Lily shifted on her feet nervously. In front of her were the large oak doors that led to the Kings court. In a few minutes she would enter them into a totally new world, a world different from anything she had ever experienced. To tell the truth Lily was scared out of her mind. She was afraid, she was afraid that they would make her to stay here forever, that she was going to be locked here never to see what was really out in the world. Cringing she flattened her green gown trying to rein in her emotions. A few deep breaths brought them under control, but barely. Horns sounded inside the room and one of the oak doors opened.
A man in his thirties cleared his throat and practically sang Lily’s titles, “I present to you Her Lady Lilith of Heartwood and of Elkdam in the Amazonian Islands.” She walked forward head held high smiling at the court, no sign of her previous worries showed. At the end of the long room she stopped before the King & Prince and gave them a proper curtsy. She stood waiting for the King to speak. I have to admit that Imjane does know what she is doing when it comes to things of court. If not anything else, Lily thought to herself happily. Before the trip Lily’s stepmother schooled her on all the etiquette of court. Imjane was a harsh teacher, but her training paid off, Lily looked stunning and she was the quintessence of a young noblewoman.
“Welcome to Albien our beloved capital. I hope your trip here was a pleasant one,” the King said in a booming voice. “We, and I do speak for all the men in Albien when I say this, are very happy to have a young woman, who must clearly be the most beautiful in all the Sun Kingdom adorn our court. I hope you enjoy yourself here because I’m sure many will be rejoice at your presence,” he said looking at the young men on one wall of the great hall. He look at the side where the young women sat clearly upset at the new “jewel” at court, the King gave her a quick wink when she realized where he was looking and then dismissed her.
Lily sat through the rest of the introductions of new nobles, but the King did not speak so long to anyone as he did her. After an hour or so of introductions everyone headed to the Pavilion of Rays to meet and greet. Lily did her best to enjoy the lovely area with its beautiful flowers in all kinds of reds, oranges, and yellows, but young kept bumping into her. After the third time of talking to a man then finding his hands were wandering up some inappropriate place she had had enough. The man had been thirty-nine and lured her into a discussion about what the animals of the sea looked like when he had tried it. Lily promptly excused herself from the gathering saying she wasn’t feeling well.
When she was way out of hearing distance she shuttered and said, “Thirty-nine thirty-nine, twenty-two years my senior that’s just disgusting.” To herself she thought, I have no idea how long I will be able to take this before I lose my head and shout my frustrations out on the King. Then its off to Execution Hill with me. Lily continued down the hallway to her rooms deciding it was time for her to go to bed, despite the fact it was still late afternoon. Lily had decided she was to run away that night and she needed as much sleep as she could get. She just had to get that book deciphered.
Bookmarks