4 Chapter 3: The Path of Summer

A week ago in the town of Langen where the mansion of the lord of the region stands. A girl and her handmaiden sits in the middle of a garden just behind the mansion. Together they are making crowns of flowers as puffy, white clouds drift lazily overhead.

The girl wears a light blue dress with yellow patterned trimmings on the end of the sleeves and a waist band of the same color and pattern. Her face glows with the youth of a seven year old maiden and her amber eyes shine with a happiness that can only be matched by her innocent smile. The flowers she has chosen for her crown are of the colors yellow, purple, red and blue. She listens as her handmaiden tells her a story that causes a giggle to escape them both.

"My, my you've become quite skilled at weaving my lady.", the handmaiden comments as she looks to the girl's creation. The handmaiden herself is young. Perhaps of the age of sixteen with golden blonde hair and grey eyes.

"It's all thanks to you Malinda. You're a remarkable teacher.", the girl replies with the sweetest voice.

"Aww... why thank you my lady, but I must admit your determination and eagerness to learn makes it easy.", Malinda returns. Just then a sound is heard by the two ladies that announces the approach of the girl's older brother.

They turn their heads to him as he stops to the side of them. He is a sturdy young man; sold and strong. He himself is of the age of twelve and already a skillful swordsman and hunter with a bow.

"Lillian, mother and father wants to see you. Some sort of good news they said.", he says to them.

"Alright, I'm coming! Thank you Justin.", she says cheerfully getting up.

"Don't forget your crown my lady. You can give it to whomever you made it for.", Malinda quickly reminds Lillian.

"Oh! Thank you!", she picks up her makeshift crown and turns to her brother. "Here Justin it's for you.", she says. Justin looks down at the crown. He knows if he accepts it his dear sister would expect him to wear it. He looks to her with an unsure look. The handmaiden giggles with her hand over her mouth good heartedly. "Please accept it, will you.", Lillian pleas.

"Only if I can wear it indoors when no visitors are here.", Justin says finally.

"Fine.", Lillian concedes happily. With that Justin takes the crown from her and puts it on.

"Alright, let's go. Mother and father are waiting remember?", he reminds her. Lillian follows him with a nod and Malinda behind them.

Lillian's mother and father wait for them in the family room. The sunlight shines through the windows and her parents' sit in their respective chairs in front of the fireplace.

The room in which they are in is decorated with red velvet walls and small stone carved figurines on the mantle of the fireplace. A bear's head hangs on the left wall while a buck hangs across from it on the right wall. Unlighted candles line the top of the entrance to the room. The furniture is elegantly arranged around the fireplace area so that the family and visitors could all bask in its warmth in the cold months of winter when seated. Exquisite artwork is placed on either side of the mounted buck and bear while a family portrait can be found hanging over the fireplace.

As Lillian and Justin walk in their father raises his head to them.

"Ah...! My children come in and seat. Lillian, we have the most exciting news for you as well as for our family as a whole.", he says to them as they walk in. Lillian and Justin take a seat on the couch that encloses the seating area around the unlighted fireplace. Malinda, who had followed the young Lackburds in from the garden, stays near the entrance and stands by the southern wall of the room.

"What is it father? What is this news that has you so excited?", Lillian asks getting caught up in her father's contagiously pleasant mood.

"As you know the greatest honor a daughter of any lord in the realm can receive is to be chosen as a possible fiancée for the crown prince.", it is Lillian's mother who speaks first before her husband can answer and the voice in which she talks is that of pure joy and pride for her daughter. At that moment Lillian knows what she is going to say next, but she allows her mother to go on any way. "Lillian, you have been chosen as a candidate to be the one to win Prince Winston's heart.", Lady Lackburd reveals. Lillian sits shocked at first, but then quickly recovers.

"So I have the chance to become the next queen?", she says awe struck.

"That's great Lillian! It does make sense. After all our family is one of the most honored in the kingdom.", Justin says placing his arm around his sister in a congratulatory embrace.

"Of course you have only been chosen to be considered, my dear, but that doesn't mean you should feel any less honored.", Lillian's father chimes in reminding her that the title of future queen is not yet hers. Lady Lackburd nods her head in agreement.

"That's right. Now that you have been chosen you must prepare yourself. You are the second maiden to be a candidate and it's likely that you won't be the last.", her mother tells her seriously now. The excitement fades from Lillian's body and is replaced by unsureness. Her smile and widened eyes also become scarce.

"So what do I do then?", she asks somberly.

"You will meet the prince in a week. In that time we will make our way to the capital to have dinner with the royal family. It is there you will meet him.", her father responds.

"It is there you will try to make an attempt to establish a connection with the prince. If you do, hopefully he will want to see you again. If he does then you're on your way. If he doesn't. Then…"

"Then I will make sure we connect.", Lillian interrupts her mother with a humble determination that could be seen in her eyes.

"That's my girl! Just do your best! That is all we could ask for!", her father says in a hearty laugh. The mood in the room once again becomes light and joyful as everyone recaptures their smiles.

....

After the meeting with her family Lillian seats in her room at her mirror. She gazes at her reflection as thoughts race through her mind. All of them about her meeting with Prince Winston.

<i>What will he be like? How does he look? What should I wear? What do I say to him? How can I make sure I don't do or say anything that will embarrass my family or myself?</i>

Suddenly she becomes nervous and her body begins to shake as her mind starts to hurt and her palms sweaty. She closes her eyes tight with a small sound escaping her. Malinda had been preparing Lillian's clothes and positions for travel in the room when she hears the sound and looks to Lillian to see the state she is in.

"Oh dear.", Malinda speaks as she rushes over to her darling lady. She places her hand on Lillian's head and begins to stroke her while humming a most soothing tune. The motion and sound calms Lillian and the young rose opens her eyes. She looks once again to the mirror and sees Malinda behind her with the sweetest smile.

The relationship between these two is as old and deep as the valleys that could be found in the west of the kingdom. Malinda has looked after Lillian since she was old enough to walk. Ever since that first meeting, their bond has been strong and true. To Lillian, Malinda is like an older sibling to whom she shares her most valuable secrets with.

"Now what's gotten you in such a stressful state?", Malinda asks Lillian as she places her arms around her in an embrace.

"It is this meeting with the prince, Malinda. How do I even know I want to be his queen when I have never even met him?", Lillian confesses.

"Well that's why you're meeting him now. To see if he wants you and you want him.", Malinda offers.

"What if I don't want to be his queen, but he wants me.", counters Lillian. Malinda chuckles.

"First of all, I have always heard Prince Winston is the most charming and princely prince ever to grace this kingdom and that it's actually genuine. Secondly, if it does turn out that way, which I don't think it will, all you have to do is make him not want you. While at the same time retaining the honor of your family name of course.", Lillian and Malinda both chuckle at Malinda's words.

"Of course. Hmm...I don't think he will be a bad person. Honestly, I am more worried about me doing something utterly stupid and embarrassing myself.", Lillian goes on.

"Oh, hogwash! Don't think like that. Just be you and everything will go the way it is meant to and how it is meant go is already known by he who created us.", Malinda speaks as her voice becomes more somber with every word. She rests her head on Lillian's shoulder and sighs. "So just trust him and yourself.", she goes in a whisper. She then delivers a kiss upon Lillian's cheek.

....

One week later the Lackburds arrive at the capital. As their carriage rides through the streets, Lillian can't help but to look out at the buildings and people who look so cosmopolitan to her. She looks back to the smaller carriage behind them where Malinda and a few other servants traveled by.

<i>I wonder what Malinda thinks of this place. Neither her nor I have been to the capital before, she thinks.</i>

It evening when they arrive. The sun is beginning to sink towards the west from which they had come. As they are coming up to the royal castle Lillian spots the king and queen awaiting their arrival, but she does not see Prince Winston. Her expression changes to that of wondering.

<i>Where could he be? I thought I'd be able to see him before dinner.</i>

She brushes her disappointment aside and instead focuses on making a good first impression on the mother and father instead. After the carriage stops and the announcer announces their arrival. The doors are opened and Lillian's father is the first to step out. His wife and children follow.

"Hail to my great king and fairest queen! My family and I are honored to have been summoned by you for an evening of breaking bread!", Lord Lackburd starts by giving the appropriate formal welcome. Lillian gives a bow alongside her family when he finishes the greeting.

"Now, now Grifford my old friend. You know it is always a pleasure to see you.", the king says while approaching Lillian's father. Lillian watches as her father and the king hug each other with friendly laughs and faces. She then witnesses the queen greeting her mother.

"Catharine, dear. How are you?", the queen says.

"Fine, thank you."

Once the greetings conclude the king and queen step back to face them all.

"This must be Lillian and Justin.", Lillian meets the queen's eyes as she catches her attention.

"Yes, I am your highness. It is a pleasure to meet you.", Lillian says while curtsying.

"What an adorable child she is! As you may know you have been chosen as a possible wife for Prince Winston. With that being said dinner tonight will be about you two and whether you two may be engaged.", the queen speaks directly to Lillian who takes them in with all seriousness. While listening Lillian maintains a calm disposition.

"Is he not here now your highness I was hoping to meet him before dinner.", Lillian says when the queen finishes.

"Normally yes, he would have been here. However, he is presently at his horseback riding lessons and will not be here until before dinner.", it is the king who speaks.

"In that case I suppose we should take our leave and rest up for tonight.", Lord Lackburd responds.

"Of course my friend. The guest rooms are fully furnished and ready for all of you.", the king informs them. Lillian is surprised at how her parents converse so easily with the members of the royal family. As the servants lead Lillian and her family inside the castle she looks to her brother.

"Does mother and father know the royal family well?", she asks him.

"Of course. Father knows King Erben well. Grandfather worked as part of the former king's court. That is when and where they met.", Justin tells Lillian. Lillian's expression turns to one of surprise. To think that her family already has such close ties with the royal family outside of marriage or kin. Then Lillian remembers that her father does hold the most power out of the lords of the realm. It would only make sense that her family would have caught the attention of the king and queen.

The time for dinner had arrived and Lillian is going over her look one last time while Malinda is making last minute touch ups to Lillian's hair.

"Soo, how do you feel?", Malinda says cheery and smiling.

"Good... Calm... Maybe a little nervous."

"Don't be. Remember what I told you. Trust yourself.", Malinda comforts and encourages.The two smile together at themselves in the mirror. At that moment, a knock comes from the other side of the door.

"Yes?", Malinda answers as she turns toward the door.

"I would like to inform Lady Lillian that dinner is about to begin and that Prince Winston has arrived." comes the voice of a servant.

"Very well. She has heard your message, thank you.", Malinda goes on before turning to Lillian. She is making her way to the door.

"I guess I better head to the dining hall then.", she says to Malinda.

"I'll come with you. To make sure you find your way.", Malinda obliges.

When Lillian arrives to the dining hall she is awe struck by its beauty and elegance. As she enters she makes her way to a chair on the other side of her brother only to be stopped by the queen herself.

"My dear, you'll be seating in the second chair to the right of the king across from your father." she informs Lillian. With a nod of acknowledgment Lillian makes her way to the designated chair. She notices the chair on her left is empty. She eyes the chair for a quick moment.

<i>Is this-?</i>

"Yes sweet child that is where Prince Winston shall seat.", the queen speaks as if she could guess what Lillian was thinking. Lillian looks from the queen to everyone else sitting. Then to the door of the hall. She notices there is someone else present at the table. He is seated by her and is impressive to behold. She must have looked at him too long for he turns to her.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance.", he says.

"Lillian, this is Sir Jamonson he is a well-known horseback riding teacher and is in fact the teacher of Prince Winston. He will be joining us this evening.", it is Lillian's father who speaks. Lillian is surprised to see that such a man is the teacher of the prince. It actually makes Prince Winston seem more impressive to her before even meeting him personally.

"How do you do?", she greets him. Before he could answer, the door to the hall opens as the arrival of Prince Winston is announced. Lillian looks to him as he walks in and gives an apology for being late.

He is handsome to her and seems as equally impressive as his teacher. She feels as if she is in a trance as she listens to his voice even though she could not clearly hear his words. Her fears about him soon melt away, but her fears about herself feel as if they are going to return. However, when he seems to become embarrassed under her own parents comments they melt away and she remembers to be calm. She turns to him.

"It's okay I get embarrassed too when under a lot of attention.", Lillian says to him honestly. A wave of nervousness hits Lillian as she meets his eyes, but she quickly reminds herself to stay calm. Although, she can't find anymore words to say, which isn't bad considering that the queen had begun to talk anyway.

Lillian watches as Prince Winston rise to greet her personally and quite formally. It seems to Lillian that Malinda was right. He is quite a princely prince. As conversation starts back up Lillian realizes that a great deal of attention will be placed on her and the prince, but she soon notices that the conversation is slowly but surely being lead from them to Sir Jamonson. Lillian looks to Prince Winston and his father then to Jamonson.

<i>Are they really doing that? Why would they though?</i>

Her eyes look back to the prince.

<i>What could he be planning?,</i> she wonders.