6 Margaret

"So, what's the wish you have to grant?" Roman asked seated across Lillian. The table right in between them is the only thing Lillian has to hide her shame from him.

Servants entered the room, bringing plates upon plates of meat, fruits, vegetables and wine. They laid them down on the table along with the goldware before taking their leave.

Roman picked up an apple, inspected it in his hands and dropped it back. He frowned at the food in front of them, seemingly bored.

"Help yourself. After all, you are my beloved guest. Dearest Fairy Godmother~." His smiled was kind but his tone was mocking.

How did I end up having dinner with him? I was supposed to find the Duchess.

"Oh, I hope you don't mind. I invited my very best friend to dine with us."

"It's no problem, your highness." Lillian smiled through gritted teeth. "But, you can't tell them that I'm the Fairy Godmother."

"Really~? And why is that?" He leaned against one arm, a smug look on his face.

"I don't know how you came to know of my identity. But no one else can know." She hissed. "I would like to keep that part a secret if you would be so kind as to humour me."

"Oh~ I feel so special~. I'm the only one that knows who the Fairy Godmother is. Isn't that wonderful ~?" He sounds amused.

Don't fall for it, Lillian. He's just going to get to you. But how does someone look that flawlessly good?

Author, you're definitely playing favourites!

(Author: Look, it's not my fault you look like a shaggy alpaca. Do something about that hair of yours.)

"Wait. How did you come to know that I was the Fairy Godmother? Where you, perhaps, spying on little ol' insignificant me?" Lillian threw him back a sheepish smile.

Two can play it that game.

He looked unaffected, drinking wine from his goblet. "Do you know the racket you made ever since you came here? You even destroyed a part of my garden."

"Ah." Lillian turned red. "A-about that. I fixed it back, didn't I?"

"Your friend fixed it back, you mean." He stared her down from his seat, making her feel itty bitty.

"I must say -" he placed the empty goblet down on the table, pouring himself more "- out of all the Fairy Godmothers I've seen, you have to be the worst, most incompetent one."

"Is your entire persona like this? You're wasting such a beautiful face with that personality." Lillian couldn't care less about addressing him respectfully anymore. "It's such a crime."

"Is that so~? How should a person with my face behave then?"

Lillian's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "You should always smile genuinely, like the smile you showed me in the garden. Heaven's gate opened up to me at that time. Then you should be kind and thoughtful, helpful and sweet."

He scoffed, "If you say so."

His expression turned cold.

He took a long gulp of wine, slamming the goblet down on the table.

Just then the doors opened and a woman entered.

"Your majesty." She greeted.

The Duchess !?!

"Margaret." Roman got up from his seat, enveloping her in a tight embrace. "Come this way, watch your step."

"Your majesty, have you gotten checked up about your magic?"

"Margaret."

"You know I worry about you, you're a king without magic. Anyone can hurt you at this rate."

"Don't worry, I'll see what I can do about that, ok?"

"Good."

He held, spoked and looked at her so gently Lillian could not believe that he is the same person from before.

He pulled out a chair for her and after making sure she was comfortable, he went back to his seat. His demeanour changed when he looked back at Lillian's expression.

He smugly raised an eyebrow making her seeth in frustration.

"Hello. Who is this now?" The Duchess asked, her piercing green eyes on Lillian.

"Oh. Forgive me. I forgot about the introductions. Margaret, this is . . . wait, what's your name again?"

Lillian let out an overdramatic gasp. "Your majesty, I can't believe you." She took out a handkerchief and dabbed her eyes. "Coming all this way to look after you and you forget my name."

"Look after? Whatever do you mean?" Margaret asked, clearly believing every word she said.

"My dearest Duchess," Lillian sniffled "I live miles and miles away, hearing of the King's condition and, out of the goodness of my heart, decide to come here, braving wind and storm, to see what I can do to help him. And here I am, treated like this. Oh, I have left all my family and work behind for him and this . . . this . . ." She buried her face into her handkerchief, fake sobbing.

"Roman!" Margaret scolded. "I always told you to be kinder to others. Are you alright, my lady?"

She walked over to Lillian, taking her into her arms. "I'm sorry about Roman. He's not used to being nice to people. Now, Roman, you apologise and we'll start with our introductions properly." She shot a glare his way, "Roman."

She looked up at him, a gentle smile was plastered on his face but she could see the bloodlust hidden behind it.

She smiled triumphantly at him.

This will teach you to call me the worst and most incompetent Fairy Godmother without even giving me a chance.

"I humbly apologise my lady." Roman walked from his chair towards Lillian, crouching eye level to her. "I didn't mean to hurt such a pretty lady."

He pinched the sides of her cheeks, stretching them while still smiling gently.

"Will you ever forgive me?" He smirked. "Whatever shall I do if you don't. Do say you'll forgive me, my lady! Please do!"

"Yes. Yes. Now let go." She tapped at his hands.

"I am so glad."

F***ing fake enthusiasm.

"That's wonderful." Margaret smiled broadly. "Now, for the proper introductions. I am the Duchess of Lenhd, Margaret Atkins. Married to the Duke of Lenhd and we have three lovely children." She extended a hand towards Roman. "This is his majesty, the King of Vetil, Roman Farbridge the Second."

"Hello, my name is Lillian Lovell. I came from a very very distant country after hearing of the king's . . . problem, hoping I would be able to help."

"And what is the name of the country? Why don't you show us in the maps?" Roman asked, smiling.

"That's a brilliant idea. I would love to know too, Lady Lillian. Could you show us?" She called a servant to bring the map.

Lillian smiled back. "Of course."

Ha! You think you got me? I read enough books to be prepared for this situation. I even have my entire birth story ready. Bring it!

Her eyes burned with fury.

She looked at the map they brought, inspecting it then shook her head. "I'm sorry, Duchess. It's not here."

"What do you mean?"

"This map extends only until the borders of Jdsj. I came from further than that."

Margaret gasped. "How did you arrive here? No one has gone further than the borders of Jdsj. Nor has anyone come from there."

Lillian grinned.

"Magic."

She moved her fingers and blue smoke swirled around her hand. She created smoke rabbits with it, they hopped around the room, some snuggling in the Duchess's belly. Even Roman was entranced by the rabbits, he patted one in the head. A small smile spread across his face.

"What are these?" Margaret asked, holding one in her hand.

"In my place, we call them rabbits. They love to eat leaves and frolic on the grass."

"Fascinating. What magic do you use?" Margaret was completely taken in by Lillian's story.

"It's a secret, Duchess. There are people that wish to use me for their own gains so I'm a little cautious. I'm sorry I can't reveal it to you." Lillian apologised.

"No no. It's not your fault. I was prying a little too much. That would explain why you are wearing a mask." She beamed. "Hopefully with you, his majesty may be able to awaken his magic."

"Margaret. You know that I don't have any." He sounds irritated. But with the bunnies all curled up and sleeping on his head, shoulders and lap, he didn't look so intimidating.

"You do. I know you do." Margaret insisted. He took his hand in her own. "Just try, ok? Please?"

"Alright. I will try." He sighed.

"Brilliant. I best be heading back now. Oh! Lady Lillian, may I take some of them back to my chambers? They are the cutest little darlings."

"Of course, Duchess. Rest up well." She gave a small bow.

Once the Duchess was out of sight Lillian let out a deep breath of relief.

"Oh my goodness! I didn't think that would work." She gasped, her heartbeat could be felt from her throat.

"Are these creatures real? Do they really exist?" Roman asked, holding the little smoke bunnies in her palm. He sat on top of the table.

When did you get there?

"Yes. Aren't they cute?"

His expression became serious. "You aren't really from beyond the border of Jdsj, are you?"

"I kinda am. You see, I am not from this world and given that no one knows anything about what is beyond the border of Jdsj, technically, I could be from there." She gave a sheepish smile.

Roman stared at her, wide-eyed. The burst into laughter. "You're smarter than you look."

Lillian had to grip the table for stability. The sarcastic retort remains on the tip of her tongue. She felt tears roll down her eyes.

I have been blessed with music from the heavens.

"A-Are you actually crying? Was it something I said?" Roman became alarmed.

Lillian wiped her eyes and smiled. "It is something you did, though not what you think . . . Although, if you want to make up for making me cry, help me get closer to the Duchess."

"Margaret?" He narrowed his eyes at her. "Why?"

"In case you forgot, your majesty, I am the fairy godmother and the Duchess is my first 'customer'." She emphasised the word 'customer' with air quotes.

"Margaret . . . made a wish?"

"Yes."

" . . . Have you granted it?"

Lillian lowered her eyes. "No. Truthfully, I don't want to. So I'm kinda stalled for time. Will you help me here, please? I promise I'm don't have any bad intentions." She pleaded, desperate because she was running out of time.

"How long did she give you?" He asked, thoughtful.

"Three days."

"She's going back in three days." He hopped down from the table and sat back on his chair, pouring more wine into his goblet. "What did she wish for?"

"As you are a person with a close relation to my client, I can't reveal that. I am sorry."

He bit on the edge of the cup, murmuring to himself.

"What did you get yourself into now, Margaret?"

He stared at her up and down. Lillian tried her best to look as unthreatening as possible.

"Alright. I will help you." He drowned the wine in one gulp.

How is he not drunk yet?

"I am not a lightweight. I drink wine for breakfast, lunch and dinner." He answered, as though reading her mind.

"So you're an alcoholic?"

"A what?"

"Nevermind. So what do you plan to do?"

He glared at her. "Shouldn't you be the one with the plans?"

"I did have a plan."

"Ok, so what's after 'find the Duchess'?"

" Uh... Are you sure you have no magic?" Lillian asked suspiciously.

"Yes. No magic since birth. I don't have a Vial nor am I a Magic Wielder. I've tried. Now about Margaret."

"Strange, I could have sworn you've been reading my mind the entire time . . . What about the Duchess?"

"You told her that you're here to help me right? So why don't we use that? You can stay in the palace and come join the Duchess and I whenever we meet up, under the pretence of checking up on me. You'll stay here until she leaves. I'll prepare a room for you."

Lillian burst into tears, snot running down her nose. "I'll get a bed to lay down on? A real bed?"

" . . . Yes. What about it?" Roman looked disgusted.

"Thank you, my beautiful angel." She sobbed loudly. "My back is about to break from spending a week and two days under the tree. It HURTS!" She wailed, rubbing her back.

"Ok. Ok. I understand. I'll go tell them to prepare the room. Wait here and I'll send a servant for you." With that Roman power-walked to the door.

"Ah. Lillian?"

"You called my name~!" She bawled and quickly tried to calm herself down. Wiping her tears she answered, "Yes?"

"Is it true that people are after you?"

"Why? Are you worried about me, my lord~?" Lillian teased.

"Never mind. Stay here, don't move, otherwise, you'll get lost again." He closed the door, making his way down the hall.

"Marietta!" He called to a maid.

"Yes, your highness?" She scurried to him and curtsied.

"Can you prepare a bedroom for one of my guests. She'll be staying a while."

"Yes, your highness."

"Make sure the bed is soft and that the room is not too drafty. Maybe one of the rooms that face the Old Sage's garden."

"But, your highness, the only room that faces that direction is your room and the late King's room."

". . . Then move my room to father's old chambers. Just prepare the room then call her. She is waiting in the dining hall. Also, send some guards to oversee her."

"Yes, your highness. Right away."

Before she could scurry away Roman stopped her. "Oh, by the way, Marietta, have you seen the Duchess?"

"She's in her room, Sire. Resting."

"Ok. Have you heard anything from anyone about her? Anything at all?"

"No, sire. Is there something I should have heard about?"

"No. No. Just keep your ears peeled and if you hear anything, come tell me."

"Yes, sire."

"Alright. I'll go see the Duchess. And, Marietta, don't tell my guest anything, alright?"

"Yes, sire."

"Good. That will be all. What have you gotten yourself into now, Margaret?"