Lily walked out of the bedroom, and all the maids and Priscilla standing there looked at her with a look of surprise visible in their eyes.

“Let’s go,” she said as Marian placed a shawl over her shoulders. It was chilly in Druchik, though not  as cold as the capital, and there was also little snow visible compared to the palace, which was covered by a snow blanket.

The Villa compound looked so different from how it looked at dusk when she arrived. Although it was beautiful during the day, it was majestic at night. She looked around as she walked to the dining room with her entourage. The hall path was lit with candlelight, illuminating every her path and beyond. 

The lined candles on each side created a magical atmosphere, improving Lily's mood instantly. She took a deep breath. She had never witnessed such extravagance in her previous life, in which she was confined to her father's estate for the first part of her life and her husband's later. It felt like walking into a beautiful dream.

“Your highness, we’ve arrived at the dining hall,” Marian called, pulling Lily away from her thoughts.

She looked up to find the butler at the gate of the hall and he bowed as they reached “Welcome, your highness,” he said. “The archiduke and his royal highness Prince Evander are inside waiting for you. Let me lead. Please, follow me he added. As for the other ladies, please follow him, he will lead you to your dining room,” he added, gesturing to another servant.

Lily followed the butler, while Marian and Priscilla followed the other servant.

The butler opened the door, and Lily stepped into the dining hall and sighed as the warm air inside brushed her cold cheeks, returning the colour to them, and she looked up, locking eyes with her childhood friend Lucien Eldric, now the Archduke of Velmira and maternal cousin of the Emperor.

 She hadn’t seen him since she was nine, and she wouldn’t have recognised him today were it not for Liora telling her today.

Although he was just two years older than her, he had grown into a strikingly handsome man. The only familiar features she recognised were his blonde hair and piercing blue eyes.

“Good evening,” Lily said with a slight bow.

Evander and Liora turned towards her as her brother stood up and walked towards her taking her hand to lead her to her seat, while Lucien rose and bowed.

“Good evening, Your Highness. My good name is Lucien Eldric, the Archduke of Velmira. Please accept my apologies as we didn’t meet earlier,” he said.

“Nice to make an acquaintance, Archduke. Please, have a seat,” she replied, taking her seat with her Brother’s help.

“Lily, you look different,” her brother, Prince Evander, said, startling her with the name.

Liora jumped from her chair with  great urgency “The princess's name is Lisbeth. Of course, she will be referred to as Lily. Why are you so shocked? She also said You are looking suspicious!”

“Really brother I think it’s the hair,” she said quickly yes he agreed with her nodding

“Let’s eat,” she added, trying to redirect both their attention elsewhere.

As the starters of fruits and soups were served, Prince Evander and Lucien began making small talk, and Lily, being careful, chimed in only occasionally, afraid of giving herself away. The conversation turned to Velmira, and her brother praised how great and prosperous the empire had become.

“It looks really good,” Lily said.

“I hope you like it, your highness. As the future Empress of this empire, it will be as much yours as it is ours,” Lucien said.

Lily thanked him.

“I like him. He’s very polite and he is stealing glances at you,” Liora whispered. “Maybe he’s trying to gauge your habits and behaviour. And you, on the other hand, are wolfing down that whole plate like a starved beast.”

The truth of Liora’s observation hit Lily, and a wave of heat rushed to her cheeks. She blushed, which was made worse by Evander's chuckling.

“Sorry. I haven’t had much to eat today,” she mumbled.

“It’s okay. Please, eat your heart out,” Lucien said, moving a plate closer. Her brother just ruffled her hair.

Maybe it was because of her pale skin, but Lily noticed she blushed easily, even down her neck. Liora’s laughter made it worse.

She glared daggers at her, but to Lucien and Evander, it looked like she was staring vacantly into the void.

“What are you looking at?” Evander asked, noticing her distraction.

“Nothing, Brother,” Lily said quickly, placing her napkin on the table. “Can we go for a walk?”

“Sorry, Lily, I need to check on the guards and make sure things are in order before we leave again tomorrow,” he said.

“It’s okay, Prince Evander. Let me take the princess for a walk if she doesn’t mind,” Lucien offered. “In the meantime, we’ll get to know each other.”

“Many thanks Archduke,” Evander said, patting Lucien’s back. “I leave her in your care.”

He turned to Lily. “Good night, dearest Lily,” he said, kissing her hand “Sleep well and see you tomorrow “, he added.

Here we go again, Lily thought her cheeks heating up once more. Evander chuckled and left the hall.

“Let’s go, your highness,” Lucien said, offering his hand.

Lily adjusted her shawl, took his hand, and exited the dining hall. Don't leave me Liora said, drifting after them.

“This is the library,” Lucien said. “The Emperor and the noble families usually come to Druchik to relax during summer, so all the imperial villas serve the same functions as the palace. “Lily nodded taking it all in.

He continued leading her around, introducing each building.

“ Can you tell me more about the royal family Lily asked.

Yes, Lucien said, looking surprised, she asked that question “The Emperor has two siblings, a brother, who is the High Chancellor, and a sister. I’m his maternal cousin, making me the Archduke of Velmira, as I mentioned.”

Lily nodded. She knew more about the royal family now, but she had to play the part of Princess Lisbeth, not Lilianne. She asked a few polite questions.

“You’re much different from what I’d heard,” Lucien remarked.

“Hopefully for the better,” Lily replied, suppressing a yawn.

Lucien laughed, the side of his eyes crinkling. “Yes, of course, all good. The Princess we heard about sounds nothing like you.

“Let me escort you to your chambers so you can rest. We’re still travelling tomorrow.”

“Many thanks,” Lily said.

After a short walk, they arrived at her bedroom gate, where Marian and Priscilla stood waiting.

Lucien bowed. “Good night, Your Highness.”

Lily returned a small bow. “Good night, Archduke.”

Marian took Lily’s hand and led her into her bedroom as Lucien stood there looking at her disappear behind the bedroom door.