"Has my father been inford about ?"
"Prince Jyllian wanted to, but I dissuaded him. He is in bad health, and I thought that it wouldn’t help him if we gave him a hope that would later be crushed if anything bad happened."
"I’ve heard about his health. What exactly does he have?"
They are talking about my gramps and granny. I start listening with interest again, with my heart pounding within my chest.
"He has contracted a strange disease that makes him weak and sleepy. Sotis he has a high fever that leaves him bedridden for days; sotis he passes weeks without much trouble."
"I see... I have never heard of sothing like that before."
"That sounds like symptoms of prolonged mana draining. It happens when a person with a normal pool of mana tries to feed a mana-eating creature."
Oh, I know what she ans.
Lovelace feeds on mana, and I’ve been feeding her during the last three years. But my mana reserve is leagues above the one of normal people.
In the beginning, Yaci wanted to share the responsibility with . Lovelace refused at first, saying that it would make her ill, but she insisted so much that Lovelace caved in.
’There’s no teacher better than experience,’ she said at the ti, and she was right. In less than one week, Yaci was bedridden with a harsh fever.
Yaci never asked to share the duty again.
"So is there a being leeching on his mana?"
Shalia was looking at Lovelace wide-eyed.
"Shalia... Lovelace was crucial in the rescue efforts, and her talents are unmatched in the realms of man. You can trust what she says."
"I’m not affirming that there is one. But that it might be, as the symptoms are too similar. It wouldn’t cost to take a look at it."
"Then co to the palace as soon as possible, the three of you. I get that you were suspicious that sothing bad happened, but I guarantee your safety. The crown prince’s forces are being deployed as we talk."
"Thank you, Shalia. I was afraid Duke Addlington would have beco so powerful and influential that we would be at risk if found."
"He did increase his influence over the last years, and even more now with the king’s illness. But Queen Thieda has been a good regent and keeps the court reined in."
"That’s good to know. Then, if you two have finished breakfast, let’s go."
Yay.
Let’s ed gramps and granny.
:::
When we got close to the palace entrance, Lillian and I took out the wigs and wiped off the makeup.
Then we walked the last hundred ters and went straight to the main entrance.
"P-princess??"
One of the two guards stationed at the main gate of the outer walls of the palace recognized Lillian imdiately, while the other just looked confused at his reaction.
Shalia took the front, lowering her hood just enough for the knights to be able to see her face before putting it back up again.
"Yes, it’s Princess Lillian coming back. Is the king receiving guests today?"
"Yes, lady Shalia. King Halinard is in the throne room with the queen."
"Thank you."
We enter the palace’s outer garden and head in. My mother’s posture changed completely the mont we arrived at the gates.
She’s now walking with the dignified deanor of an actual princess. I don’t think I rember her behaving like that before.
Even though we’re wearing cheap commoner clothes, she looks resplendent and fits in with the opulence of the place.
She’s a natural at this. A true princess.
The guards at the next gates have the sa reaction as the first ones. The older knights rember her face and recognize her imdiately, while the newer ones get confused by the events.
Soon the commotion spreads through the palace, so by the ti we reach the throne room, the guards at that door are already waiting for us.
"Welco back, princess Lillian."
"Thank you, Daniel. I see that the years have been gentle with you."
"And even more with you, milady. Your beauty knows no bounds."
The gray-haired guard Mom called Daniel gives her a deep and graceful bow. From his uniform, he seems to be in a higher position than any other we passed on the way here.
I bet that he ca to personally guard the throne room door only so he could talk to my mother.
Mom nods courteously, then enters the throne room, followed by , Shalia, and Lovelace.
I’m shaking in my knees.
I’ll et a king. A proper, real king.
And more than that, he’s my grandfather. Whom I’ll be eting for the first ti today.
And he probably doesn’t even know yet that Lillian had a child.
I’m so nervous aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!
On the other hand, Mom, Shalia, and Lovelace look so nonchalant about it all.
No, that’s not right. I can sense that Mom is nervous. She’s just hiding it so well it’s enviable. Shalia is probably used to coming here, and Lovelace... well, is Lovelace.
So yeah, the three cool won and the trembling, pathetic child.
The king gets up from his throne as soon as he sees us. The queen gets up with him and helps him tread down the stairs. He seems very fragile indeed.
Shalia is on one knee, with her right hand over her chest and bowing down. Lovelace quickly follows, and I do it as well.
"L-Lillian? Is that really you?"
"Father. Mother. It’s . I’m back."
"Welco ho, my daughter. Where have you been all this ti?"
I can sense that both my mother and her parents are making an effort to hold back the desire to hug each other, so they’re going through that ceremonious talk.
Being a royal is such a hassle. Let people express their emotions, damn it.
"I was taken captive twelve years ago and lived as a slave for that ti, until I was rescued by so brave people."
"A slave..."
Both the king and the queen can’t hide their shock at the sudden revelation.
"Yes. This is my daughter born in captivity, Aurea, and our friend Lovelace, who was instruntal to our rescue."
"You two, please be at ease on your feet. You too, Shalia."
Mom introduced us, and the king ordered us to get up, so we do it. He is still pale and seems about to faint at any mont.
Too much emotionally charged information at the sa ti for a weakened body.
Theida offers her arm again to support him, and he addresses Lillian again.
"But, before anything else, tell , my daughter. Who was the one responsible for your capture and slavery?"
Mother straightens even more before speaking. She does it with a clear and icy voice, loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.
"The one who captured and held captive for twelve years was Duke Addlington."
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