Way of the Empire

11

Anthony's eyes landed on Ero, Ero's arm guiding Lilibeth behind him, and Lilibeth standing just behind the prince. Ero's glare relaxed as he recognized the soldier standing in the doorway. Lilibeth's hair was peaking out from behind his shoulder trying to sneak a glance at the intruder. Anthony said nothing as Lilibeth stepped out from behind Ero. He did however see Ero's hand brush Lilibeth's stomach as she slipped past his outstretched hand. There was almost something between them. Anthony noticed the way that Ero's fingers just barely reached out when her hand nearly brushed past his.

"It's just Anthony,'' Lilibeth sighed and leaned against the book shelf.

"You two know each other then,'' Ero unclenched the hilt of his sword and relaxed his posture.

"Yes, she does, now how do the two of you know each other?'' Anthony shut the door behind him and approached the pair. Lilibeth and Ero stole a quick glance at each other.

"I need some space cleaned, and Maudie's been recommending her.'' Ero was swift to cover his tracks. Though, before she snuck in, he had decided the place was far too dusty to convert it.

"What space?'' Anthony questioned. Lies. He hadn't been informed of any of this. He was also aware of the fact that Lilibeth had her own secret pathway to the classroom but he was curious to see how far they would take their charade.

"This room, to devise battle plans and have meetings and what not, and the library, for personal use. We were just on our way there when you walked in.'' Ero answered. A different kind of tension flitted in the air.

"You're old schooling room? For battle plans?" Ero swallowed his words as Anthony pointed out the obvious. He knew the both of them too well and pulling a lie on him would prove to be nearly impossible.

"The library hasn't been used in years, let alone cleaned.'' Anthony made a noise that was a mix of an intake of breath and sucking his teeth.

"Since you're on your way out, I'll join you. Your father has requested your presence.'' Anthony held the door open for them to walk through. The candle's glow brightened the hall as they made their way to the library. Lilibeth had never ventured this far before. She didn't even know there was a library. Only the echoing sound of their footsteps bounced off the stones. The prince came to a stop in front of two large wooden doors. They stretched high up against the wall, nearly touching the ceiling. Carved wooden swirls and faded painted flowers of all sorts of colors trailed against it edges. In the center, the crest of a dragon was carved directly into the door. That dragon. Lilibeth was sure she had seen it before. There were tiny remnants of dragon things around the palace. Some had been replaced at the king's command but surely, small glimpses into the queen's time here had remained. She had no way of knowing if the dragons belonged to the late queen but she did know that after her death that dragon had begun to disappear.

''This was my mother's favorite room.'' Ero's hand faltered on the handle for a moment. The doors had never been locked. He had found himself here many times as a boy when he was hiding from his father. It was the one room his father had never dared to enter. As they walked past the doorway, small spouts of dust traveled upwards into the air and drifted into the hallway causing small clouds of gray that traversed slowly onto the surrounding architecture. His father had the library built for his mother when they were married. It used to be his mother's favorite story to tell him.

They stood in the glow of the candlelight by the entryway, no one dared to venture deeper into the dark.

Lilibeth tried her best to see the room with the little bit of light that sneaked past them into the space. There were walls upon walls of books. More than she may be able to read in a lifetime. The stars shimmered in through a giant window in the center of the room reminding her that she had indeed spent far too long away from her work.

"I'll show you the room better tomorrow morning after breakfast.'' Lilibeth nodded in agreement.

"Well, that settles that. Now, you have future kingly duties, and you are most likely late for kitchen duty, I believe.'' Anthony placed a hand on either of their shoulders and escorted them out of the library. He and Ero walked side by side whilst he explained what was expected of him. Lilibeth trailed behind them, blushing as her mind replayed their earlier encounter. She rembered the feel of his sword at her throat, and this time, the feeling excited her.

They parted ways, King Abdeel's screaming sliced through the chilly air. Lilibeth stayed for a second and then decided against it. She would be safer away from his wrath than in its way. The kitchen was the busiest it had been in years. Servants came and went carrying trays and bowls of different food. Tonight, the generals and Dukes would dine in the palace.

"Where have you been?'' A shrill voice called out from behind her. Her mother came charging at her. The bustling of the kitchen stopped. Everyone was eager to know where she had been.

"I had to complete all of your chores! You useless girl!'' Lilibeth felt the cold wetness of the rag hit her face. She never thought her mother would throw something at her.

"Where were you?'' she almost screamed. She would have screamed louder had it not been for the incoming chatter of the guests.

"I was working.'' Lilibeth began. She wasn't sure what to say. She couldn't very well tell her what happened. And no one was allowed to mention the late Queen of Astoria.

"I was summoned by the prince. The details of my sumance, I am not allowed to dispense.'' It was partially true. There would be no reason for her mother not to believe her.

Lilibeth felt her mother's hand connect with her cheek. Gasps erupted by the crowd of servants behind her. Her mother had not struck her since she was a child.

"Don't you lie to me! I can't believe you forced me to resort to these measures.'' Her mother cradled her hand against her chest. The limp hand lay weak and forgotten at her side. Lilibeth held her mother's stare.

"I didn't lie to you. At least not in the way you have to me. Where is my father, mother?'' Lilibeth held her mother's eyes. She would not let her get away this time. Whispers from behind her sailed towards her ears. 'Why would the prince summon her? She's not even that pretty. Why involve the prince in her lie?' Lilibeth tried her best to ignore them. Though she had twisted her truth in the past, she had never lied.

"What's everyone standing around for? We've got things to do, people to feed! Let's go!'' Maudie's voice cut through the tension.

"Come now, deary, the prince will be dining in his room and request that you bring it. I'll hold down the fort here.'' Quick glances were stolen, and the murmuring commenced. Her days of keeping to herself and disappearing into the shadows were over. Lilibeth hurried over with a large serving tray and loaded all of the plates onto it. She followed Maudie.

"You heard everything.''

''I heard enough.'' Maudie smiled at her.

"But I did hear from Anthony about his little project. Let me know if you need any help.'' Lilibeth breathed. She didn't realize she had been holding her breath. A small touch of sadness hit her.

"So the prince didn't actually request me.''

"No, he did. He requested to eat in his room and asked for 'Lilibeth' to bring his food.'' Maudie smiled up at her. A warning in her eyes.

''I don't know how he came to know you're name. I suspect Anthony. What am I trying to say is be careful, darling. These waters may seem calm and shallow but they can get deep very quickly and swallow you whole. You may drown before you realize how deep the water is.'' Lilibeth stood on the first step and smiled back at her after giving Maudie a small nod. She headed up the steps and to Prince Ero's door. She stood and waited for the guard to inspect the food and push the door open. This time, when she stepped inside, there were candles lit all over the room. They were littered along the walls and tables. Ero was standing by the window. His back was facing her, his hands crossed against his lower back. He was still wearing his clothes from earlier.

"Leave us.'' His voice was loud and clear even though his mask still covered his face. It almost reverberated off the walls. The guard nodded his head and turned, exiting the room.

Prince Ero turned around and rushed over to the table.

''I asked Maudie to prepare enough for two.'' He said while helping her arrange the dishes.

'Oh, who else is eating here?'' Lilibeth gasped at herself. She was forgetting her place.

''My apologies, your highness. Please forgive my error."

''I will have none of that.'' Ero replied. Lilibeth stayed quiet. All of her training had escaped her mind in seconds. It was such a stupid mistake.

''I should not have spoken out of turn.'' Lilibeth locked her stare onto the floor. She should just be grateful he hasn't ordered her beheaded.

''Then I grant you, permission to speak freely. Now I believe you had a question for me." His hands were holding the plate of freshly grilled meat. Lilibeth wanted nothing more than to rip it from his hands and place it on the table herself.

"If I'm allowed to know.'' Lilibeth whispered the last part. She offered her hands to take the hot plate from him while she cleared a space in between the vegetables and bread.

"I invited a girl.'' He leaned back in his seat with his goblet of wine.

"Really?''

''You sound surprised.''

"Yes, I was hoping to read a little while she was here. Enjoy some company.'' Ero folded his hands behind his head.

'' I'll leave you two alone then. Or would you like me to stay as a chaperone?'' Lilibeth's heart sank the tiniest bit. Even though she had sworn off romance, a small piece of her heart had been holding onto to hope that she was the woman he was speaking of. It was a silly notion but she never deemed feelings of the heart silly. They were all very serious and should be treated as such.

"You don't need a chaperone if you're working.'' There was an edge to his voice that Lilibeth couldn't identify.

"Is she a tutor? Oh! Is she an information specialist?'' Lilibeth fought the urge to sit down and question him. He was still the prince, and she was still a servant.

"No, actually, she claims to not be very good at reading even though she's read all of the books in the old tutoring room.'' Ero looked at her, wondering if she was playing the game or truly didn't know he was speaking about her.

"You mean someone else has been down to room be-.'' Lilibeth cut herself off, cursing at herself for being so stupid. '' You mean me.''

Ero laughed and pulled out a stack of books he had hidden under his jacket on the chair beside him.