Chapter 39
(Lily’s POV)
The next three days passed in a blur.
Zion had been cold, and distant to me. He would walk past me in the hallways, and ignore me in the dining room like I didn’t exist.
Meanwhile, Lucien was the opposite. He was everywhere; holding open doors, pulling out chairs, whispering small compliments and making jokes at the dinner table, some of which even made Zelda giggle.
He was sweet… too sweet. And if I didn’t know better, I would’ve thought I was living a romantic fantasy, only it didn’t feel right.
I also tried not to think about last night when Celeste cornered me on my way to my room.
It seemed she couldn’t keep up the mask of being sweet and friendly towards me before the royals.
“You should really leave on your own,” she had barked when she cornered me near the staircase. “You don’t belong here and you’re only making things worse for Zion.”
I furrowed my eyebrows, unwilling to back down. “What do you mean?”
“Oh please, you and everyone knows that Zion and I are perfect for each other. It’s just quite unfortunate that the dumb goddess doesn’t know how to do her job and paired you both as mates…” she spat with a condescending look.
Oh, she knows about Zion and I being mates. Perfect.
I smirked. “Girl, your insecurity is loud. Because why bother to confront me, instead of your boyfriend… if indeed, you both are on good terms or perfect for each other.”
Her cheeks instantly turned red, and smoke seemed to erupt from her ears. I fought the chuckle.
“I’m warning you, Lily. Stay away from my man or I’ll make history repeat itself! I won’t hesitate to have you sent out of this palace again!” she warned, storming off angrily.
Heat sparked beneath my fingers. What did she just say? She’d have history repeat itself and have me sent out of the palace again?
No, no no… Celeste can’t possibly have had any hand in making them send me out of the palace, can she? I must just be paranoid. Celeste was a good girl and my close friend- she just changed… she possibly couldn’t have hated me before now.
Tonight, during dinner, the King’s deep voice pulled me back to reality.
“The academy has completed repairs of the buildings, and the emergency break is over,” he said, slicing through his steak. “I have been told that students are expected to resume in two day’s time.”
I gasped loudly, and Zelda, Lucien, Zion and Celeste looked surprised too. No one thought we would be resuming this soon.
But the king wasn’t done, he turned to me. “Lily, Aunt Lamia hasn’t returned to the realm yet. We’ve sent word, but until she does, you’ll continue staying here… at the palace.”
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Chapter 39
I swallowed hard, my chest tightening. I was grateful, but everything felt overwhelming. I didn’t plan to go to school with Zion and Zelda… not that it was a bad idea, but my friends; Dev, Tobe and Aria, expect that we resume school together. It was our thing.
I wondered how they would feel seeing me walk into school with Zion and Zelda. Oh no, plus I hadn’t told them Zelda’s upcoming birthday party too.
yet
about
Zelda grinned widely. “Wow! That’s amazing, Dad. So Lily would go with us to school… what about Lucien?” she asked excitedly, and the king just shrugged.
“It’s his choice if he wants to stay here too. He can stay as long as he wants.”
Then Lucien smiled, biting into his meal. “Uncle, I’d love that too.”
“Perfect! We’ll all go to school together; me, Lily, Lucien and Zion. So sweet!” Zelda said excitedly.
But Celeste slammed her fork on the table.
“You seem to be forgetting me. I’m here remember?! And I’ll be going to school with you guys. Like I said, I have come to stay!” she yelled, standing to her feet before stomping off.
Everyone, including the King and Queen, were surprised at her outburst. The Queen gestured for Zion to follow after Celeste, and the frustrated young man just stood up and followed.
I scoffed and kept eating. When was Zion going to finally tell his parents about us?
Zion never returned, and the rest of the dinner continued quietly.
***
I returned to my room to calm my swirling thoughts. I had just brushed my hair and was staring at my reflection in the mirror when a soft knock at my door interrupted me.
I went to open the door but there was no one outside. It was just the dim light from the hallway and the sound of the palace guards changing shifts again.
I stepped out, confused.
Then I looked down.
A single card rested on the floor, decorated with a hand–tied ribbon and a small bouquet of delicate wildflowers. I picked it up with shaky hands and opened the card.
“Dear Lily,
I would love to make what we have real. Please, let’s have a quiet time to talk tomorrow.
-Lucien”
My breath caught in my throat. I staggered back into the room, sitting on the edge of my bed. The flowers trembled in my fingers, and my heart pounded fast. I read the note again… was Lucien falling in love with me?
Lucien had been a kind, warm and friendly young man. He never raised his voice or looked at me like I was less.
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Chapter 39
As I sat there, card in hand, tears pricked the corners of my eyes. We had promised not to fall in love with each other while fake dating but now this… this was just too much.
I placed the flowers in a vase by my bed, and smoothed the petals gently.
Then I laid back on my bed, card still clutched in hand. I let the silence of the palace wrap around me, but it wasn’t peace that found me… it was that sinking, terrifying feeling that Lucien was going to get hurt again.
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