Crimsom

Long Days Ahead

I was in another meeting with the king and his advisors. It was luckily the only on for the day. As we began to talk about the festival we planned in the upcoming week. I noticed the king was tense and in deep though. Maybe Prince Max had finally said something about his relationship with Alice my dear friend. " F- My king, are you alright?" I ask but almost messed up by calling him father. This was not the place and time to call him that. Plus he wasn't even my father. He opened his mouth then closed it before opening it to speak.

"I want you to marry Prince Max" the king tells me out of nowhere. I look up and stare at him in shock. We where in the middle of going through our plans to strengthen the relations between civilians and mages. "My king, where is this coming from? I'm sure there are more people adequate in marrying the prince." I respond. In the corner of my eye I see on of his advisors nodding his head.

Don't tell me that he put the king up to this. "Lillian, It may seem like it is coming out of nowhere but if you marry the prince. Mages everywhere will finally feel that they can be equals. What better person to marry the prince than you!" he tells me. Inwardly I sigh, he is right but Iknow that max will not agree to this. Especially after I had introduced him to my friend alice. Most of all I only saw him as a brother. "You may be right king Arthur but let me think about this." I say not wanting to say yes. He nods satisfied with my response.

My position as being one of the strongest mage the world has ever seen could be the cause. Another kingdom has made their interest known on acquiring me. Unfortunately for them i'm loyal to this country. Even now i'm trying my best in securing a brighter future for mages. We have always been accused of doing evil and only seen as slaves by others. Shaking my head I continue conversing with the king.

What I needed to focus on was the festival we have planned to commemorate all those who fought in the 5 year war. I being the mastermind in able to win that war. If I had joined sooner than just maybe. The war wouldn't have lasted so much. Than again, I joined once I turned 17. Causing prince max and i to argue. I swear that he was like an annoying younger sibling I wish I had. The plan of this festival was to show that mages also fought in this and have done heroic things as well.

Honestly wonder if my parents would be proud. But in my heart, I think I know the answer. "As stated before, I strongly encourage that we come up with a law that will prohibit mages from being slaves." I say as we move on to laws. I've tried for years since I came to this castle. With a troubled look but still he nodded. "Yes, it may be a good way to start. I'm sorry Lillian, I know you have tried for years but just wait a little longer. If we don't do this carefully, we're going to end with bad results." He responds. I only nod, but in my head I was screaming in delight. Just a bit more and my people will finally be seen as people.

With the meeting concluded I excuse myself with the excuse of going to gather information. Walking through the halls of the castle. I finally let out a groan. Being slumped with paper work and still doing more research about the gem in my possession. I hardly had time to rest. Maybe soon i'll get a good nights rest after this is all done.

Finally making it to my office. Opening it and slam it shut. I laid down the documents in my hands on the desk. Walking toward one of my bookshelfs. Pulling out a worn out book from the bottom shelf. I sit at my desk and begin reading it. This book has been in my family's possession for years. As the last person alive, I of course would end up with it. As well with the gem that seemed to not have a purpose. It was a crimson colored gem that emitted light once in a while. My mother was probably the only person who knew what it does but was unfortunately killed along with my father.

Flipping through th pages carefully to not tear it. I notice two pages stuck together. I smile as I realize that maybe there is a reason that they are like this. Just as I was about to pull it apart, someone barges in. Slamming the book down I look up not surprised to see max. "Well come in I guess" I say chuckling. "Lillian! Has father told you anything yet?" he asks me. His blue eyes stared at me intently as he nervously fixes his messy blonde hair. "If your talking about the marriage proposal than yes." Answering calmly as I intertwine my hands.

"How are you so calm about this! I know you wouldn't agree especially after...." He stops speaking after noticing the glare coming his way. He looks down and mutters sorry.

"No need to remind me of that fact." Shaking my head. "I have no intentions of marrying you. It seems that an advisor of your father has put him up to this" I tell him.

He makes a silent oh as the realization hits him. "That makes sense since father would have never thought about this. But what did you tell him?" he asks as he takes a seat in the chair in front my desk. "I told him I would think about it but you obviously know i'm going to say no. So calm down." sighing again.

"Sorry, it's just that alice and I have been thinking about telling father about us" he tells me while looking at his hand. His ears where bright red and I smiled. "Thats the best news ive heard all week. Good going my dear friend" I say and he laughs awkwardly. "Im honestly thankful for everything you have done for me Lily." he tells me. "No need to thank me because thats what friends are for. Now shoo, Your father has given me more paper work. Unless you also came here to help" I tell him signaling all the paperwork in front of me. "Ah, sorry on behalf of my father. I'll take my leave" he stood up and quickly walks out my office. I laugh at how he actually looked frightened at the idea of helping.

Prince max and I became good friends after saving his life with a healing spell. He had fallen out the tree when playing outside. The damn fool managed to escape the guards since he wasnt allowed to play outside the palace. He was amazed that I could do magic and wanted me to teach him. We where only 10 at that time. Unfortunately for him is that he had a black core. Maybe it was for the best because even now the people hated magic. If the Crown Prince was able to do magic then the people would accuse the family of devil worshipping and whatever other nonsense they loved to spout.

Mages where born with a brown core. If they trained it then they could raise the level of their mana core. I had a light blue mana core which I had worked on hard to getting to this stage. It wasn't until I was able to end a 5 year war. It made me chuckle as a memory resurfaced. Max was angry after he learned that I joined the war efforts. He begged his father to let me be in his war council. King Arthur or father as he liked me to call him in private. After all he had raised me in place of my parents after their death. He let me but only if I showed some type of skill in strategizing and being able to fight.

Luckily, I had read all types of books in their library which gave me some help. My father before he died used to be a knight. Training under him had also helped me improve my mana a bit. Helping strategize and fight alongside the war. In the one year I had joined. The war was easily won. Then they finally realized mages weren't totally evil. Still, I received death threats at home constantly