“I can’t believe we got the prince to come, too!” Guinevere squealed as she hopped out of the carriage. We had abandoned the uniforms and now wore brightly colored dresses, each of us a different color; Gwen in turquoise, Kayla in purple, Agatha in orange(to match her hair, I suppose) Undine in pink, Edda in yellow, and myself in blue.
I glanced over at Marcus. He had donned a simple yet regal gold cape. And though I had seen him many times before, in the sunlight he seemed to shine. His brown curls bounced into his face, and his blue eyes twinkled with adventure.
“Liliad? Is that you?”
I spun around as quickly as I could. “Kai!”
And there he was- messy dark hair and all. I practically tackled him.
“hey!” He laughed. “Look at you- a royal dress and everything! Why, you’re practically a princess already!” I rolled my eyes, but couldn’t help giggling. “Oh, Sid off, Yvane. I’ll always be just plain old Liliad.”
“not exactly.” I heard Marcus say as he approached. He rested his hand on my shoulder, and Kai blanched. “She’s remarkable. I’d be glad to help her with this contest-“
“Marcus.” I hissed. Kai glanced at him, then at me, then back again.
“With all due… respect, your highness, why the theatrics?” He gestured to me. “If you like Liliad, just propose and get it over with.” My face turned red. “Kai, shut up!” I whispered. Kai and Marcus both looked down.
“I don’t like her at all though- I mean- oh that came out wrong.” Marcus sighed and smacked his forehead. “I just meant- i don’t want to marry her or anything.”
“yeah… you don’t have to talk like I’m not right here.” I reminded them. “Because I am. I’m right here.”
Both boys turned as red-faced as me. Then Kai held out his hand. “Why don’t I take you to see your father now?” I nodded a bit too quickly and grabbed his hand, slipping away from Marcus.
The market street was still packed, just like it always was. I could almost feel the stares, but they felt natural somehow. The smell of lemons, the breezes, the flowers… I was finally home.
“We got some new books yesterday.” Kai said as we neared the library. “They’re supposed to be good ones, too.” I grinned. “Oh and Dartha and Gerald gave birth three nights ago.”
I gasped. “Really? Was it a girl or a boy?” Kai laughed. “A boy. They named him Richard. There’s so much you missed… Oh! Emma and Leopold are dating, finally. Fred moved… but the girl’s lists came out. Your father has yours in his room. And…”
He kept talking, but my mind was wandering off. I wondered if Marcus had ever even been outside in fresh air. I hoped I hadn’t come off too rude.
“by the way, where’s Gwen?” Kai asked.
I stopped, and we looked at each other.
“We forgot Gwen.” I realized.
I turned and started backtracking to the carriages. Kai was still clutching my hand, so I dragged him right along with me.
Guinevere, as it turns out, was wandering slowly through the market, surrounded by people, laughing and smiling. Kai looked like he wanted to throw up. I felt that.
****
there was a pot of soup boiling when we walked in- I could smell it from the doorway. I hitched up my blue skirt and stepped into the house. “Father?” I called. “Father, I’m home.” Kai squealed my hand when he didn’t reply. “He was asleep when I heard you guys were back.”
I walked into the kitchen and took three bowls from the shelf. “You are staying for lunch, aren’t you?” He looked shaken. “You… you still want me to stay?” I laughed. “Of course I do! You are my friend, after all. I just wish Guinevere wasn’t so preoccupied, then maybe she could eat with us too.”
Kai’s eyes drifted downwards. “You could invite your friend.”
I tilted my head.
“You know…” he waved his hands around. “The prince.”
I nearly dropped the bowls. “Marcus?”
he shrugged. “Well, yeah. He probably wouldn’t have anywhere else to go.” I paused. “Yeah but… I’m not really sure. And anyways I’ve seen him every day since I left, and I want to spend time with you.”
Kai grinned like an idiot, and I couldn’t help laughing.
I handed him a bowl of steamy soup. “All right, enough stalling. I want to see my list.”
Kai’s smile wavered, and he took a second bowl from my hand and walked out of the kitchen. I tilted my head curiously, then followed.
He passed right past my room, to which the door was shut as I had left it. I was tempted to go in, just to see it again, but Kai went in the next room, where my father was bedridden. It was a small, barren room; a window with a nook, a chair, a bed and a nightstand crammed with books.
“Roland, Liliad is home.” He murmured in my father’s ear as he crouched beside the bed. My father glanced over, then pushed himself up onto his elbows. “Dad, careful!” I snapped, a bit too harsh as I dashed over. I took a pillow from the nook and pushed it under him, trying to prop him up.
“oh, Flower, stop it.” He chuckled. “You’ve become far too protective.” I huffed and gave him a tight smile. “Like you were when Mother was in your same state?” He let out a hoarse laugh. “You’ve got me there, little Flower.
Flower. He used to call my mother that.
Kai stretched up to his full height. “Liliad was wanting to see her list.”
Father cleared his throat. “Oh, of course. I haven't even opened the envelope yet.” He reached over to the nightstand and picked one book from the heap. From inside the cover he pulled out a thick parchment package.
I could feel my hands trembling as I took it- and it must have shown, because Kai rested a hand in my shoulder.
I took a deep breath, and began to read it out loud.
“To Liliad Emily Stoneheart of Mountain Glenn, on the subject of matchmaking. Below are your approved matches. Please remember that if you are romantically involved in any way with any man not on your approved match list, you may be sentenced to…” I glanced at Kai. “You may be sentenced to death.”
“20. Rupert James
19. Tristan Lyle
18. Cameron Boyle
17. Henry Samson
16. Oliver Pecker
15. Dioval Sullivan
14. Ryan Taylor
13. Cooper West
12. Edmund Wright
11. Scott Perry
10. Miller Bailey
9. Martin Hill
8. Lee King
7. Noah Baker
6. Jake Griffin
5. Issac Hunt
4. Gavin Lawrence
3. Hugh George”
I looked up at Kai, and sighed. “2. His Majesty Marcus Thorne-“
That was when I noticed the last name. The last name is always the best match, just as the 20th is the least likely match. I quickly crumpled the paper before Kai could see.
Before he could see his own name listed as number one on my match list.
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