Matters of Kingcraft

"Lily, where have you been?" Bloom's voice, though thin, carried a distinct authority that halted our progress down the hallway.

Her calm demeanor contrasted sharply with the sudden interruption, drawing the attention of others nearby who cast curious glances in our direction before returning to their own tasks.

Bloom's sudden appearance demanded immediate attention. "Have you eaten yet, Louise?" she inquired. "You've been missing suddenly. Hurry with your meal. There's much to be done. The guests will arrive soon, and preparations must be made."

With a gentle yet firm push, Bloom guided us towards the kitchen.

Lily's narrowed eyes and gestured urgency made it clear that there was no time to waste. Feeling somewhat bewildered by the sudden flurry of activity, I simply shook my head in response.

Entering the expansive kitchen, I was struck by its sheer size and cleanliness. Every corner seemed to gleam with tidiness, while the tools and utensils, though not all adorned in gold, were crafted from fine materials such as silver and other precious minerals.

"Louise, Lily," said Daisy cheerfully, "did you eat already?" She was busy cooking over a boiling pot.

"Where have you been? Tell us," Bloom's inquiry was accompanied by a piercing gaze as she resumed her slicing duties. "Don't wander off. You might be spotted by the arrival of the Ministers."

Her tone held a hint of concern. "Eat immediately before hunger overtakes you. It's not good for your body," she added firmly.

Despite her stern demeanor, I couldn't help but smile inwardly. Bloom had always been like this—strict yet caring, her guidance rooted in a genuine concern for our well-being.

I felt a sense of relief knowing that I had forged a genuine bond with someone as formidable as her within the castle walls. 

As I reached for a glass, a sudden gust of wind hinted Petal's arrival. In an instant, she materialized before me, a basket brimming with assorted fruits in her hands. Without a word, she placed the basket on the table and vanished just as quickly as she had appeared.

I couldn't help but shake my head in disbelief. No matter how many times I witnessed their magical abilities, I still struggled to fully comprehend it.

The ability to appear and disappear at will seemed like something out of a fantastical tale, and I doubted if I would ever become accustomed to such extraordinary feats of magic.

It was easy to forget, amidst their friendly demeanor and human-like physical features, that they were not quite like me. Despite their similarities, there were moments when their true nature became unmistakably apparent.

The phenomenon they referred to as "flashing," where they would suddenly appear or vanish at will, reminded of their otherworldly abilities.

Additionally, there were occasions when their emotions, particularly anger or haste, would trigger displays of magic—some would burst into flames, while others would summon elemental forces to aid them in their tasks.

The kitchen was a whirlwind of activity, bustling with frantic energy as Lily swiftly gathered an assortment of food before ushering me towards my room.

There, amidst the chaos of the day, we settled down to eat. 

"Why did you gather so much, Lily?" I inquired, gesturing towards the abundance of food spread out before us on the table in my room.

The array of dishes was impressive, a feast fit for royalty. Foods that I had only ever glimpsed in the lavish homes I once trespassed upon or seen in advertisements.

"We may not be able to finish it all," I admitted reluctantly, my gaze sweeping over the spread before us. "It would be a shame to let it go to waste. We should exercise restraint and only take what we need." 

As I glanced at the feast before us, I couldn't help but wish that Elizabeth, my sister, could share in this abundance with us. 

"I've heard rumors from other residents that there's a shortage of supplies due to the dying trees," I mentioned out of nowhere.

Lily's response caught me off guard. "You know," she began, her tone earnest, "Prince Ludwig himself ordered me to ensure you're properly fed. He personally entrusted me with this task." Her eyes sparkled with gratitude as she relayed the prince's instructions. "Your Majesty emphasized that you must never go hungry, and that I should provide you with everything you desire."

Despite feeling overwhelmed by the unexpected kindness and consideration shown by Prince Ludwig, a lingering sense of doubt nagged at me.

Raising an eyebrow, I couldn't help but wonder why I found it so difficult to believe. 

"Are you certain about your plans, Louise?" Lily's voice carried a note of anxiousness as we exited the room, carrying the clean plates with us. "I've allowed you to be called by your name. I've kept your secret when you begged me not to reveal that you're Prince Ludwig's guest and not a new helper. And now, you want me to let you assist us in preparing for the upcoming guests. Prince Ludwig might become angry with us."

"Don't worry about that," I reassured Lily, trying to ease her concerns. "I highly doubt Prince Ludwig will be upset. Why would he be angry if I'm just helping out? It'll only help speed up the progress, a win-win situation for everyone involved."

As I thought about Lily's reluctance, a realization dawned upon me.

While they might be grooming me to become a helper, the details had yet to be fully disclosed. Moreover, I hadn't encountered Liam or Alexa since my arrival, leaving me in a state of uncertainty regarding my true role within the castle.

Prince Ludwig's demanding schedule only added to the complexity of the situation. His absence and preoccupation with matters of kingcraft left me with unanswered questions and a growing sense of unease.