บท 12: Embarassing breakfeast
Lily dragged me through the garden at a dizzying speed, and before I could catch my breath, she clung to my hand and with a mischievous grin, the world blurred around us. The sensation of teleportation was disorienting, like being sucked through a vortex of swirling colors and sounds.
When everything stilled, we were standing in the grand hallway of the demon queen's castle.
"Are you going to the dining room in your pajamas?" Lily asked, her purple eyes twinkling with amusement.
I glanced down, horrified to realize I was indeed still in my pajamas. The soft, blue fabric seemed wildly out of place in the luxurious castle. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"Oh no," I muttered. "I need to change."
Lily giggled and pointed down the hall. "Your room is that way. You better hurry before the maids see you."
With a nod of gratitude, I darted down the corridor, trying to ignore the opulence surrounding me. The castle's grandeur was overwhelming, with its high ceilings, intricate tapestries, and gleaming marble floors.
I rounded a corner and nearly collided with a maid carrying a stack of fresh linens. She looked up, startled, her eyes widening at the sight of me.
"LAdy Elara!" she exclaimed. "Where have you been? And in your nightclothes, no less!"
"I, um, got a bit lost," I stammered. "Could you help me get ready quickly? I don't want to be late for breakfast."
The maid recovered from her surprise and nodded briskly. "Of course, miss. Follow me."
She led me into my room. As I stepped inside, she bustled about, drawing a bath and laying out fresh clothes. Her efficiency was impressive, and within minutes, I was soaking in warm, scented water, the tension of the morning starting to melt away.
The maid, whose name I learned was Marissa, chatted as she helped me bathe and dress. "You had quite the adventure this morning, didn't you? Running about in your pajamas! I can't imagine what the other staff would have thought."
I laughed nervously. "Yes, it was quite the start to the day. Thank you for helping me."
Once I was clean and dressed in a simple yet elegant dress of deep blue, Marissa brushed my hair and helped me put on a pair of comfortable shoes. As I stepped outside, feeling much more presentable, Lily was waiting for me, her face lighting up with a bright smile.
"Finally! You look pretty," she said, grabbing my hand. "Can we hold hands all the way to the dining room?"
"Of course," I replied, squeezing her small hand gently.
Together, we walked through the castle's grand halls. Lily chattered away about her favorite spots in the castle and the fun games she liked to play. Her energy was infectious, and I found myself relaxing despite the daunting day ahead.
When we reached the dining room, my senses were immediately overwhelmed by the array of food laid out. The table was laden with delicacies: fresh fruits, golden pastries, a variety of cheeses, and steaming platters of eggs, bacon, and sausages. Jugs of fresh juice and pots of fragrant tea completed the lavish spread.
As we approached the table, the demon queen, Seraphina, was already seated at the head. She glanced up, her eyes cold as they met mine before shifting to her sister.
"Go back to Mom's castle," she commanded in a harsh voice, her tone brooking no argument.
Lily, however, seemed unfazed by her sister's sternness. "I'm staying here," she declared stubbornly, her small hand tightening around mine.
Ignoring the tension, I found a seat and sat down, my heart pounding. To my surprise, Lily climbed onto my lap, making herself comfortable. The situation was incredibly awkward, especially under Seraphina's menacing glare.
"Lily, get off her," Seraphina snapped, her eyes flashing with anger.
"No," Lily said firmly, snuggling closer to me. "I want to stay with Elara."
Seraphina's eyes bore into me, her anger palpable. "You're encouraging this behavior."
I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of her gaze. "I didn't—"
"Enough," Seraphina cut me off. "Lily, get down now."
Lily shook her head, her expression defiant. "No, I like sitting here."
The demon queen's jaw tightened, and for a moment, I feared she might forcefully remove Lily. But then, she sighed, rubbing her temples as if warding off a headache.
"Fine. Stay there if you must," she said through gritted teeth. "But don't cause any trouble."
Breakfast continued, albeit with a palpable tension in the air. I did my best to focus on the food, which was delicious despite the circumstances. Freshly baked croissants, juicy berries, and savory omelets filled my plate, but it was hard to enjoy with Seraphina's icy presence looming over us.
Lily, oblivious to the strained atmosphere, chatted happily, her small hands occasionally reaching out to grab a piece of fruit or a pastry. Her cheerful demeanor was a stark contrast to the demon queen's cold silence.
Finally, as breakfast drew to a close, Lily turned to me with a hopeful look. "Can we play more after breakfast, Elara?"
Before I could respond, Seraphina stood up, her eyes hardening as she looked at her sister. "Lily, you're coming with me. I'm teleporting you back to Mom's castle."
Lily's face fell, but she didn't argue. Instead, she looked at me with a determined glint in her eyes. Just as Seraphina reached for her, Lily moved swiftly, teleporting herself into my arms. I barely had time to react before the familiar sensation of teleportation enveloped us, and the world around us shifted once again.
We landed in a different place, the surroundings unfamiliar. I held Lily close, my heart racing from the unexpected journey.
"Lily, where are we?" I asked, my voice shaky.
Lily grinned up at me, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "A secret place. We'll be safe here."
As I looked around, trying to get my bearings, I couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and apprehension. Wherever we were, it was clear that my journey with Lily was far from over.
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