Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Fiancée of Prince Lucius [Henry's POV]
Henry's POV
"That... that is not me! That is someone else!" Lily exclaimed with dramatic fervor.
Gently, I reached for her palm and caressed it, seeking to offer her some comfort.
The bearded man, clad in suit, approached us with a menacing air. His eyes were filled with a sinister intent that sent a shiver down my spine. I pulled Lily back, shielding her with my presence.
"You must take your leave now, lest I am compelled to act in a manner you will regret," I declared, my voice quivering with suppressed rage.
The man merely smirked at me.
"Permit me to inspect her right wrist first, and then we shall do as you request, Mister." His final word dripped with disdain.
My grip on Lily's hand tightened. An ominous feeling gnawed at me, warning that something dire might transpire. I did not trust this man in the slightest.
"For what means?" I demanded.
"Her birthmark. I am certain it is there," he replied.
I turned to Lily, her eyes brimming with tears. The sight of her distress ignited a furious fire within me.
"H-how..." Her hands now covered her face. I pulled her closer and embraced her, hoping it would offer some comfort.
"No, Lily... Do not worry. We shall find a way. I will speak to them."
"Henry, no..." Her eyes met mine, filled with fear. "I'm scared. I know for sure it wasn't me, but how could he know of the birthmark on my wrist? What do I do?"
Somehow, I had already sensed this would come to pass.
On the very day we found Lily on the shore, I had been at the market with Mother, who needed to deliver some garments ordered by her close friend.
"Oh, Margaret, you never fail to impress me with your sewing skills. This is truly marvelous," the old woman had giggled.
I told Mother I would just browse the tool store for a while, as she seemed engrossed in conversation.
"How much is this?" I inquired, holding up a harpoon. This would be perfect for catching fish.
"That will be 20 cents," he replied. Ugh. Too expensive.
"Very well. Perhaps next time."
I was about to leave and return to Mother when I noticed a group of people chattering nearby.
"I'll be rich if I find her! Who wouldn't be with a reward of 30 pounds!" some of the folks chuckled.
Thirty pounds? What could they be talking about?
"It must be the lost fiancée of Prince Lucius," the vendor said, noticing the furrows on my brow.
"Prince Lucius? Is he not the illegitimate son of the current Emperor?"
"You are correct. He will also be the next Emperor. Considering the death of Prince Thaddeus, Emperor Belmont had no choice but to pass on his throne to him."
Lucius Valerian, was known as the worst of Emperor Belmont's sons. If he were to become the new successor, I couldn't imagine what the world would become.
"Why would his fiancée run away?"
"Why do you think she wouldn't?"
In the end, I bought the harpoon from the vendor, for some reason, he lowered the price for me. I bid him farewell and made my way back to Mother.
The group of people chattering over the poster remained.
I was nearly out of the area when a child suddenly bumped into me, holding a piece of paper.
"Hey! Give that back to me!" a shout came from behind.
"No! I'll find her first!"
They started fighting over the paper, pulling it back and forth until it tore into pieces.
Seriously, these children.
"Hey, hey! Stop that now. You are disturbing others. Do this elsewhere," I could not help but intervene.
I snatched the piece of paper and shooed the children away. They ran off, still bickering.
I looked at the paper they were fighting over. My brows furrowed as I tried to make sense of the sketch.
It depicted a woman with big doe eyes, a narrow nose, and almost a heart-shaped lips, giving her face with a perfect harmony and balance.
She was indeed beautiful. This must be the woman those people were discussing on earlier. Prince Lucius' fiancee.
"Lillian Ashbourne, huh."
I pocketed the piece of paper.
Mother and I were on our way home, passing by the shore to deliver the harpoon I bought for Father. Along the way, I noticed a commotion among a group of fishermen, attracting a crowd.
"I said I'm fine!" a woman's voice called out.
I made my way into the crowd and saw a lady, soaking wet with sand clinging to her strange clothes. I recognized one of the fishermen and asked, "What is all this commotion about?"
"Stay out of this, Henry," Roland snapped, clearly annoyed.
I asked the lady if she was alright. Thankfully, she was. She looked exhausted, so we offered her help. Her face seemed oddly familiar to me.
"Lily," she introduced herself.
Apparently, Lily had been on a boat with her friend, Sarah, when it was hit by a huge wave. She couldn't remember the rest of the incident and found herself lying on the shore.
Lily's speech was rushed and unlike any I had heard before that made me suspected she came from another country.
Despite her weird, strangeness, she was rather straightforward. When she feels embarrassed, her face would light up like a tomato. When she laughs or feel disappointed, it would sometimes make me want to protect her. Her kindness was always genuine and honest, too.
I took a deep sigh, looking at the piece of paper I had once disregarded. The portrait undeniably resembled Lily.
It was too late. I had begun growing feelings for her. Perhaps, it was not truly her. Who can say for certain? After all, it is merely a portrait.
That is why, when I read the description that accompanied it, held by this wretched bearded man, I nearly lost my senses in disbelief.
Tall as a willow,
Hair resembling the color of green leaves,
A complexion fair as milk...
She's indeed Lillian Ashbourne.
This is not happening. This cannot be happening.
"It's her," the bearded man confirmed. "This woman is the missing fiancée of Prince Lucius. She ran away from the palace but seems to have been hiding here." His eyes met mine.
"This cannot be..."
Before I could object, soldiers immediately came and dragged Lily away. I fought back, trying to reach her, but there were too many of them.
"Let go of me! Henry!"
"Get your filthy hands off her!" my voice thundered.
"Henry! It wasn't me, I swear! Please... believe me."
"I believe you..."
It wasn't long before they left with her.
I... I have to save her.
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