The Scarlet Lillie

Free

Chapter 5

The rest of our journey through the city was pretty calm and we arrived to the fields within the hour.

I grabbed my basket and climbed out of the carriage. The field we were in smelled wonderful. It had roses blooming in the bushes, and daisies over powered everything else.

I took a deep breath and began to walked around. After about ten minutes, I grew tired of hearing my guards armor and swords clanging against each other.

"Um," I said turned to them. "Do you think I could I could get some alone time?" I asked.

Phillip shook his head. "I'm sorry ma'am, but we must accompany you."

I sighed. "I know, I know; That's your job. But no one else is out here and you can see me where ever I go. Please?"

Phillip barely considered it. "You may be right, but we can't be certain."

I turned to Logan. "The main reason I came out here was because I wanted to get out of the palace and get some real alone time. I know you guys are just trying to do your jobs, but I'm sixteen now. Today I come of age to marry, ascend the throne, and learn the secrets that have been withheld from me for years. Don't you think I also gained the right to a little alone time?"

Logan looked at me, then his fellow guards, and finally back to me. "I supposed you're right." I smiled and gave him a hug. "But you must stay where we can see you." He said as I stepped back.

I nodded. "Of course! Thank you so much, Logan!" I pulled my hood up and ran through the fields.

I couldn't believe that had worked. I knew I was persuasive, but I didn't think I was that good.

I walked through the flowers with a new feeling. I felt free.

My eyes were drawn to a red lily sticking out among yellow daisies. I bent down and picked it up. "Are you all alone?" I asked it. I placed it in my basked and looked around for others. I saw a bunch leading to the woods, and it went on farther than I could see.

I bit my lip and looked back to the others. I told Logan I wouldn't run off anymore and that I would stay within eye sight. If I left them, I would probably loose all my privileges to be alone.

But there was something about these flowers... I couldn't explain it, but I felt like they were showing me the path to somewhere.

I made my decision- a compromise, if you will. I called back to Logan. He sprinted over to me.

"What's wrong, your highness?" He asked.

I pointed to the lilies. "I wish to follow this trail, but I did not want to go alone. Will you please accompany me?" I said.

Logan looked impressed. "Uh, sure. I mean, of course, your highness."

I laughed. "It's okay, Logan. We're not in the kingdom anymore, so you don't have to act so formal."

He shrugged. "It doesn't matter. You are the princess so I must be." He turned to the others at the other side of the field. He made a motion to them and then we headed into the forest.

We followed the path for a what seemed like forever, when it opened up in front of a stone gravel path.

"Logan," I said. "What is that place?" I asked, seeing that there was another kingdom at the end of the path.

Logan's expression was grim. "We must turn around, my lady. There is nothing there that would interest you." He began to walk back into the forest, but I stayed where I was. "Tell me. What is that place?"

Logan sighed. "Your highness, I can't-"

"No! I'm done with secrets! I'm sixteen now so you have to tell me!"

Logan looked at me. "That is the kingdom of Philite. We are not currently on speaking terms with them so if we could just head back now..." I looked at him, and then at the kingdom.

"Fine." I said. Logan looked satisfied and began to walk. I took a few steps, but then turned and made a break for it. Logan didn't even hear me leave, so I was able to get to Philites' walls without being noticed.

Why was my home not speaking to these people? I had to find out. So, making sure my hood covered my hair, I made my way into the kingdom.