[ COMPLETED ]
Lilliana has spent most of her life - ten years, to be exact - in the M.S.P. When she is finally rescued, normal life isn't what she thought it to be. Will she ever figure out her destiny and save the Order of the Wicked?
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Dr. Gwen led us to the level closest to the surface of the earth; apparently we would be eating lunch with the Order of the Wicked leader. How wonderful.
When we walked into the Dining Hall, which had a very tall ceiling and pale tan walls, there was only one person inside. Crowose had thick shoulder length Burnette hair and also wore a black sweater. She was smiling, her white teeth visible and pink lips stretched back, at me.
"Lilliana, I never doubted your return," she said. Her voice was soft and silky. I smiled weakly in return, not knowing how to reply.
Taylor and I sat across from Crowose at one of the many long polished oak wood tables. Dr. Gwen sat next to her.
A man dressed in all white with a very poofy hat – most likely the chef – came to tell us the soups of the day. This would be my first time eating normal food in forever; I would have to copy Taylor for I did not know good table etiquette.
We ordered, the chef left, then came back with a tray of soups bowls a few minutes later. As he set a bowl and spoon in front of me, I did what Taylor did. I grabbed my spoon and splashed it into the bowl, slurping the hot red liquid that I scooped up. There were chunks of carrots and celery that I crunched very loudly on. Crowose and Dr. Gwen were staring at us, their spoons halfway to their mouths, with disgusted expressions, though Crowose did have a hint of humor sparkling in her eyes.
Dr. Gwen cleared his throat unnaturally loud. Taylor and I glanced up in surprise. Crowose smiled at us and began to eat her soup, not splashing, slurping, or crunching. Taylor and I immediately followed suit.
After the soup dishes were taken away, we had time to discuss various topics. Crowose began by smiling at us, her hands interlocked out in front of her: "So, Lilliana, do you know exactly why you're here?"
"I believe so. My family served here and aren't I supposed to fulfill some prophecy?" I asked.
"Correct. Your parents were our bravest and smartest soldiers and they led most of the missions into the Rosary Kingdom," the leader continued, "And do you know why you were in the M.S.P?"
"Very vaguely," I responded.
"Well, you were in there as punishment to your parents, who had murdered half the castle staff that day in hope of finding and assassinating President Marigold. Then the Rosary Soldiers had kidnapped you while your parents will still in the castle! Your parents had tried day after day to rescue you, but your vault was too guarded. At least, at first. Soon after you were captured by the enemy, your parents died when President Marigold ordered a bombing to the Pine Jungle, not realizing who he had caught in it," Crowose explained. Taylor was becoming slightly emotional.
"Why are we at war with the Rosary Soldiers?" I asked.
"Oh, to make that long story short," Crowose began with a slight sigh, "The Rosary Kingdom Council decided that they only wanted rich and intelligent people as residents in the kingdom, so President Marigold ordered all others out. If they did not leave, punishments were severe, even if you were smart but poor, or vice versa. Everyone that was kicked out came deep into the Pine Jungle and founded the Order of the Wicked. Some of the people who were allowed to stay but didn't agree with the new law joined the order. That was twenty-six years ago."
