Author's Note: I posted a new story, it's called 'Last Minute of Life'. I hope you'll read it because that story it something very precious to me because of how much it touched me even as I was writing it. It is very dark, but I believe you will enjoy it.

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Chapter Five

Lilia's Order

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For the past three week—or was it four?—Sakura found herself alone. Ever since Ilonka came, she hasn't spoken to Sakura once, and Tomoyo seemed to have mysteriously disappeared alone with her red haired friend. "It's not fair." Sakura mumbled to herself, coming up to a beautiful steel door. "I was suppose to be both their friends… they weren't suppose to ditch me like this…" Sakura tapped on the door three times, not expecting anyone to answer.

To her surprise, someone did. "Hi."

"Oh Hi Daidouj—" Sakura blinked at the lady with orangey red hair who had the warmest smile she had ever seen. "Hi." She said in surprise.

The lady smiled. "You must be looking for Tomoyo."

"Yes…"

She smiled some more. "So it was you who knocks the door every single day."

Sakura gasped. "You know! So why didn't you answer the door?" She asked grudgingly.

"Because…" She replied. "I knew whom you were looking for was not at home." Seeing Sakura's shocked expression, she just giggled and lent out her hand. "My name is Mizuki Kaho."

"Hello, Mizuki." Sakura replied, shaking her hand. "I'm Kinomoto Sakura, but call me Sakura"

"You may call me Kaho, though."

"Well, you're certainly much more friendly than Daidouji…" Sakura muttered.

Kaho smiled at that. "I think I've seen you somewhere before… you look awfully familiar…" She said with a small frown.

"Yeah?"

"Yes… I believe so… are you in any way related to… a certain Kinomoto Touya?"

Sakura brightened. "Why yes, I am his wife, as well as cousin."

"Yes, yes, now it makes sense now!"

"You know Touya?"

Kaho gave a tiny smile. "Yes, I know him…"

"But he has never mentioned you to me…"

"Why, I'm not surprised actually, Sakura, because I said I knew him, but did not say he knows me; I've always watched over him from the distance."

Sakura blinked, and wondered why a lady such as her would not make herself known to Touya. True, her husband has been known to be rather unfriendly towards strangers, but she was sure when he saw her, he'd befriend her like the way he would befriend an own family member.

—

Tomoyo walked through the long hallway in front of Ilonka's room with Ilonka next to her. "You say, you were not here for the King?"

Ilonka sighed. "I thought we were over this, dear Tomoyo."

"I… I'm just curious… I wish you'd tell me though, I do keep secrets very well."

"Yes, I believe you…" Ilonka stopped walking abruptly. "Tomoyo, do you remember, three years ago, when my grandmother died?"

"Yes…"

"Do you remember how I told you that she told me before her death that my mother did not accidentally drown in the lake when a particularly terrible wind blew by but instead was murdered, or assassinated, which ever you prefer?"

"Yes…" Tomoyo frowned, wondering where was this conversation going.

Ilonka closed her eyes and breathed out. "Would you believe me, dear Tomoyo, if I told you I found out whom the enemy is?"

Tomoyo's eyes grew large and round. "You did?"

Ilonka opened her eyes and stared straight at Tomoyo. "Yes, I did."

"Who?"

"Would you believe if I told you, that the murderer is much more powerful than my family?"

"Well yeah… I mean, not to be offensive, but, we are only of the peasants of one of the tiny villages of the land ruled over by King Syaoran, we are almost at the lowest bottom level. There are many out there whom out-rule us."

"Yes, many…" Ilonka shook her head and the burning madness in her eyes disappeared. "Change topic. Tomoyo, what do you think of the King?"

"I do not know… he's… he's dangerous, and he's rather cold… but… I believe… there is a good side to everyone, so he cannot be completely rude and horrible. There must be something good about him…"

"But you just don't know what the 'good' is, so far."

"Yes…" Tomoyo admitted, looking down. "But," she added. "I am, quite fond of his Advisor, a certain Hiiragizawa Eriol."

Ilonka laughed politely. "If you're so interested in him, I'm sure he's something worthy…"

"Oh yes." Tomoyo replied, smiling at the ceiling, wishing terribly it showed the bright blue sky instead of the pale silver metal and stones. "Yes, he most definitely is."

—

Sakura had been rather pleased to meet this Kaho, and wondered why Daidouji has never mentioned her. As she pondered as this while walking back to her room, a desperate young man ran past her panicking.

She turned back in wonder, and apparently the young man noticed her the same time she noticed him, and he turned back to look at her just as she too turned around.

"My lady!" He cried, rushing towards her while kneeling so it appeared he slid in front of her on his knee. "You must be sent from the heavens above!" He cried, grabbing her hand.

Sakura tried to squirm her hand away, but the young man made no move to let go of her. "Um, excuse me, who you are, if I may ask?"

"I am Ryle. Lord Rileas Ryle II, a distant friend of King Li Syaoran."

"Um, hello, I am Kinomoto Sakura, one of the ladies in the competi—"

"Oh my lady, I am so glad to have found you!" He cried with joy.

Sakura shrank back a bit from his overjoyed words. "Perhaps, we could speak better once we're at the same level."

He nodded vigorously and immediately stood up.

"Is there a problem?" She asked kindly.

"Why yes, my lady." He replied. "You see, you must have heard of the royal ball that's being thrown by King Li Syaoran that's coming up in two weeks."

"I'm… not quite sure…"

He was shocked that she was not aware of his fact, and she wondered just exactly how big is every event related to King Li.

"Well, this ball King Li Syaoran's throwing, it's suppose to be the biggest, most grand ball ever thrown within the past ten years, it's to be a reunion of all his friend and relative of all distances; something that must not be missed out. Every female must have an escort, and every male must have a companion. If you do not, you will be the center of jokes for the rest of you days."

"Can't… they just not go if they do not have a date?"

"Well, Lady Kinomoto, actually, because this ball is going to be such a majestic event, if you do not attend, it will become an unforgettable insult to the King Li Syaoran, that is why, all those he invite, must be there. After all, we should be flattered we were even invited." Then Ryle threw into a panic again. He paced furiously in front of Sakura as beads of sweat rolled down his forehead. "And here is my problem. I cannot find a companion! I searched far and wide, they were either too high leveled to accept me, or else taken!" He stared at Sakura pleadingly. "Tell me, my lady, please! Tell me you're not taken and you will come to the ball with me?"

Sakura was taken aback. "But… um… I…." She collected herself and took a deep breath. "Lord Rileas—"

"You must call me Ryle."

"Lord Ryle—"

"If it makes you more comfortable, you may just call me Ryle."

"It's quite all right, I'm sure. Lord Ryle, I would be contented to accompany you to the ball… but, I am no one of high value, or, any value actually… you will be embarrassed to be seen with me…" Not to mention I'm married… Sakura thought to herself.

Ryle was suddenly panicking again. "I do not care! My lady!" He exclaimed. "You do not understand! You do not have to be of any value! No one has to know you! They don't have to gush to see you! It's your appearance that matters! I cannot, absolutely cannot go alone! Do you know what kind of shame that does to my reputation? What kind of an everlasting joke this will be? You have no companion, dear Lady, you must come with me!"

"But… King Li, he's not very fond of me… I rather think he would be angry to see me present myself there…"

Ryle calmed down a bit and sat back down. "It does not matter. I am no one of real importance either, only a distant friend, if a friend even, perhaps only a distant known-person, so I will be sitting somewhere near the tables at the back, I will not be sitting at the imperative table where king Li Syaoran is seated, I will be in a corner, in the back, with my own group of friends… but you have to have an accompany, kind Lady. When I first met you in this hall—I mean, what is the chance of that?—I knew you must've been sent by God himself or the mother Goddess! You must help me out! I will make you as comfortable as possible, I will introduce you to all my friends—yes, I will, and they will most definitely love an angel sent from above!"

Sakura was over flattered, and finally, she gave in. "Oh, all right, Lord Ryle, I will accompany you."

"Oh, thank you, my lady!" Ryle gushed, and began pacing from excitement, then turned to her. "Oh, I'm so happy, I can almost, hug you!"

Sakura smiled a small smile. "I'm glad you're happy." She said. "So, when is this ball?"

"Today is Wednesday, so the ball is next week, not this Friday, but the next time. It starts at 6:00 at night in the grand hall, where everyone will walk down a luxurious carpeted hallway and be greeted by everyone. Please wear the fanciest clothing you have. Now, it is not polite for me to ask you of your sleeping palace, therefore I will request to meet you here on Friday 5:30, is that ok?"

"Um…"

Before Sakura could reply, he threw back his heavy cape with one movement of his powerful arm, and he suddenly looked handsome and controlling now that he's over his panicking stage. "I will see you then." He bent down, and gave the back of her hand a long kiss.

Well, he's not bad… Sakura thought to himself. He's actually quite cute, with his shoulder length blonde hair, bangs half covering his startling deep blue eyes.

It was only then Sakura remembered that she did not have any clothing to go to the ball with. All she had were her nightgown and black cloak. "Oh no…" she groaned into her hands.

—

Tomoyo went back into her room and shut the door silently behind her. Something about the way Ilonka described her "enemy" disturbed her deeply. Something detrimental was going on.

"Hello, Tomoyo."

"Hey Kaho." Tomoyo replied to the greeting sadly, not for one minute forgetting that Kaho can be leaving her at any time.

"Hey, don't sound so sad, dear…" Tomoyo looked down. "I, I met your friend today."

"My friend?"

"Sounds like you may have forgotten her…" Kaho said with a small chuckle. "The girl, Kinomoto Sakura."

"Who… oh, right, her…" Tomoyo smiled guiltily. "I've been rather busy with Ilonka lately, I guess I may have sort of forgotten about Kinomoto…"

"You know, she's been knocking every day that you're at Ilonka's, and poor girl's terribly disappointed. You should stay and wait for her sometimes."

"I, I'll try my best… but I do have important matters to discuss with Ilonka…"

"And guess what else I found out about her?"

"Yes?"

"She… she's the one married to… to Touya…"

Tomoyo gasped with round eyes. "It's her? Oh Kaho you must be so miserable to have met her! I'm so sorry, I should've been here to answer the door, oh Kaho, so she's the—"

Kaho put a finger over her lips and shook her head. "Shh. Don't speak so loud, Tomoyo. And no, I am not disappointed and angered to have met her, she's a graceful and friendly girl, I'm glad Touya is married to her…"

"But, how can you be so calm? After all, she's the one Touya married!"

Kaho only shook her head. "It's ok Tomoyo, this situation is helpless either way. After all, it is my fault to have fallen in love with a man already happily wedded."

—

Sakura paced in her room anxiously. For a moment there, she almost yanked open Meiling's closet and snatched one of her many dresses. But that'd be considered thieving, and won't help with her already disastrous relationship with the hardheaded girl.

"Oh, what am I suppose to do?"

The day was still young, and thinking hard was starting to hurt her head.

Sakura cast a glance at the booklet on her bed stand. She tried resisting it, but found herself pulled towards it. "Oh, whatever!" She exclaimed, giving up. Sakura grabbed the book and flipped it open hurried, hungrily, desperate to know what happened to Lilia and Reyn and Jayx.

Now, where was I? Sakura thought to herself. Oh yes, when someone knocked on the door of Jayx's house right after Lilia hugged him and requested to stay with him a while longer. Ah yes! Here I am.

"Who is it?" Jayx called out.

"It is I," replied a sweet, and gentle voice.

And after the door was opened for the sweet darling girl, for a minute there, Lilia thought Jayx had lied to her about not having a wife, and was only trying to get her to stay.

"Hello, dear brother." The sweet girl said. She had two long, golden pigtails and crystal eyes.

"Oh, Lynetta-Jai!" Jayx hurried to hug his twin sister. They most definitely looked very much alike. Same basic feature, lovely hair, and stunning eyes. "Lynetta, sister, I would love to introduce someone of great importance to me, to you." He nodded towards Lilia. "This is a traveler I've found—the poor dear—during a horrible storm."

Lilia bows politely. "Grace to meet you, dear sweet Lynetta."

"Oh!" Lynetta gasped. "It's you!" Then she shook her head. "Where are my manners? I'm so terribly sorry for the way I behaved a minute ago there. It's elegance meeting you, dear traveler."

Lilia nodded her acknowledgement. "You were shocked just a minute ago. May I ask if there were any particular reason why you were so astonished to see me?"

"Why yes, actually, traveler, you were the one whom stumbled upon our town."

For a moment there, Lilia was horrified, that perhaps Lynetta, would be one of those people in one of the towns she has visited, and knew that she was the queen.

Yet if Lynetta did know, she made no acknowledgement of the fact. Instead, she put her hand into the bag that is made out of yellow straws and withdrew a furry, long coat that was much familiar to the one Lilia possessed.

"Is this you coat, no?"

"Why yes, so you are the generous grandmother's daughter!" Lilia turned towards Jayx. And in a harsh voice, she whispered, "you're the son of the village…"

"Yes…" He replied sadly. "Which is why, my punishment is worse than most, because of my position, and what a huge impact it has on the opinion of others around me. If I were not dealt with seriously, others in my village might follow my bad example, and rebel against the laws that have been set centuries ago."

Lilia turned back towards sweet Lynetta. "My dear, now why would you have brought this coat with you?" She frowned. "Were you planning to throw it away?"

"No, most definitely not, traveler." Lynetta defended. "It is just that, my dear brother, Jayx needed warmth desperately. Seasons are changing, and the cold is warning us again. My brother cannot afford his own blanket, and the hungry moths living between the materials of the house have chewed the one from last year. I cannot bring any blanket from my house for him for I will be frozen throughout winter. So the only sensible thing to do, is bring this. For I really have no need for such fanciness, and it will be perfect to warm my dear brother Jayx with."

Lilia smiled warmly. "Yes, yes, that would most definitely be a smart plan, dear. I am so glad my clothing is able to provide such importance for someone." She smiled lovingly at Jayx, the man whom made her freer than anyone she had ever met in her entire life.

And he smiled lovingly back to her, at the lovely lady who have mysteriously appeared near his lands, whom he happened to have stumbled upon while fetching water during the rain. He felt more feelings towards her than he had ever felt for anyone, perhaps not as much as he cared for his sister, but he knew, with time, he would come to love her, and be able to risk his life for her if the decision was ever needed to be made.

Shaking her mind clear of Jayx to give function to thinking, Lilia bows politely when an idea occurred to her finally, and she wondered why she hasn't thought of it before. "I must leave now, Jayx, I am terribly sorry, but I have something to tell those whom I live with, it is of great importance and I must not waste any time. Goodbye, Jayx." Lilia smiled one last time and turned around to leave.

Jayx was in panic now. "No, my lady! You cannot leave me now! I am too attached to you to just let you go!" He said shyly.

Lilia let out a delicious laugh and Lynetta felt she would love it if the traveler became her sister in law. "Yes, lovely traveler, stay with my brother, I believe you will make him happy, while you will receive the greatest companion you may ask for, and I will visit you both as much as I possibly can!" The sweet girl requested eagerly.

Lilia was astounded. "You thought I was never coming back?" She questioned. "You thought I was leaving and never coming didn't you." She laughed her feminine laugh again. "Of course not." She embraced Jayx gently and closed her eyes from the warmth evaporating from him. "I will never leave you, my darling." She whispered. "Because you're so special to me…" She stepped away with a warm glow emitting from her. "I promise, I will be back, I have one more business to settle, and I promise, I will be back, for you, if it's the last thing I do."

Then she turned to Sweet Lynetta. Thought the two looked positively alike, their height was their only and major difference (besides their gender). She hugged the sweet girl to her chest. "You're a wonderful, and sweet girl, Lynetta darling, Jayx needs someone like you, and I believe it is only your compassion that's kept him alive for this long, because I believe he lives in great pain and loneliness, day by day." Lynetta's eyes widened at Lilia's words. "You must be here for him more often than usual while I am away. From the day I met this dear man, I will make his life better, but I will need you to help me for now, sweetie. I know your husband will miss you, and your mother will be suspicious, but you must do everything in your power to help me make my dream come true, can you do that?"

"Yes, lovely traveler, but please," Lynetta whispered. "Come back soon, it's been a while my dear brother has been this happy, and I know after he has a taste of true loveliness from you, he was surely go insane from his lust for you."

Lilia nodded. "I will be back." She gave a small wave to Sweet Lynetta, then to Dear Jayx, and she was on her way.

—

Lilia traveled for days straight, yet not for one moment was the Mother Nature able to battle her down. Jayx was a truly radiant angel sent to warm the human world, and his sweet sister was no different. Their parents have been fools to throw Jayx away just like that.

However, it is amusing to see their town not knowing about Kings and Queens yet still following the rules set by Reyn Lin III's ancestors. It is quite odd and Lilia wondered why.

At least two weeks has passed when Lilia finally saw a glimpse of the very top point of her castle. By now, she was hungry and dirty, barely surviving on the roots and berries she found along the way.

Though the sight of the castle gave her relief, it gave no comfort at all, knowing the news she'll be delivering to Reyn could be recorded as one of the most important historic events ever happened, and she was threatening herself to not to imagine his reaction, for she will hurt if he hurts from the news. After all, he is, still her husband, whom she had loved, once upon a time, and would like to believe, had perhaps once loved her as well.

Another 3 days elapsed between the point when she saw the first glimpse of the castle to when the maid whom had suggested her to travel the world opening the door anxiously for her.

"My Queen!" She cried.

"Servant Maryia!"

"Queen Lilia, oh, thank the Goddess and all that's above you're back!" And the maid bursts into clear tears.

Queen Lilia patted her gently. "I'm ok, don't be so sad, I'm a very strong woman." Yet Lilia couldn't help but notice how all of a sudden, she has gone from just Lilia, to Queen Lilia.

"Yes, my Queen, yes you are… but oh! My Queen, you look terrible! And you're so thin and pale, have you eaten? Oh, and you must feel filthy! I will start a bath for you, and bring you a nice meal to your room plus some fresh clothing, but I'll get you some fresh tea for now…"

"That would be nice, thank you, Maryia."

"It is only my duty, Queen Lilia, I am just so honorably delighted that you're back!" She maid cried a bit more and hurried off.

Lilia began walking leisurely towards her room, taking in the castle around her for the last time, for she knew she would probably never return here after her final declaration.

Maid Maryia caught up with her five minutes later and handed her a cup of tea while busy holding her to help her walk easier.

Queen Lilia drank tea and felt much more relieved. Maid Maryia led her to her bathing room where there was a tub of hot water prepared for her. Maid Maryia helped her get out of her dirty clothing as Queen Lilia slipped into the rose pedal filled steaming tub. "You may leave now, Maryia."

"Yes, my Queen. I will have some food prepared for you once you're done bathing." She bows and stepped out.

Queen Lilia relaxed in the tub and let out a sigh of pleasure, while knowing deep inside, her decision will cause her to lose all the luxuries she's been used to and will have to start working for everything she earns, instead of having them handed to her as if by magic.

Once she had convinced herself the rightfulness of her decision, she began to marvel at how most of the servants, Lords, and maids at the castle seemed to be in a state of panic and hardly noticed her when she walked through the plush halls.

An hour later when the water got cold, Queen Lilia stepped out, and Maid Maryia immediately rushed in to dry her, and to dress her in a new, clean, white nightgown. "Your food is prepared, my Queen."

Maid Maryia led Queen Lilia towards her bed where she lay the queen down comfortably with a fluffy pillow at her back, covered the silky sheets up to her chest while wrapping a coat around her, then set the dinner tray on her lap.

Queen Lilia savored the food and she knew once she was gone, it'll be a lie to say she wouldn't miss all these lavish treatments she's receiving only because she is the queen. Partly, she was slightly afraid of what life would be like when the only people whom she communicates with are Lynetta and Jayx, and perhaps only those two humans she will see for the rest of her 35 years of life. "Maryia…"

"Yes, your Majesty?"

"Why were the servants and Lords and practically everyone around the castle running around as if the royal dining hall was on fire?"

"My Queen…" Maid Maryia looked down sadly. "It is because of you, there is chaos around the castle."

"Me?"

"I am sorry to have to tell you this," Maid Maryia said in panic. "I really do not wish to, but I cannot lie to you either! I am so sorry my Queen, but it is not up to me what happe—"

"Calm down, Maryia." Queen Lilia soothed. "I only want the truth."

Maid Maryia breathed a little easier. "My Queen, your disappearance, greatly upsets the King… he went into absurd turmoil at first, then realizing it didn't bring you back, he went into a state of weary, and now he is pacing like a madman! And the whole castle is scared he may go crazy!"

Queen Lilia was terribly stricken at this. She almost jumped out of bed and ran around the castle screaming her husband's name until she found her dear Reyn and then would hug him to death and tell him how terribly sorry she was. But she managed to keep herself down. "Maryia, I am no longer hungry."

"Yes, my Queen." Maid Maryia took the tray off the Queen's legs and set it aside.

"Now, Maryia, I would like you inform the King of my return, and please stop the castle from going into to insanity. I am tired now, and I would like to rest. Please do me those favours."

"Yes, my Queen." She curtseyed politely and left to do her bidding.

—

The next morning, Queen Lilia found herself awoken with the face of King Reyn so close to her it was nearly uncomfortable. He was staring at her so intently and with so much love that for a moment, Jayx hardly existed. "Reyn…" She breathed.

King Reyn's eyes shone with so much happiness and joy and relief that it made Queen Lilia feel like the most awful person ever to have landed on earth. "My Queen, you're back…" He muttered, before wrapping his arms around her tightly and kissed her like she had never been kissed before. With a desperation deeper than the wells and a hungry that startled her. "Oh, my Queen, where have you been all these time?"

"Reyn…" Queen Lilia swallowed tightly from the shock that he had just kissed that like. "I… I've just been… away…" She looked away guiltily, remembering Jayx.

"Oh my Queen, you're back, and that's what counts." Now, he began to squeeze her so tightly she felt as if she may never be cold again. "Oh you're so skinny and pastel, you must have been through so much hardship, oh my dear!"

"Reyn…" Queen Lilia murmured. "I have to tell you something… there's something I must announce to you…"

"Say no more, my love. You're weak and tired, you must rest, yes, you must rest. Maryia! Bring us our breakfast!"

At this point Queen Lilia realized that King Reyn was going through some sort of slight hysteria, and knew it was all her fault. The cruelty of the words she had planned to say to him slashed at her, demanding her not to say them. But she was a strong woman, and whenever she set her mind on something, she was determined to do it.

But King Reyn never gave her the chance to do so.

—

Every time she tried telling him, he would only cut her off by telling her how much he adores her, and how she needed rest and that he was not mad at her but only glad she was with him now and safe.

He was always within reaching distance ever since she came back, and Queen Lilia never realized how much she was loved until now. But it is now that she does not want King Reyn to love her, because Jayx also loved her, and she has already set her destiny with Jayx, the poor but dear man.

King Reyn had been so glad of her return that he was now throwing a ball to celebrate her return to him.

Queen Lilia did not have a say in it, she was simply ushered to go, after all, she was the reason for the ball.

—

At the ball, Queen Lilia was dressed like a snow queen. She had on a white strapless dress that was dotted with shining diamonds. Her matching long gloves went up to between her shoulder and elbow, and had a single lily sewed on the side of her right glove with diamonds. The bottom of her dress was twirled down in elegant layers and puddle around her feet as if circling her like a goddess. A flower was drawn on at the side of her puffy dress with white gold, and her crown was more beautiful than any the King has ever came in contact with.

During the ball, she stood at the very highest level, the one and only chair reserved only for the sole reason of the ball, and in this case it was her. Even King Reyn sat a level under her.

He stood up with a wine glass in his hands. "A toast, to our lovely Queen Lilia!"

A cheer went through the room and everyone held up their glass.

Queen Lilia only smiled weakly, for in her heart, she had decided something.

Seeing as King Reyn was not about to listen to her anytime soon, she decided, the only way to get him to hear her out, was to announce this in front of everyone, so that he will not be able to interrupt her.

Everyone had their meal, deserts, and danced, then their attention went back to King Reyn.

"My beautiful wife has finally returned to me, after a devastating time when I was overwhelmed to what may have happened to her. But now, there she stands, like the very Mother Goddess that has blessed us with everything we have, and I'd like for her to express her feelings right now, and perhaps explain to us what hardships she has been through."

A round of applause filled the room as King Reyn sat down, and Queen Lilia stood up. Her eyes were blurry, her throat dry. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself, and at last, she knew she was ready. "I am not interested in sharing my experiences with you, except they were wonderful. There were no hardships involved because I simply went out to enjoy the outside life. But after I did, I realized something, and that something would not be appropriate to say in front of everyone." She nodded at King Reyn's mother. "The Previous Queen, also King Reyn's mother, has grant me with a special privilege that King Reyn does not even have." By now, Queen Lilia could see the colour draining off King Reyn's face. "I would like to announce, that from this day forward, though King Reyn and I will remain wedded, King Reyn will be allowed to marry again to another woman to produce him an heir, while I too, will be provided with the same privilege and be able to live with another man. That man that I will live with is nowhere near this castle, or any of royalties, in fact, therefore I'll take my leave tonight."

Queen Lilia avoided looking at King Reyn and wanted to leave this place as soon as possible, and she could tell that everyone around her was stunned. To her surprised, as she ran down the steps and past many guest, King Reyn suddenly appeared in front of her with such sad eyes that she could not look at him. "Queen Lilia! You cannot! You cannot leave me!" And he got on his knees.

Queen Lilia gasped, as did everyone else around the room did. He was kneeling in front of her! Him! The King! "Reyn, for all this time, you've wanted a better Queen, here's your chance, why are you doing this to me?"

He stayed on his knees and stared up at the only woman he could ever love so much. "I finally realize how precious you are, and I love you, Queen Lilia, I love you beyond the limits of love, you mustn't leave me!"

She closed her eyes. "I have made up my mind, dear Reyn, and if you truly love me, you should also know me well enough to realize that I am strong, and I never back down from my words. Get up Reyn, you're making a fool out of yourself."

"I'll do anything to get you to stay." He said with pleading eyes.

Queen Lilia opened her eyes and she knew she had to say it. "We will both marry again, though we will still remain married—"

"Lilia—" He tried to interrupt, but she stopped him with a strong look.

"That, is an order." And without wanting to, a tear slipped down her eye and she quickly wiped it and picked up her long dress, running away. Her crown fell down by King Reyn, and he stayed there swaying, on his knees, as his vision blurs. "She's leaving me, she's leaving me, she's leaving me…" he muttered over and over again.

Queen Lilia ran faster and faster with each passing step, the hurt and desperation of King Reyn refusing to leave her mind. Once she was outside the castle, she cried to the starless night, "I'M SO SORRY REYN!" And continued to run. But I cannot leave Jayx. She thought to herself.

Her dress ripped in the grass and she lost her shoes. Her gloves were getting dirty and her makeup slightly smudged. Never in her life, had Queen Lilia felt this miserable, and she knew that her dear Reyn was feeling much worse when really, the two pains were all cause by her alone.

Sakura had to stop reading. It was getting too difficult to continue on. "Oh, why did she do that?" She muttered to herself. "Oh, silly Queen Lilia, why?" And a tear slipped down Sakura's eye. It was unbelievably moving and Sakura felt deeply touched by it. Another tear slipped down and she had to tell herself that it was only a story.

At that moment, a joyful Meiling bursts through the door; oblivious to the atmosphere Sakura has set it in.

"OH, I'M SO HAPPY!" She cried.

Sakura quickly blinked her eyes and smiled briefly. "Oh, yeah? What happened?" He voice sounded strained, but Meiling took no heed to that. "You know the royal ball that's coming up next Friday?"

Sakura tried to say 'yes', but the word didn't come out, so she nodded.

"Well, King Syaoran asked me to accompany him!" Meiling danced around the room twirling with happiness.

Sakura tried to smile for her too, after all, this was a very big deal, that even in this state Sakura's heart fluttered a little hearing the news. But she could not be completely happy for her roommate, because the story of poor King Reyn, Silly Queen Lilia has just way too much impact on her.

—

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Author's Note: It's 3:45am on December 25, 2004. I'm leaving to go to Florida in about 5 hours so I wanted to get this done before leaving. We're driving there, so if I don't update any of my story for six months straight, you know I probably had a car crash and either injured or died.

6766 Words.