Lilliana woke in the morning with a start. I have to continue planning. She thought to herself. Rising quickly she walked along the cold floor. On her down time Lilli would paint. So she painted a garden on her floor. The same garden her father and her would play in. Lilli danced and spun to her bathroom. She was learning the traditional dance of the Auronos. It was difficult to learn but Lilli wanted to be perfect. Last night she stayed up to start getting set up. So far she had the food, flowers, and guests all done. She had the maids send out the invitations to all the important nobles. For flowers, she decided on daisies and white roses.

Getting ready quickly in a light yellow dress, Lilliana went to her vanity. A chain of daisies hung over the mirror. She braided her long blonde hair, then put on her mask; a silver one, with white swirls adorning the sides. All that could be seen were her silver eyes. She leaned over, studying her list from the night before. Only music, decorations, and rooms, as well as gifts, for the royals remained. She sighed heavily. They are here tomorrow. She thought. I must have everything done. She rose softly to her feet. Looking in her mirror one last time she adjusted her mask. She strode over to her door barefoot, leaving the room with her list in hand she passed the guard stationed by her door. He tensed when she passed, Lilli, only giving him a nod. Only speak, when spoken to. She said to herself. Then a flashback hit her.

Lilliana was ten when it happened. Running in the garden, chasing butterflies, she tripped. Falling right in front of the queen, Lilli rose quickly. She dusted herself off and looked up, smiling sweetly at her mother. Instead of smiling back, her cold blue eyes flickered with distaste and hatred for the young girl. Before she could react Lilli felt the queen' s cold hands on her face. Lilliana cried out in pain as one of her mother's finger nails raked across her cheek.
"You have no right to be in this family." She seethed in her face. Lilliana struggled to get out of her mother's grip. Finally, her mother released her, pushing her backwards, Lilli holding her face.

Her mother strode away and Lilli was left stunned. She lowered her and to see very little blood. Running as fast as she could she returned to the palace. Inside she dodged worried voices asking if she was alright. Her tears blurred her vision as she ran. Reaching her father's study she didn't knock; barging in. Luckily her father was alone. He lifted his face up to see her crying.

"Lilli!" He exclaimed. Rising quickly he was at her side. "What happened my little flower?" He asked kindly. Lilliana didn't know what to say. So she lied.

"I was playing by the roses. And- and I fell."

"Well maybe you should stick to daisies."

Lilliana came back to reality when she stood in front of the doors to the ball room. She opened the door quietly and stepped in. Ana was talking with another maid when Lilli approached. Both the maids bowed, the one who was speaking to Ana excused herself and left the room. Ana turned to the princess.

"Good morning your majesty." She said. Lilli scoffed and rolled her eyes, causing both of them to giggle. "Mary was just finalizing the flower order. They should be here by tonight." At the mention of that Lilli froze. Tonight was when the royals were arriving.

Lilli rubbed her now sweaty, nervous hands on her dress. The palace didn't usually house other royals, and Lilli was almost scared, in a way. And this group of royals was so large... Lilli couldn't determine how she would be able to not speak to anyone during the visit. She shook her head, knowing that she needed to get back to work.

She looked down at the table. Different items were placed but they all were very lovely. She ran her fingers ever so gently across the different metals. Gold and silver adorned each item. She remembered each family member of the new royals. And each of those members was to revieve a gift, one that represented both her country, and theirs.

She went down the list of people she was to give gifts to.

Queen Amber: sweet yet stern. Lilli decided on a Diamond necklace for her.

King Mallard: a fair and wise ruler. For him, a gold pocket watch with diamonds imbedded on the top.

Then there was the five princes. Prince Calex was the eldest and heir to the throne. Then there was Aspen, James, Mallard, and finally Phillip. The youngest.

Each got a silver watch with a certain amount of diamonds in each. Five for the eldest and one for the youngest. Lilli told Ana her decisions who then told everyone else what to do. Lilliana stood in the middle of the large room, barefoot, and admired her work.

Large cloths were hung all around the grand walls and tables were getting set.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lilliana finished with her work for the day. Just as she was about to leave she heard voices. Lilli pressed her ear against the door to listen. She couldn't quite make out who the voices were until realization hit her. They were here. Lilli started to panic. No one was in the room since it got to be really late. Lilli was just adding the final touches. You can't be see unless you choose to be. She told herself. Ana always told her that but Lilli never liked it. She smoother her dress and straightened her back. She softly opened the door and pulled. The guards stiffened as she stepped out. She closed the door behind her and stepped into the hallway. She looked to her left to see none other than the five princes themselves. I guess they've been here awhile. She thought. Their chatter died down as Lilli stood there. One cleared their throat and they all bowed. Lilliana did a mini curtsy. She lowered her head in respect. When she looked up, she was staring into a pair of gold eyes. The one with the gold eyes spoke first.

"Forgive us Princess. But we have seemed to have gotten lost. We are looking for our rooms." He said calmly. Lilli nodded.

"Your apology is not needed. But please. Follow me. Your room is on the third floor." Lilliana turned and started walking. Relief washed over her as she heard footsteps behind her. They walked along the red carpet until they came to a staircase. Lilli started climbing when she realized that she was barefoot. She cursed herself for not wearing any but she continue climbing until they reached the third floor. She showed each of them to their rooms. When she was about to leave the final Prince he stopped her.

"I must apologize again Princess." He said again. Lilli smiled under her mask. She turned around.

"It is quite alright." She said. "Goodnight." She curtsied one last time them strode down the hall. After a few turns she reached her room. But just before she went in she stopped. Turning on her heals she walked quickly and quietly down the hall. She peeled around a corner to see nothing. She dashed to the stairwell and down it. Then she went down another staircase where she slowed to a walk. She walked silently to the one place that she loved. The gardens. The guards greeted her and let her pass. She continued walking outside to the daisy patch. She tentatively took her mask off. Laying it on a bench she sighed. She looked up at the glowing sky. It was illuminated by a full moon and thousands of stars. She wished she could live up there among the stars but she knew she couldn't. Lilli smiled as a warm breeze tickled her bare skin.

Then she heard a stick crack. She whipped her head around and there. Standing before her was the Prince who had thanked her earlier. Lilli sucked in  a breath and tried to cover her face with her hands. She was about to turn and grab her mask when his voice filled her ears.

"Please. Don't be frightened. I just needed some air." He finished softly.

Lilliana didn't know what  to do. She was frozen in her spot. 

Sorry this took so long. I hope you liked it!

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