Villiany is But a Matter of Perspective

Chapter 1

"Lily! Lily, come here darling!" Nan called from down the hall. I got up from my paint and canvas and walked down the hall, my toes freezing from the cold stone floor. I ran my hands along the woven tapestries lining the walls, my fingernail tracing a single thread.
"Yes, Nan?"
"The tailor is here! He wants to measure you for your coronation dress."
"Oh, should I change?"
"No, that will be fine."
I rounded the corner to see the tailor, with his tape measure draped over his shoulder, standing underneath a painting of my parents.
The painting showed my parents, arm in arm, smiling warmly down at me. I smiled back for a second and silently wished I could see my mother and father smile one more time. My heart ached for them and hatred flourished for the dreadful sorceress that took them away from me.
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The tailor took my measurements and I couldn't help but notice his son sitting in the windowsill, fiddling with the tapestries.
His dark, unruly hair contrasted greatly with his ice blue eyes. His skin was pale, unlike others in the village because the Royal Tailor made good pay so they wouldn't need to have a farm or anything to make a living from.
His small, freckled nose stuck in a book, occasionally glancing up,locking eyes with me.
The tailor wrapped the tape measure around me, stopping to jot down his measurements.
Many minutes of twisting and turning and jotting down measurements the tailor said farewell and good day, so we sent him on his way. The tailor's son stood up, bowed, and followed his father out into the hall.
I hurried to the balcony and watched the tailor and his son walk to their home, just outside the castle grounds.
Walking back to the grand room I saw he had left his book. I picked it up and when I opened it ,a small slip of paper fell out that read,

Meet me at midnight outside the castle grounds, Princess. Make sure you're not seen.
- Daniel

I stood there confused for a second, the small paper in hand. I skimmed over the note again, written in dainty, curling script. I smiled to myself, thinking of what awaited me at midnight.
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Stars were scattered across the sky as I stepped out the servants door, into the cold night air. Clouds of my breath flourished against the endless blue of the sky, showing fall was nearing faster than I thought. On the last day of summer, I would be announced Queen Lillian Rosa of Augustine. Our Kingdom is quite small compared to those nearest of us.
After being lost in thought for so long I forgot I needed to take a turn, so I started to turn. I came over a small hill then saw the warm glow of candlelight through a window.
Leaning against the side of his house I saw Daniel's slender frame and a smirk adorning his lips. He dipped into a mock bow and looked up at me taking my hand in his.
"Good evening, Princessa"
"Pleasure to meet you, Daniel"
"The pleasure is all mine," he said slyly, punctuated by kissing my hand.
I couldn't help but blush, which stood out very sharply on my pale skin.
"I believe you forgot this." I stated, holding his book in my free hand.
"Thank you, Lillian." He said smirking and plucking the book from my hand.
"Please, call me Lily." I said, somewhat frustrated. Only a select few of the closest people in my life called me Lily.
"Alright, so Lily. Can I show you a special place?"
Reluctant, I replied," I suppose."
He took my hand once more and led me through the woods behind his house, making small talk as we went. It was pleasant, laughing and talking, not having to be Miss Regal Lillian and I could just be normal, Lily.
We came upon a curtain of ivy, about the size of a door.
"Here we are!" He said, a twinkle in his ice blue eyes. He pulled the curtain over and let me walk through.
A circular grove with no trees looked like paradise here. The moonlight shone through the trees and glinted upon a small pond in the middle of the grove. A babbling brook led up to the pond and emptied into it. A few lily pads floated on the crystal clear water.
"Here is your escape from the castle Princessa" he said, his arms opened wide gesturing to the clearing. He had laid a patterned blanket beside the pond with a picnic basket nearby.
"Daniel,it's..... It's absolutely gorgeous," I said with a twirl, taking it all in.
The stars didn't compare with how bright his smile was when I said that.
"Wonderful!" He exclaimed, his smile growing brighter.
We sat on the blanket and enjoyed the picnic he had brought us. The basket was filled to the brim with delicious fruits and even the homemade chocolates from the nearby candy shop.
"Have you tried the caramel crunches?" He said, holding a bite-size chocolate drizzled with caramel and nuts.
"Well no, the maids won't let me eat many sweets..." I replied
He handed me the chocolate and we continued to feast on our treasures.
As the sun began to rise, we walked arm in arm back to the castle.
"Same time tonight?" He asked, beaming.
"Sounds delightful." I said with a shy smile.
I placed a kiss on his freckled cheek and retreated to the servants door.