The Scarlet Lillie

Left For Me

Chapter 14

As I walked down the hallways, I couldn't help but ponder who would be there. My father wouldn't tell me anything pertaining the ball, only when it would be happening.

A butler I knew was called Joseph approached me, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Milady, there has been a slight change in plans. His majesty wishes to meet with you before you greet the guests." He said with a slight bow.

"Thank you, Joseph. Is he in his study?" I inquired.

The tall man nodded. "Yes, milady."

"Thank you." I said and walked around him.

When I arrived at my father's study, I found the doors wide open. My father spotted me the second I rounded the corner. I was still in the hallway when he called out to me.

"Scarlet! I'm glad Joseph caught you." He said.

I reached the room and stopped in the doorway. "Is there something you wish to discuss with me?"

He looked up from the drawer of his desk. "In a way. Please come in and take a seat."

I did as he said.

"My darling daughter, you look beautiful. You remind of your mother." My father said as he finally closed the drawer and walked over to me. He held something behind his back as he sat down across from me. "The night we first met was her sixteenth birthday as well."

I lifted my gaze from my lap to meet his eyes. "Really?" I asked.

He nodded. "Your mother received a gift from her mother, saying it would catch the eye of any man." He pulled his hands in front of him and reveled a small, rectangular black box. The top of the box had the initials MB stitched in gold thread. "It's not what caught my eye, but she wanted you to have it, just in case."

He gently handed the box to me and I accepted it with both hands. I ran my fingers over my mothers' initials, recognizing my late grandmothers craftsmanship. After another glance at my father, I pulled the lid back.

Inside was a necklace. The padding in the box made it so that the silver chain was kept in a oval which prevented it from tangling. The jewel was a perfectly carved, ovoid, ruby. It was only half the length of my thumb, but the bit of silver that snaked around the jewel made it a killer accessory.

I didn't know what to do. The necklace was practically an heirloom, but I wasn't sure I wanted to accept responsibility for it. Now, give me a kingdom, and I won't hesitate. Let's face the facts: it's harder to loose a kingdom than it is to loose a necklace.

"It's yours now." My father clarified, moving next to me. He reached into the box and pulled the necklace out. I pulled my hair up, holding it with one hand, and became a statue while he hooked the chain around my neck.

I placed the box to my left and let my hair fall. I turned to face my father and was met with a loving gaze.

"You really are beautiful, Scarlet. Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise." He whispered.

I couldn't help but give him a smile. "Thank you, Father. I promise you I won't." He returned my smile, but then cleared his throat as he stood up.

"We should get going. The ball has already begun; our guests are waiting." He held out his arm, so I stood up and looped my arm through his.

My father was only a few inches taller than I, but that slight difference made our appearance that much more exotic.

We walked down the hallways, heading towards the ballroom, and we passed my favorite window. It was a long window that stretched from the floor to the ceiling. There was a seat attached to the bottom littered with pillows that the servants had built for me. I hadn't asked them to such a thing, but they had always seen me standing there, gazing out through the glass, and they thought they should put it in as a surprise.

It overlooked the entire kingdom, giving me a view of what I will one day rule over. With my arm looped with the current king, I couldn't help but think about how much the people love him. He always listened and tried to help with any problem the citizens had. My father never put his own needs before the kingdoms. I could only hope to be as good of a ruler when I ascend the throne. After all, I was of age now.