5 Meeting the King

"Rose, I have some questions. Please answer them honestly." Lillian had her mask back on, determination clear in her eyes.

"Sure. I'll answer you but make it quick. Jasmine and I have to go replenish our mana."

"Why do you have to replenish it? Isn't magic all around us as you said?"

"Let me explain properly then. I'm sorry we haven't been very clear from the beginning. Sit." She sat down on the grass beside Jasmine while Lillian sat across from then, the Old Sage behind her. It's leafless branches swaying with the breeze.

Lillian's skin glistened in the sunlight like the Old Sage's leaves did. She worried that she may look like a disco ball and they weren't saying anything out of courtesy, but she didn't dare to ask them.

"There are three types of people." Rose started. "The first two are ninety-nine per cent of the population, they are the Magic Wielders and the Magic Holders. The remaining one per cent are those who can't use magic or even absorb mana."

"So like the king?"

"Yes. Now the Magic Wielders and the Magic Holders are different. Magic Holders have a container inside of them, that container is filled up with mana and that is how Magic Holders use magic. Got it so far?"

"Yeah, yeah."

"Tell me when I lose you."

"You mean if."

Rose narrowed her eyes. "Yeah . . . if. Anyway, about the magic all around us, it can only be used by the common people, the Magic Wielders and plants. They do not have any Vitals and can just manipulate the magic around them to do whatever they want. But, we haven't seen a Magic Wielder in this kingdom, since the death of the late King."

"Common people?"

"The rarer the magic you use, the harder it is to find mana for it because it's not as readily available. Take it this way, there are different types of blood groups for different people, right? You can't inject any type of blood into a body and expect it to work."

"Yeah?"

"It's like that with mana. Different types of mana for different types of magic. As I said, the rarer the magic you use, the harder it is to find mana for it. That's why those with rare magic do the same work we do, getting paid in their specific mana and money."

"What do you guys do, exactly?" Lillian raised an eyebrow.

"Uh . . . Sorry, Lillian, we can't tell you." Jasmine jumped in. She looked extremely tired, her voice is getting weaker as she continued to talk. "We really have to go now and replenish our Vials. I don't know how long I'll be able to stay awake for anymore. Rose, portal please."

"Wait! What about me? What's my type of magic and what user am I?"

Rose summoned a portal by drawing runes with her sword, then turned her attention back to Lillian.

"Oh, we have no idea."

"Not a clue. See you later, Lillian! All the best with the wish!" Jasmine waved at her, smiling weakly.

Lillian stared at them with judgemental disappointment as they disappeared through the portal.

"They suck as NPCs. What am I supposed to do now anyway?" She asked the Old Sage.

Silence.

"Guess it's just me and my shining skin with a leafless tree. Fantastic." She rolled her eyes.

The rest of the day passed without anything memorable happening. Night came and went. Lillian had breakfast and lunch from the boxes and satchel Rose and Jasmine brought her.

Eating a bun she wondered what she would do for the rest of the day when the gate from the palace opened.

"Old Sage!"

Panicking, Lillian jumped into a bush, buns and all.

Wait, why am I hiding?

As she was about to come out of the bush, a silhouette came into view. She ducked back inside, peeking through the gaps in the bush.

Long hair flowing in the wind. A sunhat to protect from the heat of the sun. Long flowing gown.

Lillian squinted her eyes, the woman's silhouette looks familiar.

Could she be . . . the Duchess?

Just as the thought crossed her mind, the silhouette got closer and she could see her face. It is indeed the Duchess.

She wore the exact same brooch that she saw in her vision and . . . she is even prettier in person. Her red hair slowly flowing in the wind and her green eyes made her look otherworldly. She wore a simple, pink, loose fitted gown. Her hand rested on the bump in her stomach, patting it, she looked very happy.

What the hell is with this world and beautiful people? Where are the beautiful men at? Come out, come out, wherever you are. I promise I won't bite. Unless you want me to.

A twig snapping brought Lillian out of her thoughts. She quickly wiped the drool off her chin, mentally hitting herself. The Duchess stood in front of the Old Sage, staring at it. Her eyes fixated on its bare branches.

"You're such a stupid idiot." She murmured to herself. "Time to see what I can do."

With a snap of her fingers, she became invisible and delicately made her way to the Duchess, who never turned away from the tree.

"I made a wish to you yesterday but I haven't gotten a response. Were my intentions not clear enough? Did I not sound sincere enough?" The bitterness in her voice spoke volumes even if her voice isn't above a loud whisper.

Leaning against the tree, Lillian asked, "Why?"

Her voice carried over with the wind, softly echoing around them.

The Duchess looked unsurprised, she only said, "I'm not having a CHILD. Even if it kills me."

The hatred seeping through her sent chills down Lillian's spine. But the Old Sage did accept her wish so does that mean she HAS to fulfil it?

She trembled in the hot sun, her palms felt sweaty. She was going to have to remove the child, and then make sure she'll never be able to have any more. Is that what she truly wanted? Why did she look so happy then?

"A week. Give it a week. Then I'll decide." Lillian whispered, trying to stall for time. Hoping she'll take it.

"No. I'll give you three days. That's how long I'm staying here. Three days or I'm taking matters into my own hands."

Lillian flicked her wrist and a blue flower formed in front of the Duchess.

"Agreed."

The Duchess, seemingly satisfied gave a nod, took the flower and walked away. Lillian stared at her retreating figure, her hands wrapped protectively around her swollen belly.

At the gate, a man was waiting there for her. She ran into his outstretched arms as he held her tight. They then walked back to the palace together.

She stood there, staring at the spot the Duchess and the man embraced, for a long time. She was confused, nothing made sense and she felt like she needed coffee to think.

"That isn't her husband. Is it?" She looked at the tree for confirmation but it remained silent.

"Really? Are you going to be as unhelpful as the NPCs? Why does everyone have to act so mysterious and dramatic around here, I don't get it. Fine, I'll find out on my own."

Flicking her wrist, she floated away from the tree, passing right through the gate. She then landed on the ground, falling to the floor. Her lungs felt tight as she tried to take in each breath.

"A-am I . . . dead?!? What the f***?!" She touched herself all over, pinching her skin. The pain told her that she was still alive but she couldn't believe it just yet. Her body trembled all over as she tried to reassure herself that she was, indeed, alive.

"Blood! I-I'll know with blood."

Conjuring up a knife, she held it to the flesh on her arm and sliced it all the way down to her palm. Warmblood pooled out of the open wound and she breathed a sigh of relief. She clasped her shaking hand together, willing herself to calm down.

The blood ran all the way down her arm, dripping into the stone pavement below and onto her dress. Her breathing is still heavy and her heartbeat drummed loudly in her ears and her chest.

"Well, that is a slight overreaction if I ever saw any." A familiar voice came from behind startling her.

She saw a flash of green emerge from between the hedges. A tall man in a white, unbuttoned, dressing shirt and black dress pants, stared down at her. His arms crossed over his bare chest, an air of sophistication surrounded him.

He bent down to her eye level and extended his hand, a kind smile came across his face. His golden eyes held a world of secrets. Light shone from behind him, almost blinding her.

"Are you alright?" His voice sounded like clear running water.

Instinctively, she flicked her wrist again, turned invisible and ran. She covered the wound with her dress, attempting to stop the blood from creating a trail.

S**t. S**t. S**t. He saw me.

She ran and ran until she was certain that he didn't follow her. She hid behind some hedges, inspecting the wound.

The blood continues to flow, the gash may have been little too deep.

Maybe I can heal myself? It's worth a try.

Inhale and exhale. Inhale and exhale. Heal wound heal!

Ha! Like that would work.

She felt an odd tingly sensation on her arm, it was closing up.

That worked !?!

Well. I overestimated the author to be creative.

While her wound is closing up, her mind wandered back to the man she met.

Blood dripped down from her nose as she tried to calm herself down. She trashed around instead. If anyone saw her they would think she was having a seizure, instead, she was just admiring beauty.

He was HOT! Like Hot Hot! Damn it! That chest! Those eyes! It's like an angel descended from heaven. Finally! Beautiful men! My life is complete!

Oh my gosh! He saw me cut myself! I'll never be able to face him again!! What will his opinion of me be?

But wait! Who is he? I hope I meet him again, one day.

Dearest author, I'll stop complaining about your crappy writing skills if I get to meet him again, ok? And to anyone listening! I call dibs!

When her arm had healed, she continued to sneak around the castle. Getting lost every turn she made. No matter how much she tried to convince herself that she would find the Duchess, after getting lost for the thirtieth time, she did not believe her lies anymore.

Curled up in the corner she felt the frustration rise.

"What kind of a stupid idiot decided to build the castle like this ?! With stairs at every turn and some kind of junction at every path?!"

"Oh, that would be me."

Please don't be who I think it is. Please don't be who I think it is.

Lillian slowly turned towards the sound of the voice.

"Hello. We meet again." The man from the garden smiled at her. He held a book in hand, still with the same attire. "Miss, are you alright?"

Lillian's face became exactly like that of the Screaming Man Painting. She could also feel his agony to a spiritual level.

Somebody just kill me now. I have no right or will to live anymore.

Laughter came from the man, almost knocking her out of her senses. She thought she heard angels sing.

I want to thank mother for giving birth to me, my father for not killing me. Everyone that helped me stay alive to this moment. My life has finally reached its fullest.

"You don't have to worry." He wiped a tear from his eyes.

If I could sell that tear, how much would the people pay for it?

"I know who you are."

"What?!" Lillian smiled through gritted teeth, unable to process what he had just said.

"I know who you are." He returned her smile.

"And who am I exactly?" Lillian asked, amused.

"The Fairy Godmother."

S**t.

Lillian felt her heart drop from her chest.

"Is that so?" The smile never left her face.

"Yeah."

"What makes you so sure about that. For all you know, I could be a peasant infiltrating this castle to kill the king." She flailed her arms dramatically, trying to get him to believe her claims.

"You won't do that. You could barely cut yourself to draw blood properly. Anyway, why would the people try to kill the king? They love him."

That smile of his has something so sinister to it but she couldn't look past how pretty he looked.

Curse you and your beauty! If this is dangerous, I'll willingly throw myself at it.

"The people don't love the king. They are plotting a revolution against him. I don't know what you've been hearing but from what I heard, the king is completely useless and has been neglecting his people to the point of poverty." She said, with a flourish.

"Well, that's the first I heard of it." He looked thoughtful.

"Good. Now, why don't you go tell your king to mend his ways or something and actually look after the people? Don't tell him about me though ok? I'm just the messenger." She winked at him, trying to use whatever 'charms' she thinks she has.

"Hmm? Why would I need to call the king? You can talk to him yourself."

Lillian's felt dread crawl up her spine but continued to smile.

"Given my luck. I'm guessing that you're the king aren't you?"

"Yes. That's me. King Roman The Second, at your service. Dearest Fairy Godmother." His face twisted into a mischievous grin.

I take it back. Anyone want him?