The War of Dusk and Dawn

Chapter Three

Lily stared at her reflection in the long looking glass and squinted, the mirror-Lily squinting back. Her handmaiden, Anna, carefully lifted a thick gold tiara on top of her head, settling it in between the dark waves of her hair. The cold rim of the tiara burned against Lily's forehead, and the weight of the metal made her temples ache.

"What do you think, Anna?" Lily asked, her voice flimsy and unsure.

Anna stepped back to admire her hard work, a smile spreading across her face. Lily stood there, feeling her cheeks grow slowly pinker under the servant's gaze.

"His Highness is sure to swoon at your feet, Your Highness, if it's not too bold of me to say."

Lily reached a hand up to finger the diamond on the front of the tiara, the stone cool against her fingertips. Her eyes were momentarily drawn upward to where the sun had reflected off the diamond, creating the illusion of a dazzling ball of light.

"It's quite alright," she mumbled absently.

"He's rumoured to be quite handsome, isn't he?" Anna said, her voice low and conspiratorial. "Imagine being married to him. How beautiful your children will be!"

Lily let out a sharp breath, her teeth clenched. Noticing her expression, Anna ducked her head and mumbled an apology as she left Lily's chambers.

The white doors closed quietly, and Lily let out a loud groan as she banged the back of her head against the intricate carvings on her bedroom wall. Her skull ached, and she groaned louder at the pounding in her brain.

It was unfair of her to be like that to Anna, and Lily ought to go after her and apologise, however the handmaiden's words had not at all aided Lily's efforts in mentally preparing herself for the inevitable arrival of Prince Lysander of Tine. She was like a pawn in a game she didn't quite understand, for all her wits, being forced to marry for the sake of politics and power.

But it didn't work like that, and Lily paced the length of her chambers, biting distractedly at the nails on her right hand until the tips were raw and bloody. The weight of the tiara felt heavier than ever, pressing down on her like a crown of thorns, and her stupid dress was suffocating her.

Fear spun a web within her mind, trapping her in the relentless cycle of uncertainty. She knew her duty as princess, which dictated that she wed any royal whose alliance would serve her father's political ambitions. Prince Lysander was undoubtedly a suitable candidate, and Tine's wealth and influence promised prosperity for their realm.

Yet, selfishness whispered in Lily's thoughts, urging her to evade this union forged in politics when it would only strengthen the country. Doubts crept back in, like shadows in the night. What if Prince Lysander proved to be the embodiment of his nation's reputation for ruthlessness and ambition? She had no inkling of the perilous path she was about to tread, and the thought sent shivers down her spine. What if he found out about her ability...

Lily glanced at her reflection once more, taking in the full image of herself. Her long chestnut hair cascading down her back in loose waves and her flowing navy blue gown made her look every bit the part of a princess, but inside she felt like a scared little girl. She wasn't a future queen, but simply an imposter playing at nobility. The room, filled with fragile furniture and grand paintings only added to her discomfort, while the scent of the purple lavender on her chest of drawers, once pleasant, now cloyed.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts, and Coralaine entered the room, resplendent in an emerald gown with sleeves that hung halfway to the floor. The sparkling jewels sewn on her neckline sparkled in the light, casting a dazzling array of colours onto her face.

"Are you ready, Lily?" she asked, her voice hushed. "His Highness and his entourage have arrived. You're expected in the ballroom to receive them."

Lily hesitated in her response, avoiding eye contact with her cousin as she stared out of the window. The beautiful evening outside only deepened her misery, and when Coralaine asked if she was okay, Lily simply nodded and let Coralaine lead her out of the room and down the corridor, the clicking of their heels echoing on the polished marble floor.

The East Wing of the castle, where Lily's quarters were situated, was typically rather quiet. However, with the excitement and apprehension surrounding Prince Lysander's arrival from Tine brought a flurry of activity. Servants flew about delivering linens and food to the various rooms facing inwards towards the glass-covered courtyard, their chatter filling the air.

The doors of the wing were adorned with graceful stone arches, framing a vast dome that overlooked a stunning water fountain in the courtyard's centre. This was precisely why Lily had chosen these chambers - she loved the ambiance of the atrium and cherished the memories it held.

A nostalgic chuckle escaped her lips as she remembered playing in the fountain's pool, the vivid image of her mother's soaked skirts and infectious laughter echoing like a wind chime in her mind.

Clinging to the memory of her late mother, Queen Aethra, Lily followed Coralaine up a winding set of stairs. As they emerged onto the rooftop, a sharp gust of cold wind greeted them, and Lily was taken aback for a moment as the icy wind blew across her face and hair. They settled on the rooftop's edge, legs dangling over the side, their gazes fixed on the sprawling expense of Vylit, where neighbourhoods and houses gradually diminished in the embrace of the setting sun.