บท 18: Preparations
They all stood beneath the Old Sage, as Lillian placed her hand on its trunk, feeling the surge of magic coarse through her and the tree.
After everything with the Duke, the tree started flourishing again and the glimmer that Lillian's skin had before came back. Besides feeling stronger and more alive as the tree stood strong once again, she really wished the glimmering would stop.
"I think it looks fine." Jasmine had told her but the Rose and the frog's attempt to not laugh made her think otherwise.
"I look like a disco ball."
"Come on, Lillian. That may be a bit of an exaggeration."
Lillian squinted her eyes at them and walked to the sun like crystals reflect when light is shone on them, her skin did the same.
Rose had to turn away so that she doesn't burst into a peal of uncontrollable laughter in front of the Duchess again but the frog was beside himself, with drops like tears running down his face.
"Jasmine," Lillian whined at her as though she was her mother and her other siblings are making fun of her.
"Your highness, Rose, please try to be nicer. You're not making Lillian feel any better." She scolded them lightly.
"Sorry, Jasmine. It's just too funny a scene to pass up." Rose said in between what looked like a horse in pain.
"Never mind that. Now, Lillian, take off your dress."
Rose and Roman stopped laughing and stared at her with the Duchess.
"Uh, Lady Jasmine, I do not think that is the best thing to do here." Margaret spoke up from zoning out, hand still on her stomach, "Would you like a room for that?"
"Why do I have to take off my dress anyway, Jasmine? You know what will happen if I do." Lillian protectively wrapped her arms around herself.
"I know, but that dress is too much for travelling. I plan to alter it a bit, to make it look more like a peasant's." She smiled at her.
"But, I bought this dress for the masquerade ball in my world. If you alter it, how can I wear it?"
"I'll make another one for you, as I promised you, remember? And it can still be altered again. Right, Old Sage?"
A soft tinkling sound answered her.
"See?"
"But then, Lady Jasmine would it not be suspicious if the common people came with a frog for the princesses to kiss?"
"The Duchess is right Jasmine, what are you planning exactly?" Rose asked, crossing her arms.
Jasmine had a sly smile on her face as she spoke, "We can pose as the caretakers of the King."
"And? What's that going to accomplish?"
"This is the perfect way to see how the other kingdoms view ours. We'll just say that we are from a kingdom that hates this one and see what they do. This way, it'll be easier to weed them out. Don't you think so Rose?" She smiled pleasantly at her but Rose had a solemn expression.
"So this was your plan the entire time?" She asked, head lowered but her eyes were on her.
"Not really. I am just making use of an opportunity given to us. Too many people have died already, Rose. We need to do what we can."
"Uhh … May I ask what both of you are talking about?" Lillian raised her hand in confusion, even the Duchess shared her feelings on the matter.
"I would like to know as well. What is this about?" Without realizing it, she had picked up the frog king and held him protectively to her.
Rose sighed, looking at everyone's reaction.
"Guess the cat is out of the bag. Duchess, your highness and Lillian, as you may know, we are part of the Society of the Velvet Gate."
"Society of the what? Is that a cult?" Lillian took a step back from them.
"No. Lillian. It is not." Rose pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration, "The Society of the Velvet Gate is a group of Magic Users with some of the rarest and most powerful magic. They exist outside of the different denominations and do not belong to one specific kingdom. They have their own place but no one knows where it is, only the members can access it. We are usually recruited at a very early age and trained every day of our life."
"So, what is it you train for?" Lillian asked, leaning against the tree.
"Anything and everything. We are some of the most skilled Magic-Users in the world. Jasmine and I, along with thirty others were tasked to protect this kingdom the moment we finished our training and we have been protecting it for years, silently and without anyone knowing."
"Why there are so many of us looking after this kingdom is because this kingdom is brimming with mana and many other powerful species, but those aren't any of your concern at the moment. We are not to involve with the people's lives, just to carry out our duty and that's it.'
"But then the Old Sage summoned both of us and here we are now. Ever since Lillian came, the attempts to capture the Kingdom have gotten more frequent and they have also become more powerful."
"We don't know where they came from but we do know that they are getting more persistent. So, if we can figure out where they originate from, we can attack them and maybe bring some to questioning." Jasmine continued. "If this kingdom falls into the wrong hands, it can be disastrous to the rest of the world."
"Wait. Why didn't some of you go and infiltrate the other kingdoms if you are so powerful?" Lillian asked.
"Thirty of us are guarding the kingdom and it is not a very small kingdom when the Old Sage called us then we are even more understaffed. Though it provided us with more magic, so we are able to hold out until now. So if any more of us leave, parts of the kingdom will be left unguarded and they can't be allowed to get in." Rose sighed again, eyes looking heavenward for patience. "I agree with your plan Jasmine, but are you sure you can do it?"
"Of course. Don't underestimate me, Rose. Last time you did, it almost cost you an arm."
"Yeah, I know. Ok, fine. I support the plan."
"If it's for the kingdom, I support it too." Margaret smiled at them, while the frog croaked in her arms.
"Ok. Now, Lillian. Take off the dress."
"I think that is our cue to leave, right your highness?" Margaret said, walking away with the frog as fast as she could, ignoring the shouting behind her. "We should try to get some sleep, staying up the entire night isn't healthy. You also have a long day ahead of you later on."
Rose and Jasmine helped her out of her clothes and Lillian returned to her room in her world.
"I'll call you when I'm done, ok?" Jasmine called as she got transported back.
"Well, damn." She reached for her phone on the table and saw the time.
8:00 A.M.
"I'm going back to bed." She promptly fell asleep the moment she said that.
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