Evolution of a Queen

Talking With a Princess

James's POV

Something was wrong with this family. It wasn't the Queen or Princesses that were the issue, though. It was the King. King Patton was trying to hide something, and I wanted to know what it was. I knew it had something to do with Princess Lilly, but I didn't know what it was. 

Princess Lilly was a strange one. She never spoke unless spoken to when her father was around, and she wouldn't talk about the truth to me. I knew she wasn't in town today, yet she spun a whole tale about how she met a friend from school while out today. I was frustrated with Princess Lilly.

"Princess Lilly," I called out to her one more time.

"Yes, Prince James?" She looked up from her food.

"I was wondering if after dinner you would accompany me in a walk around the gardens. I find that a walk after eating while in good company is the best way to spend an evening."

Princess Lilly nervously looked at her father before looking back at me. "Prince James Seriah knows more about the gardens then I do," She had a sad look in her eyes, "She's also better company then I am so I beg you to please reconsider and take her instead."

I smile gently, "I had already asked Princess Seriah to walk with me today. I want to meet with both the princesses of this vessel state individually today. I don't suppose your lover will allow that?"

She looks down and mutters something before wincing in pain. What was that all about?

"I would love to accompany you through the gardens then," She smiles, but it doesn't reach her eyes, "Seriah spoke highly of your conversation with her so I will enjoy our conversation. And I don't have a lover. It's just a one-sided crush." She winced in pain again and reached down as if to grab something

I nod and turn back to my food. I was getting excited for dinner to be over now.

I was impressed because Princess Seriah was devouring her meal. I enjoy watching girls who enjoy their food eat. Prince Nathan was a lucky guy to have Princess Seriah as his future wife. 

"Lilly," Queen Alexandra said this so quietly that I don't think I was supposed to hear, "You need to eat. Finish what's on that plate."

I sneakily looked up in time to see King Patton shake his head no at Princess Lilly. Princess Lilly didn't look like a kicked puppy like I thought she would. She looked like she was quietly accepting her fate. I'm going to have to ask her about it during our walk today.

Suddenly Princess Lilly stood up, "I'm full. Prince James, I will wait for you in the library down the hall. When you are finished, you can find me there." She must've been eager to get out of the dining hall because she all but ran out.

"Seriah," The King spoke up.

"Yes, Father?" 

"What did you and Prince James talk about earlier while you were showing him around?"

Princess Seriah looked bitterly at her father but, in a cheerful voice, said, "We talked about our country's history mostly. We also talked about other princes and princesses that we've met before."

Why did she lie? I thought We never talked about her country's history. Besides, even if we did, I already knew all about their history. I was put through lessons when I was younger because they've been our vessel state for over 50 years. 

King Patton nodded acceptingly at what she said and finished his meal, "Enjoy your walk through the gardens, Prince James. I will enjoy hearing all about it from Lilly. She tells me everything, so if you make her upset, I'll know about it." With that, he strode out of the room with Queen Alexandra hurriedly following him.

"I hate him," Princess Seriah muttered. She didn't mean for me to hear her, so I didn't say anything about her comment.

"Princess, I want the truth," I drop my hands onto my lap.

"The truth about what?" She looked at me, wearily.

"How much does your sister eat?"

Princess Seriah paused for a moment before speaking up, "She eats enough."

"That's not an answer. It's obvious that Princess Lilly barely touched her food tonight," I glare at her sternly.

Princess Seriah shook her head, "I can't tell you. Remember, when I said that Lilly and my father have a complicated relationship?" I nod, but she doesn't elaborate.

"Ok, you don't want to speak about it, so I'll ask you something else," She looked at me wearily, "What is your goal by staying here if you already have a prince waiting for you?"

"I want Lilly safe," Princess Seriah looked into my eyes, "I want to see someone, anyone, make her happy like I am. She gets so sad whenever I talk about Nathan, but she also wants to hear everything about our relationship because she feels like she's living through my experiences. I want to see her taken away from this place. I want to see a genuine smile on her face, one that reaches her eyes."

"You're in a castle with soldiers at every turn how is Princess Lilly not safe?" 

"I can't tell you. Lilly will hopefully tell you herself," Princess Seriah looked like she was debating something before determination flooded her features, "Prince James I know you have an interest in Lilly. I know you are the only one who can make her happy right now. Even if you don't want her as a wife, please be kind to her. Maybe with you around, she can smile more freely."

"Who were the guards around her? Is one of them her lover?" 

Princess Seriah giggled, "They must've been Liam and Alex. Lilly sees them as friends and people she can run to when she feels threatened. If you met them, you must've done something that made her feel afraid. Lilly is a fragile girl. What did you do, Prince James?"

I looked away sheepishly, "I was worried about her and entered her room without permission."

The laughing stopped. I looked over to see Princess Seriah looking at me sternly, "Don't ever do that. If you want her to trust you never, ever, enter her room. She has bad memories of people forcibly entering her room. Those walls are stained with her blood because of that man," the last part she said quietly, but I still heard it.

"When I went in today, there was no blood on the walls. The room seemed to have not enough stuff in it, but there was no blood. The only thing that showed personality was a sketchbook full of dress designs."

Princess Seriah smiled, "Lilly designs all of her dresses herself. Her maids are the ones who sew them together. They make the dresses under the direction of Lilly. I feel like if she weren't trapped in this hellhole, she would've been a pretty popular fashion designer. Now come," Princess Seriah stood up and pulled me towards the door, "My sister has been waiting long enough. I'll show you to the library."

I chuckle and let her drag me down the hall. When I entered the library, however, the smile faded from my lips. Princess Lilly was sitting by the window, crying while holding her cheek.