28 - Lily

Cursing under her breath, she bent over to feel how deep the water is. The pond wasn't too deep. Her fingertips barely brushed the bottom. Leaning forward she searched and almost lost her balance. Almost as in someone had grabbed her collar. Straightening, she turned to see a young boy her age.

He had long straight white hair that was tied in a high ponytail with a purple ribbon. The dark purple matched his eyes. He wore a soldier's uniform with a sword tied to his waist. The soldier's uniform for junior trainees were white and yellow. He had tied a purple handkerchief around his neck.

His features were pretty and delicate, more feminine. His hands that held her were long and thin. He had pulled her away from the pond's edge, closer to him. His hands gripped her forearms. "Are you alright, Miss?"

She stared at the boy's purple eyes. They were really pretty, like an amethyst. "Who... Who are you?"

"Forgive my rudeness, miss. I am Lilian Teolwy," he said with a smile. "And you are?"

She felt her cheeks grow hot at his stare. His face was too close to her. "Anemone Castiano," she answered. She fidgeted in his arms.

"Anemone... Oh, like the flower? My friends call me Lily. It's also a flower name too." He grimaced a little. "But they also tease me as it's a girl's name.

"Lily is a beautiful name," she said as she thought about it. It was odd for a boy to have that name. She made the gesture to move away. He helped her stand. "Um... I dropped my brooch I received from the Queen in the pond and was trying to get it. Can you help me get it?"

He made a surprised face and moved her back. "I thought you were trying to pick a lotus. Stand back and I'll help you retrieve it."

She watched him close his eyes and gestured with an arm. When he opened his eyes, she saw the glow in the eyes. Fascinated, she stared as the boy levitated the brooch from the waters. She was watching someone use magic! So every time someone's eyes glowed... that's why her brother warned her of Iris. But what was Iris trying to do with her magic, she wondered.

"Here you go, Anemone," Lily said cheerfully and gave her the brooch. It was also dry, she thought.

"Is that magic you did?" Anemone enthused.

Lily rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah... but don't tell people I used it. I can get into big trouble if they know. Magic can't be used in the castle."

Anemone looked at the brooch. "I won't tell... I don't have anything to thank you for this," she realized.

Lily waved a hand in denial. "Oh no! There's no need for that. I was only trying to help." She watched his cheeks get red. She had an idea. She pinned the brooch to her dress. Raising her hands, she unwove a ribbon out of her hair.

Anemone took his wrist and tied it around his wrist. "This will be thanks, Lord Lily. Please accept it."

His face froze at her words. She assumed he probably never received a gift from a lady before. She watched him finally smile awkwardly. "T-thanks, Lady Anemone."

"Please call me Anemone. I hope to see you again," she smiled as she turned to leave. She needed to go look for her mother as it seemed a while had gone by. As she was rushing out, she didn't see the blonde hair boy come out behind a tree.