Blatant Refusal

In no time, Liy was fully prepared to meet her little devil of a brother. She remembered clearly that she had just turned nine when the six years old Franz was brought into the palace by the second queen, her mother.

She stared at the reflection of herself in the mirror and a wry smile found its way to her little lips. Her beautiful flaming red hair that was exactly like that of her father was tied up in a bun, her round gem-like blue eyes that signified the Florian royal family, and her little body, everything felt unreal but great, she felt stronger than ever.

Twirling lightly, a chuckle escaped her lips, earning an odd glare from Mary, however Lily simply smiled at her.

"Let's go see my 'little brother'." She muttered.

The familiar hallway and the beautiful walls that had roses painted on them, adorned with flower torches. The Florain kingdom that never lacked flowers at any season, and a poisonous flower like herself, Lily de Florain. What a spectacule it'll be.

The door to the throne room was pushed open by the guards who stood by the door.

"Princess Lily de Florain is entering." Announced the Lord Stewart, as Lily made her way into the throne room with her head held up.

"Greetings, Your Majesty." Lily bowed to the king and the queen, then turned to her eldest brother, "Greetings, Your Highness."

She remembered how this crazy elder brother died in the past life. As the only son of the late first queen, he had more support than any other proclaimed heir, however his power diminished when Franz arrived. Franz whose mother was a gypsy from a neighbouring kingdom, that same kingdom however attained an impossible feat, they grew their power in a dozen years and was recognized as an empire. Franz also had the support of the nobles in the Southern region since he spent the first six years of his life there, and the second queen was the only daughter of the southern duke. Hence, having the support of a newly found Empire and the entire Southern region gave him a great boost and a great blow to the first Prince's power.

However, Lily and the first prince, Perez were the only true-born royals. Camille, her younger sister was the daughter of her mother but her true father was not the king but a man who had stolen the second queen's heart, Franz was half-blood and the third queen's children who were also pure-blood were killed by the second queen, except Lorain who was born a few years after.

"Arise." Her father, the king ordered, pulling her out of her reverie.

That familiar face caused her insides to churn, everybody who had caused her pain in her previous life were all standing here, except Camille, who was probably out somewhere having tea.

"This is your younger brother." He gestured at the little dark-haired boy who stood by the side with his head bowed.

Lily clenched her fist at his weak act, he acted weak and vulnerable until she was twenty-three. At that time, he just clocked twenty and just had his coming-of-age ceremony, and that was exactly when his revolt started.

"Hello, Franz." She smirked.

"Huh, I-I, how did you know my name?" He shivered backing away.

"Ah." Right, his name has not being mentioned at this point, "I was just curious so I asked the servants beforehand."

"I-I see." He raised his head up, and gazed at her with round teary eyes, those gem-like blue eyes were prove that he was royalty.

"Do you wish to relinquish your right to the throne to your younger brother?" The King's voice thundered, causing the young Franz to shiver even more.

In her past life, her mother had called her weeks before Franz arrived and ordered her to give up her claim to the throne, which she had agreed to do at that time because she wanted to be loved by this mother.

"I do not." Came her clear voice in a firm tone.

"Ha! What do you mean by this, Lily?" The second queen stood up from her sit in a fit of rage.

"I said I do not wish to, Your Majesty." Lily repeated, particularly enunciating every word in a quest to annoy her mother to death.

The king remained silent as he gazed at Lily who stared back at him with unwavering eyes, his lips slowly curved up into a smile as he watched the child's unrelenting stand.

"We talked about this, Lily. Didn't you promise me?" The second queen's voice softened, as she spoke, hiding her vile intent.

"We did, Mother. However, you refused my request to meet you yesterday, didn't you?"

"Is it just because of that? I'll meet you everyday from now on then!" She added hurriedly.

"You sound oddly desperate, Mother." Lily pointed out the second queen's unusual demeanor, her usually dignified act has been long thrown out of the window.

"What-"

"Why don't you let Camille give up her claim to the throne? Only three children can have the right of succession but His Majesty has four now, so why do I have to give up my right instead." Lily stared between the second queen and the king. It was not common knowledge but the king and the queen were the only ones who knew that Camille was not royalty but a child from the queen and a fallen Earl.

The entire throne room fell silent, the smile on the King's face has been wiped off, and the second queen's pupils had dilated in shock and fear.

"Mother?" Lily called calmy, feigning innocence.

However,

"Hahahahahaha!" The king burst into laughter, "You're an interesting one. Lily, was it? Camille's right to succession would now be given to Franz."

His unexpected remark caused Lily to raise a brow in confusion. This was usually something to be ashamed of, but he acted like it was nothing and he even called her interesting, was that a good thing?

The king stood up and walked towards her, "Henceforth, you are the second heir to the throne and you shall be bestowed with the name, Lily Selena de Florain." He then turned to Franz and smirked, "And you are the third in line to the throne, hence you shall be bestowed with the name, Franz Ferdinand de Florain." The king granted both of them middle names which were only bestowed to those who were recognised as heirs to the throne.

He stopped in front of Lily who had her head bowed before walking away.

Lily held out the breath she never noticed she was holding. She felt the sharp cold gaze directed at her and turned to the direction, her eyes met with the second queen's.

"Come with me immediately!" The second queen spat in anger.