A Gift

Lily started her lessons with Lilian immediately, choosing not to seek the permission of the second queen first. The appropriate age for advanced etiquette tutoring was twelve years, however, there was no law that stated otherwise.

Lilian was surprised by the knowledgeable little first princess but she quickly took a serious turn, throwing away her earlier clumsiness. The lessons lasted through the morning and only ending mid-day since Lily decided not to show how much she knew yet.

"I'll see you tomorrow again, Your highness." Lilian bowed.

"Yes. Go well, Lady Capulet." Lily watched as she left before returning to her room.

"Your highness." Mary placed a cup of water on the table before speaking, "His highness, the first prince has returned and he requests for your presence."

"That quickly?" Lily stood up from her couch. She had thought that he would spend at least half a year on the expedition.

"Yes?" Mary tilted her head in question.

"It's nothing. Take me to him."

                         * ~ *

Mary led Lily to the west palace back garden where Perez was already sitted. The tea table was already set, filled with deserts and the sweet scent of tea that permeated the air. However, Perez had his back to her, his signature red hair fluttered slightly in the light wind, giving a seemingly serene atmosphere.

Lily walked to the table and sat on the chair opposite him. She then poured herself tea before looking up at him.

"Hello, Your highness." Her blue eyes underneath her red lashes glanced at him briefly before she sipped her tea.

"My little sister has gotten even bolder. I thought you would shudder at the sight of me." The left corner of his lips stretched as he leaned on the white wooden chair.

"You thought wrong, Your highness." Lily answered, maintaining a stoic expression. She couldn't attest from whence his happiness came from, but she had an inkling that it had something to do with her.

"Ha." He breathed, bursting into a fit of laughter, "I heard all about your actions. You heroically saved father, however, no one bothered to mention how you put the second queen in prison. I wouldn't have known if not for Camille."

Camille - That name came up again. Lily frowned before responding, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"I knew you would say this. I wish my little sister was a little cuter." He leaned his head backwards and stuffed a cookie on his mouth.

"You've got Camille." Lily replied, bringing her teacup to her lip.

Perez remained silent for a while before speaking, his voice now devoid of his earlier playfulness, "What if I poisoned your tea?"

Lily paused and placed the teacup down, "Your highness is in my palace, if there would be any poisoning then you would be the victim." She tilted her head, responding with as much coldness in her voice.

His lips stretched up again as he chuckled underneath his breath.

Right. Even though they were having tea calmly like every other normal siblings, it didn't change the fact that they were enemies competing for the throne.

"You must have developed a resistance for poison, seeing that you survived it once." He added admist laughter.

"Not as much as you, Your highness." Lily replied, fully aware of the numerous assassination attempts on the first prince's life.

"Right." He pulled out a small velvet box from his pocket and pushed it to Lily, "I heard a very interesting news and it gave me the will to return home."

"..." She glanced at the box and then up at him, her expression asking what he was up to.

"It's a gift for giving me something interesting to look forward to."

"The second queen's downfall interests you so much?" She picked up the box, opening it slowly.

"Just as much as you not calling her mother." He grinned.

The content of the velvet box made her pause. A beautiful bracelet, adorned with shining blue jewels and light silver chains and intricate letters engraved on the gems and around the cuff. The beautiful bracelet could be mistaken by anyone for a simple gift but Lily knew exactly what it was - A 'master' bracelet worn by slave owners. The bracelet was crafted with ancient magic hence its rarity and it was only used on slaves with magical powers. She knew this because it became popular a few years before her death when barbarians and gypsies with abilities entered the Obelian empire.

Lily slowly raised her eyes to the smirking Perez.

"Just as I thought, you know what it is." He clapped happily, "It'll save me a lot of explanation, though, I wonder why a nine year old princess know what that is."

"Come." He ordered loudly and a few knights came from the other side, pulling a little child along.

"What is this?" Lily frowned deeply. The ragged child who was being pulled with large chains was battered and scrawny.

"My gift. Worry not, Princess, he is a barbarian but he has no abilities, the bracelet is just...well, you know, for incasities."

A barbarian who could use magic, though, she had heard of them in her previous life, she never met one due to the law that banned them from entering Florania, however, Perez just brought one here since the law was not yet in existence.

Lily glanced at the child, his skin was covered in dirt and so was his pitch black hair but underneath those long obsidian lashes, she could see his bright ruby red eyes.

"I do not want this gift." She glared at Perez, who simply shrugged, "However, father has attested to it, hence, you cannot refuse." He stood up and twirled slightly, "I will be taking my leave now. Don't miss me too much, little sister." Leaving a taunting wink, he left with his knights, leaving her alone with the barbarian child.

She moved her eyes back to him.

Wait! Now that she thought of it, those ruby eyes were familiar, it reminded her of the red fruit that Lorain always brought when visiting.

Lily placed her hand on her face, why was she remembering something like that in this situation? She placed the bracelet on her wrist to avoid any incasities just like Perez had said.

With that, she called the shocked Mary to clean him up before leaving.