Liliana: The Thorn (Hiatus)

V

{ YEAR XX7, FEBRUARY 31st }

"I can't do this without you... Diana.." he cried, the man broke down inside his study. The windows covered by blinds, the lights turned off. He looked like a mess, holding a momento of his dear wife. 

"I can't... I'm weak without you.. I'm sorry Liliana... Olie!" 

"S-sister?! Wait! Don't just go in and..!" Bursting open the door, Liliana who was annoyed gripped her father's collar. "Father, I know how sad it is to lose someone but you can't be sad on a day like this!"

"Liliana..." His voice was breaking, his hands trembling. Eyes red from crying but he was dedicated to putting on a smile for his children.

"Mother was a very loving, kind, cheerful, maybe frightful and idiotic but I know that seeing you like this on Olie's birthday would pain her. We don't want you to replace her by marrying again, and father, Olie and I are here, you have two children to protect! Protect us like mother would've wanted don't mope around all day!" 

Olie looked at Damon then Liliana, walking up to Liliana he hugged her.

"Sister.. it's fine, really. Father is--"
"No, Lily is right.. I'm sorry Olie, seeing your father like this is embarrassing. It's your big day, come let's get you dressed." Liliana's words gave him a slap and a bit of motivation, though he was still sad by his wife's death, he knew Diana would be sad to see him like this.

{ Chapter V: Birthday }

"Isn't Her Highness's birthday on a few months away?" A few mothers whispered and chattered, the young lady picked up an apple. "My, young lady you're here again! Here's a few extra apples, thank you for coming everyday!" The old lady behind the stall offered her a basket of fresh apples,

 "Alicia! There you are, hurry inside we were given an invitation to the party."  a carriage stopped behind her, a young boy opened the carriage doors and extended his hand to the young girl.

Golden hair and noble clothes, she was rumoured to be House Cilvewood's youngest maid but also rumoured to be the Cilvewood's son's fiancee.

"Brent!"

--- 7 PM ---

"Achoo!" 
"Your Highness, please do not move so much, we are still doing your make-up and hair!"
"Yes yes"

"But, can't I just use my normal everyday clothes? Why do I have to wear such a big dress?" She complained, "It's His Highness's birthday today, you must look your best for the other nobles!" Olivie retorted.

"Sister!" Running inside the bedroom, Olie had run away from his butler.  Wearing a white long sleeved shirt with golden trims, on his shoulders were golden epaulettes, having a golden aiguillette hanging from his right sleeve to one of the buttons in his shirt, and his crown. It was easy to say he was the celebrant.

"You can open your eyes now, Your Highness." Opening her eyes, she looked at a long mirror. Her hair is tied into a ladder braided bun, since she was only a child they only put light make-up, a royal blue off-shoulder dress with a mid-length train behind it, and of course her crown.

Knocking on the door, even while it was still was open. "Your Majesty, we have finished dressing up Her Highness." 

"You look very stunning, dearest." He smiled. Damon was wearing a dark blue red cape behind his white long sleeved shirt, a red sash with Raghnall's  feather emblem, a golden aiguillette on his collar. Red with golden outlines epaulettes, paired with black pants. His light blond hair was kept up, showcasing his pink eyes.

"Some guests have already arrived, come." He extended both of his hands, each one to his children. 

--

"His Royal Majesty, King Damon Salvatore Raghnall along with Her Royal Highness, Princess Liliana May Raghnall." All eyes were one the door which slowly opened, surprising the nobles with not one but two children on both his hands.

Gabriel went up to them in the side, holding a tray with a wine glass. "Everyone, I seek for your attention!" he started, looking at the two children by his side he said, "I announce here on this occasion, the new prince that my late wife, the late Queen, adopted. Prince Olie Clyde Raghnall." 

Olie had looked down, afraid of how people would react, but surprisingly the nobles cheered, it seemed like they had a mutual misunderstanding. "In truth, today is his birthday. Which is why I have planned this special celebration."

The nobles clapped, some mothers had been whispering to their friends. Some men did not care, but some did. "Let us celebrate his first birthday as a prince!" A cue for the music to start, people began pairing up and dancing, some were eating and chattering.

"Eryx?! You look so unsightly.." Putting her fan close to her mouth she looked at Eryx in a disgusted way, he only responded with a unmoved expression "I'm kidding, is the food good?"

He hummed, "Where is Olie?"
"He's over there being surrounded by those mothers, being complimented. Nobles these days." She sighed, looking over behind her to make sure Olie was alright.

"Um.. Lil?" 
"Yeah? What's up."
"I'm sorry.. about your mother, the Queen.." She stopped drooling over the food and looked at Eryx who's faced was filed with pity, "Jeez, don't be sad on this day. Mother knew she had a short time left.. and she spent that with us." Picking up a chocolate bonbon, she stopped Eryx from talking by feeding him.

Noticing the faint and muffled laughs. Liliana glanced over to the nobles who crowded. "Who's over there?" Liliana pointed towards the crowd "Where?" Eryx hummed as he got an idea.

"That's the young son of House Clivewood, rumors say that the girl next to him is his Fiancee."
Interested, she hummed. "Wait... Cli-clivewood?!?" Eryx nodded, "Do you know him?"

'Hey, hey. Isn't it a little bit too early??'  fighting the urge to go near them she wanted an excuse to get away "Let's go.. check if Olie's okay" 

They left the ball room, Liliana pushing Eryx so they could leave faster. The young girl's sapphire blue eyes hovered over to the two kids going away from the ball room.

"Licia?" A boy with brown hair turned over to the young girl, he noticed she was staring at the stairs.

"Oh, it's nothing!" She sweetly said, giving one last glance to the stairs. She felt a strange feeling inside her.

Time's ticking, the story is moving forward the way it is supposed to go. How long will it take for Alicia's story to start?