…" his voice trailed off.
"What? There's something wrong? Tell me. What is it," she asked impatiently.
"Well, I am growing old, weak, and soon I will be tied down to my bed, unable to move for good." Celeas gazed down away from Lily's look. He thought that she was the most beautiful woman that he ever laid eyes on.
Lily actually felt sorry for the old, sick man. Although he had purchased her six years back. He took her in and made her feel at home, making her his wife. And although she was his wife, he never took her to bed and made love to her. He respected her virginity and knew that she did not love him in return. "Don't say that, Celeas. You're a strong man. You will be okay."
Celeas grabbed his white beard in thought. He gazed back up at Lily with his cool blue eyes. "Why do you not love me?"
Lily surprised by his question, just looked away and said nothing.
In disappointment, Celeas just continued to say, "Although you are much younger than me, I have grown to love you as my wife. I would give my life for you any day. Your light, your fire is what helps me with my struggle to survive against this dreaded disease."
How do you say all of this Celeas? How could you feel this way even though I don't love you? A tear dropped down Lily's cheek. I can't love you…
"Celeas, don't say that. I'm sure your struggle is more for Rume than it is for me. He is your beloved son."
Celeas tone grew more impatient and angrily, "Rume is not to be trusted! He can't wait for the day I die. He wants to take over my throne and turn Quarlia back into the war-loving planet that it used to be. I can't let that happen though…"
Lily turned back to Celeas with shock in her eyes. "Celeas, what do you plan to do?"
"Ah, my queen. I need your help once more…before it is too late."
With a questionable look on her face, Lily asked, "What do you mean?"
"I think it's about time to let go of the past. You are a part of me, Lily…and I—I should be a part of you."
"What are you saying Celeas?"
"I only wish to make you mine, Lily. I have waited for six years for you to return the love I have for you. I have respected you, allowing you to have your own chambers and to roam freely as you please as long as it's within palace grounds or with an escort…But now—now, I need you more than ever."
A little frightened of what might happen, Lily cringed and moved away from Celeas. "Celeas, I—I don't want to…How would this help you keep Quarlia at peace?"
"With our love, a new son could be born…a new heir to the throne of Quarlia. Maybe our baby can even provide as company to you. Perhaps, something that can make you happy by my side," Celeas said lusting over Lily and trying to convince her to make love to him.
"Celeas, you know about the only thing that would make me happy…I have done everything I could for you, but please, I beg of you, don't make me do this."
With sadness in his eyes, Celeas replied, "But I love you, my queen. That is the reason I had you marry me…"
Lily kept her eyes off of his gaze and said, "Celeas, you have know that I will never love you in that sense. I am grateful for all that you have done for me, but I cannot be forced to love you!"
In contemplation and in final thought, Celeas smirked and said, "What if I could make you love me?"
"There is no possible way. You wouldn't take me by force, Celeas. If I am as precious to you as you say, you wouldn't dare."
I can't believe that this is happening! What happened to Celeas being nice? Oh my God, my heart is pounding very hard and fast. I need to get out of this somehow.
With a calm tone, yet some hidden laughter behind it, Celeas asked, "What if I make a deal with you?"
"A deal?"
"Yes, a deal."
"What kind of deal, Celeas?"
"I know that the only thing that would make you happy is seeing your family alive and well. I know that you, your parents, and little brother were all separated at some point before you reached Ven…What if I were to tell you that there is a way for me to see if they are still alive and well?"
"Celeas, no! Don't mock me? I know you are the almighty king, but to toy with a thought like that is absolutely crazy!"
Celeas moved himself over to a nightstand next to his large bed and opened the drawer. In it contained a crystal ball. He took it into his hands and pushed himself back over to Lily who was now standing by the door. He handed the crystal to Lily. She took it into her hands and only saw her reflection on it.
"This is the way, Lily."
"What are you talking about? This is nothing, but a mirrored crystal ball."
"You're wrong, my lady."
"I don't suppose this has some type of magical power, right?"
Celeas just smiled. "With this, you can find your family."
"What? But why didn't you tell me about this a long time ago? You know I only wished to see them one last time."
Celeas looked away. "I thought I would lose, Lily…Once you would find your family, I would be too weak to stop you. Out of love, I might have let you go…"
This was the Celeas that Lily knew. He was speaking to her again, but there was still something wrong about him. She just felt it. "Oh, Celeas. There is no way for me to get out of here…I would only be able to see them in the crystal ball."
"This is your happiness, Lily…Use it." Celeas grabbed Lily's right hand and kissed it gently. "Go ahead, ask the crystal ball for what you wish to see."
"Okay." Lily sat down on a wooden armed chair, laced by velvet, which was by the door. "Crystal ball, I wish to see my parents and brother please."
The crystal ball replied, "That is impossible."
Celeas looked surprised, "That can't be. The crystal ball always works!"
"Why can't I see anyone," Lily asked.
"Because two of the three members of your family ceased to exist six years ago."
"What?" Lily started to cry, sobbing and stuttering, she muttered her next response, "Who died and why?"
"When your entire family was ambushed by a band of pirates, you were all separated and taken to different locations. You were taken to and sold at Ven, your parents refused to cooperate and were killed by the pirates themselves, and your brother was transported to the planet Ulea to serve as a slave."
"So he is still alive? May I see him please?" Lily was growing impatient, until she saw the view of her little brother…not so little anymore. "Oh my gosh. It's really him…He's grown since the last time I saw him." Lily looked in wonder at the teenage boy with the short, dirty blonde hair and sea blue eyes. He's definitely matured through the years. He must be like fifteen now. Wow…Jim…I can hardly believe it myself. "Where is he? He doesn't look like he's on a planet. It looks more like a ship."
"He is traveling with an outlaw named Gene Starwind on a ship by the name of the Outlaw Star."
Why is he traveling with an outlaw? Oh no. He must have been purchased as a slave to run the ship and make sure all of its equipment works correctly.
Celeas smiled widely. "My love, you can finally be happy. We know everything we have to know…I can send a band of soldiers to retrieve your brother. He will no longer be troubled as a slave. Your worries are safe with me. I will have him returned to you at once, if you become mine."
Lily's eyes opened wide. "Is this the deal you wanted to make?"
Celeas nodded. "Yes, my queen. I love you, but I need you to promise me to provide an heir to my throne. Without another child, I cannot leave Quarlia in a peaceful state."
Lily found herself in a huge predicament here. She wanted to retrieve her brother from a bad situation, but she did not love Celeas. I would do anything though…anything. Just to see Jim again. "Okay Celeas. I agree to provide an heir to your throne as long as you return my brother to me, safe and sound."
Celeas grew content. "You have made an old man happy, Lily. I promise that he will be safe."
"I also want you to bring me that outlaw, Gene, and any crew that he may have. He needs to pay for what he has done to my brother this whole time."
"Of course, my lady. I would do anything to see you happy. I should have done this long ago. I am sorry for not telling you sooner."
"Well as long as everything goes smoothly…I just want to see my brother again."
"I give you my word to send out troops as soon as possible."
"Thank you, my king. You are too kind." With that, Lily gave Celeas a small peck on cheek and left the king to call for one of his advisors. As she walked to her room, Lily thought about her brother's return and her promise to Celeas. I hope I'm making the right choice. Jim, my brother, you are worth my sacrifice. Of course I'm making the right choice. Come home to me, please.
What do you think? Getting interesting or not? Please let me know and review. Thanks.