Way of the Empire

9

Lilibeth sat on her knees in front of the throne. She never thought that she would see the inside of the throne room. It was off limits to all except those authorized by the king. It had also been decided that Maudie would oversee preperations for King Abdeel. His first audience was tomorrow morning.

The throne room had been left in the dark. It was abandoned long ago after the start of the war when the king, the army, and the prince had departed to the battlefields. Now its only occupants were the spirits of the past that haunted these halls. Much to Maudie's dismay, the head lady had deemed no need to open the windows and let in fresh air in the spring or peel back the curtains in the summer and let the rays of the sun warm the upholstry. It was the same situation as the dining room. The worst part was that Maudie had warned her several times that it had to be refreshed monthly as one never knew when the King would return. Lilibeth had been giddy, like a child on christmas morning, while she waited for Maudie to unlock the door. After yesterday's situation, King Abdeel had reappointed Maudie to head lady, much to Romilda's dismay. Lilibeth was rocking on her heels while waiting for her to unlock the doors. It smelled damp. Musty. Almost old. All sorts of things were hidden under white linwn clothes that did indeed make the hall look haunted. Their noses scrunched as they walked into the dark room. Lilibeth kept close to Maudie. A tiny part of her felt like she was being watched. As if under one of these dusty linen clothes there would be someone hiding, waiting for the right moment to jump out. The first thing they did was pull back the heavy blood-red velvet curtains and pushed open all the windows as far as they could. Light slowly filled the space. Under the watchful eyes of the sun, Lilibeth felt safe that every bit of linen did look like it covered a piece of furniture. There was no one here except for them. Still, the shaky feeling didn't pass and left her stomach in an upheval of nerves. She helped Maudie push open the last window. They basked in sunlight for a few seconds while it warmed up the room and the breeze carried the warm stagnant air outside. It may have been chilly outside but for a moment, Lilibeth enjoyed the warmth. It reminded her of spending time with her father, who she still hadn't seen or heard from since they departed for battle.

Then, the smell emerged. As if the sun was awaking it from some deep slumber before it tainted the hall. Maudie had gotten to peeling the linen off all the furniture and sent Lilibeth to scrub the throne. Now, here she was, polishing the gold arm rests of the seat. Thankfully Romilda had the common knowledge to cover everything in a large piece of linen to protect them from dust.

This morning, breakfast had been served in the dining room. The smell still lingered in the room, but King Abdeel was too drunk to notice. That also meant that Lilibeth wasn't able to corner the prince.

"I thought I might find you in here.'' Anthony walked into the throne room in his guardsman uniform. He sped up to his mother and wrapped her in his arms whilst leaning down to kiss her cheek. He pointed over to Lilibeth, and Maudie smiled, signaling him to walk over. Lilibeth was heavily focused on reoiling the wood and hadn't realised that Anthony was behind her.

"How's my favorite girl!'' He yelled behind her and grabbed her by the waist, lifting her in the air. Lilibeth yelped and dropped her rag. She was about to swing her arm when she recognized the voice. She shrieked with excitment as he put her down. She wrapped her arms around his thick waist. The metal from his armor dug into her sides but she didn't seem to mind. His hearty laugh shook the both of them through his chest. It had been so long since she had a friend in the palace.

''Oh, it's been so long! You got so big! How have you been? What was it like? Where did you go? What did you-.'' Lilibeth spoke fast ,spitting out question after question.

"I will tell you during lunch. I'll answer any question your heart desires. Whatever truth, it seeks to revel in.'' His bushy eyebrows wiggled on his face suggestively, making Lilibeth laugh. Anthony had watched over Lilibeth since she was a child. The first time they met, she was dragging a bucket across the floor and running back to pick up the scrubbing brush she left behind. Her hands were too small to hold both. The water sloshed out of the bucket and left a trail of puddles and splashes wherever she went. Her brown dress was soaked. If one could call it a dress. She was wearing one of the old vegetable sacks her mother had managed to save from being destroyed, and fashioned it with three holes cut out; one for her head and two for her arms.

"Did you dry the floor yourself? Because I don't think that's required.'' Anthony was 18 years old back then and had just completed training for the king's legion; just like his father. The girl looked up at him with her hands on her hips and then looked down at her dress. Tears pricked the corner of her eyes. Her lower lip jutted out and trembled.

Anthony panicked. He got down on one knee infront of her. The metal armor pressed into his skin at the creases.

''How about you come with me, and we get this sorted out. In exchange, I'll help you carry the bucket.'' Anthony held out his hand, waiting. Her hand was swallowed by his large, metal-clad hand.

"My name is Anthony.''

"Hello Ant-ony, I'm called Lilibeth.'' Lilibeth held his hand as they walked down the hall to his mother's room.

" Where are we going?''

"To see a fairy godmother.'' Lilibeth's eyes widened as she gasped. She kept taking glances at Anthony. Watching. Waiting for any sign of a lie. Then she leaned in and whispered, ''You know a fairy godmother?''

Anthony nodded, holding back his laughter as they knocked on Maudie's door.

"I'm coming in,'' He called out as he opened the door to a room filled with colors and ribbons. The fabrics were all folded neatly high up on a variety of shelves. Long and small scraps mixed with bits of ribbon as they dangled. Lilibeth thought they looked like a rainbow. Beads and buttons filled jar after jar that lined the space under her desk. And there in the corner tucked away from the main station was a basket of scrap pieces that Maudie didn't dare throw away. She knew they would useful for something.

"And who's this? I've seen you around the palace. Always lugging things around.'' The plump woman looked down at Lilibeth. Small, strips of blonde hair peeked out from under her bonnet. A bonnet similar to the one Lilibeth wore.

"This is Lilibeth, and she is dire need of a new dress.'' Lilibeth glanced up at curiously. Her hands were tucked behind her back while she looked around the room.

''Are you really a fairy godmother?'' Maudie laughed.

"Of sorts deary, now com here and let's see what we can do,'' Maudie spun her around and pulled out her measuring tape. She traced Lilibeth's body up and down and side to side.

"I'll have something ready in a jiffy. I'll come find you when it's done. Lilibeth and turned around, tugging on Anthony's hand. He waved to his mother and led Lilibeth back to her bucket and brush, where he dutifully kept his promise and carried the bucket the rest of the way.

That was then. Now, here she was, perfectly capable of carrying a bucket on her own.