章 6: Chapter 6: Lily's arrival in Palace
Lily sat in the carriage, her heart heavy with sorrow, tears streaming down her cheeks as she silently cursed the soldiers who had taken her.
"Hey! Let me out! I've told you, I'm not Lillian!" Her voice echoed with anger, reverberating through the carriage.
Despite her constant banging, the soldiers stationed outside remained unmoved.
Lily hadn't even had the chance to bid farewell to Margaret and Emmanuel, or properly say goodbye to Henry, who stood there looking despondent when she was dragged away by the soldiers.
Clutching her phone tightly, luckily, Lily managed to keep it with her. It was the only thing she had with her.
As the carriage rumbled along the winding road towards the palace, Lily's thoughts drifted to the life she was leaving behind. She had never imagined that she would be torn away from everything she knew and loved, now, forced into something far more complicated.
The look on Henry's face earlier wouldn't erase in her mind. The fear and guilt, hunting her down.
Lily let out a deep sigh. Her mind still tangled in a web of worries. Lost in her thoughts, she didn't realize she had already fallen asleep while replaying over and over what happened.
As the carriage rolled through the imposing gates of the palace, Lily stirred from her long nap. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the grand silhouette of the palace came into view.
Her eyes fluttered open to the sight before her. The gates, massive and ornate, swung open with a creak of ancient iron, revealing a world of opulence and splendor beyond.
Towering spires reached towards the heavens, their elegant curves and intricate carvings casting long shadows across the lush gardens below.
Lily's breath caught in her throat as she took in the majestic sight before her. The palace seemed like something out of a fairy tale, a place of beauty and wonder beyond her wildest dreams.
As the carriage came to a halt before the imposing gates, Lily's heart raced with anxiety.
She have read multiple fairytales and almost all of it describe nobles the same, palace life wasn't all glamour and grace. Instead, it was filled with sneaky royals and backstabbing nobles. Everyone seemed to have their own hidden motives.
Stepping down from the carriage, Lily was immediately greeted by a flurry of activity.
A middle aged lady dressed in elegance rushed forward, behind her was also a noble man, their faces etched with worry and concern.
Lily felt a pang of confusion as she looked upon them.
The bearded man, who took her away from the village, revealed himself as a trusted Marshal of these nobles. With authority in his stride, he stepped forward to elucidate the circumstances to them.
"Duchess Marianne, Duke Percival," he began, addressing with a bow of his head. "Your daughter has been through a great ordeal. She seems to have lost her memories as we found her in a small village near the capital. And it appears as well, she was taken under the guardianship of a humble family of fishermen."
The duchess, who the Marshal regard as Lily's mother, reached out to embrace her daughter.
"Oh, Lillian, my dear child," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "We were so worried about you. Thank the heavens you are safe."
Lily flinched and instinctively recoiled, gently pushing her away.
"I'm sorry but, my name's Lily. I'm not your daughter! This is clearly a mistake! Please get me out of here..." her eyes were begging, trying to convince them.
Duke Percival, his stern countenance softened by concern, clasped Lily's hand in his own.
"We will do everything in our power to help you regain your memories, my dear," he said, his voice was gentle. "You are not alone in this."
"I told you, I'm not your daughter. This is a mistake." Lily insisted, her voice trembling with frustration.
But the looks on their faces remained unchanged. Only her peculiar accent seemed to give them pause.
"Bring her to her chambers, she requires rest," the duchess commanded with an air of authority, summoning maids to escort Lily.
There was nothing Lily could do but comply. Even if she attempted to escape now, it would be futile. Soldiers patrolled the palace grounds heavily, besides, she was unfamiliar with the place. And the Marshal certainly was aware of Henry and his family. It would be too risky for hasty decisions.
"Lady Lillian!" one of the maids exclaimed, rushing toward Lily and greeting her with a deep bow.
As soon as she was escorted to her chambers, only that maid remained.
The room was vast, twice the size of the Wyverns' entire living room, even separated with a closet. Lily stood in awe of the intricate designs and the vintage elegance that adorned the space. Rich tapestries hung from the walls, and an ornate chandelier cast a warm, inviting glow.
"Why are you still here?" Lily asked, her forehead furrowing as she turned to the maid.
"Oh... I see, you have forgotten me as well, my lady. I am Melissa, your personal servant," she replied, bowing once more. "Allow me to assist you in changing your attire. I shall then request the housemaids to prepare your dinner."
Melissa guided Lily into the washroom. The opulence of the space overwhelmed her. Marble floors, a grand tub, and gold fixtures made her feel like a stranger in a fairy tale. She felt a pang of unease and refused Melissa's help, insisting the servant to leave her alone.
"Forgive me, my lady, but it is my duty to look after you," Melissa said softly, her voice was soothing as she began scrubbing Lily's back with a gentle touch.
Lily had no choice but to let Melissa.
After the bath, Melissa helped Lily into a delicate silk peignoir. Lily sighed deeply, feeling a mix of dread and resignation.
"You must try to rest, my lady," Melissa said kindly, adjusting the lace collar of Lily's garment.
Lily nodded absently, her thoughts drifting back to Henry and the life she had known. How had everything changed so drastically? She longed for the simplicity of her previous life, but now she's being forced in a noble drama.
As Lily lay on bed, she tried to quiet her racing thoughts. The events of the day had left her feeling disoriented and anxious. A soft knock on the door broke her reverie.
Melissa entered, followed by a maid carrying a silver tray laden with an array of dishes.
The scent of roasted meats, fresh bread, and delicate pastries filled the room. The maid set the tray on a small table near the window, then bowed and left the room quietly.
"Please, my lady, enjoy your meal," Melissa said, guiding Lily to the table.
Lily sat down, for some reason, her hunger was overcoming her uneasiness for a moment.
"It's odd... She behaves unlike the Princess Lillian I remember... Her way of speaking is different too..."
Lily paused, the fork halfway to her mouth. She looked at the servant, who seemed lost in thought. The curiosity in Melissa's eyes was almost see through.
"What did you say?"
The servant's eyes widened, she immediately bowed her head in apology.
"Forgive me, my lady. It was nothing..."
Lily continued to eat, her mind now racing with new questions. Why did the real Princess Lillian tried to escape, anyway? It doesn't seem that the people in palace were that frightening, either. They in fact seem concerned and caring to the Princess.
"If there is anything you need, please do not hesitate to ask."
As Melissa left the room, Lily returned to her meal, though her appetite had waned. The weight of her new reality pressed down on her, and the mystery of Princess Lillian's escape had suddenly disrupted her thoughts.
Lily pushed her half-eaten dinner away, her appetite dulled by the swirl of thoughts and emotions. Even though her curiosity about Princess Lillian's life slightly upset her, she realized that it wasn't her most immediate concern right now.
She needed to focus on the present, on her survival, and finding a way out of this convoluted situation.
She glanced around the luxurious room, her eyes settling on the window. A plan began to form in her mind.
"I've changed my mind. I can't let myself be stuck in this place. I need to escape."
The hours passed slowly as Lily sat by the window, listening to the sounds of the palace gradually quieting. Servants' footsteps grew infrequent, and the distant murmur of voices faded away.
Finally, the silence she had been waiting for enveloped the palace.
Lily stood up. She approached the window and carefully unlatched it. The cool night air rushed in.
She looked down, assessing the distance to the ground. It wasn't too far, and the vines climbing the palace wall provided a potential means for her to climb down.
Taking a deep breath, Lily climbed onto the windowsill. Her heart pounded in her chest as she gripped the vines and began to climb down, moving as quietly as she could.
Her feet finally touched the ground, and she took a moment to steady herself. Lily moved with determination, her senses was on high alert. As she made her way through the palace grounds, she observed the guards and knights stationed at every corner.
She took careful, silent steps, ensuring to not make a sound.
When she finally spotted the familiar gate through which the carriage had entered earlier, relief washed over her as she crouched behind a bush of flowers, carefully observing her surroundings.
Lily was already all set to continue her pace when suddenly, the sound of approaching footsteps made her freeze.
She crouched lower, quieting her breath as she peeked through a small gap in the leaves.
Two figures emerged from the shadows. One was wearing a cloak, the other dressed in the simple garb of a servant.
Lily watched as the servant leaned toward the cloaked figure and whispered something. The cloaked figure's immediate reaction was sharp, making Lily's breath catch in her throat. She strained to hear their conversation.
"So she has finally come back," the woman in the cloak said, her voice was low, yet, tinged with surprise.
Lily's heart pounded in her chest.
They must be talking about Princess Lillian?
This realization sent a jolt of fear through her, making her stepped backward and landed on a twig.
The sharp snap echoed in the silence.
"Who's there?" it was the woman in cloak, her voice was as cold as the night.
Lily panicked, her mind was racing for a solution. Before she could react, a hand clamped over her mouth, and she was pulled backward into the shadows. She struggled briefly, but then heard a whisper close to her ear.
"Quiet,"
Lily felt the man's hand, it was large and firm, almost covering her entire face, as her heart pounded fiercely, slowly, she looked up, catching a glimpse of his piercing eyes and regal nose beneath the shadows of his cloak.
From their hidden spot, Lily heard the footsteps gradually growing fainter in distance.
"It must be a squirrel, your highness," the servant said dismissively.
"Very well."
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