Liliana: The Thorn

III

{XX7, FEBRUARY 24}

The door creaked open "Good Morning, Your Highness! It seems His Highness was waiting outside your door." Olivie came in along with Olie, it has nearly been a week since Olie had arrived at the palace, he became friendly with the others and began calling Liliana 'Sister'. He was still nervous though, to be announced to society on his birthday that is.

"Her Majesty is currently bedridden. As we speak, His Majesty is attempting to cook her some... soup.." Hearing Olivie's last sentence she immediately got up and ran to the kitchen, not thinking about how she was still in her nightgown.

"Is father's cooking really that bad?" Olie asked, his eyes followed the girl dashing through the halls "You don't want to know, Your Highness." she dreaded at the fact Damon attempted to cook once more.

The doors to the kitchen banged open, catching her father wearing an apron and cooking up god knows what. "F-father, I do not want to be rude but..!" pulling him out of the kitchen, he laughed nervously, knowing he was about to be lectured.

"Dearest, could you please let me off the hook just this once?." Shaking her head, they reached the dining hall where Deux was sitting. "Is Damon trying to kill someone again?" hearing Deux's voice, Damon fixed his image, "Grandfather!"

"Dearest, there you are. Where's my grandson?" He sipped his tea and looked around. "Upstairs in my room." While Damon got scolded and nagged by Liliana, Deux noticed a small letter on the table.

"What's this?" He opened it and read who it was from "It is a letter from the Duke of Heartstone." Damon explained, he received a letter the letter a day ago.

Liliana looked back at Deux who scanned the letter. 'Heartstone!?!?!' She exclaimed once she realized, she rushed to Deux and stole the letter from his hands.

"I suggest Her Royal Highness and my son, Eryx, is to be playmates. I have no intention of delivering this as rude, but Her Highness hasn't been seen socializing with that many nobles, the same as my son.." not bothering to continue reading what was next her face was filled with excitement.

"Father."

"Yes, dearest?" he said, rubbing his ear which Liliana had pinched.

"Accept this at once!"

Chapter III : Stone Heart

The sound of a hand lightly punching the hard wood echoed, a man glanced towards the door "What is it."

"I have great news, Father! The king has written back accepting the offer!" A slightly high pitched voice spoke, "Eryx? Come in." he said in a happy yet controlled voice.

The door creaked open, "Continue.."

"The letter said they wish to meet us overmorrow in the afternoon." the child's tone of voice was happy and proud, but he knew he had to maintain a calm expression.

The old man smirked, his face could not be seen but it was clear he had intentions. "Send your mother in, I wish to speak to her."

"Yes father!" Leaving the dark room, his eyes strained looking at the bright jewelry the woman wore. "M-mother, Father requires you.."

Shoving the boy aside, the fancy woman entered the room. The young boy with long chestnut hair tied into a ponytail is the only son of the Heartstones. Though his height was below average, his menacing aura caused people to fear and avoid him.

Walking in the hallway, he tried to ignore the children who laughed in happiness and freedom, envious of their life, Eryx moved on. Unexpectedly, he stopped as he was contemplating, touching the fragile glass windows with his bare and tiny hands, he looked at them with envious eyes.

He sighed, "This is no time to be sulking. It's all because of that woman anyways..."

{ XX7, FEBRUARY 26th }

The sound of a grandfather clock chimed, purple eyes glared into red ones that were smirking. "Checkmate."

"AGHHHH" Eryx whined, nearly flipping the chess table. 'How did we end up like this.' Liliana thought to herself while rearranging the pieces. "So, rematch?"

"Again!"

--- 4 hours earlier ---

"Greetings to the Royal Family. I am honored to have my selfish request approved!"

The Duke of Heartstone said, "I have yet to see Her Majesty, where is she?" Worriedly, the Duchess spoke up.

"She is currently bedridden so it will just be me and Liliana." Damon hid a tone of worry in his voice, Liliana was staring a hole in Eryx, making the young by uncomfortable.

"Liliana dearest, why don't you show Eryx to the garden." Liliana nodded, she was very excited,

"It was lovely to see you, Duke and Duchess." She excused herself and went outside with Eryx.

Liliana who was leading hasted her pace, "H-hey! Wait up!" "Make haste, Eryx. Monsieur Cocoa's limited edition cakes don't last forever."

"What are you talking about...?" she sighed, grabbing Eryx by the arm, they sped through the halls and into the kitchen. "Am I late? Is there any left?" Anticipated, she waited for Monsieur Cocoa's reply.

"Mademoiselle! Just in time, I have two of them left." Carrying two plates with a chocolate cake with amazing designs, the three made their way to the dining hall.

"C'est une spécialité"

"Monsieur Cocoa, we can't understand french haha." Looking at the two in confusion, Eryx looked down at the cake before him.

"Take a bite." Liliana offered, "S-sure."

Lifting up the fork, he cut through the soft cake and took a bite.

"Yum.." realizing what he had said, he looked away. "Sister, you were here!" Olie came in. "O-olie!"

Eryx looked at the two, "W-who is he?" hiding behind Liliana he looked at Eryx, "You weren't supposed to come out today. Is something wrong?"

"Snow escaped my room so I'm trying to find him."

"Snow? Your Highness, do you mind explaining?" Liliana looked awkward, Olie was supposed to be hidden from everyone until his birthday.

Olie quietly snickered, "Well.... hahaha." Eryx smirked, "Olie, was it? Why don't you try the cake? It is very delicious."

"Ooh!" He hurried to Eryx and grabbed the plate, "Sir Eryx, your mother has called for you." Elise, the hand maid of the Duchess came inside.

"Come back soon." Olie said, the two sibling continued eating. Liliana, still looking at Eryx until he was out of sight.

"Is everything going well with the princess?" Her face nor the Duke's could be seen, it was covered by a mysterious shadow. "Yes mother."

"Good, do not forget that you have to win her favour in order to make up for your sly mother's mistake. If you do not do this, you will immediately be sent back to her." Her voice was harsh and cold,

"Yes, Mada--"

As fast as lightning, she slapped him. "It's mother for now." She turned back and walked away.

"Well well well." Clapping her hands and smirking, she revealed herself from hiding. "Does that hurt? Her nails looked sharp man." she chuckled, "ha ha" Eryx sarcastically replying.

"So you're being forced huh. Well since you know our secret and I know yours, should we play a game?"

"What?"

"If you lose, I tell my parents about your little deal with your parents. If I lose, you can tell your mom that my mom adopted a son."

"Wait what? I thought Olie was just a maid's son or something--"

"Oh uh" Eryx burst out in laughter, not long after, Liliana joined in.

"That's a really boring bet, but sure? What game?"

"Hm, I've heard that you're really good at chess. Let's do that"

Eryx smirked, "You're going down Princess."

--- present ---

"One more game--" Eryx defeatedly said

"WE'VE BEEN PLAYING FOR NEARLY AN HOUR LET'S JUST KEEP OUR MOUTHS SHUT PLEASE MY HAND AND BRAIN HURT" Her voice was hoarse. Liliana who won 21 games and losing the other 21 to Eryx, wanted to stop.

"Hohoho, that was intense." Deux, who had started watching in the 15th round, was amused. "I'll have to stay in Leoven for a few days, so I am here to say goodbye."

"Leoven? What for?" Liliana asked, Eryx had started cleaning up the board. "The former kings are having a small get together." he sighed at the thought of seeing the rowdy kings once again.

"Is that the Heartstone kid?" He examined the boy head to toe. "I'll bring back some souvenirs when I come back, goodbye you two." Waving goodbye, he left the room.

"It was fun competing against you Eryx."

"Same to you too, Your Highness." Liliana extended her hand, Eryx accepting it. Tightening her grip, Eryx saw it as another invite to a competition..

"Feel free to call me Lily or Lil. Also would you mind dropping that whole mannerisms with me."

'Feels like I'm a ceo of a company or something' she continued her sentence in her thoughts.

"Sure?"

"It was lovely to chat with you, Your Majesty, I hope we can do this again sometimes." The duchess curtsied, "It was fun comp-- playing with you, Your Highness." Eryx said.

"Same to you too,"

"The castle doors are open for Eryx anytime." Damon laughed, ruffling Eryx's hair. The adults exchanged some more words while the two children were communicating with their eyes.

"Let's go, Eryx." The duke and duchess had already said their goodbyes to the King. "goodbye." she waved.

To be continued.