Lionel's Point Of View

Make no mistake, I am perfectly aware that 'Augustus' is the new Lily in disguise. Forget about looks or masks... the shine in 'their' eyes are the same.

I don't think anyone else realize because they haven't seen the new Lily without her mask, I have. And I already knew about her healing magic as well as her sword skills.

I don't intend to tell his highness about this though.

Why?

It isn't that I favor her over his highness. I will always remain loyal to Alstair. However, Alstair could not be allowed to see the mess in my family. But Lily already knows... and more importantly, she has protected my brothers, and helped save my mother.

For that I will keep her secret. As long as it doesn't become a danger to Alstair of course.

—-*—-

The son of the Marquess holding the territory to our border has sent an envoy to Celeste castle, or so I've heard. As such it appears that Lily and Eric have been sent to the capital until the event is over. Lily likely isn't there because they'd worry that she would be recognized, and Eric is likely here to mediate between Lily and Alstair.

As I gaze at their arrival through a window in the castle, it is clear that Eric was beginning to change. He looked less subdued now. Likely due to the influence of the new Lily. I was under the impression that Eric hadn't known about it last I saw them, but with everything rumored to have happened it was impossible for him not to know. Should I tell him that I know? We don't get along that well though.

I move away from the window and head towards the garden instead. Lily and Eric will be spending a couple of weeks here, and as such, so will I. Reynold and Curtis, my two brothers will be here too, although, as usual they are watching mother while I 'play' with his Highness.

The reason they must do that is because Gwenore is here too together with Bertram. The three of them have started getting along, but I worry about Gwenore trying to turn them against each other... at least mother isn't sick anymore. I need to think of a way to chase Gwenore out...

—-*—-

"Lionel." I turned towards the voice of William Aerielle. The only son of the current Prime Minister, also the only child. I must have been lost in thought for longer than I thought. The sky is turning grey as well... it's about to rain...

"What?"

"We should have the meeting now while they are unpacking."

He was referring to an anti-Lily meeting. More specifically, plans to get Alstair and Lily separated when Alstair needs a break. There is no need for it though, but William has insisted. He is the only one that hasn't met the new Lily yet. Though, I don't think Gil or Soleil has actually noticed any changes, since they only argue with her.

"Fine."

I sigh and follow William inside where Soleil and Gil are waiting, along with Alstair.

"Looks like everyone is here then. Let's go to the usual place." Gil's bedroom. Gil, like William are both only children, and unlike with William, we are certain no one wants to disturb Gil. Apparently he has charmed the maids to leave his room alone if he is in.

Since it's the usual place, we head there without any delay. As a just in case sort of thing I open the door first. It's a habit by now... it's not the first time assassins appeared in a room I unexpectedly entered.

The room is dark. The curtains have been closed to block out sunlight. It feels off... but not as much as the killing intent that makes me short of breath and makes my blood run cold.

It's Lily.

I slam the door closed and step back from it.

"Gil... this is you room, right?"

I confirm the position of the room. It's the right numbered door, right position compared to the furniture and doors from the crossing hallway.

"Ah~ I got the next one this time, sorry," he responds absentmindedly and smiles innocently. I can't tell if he didn't warn me on purpose or not...

I glance back to the door, making sure that no oversized swords cut through it.

"Then... let us go..."

I decide not to act on my suspicion towards Gil. I'm disturbed by the view just now...

I'll pray she forgives me. I'll erase the image in my mind immediately.

—-*—-

We enter Gil's room and sit down at a pair of opposing couches, with Alstair sitting on a chair at the end.

William gives a satisfied nod and then starts:

"With this, we open the meeting for planning out ways to separate Lily and his Highness."

He's determined... well... he's a still softie though. Even compared to Gil, and that is while taking Gil's doe eye attacks into consideration.

I glance to Alstair to find... an unexpected expression. It's pity, and worry.

What is going on?

"It is fine, William... You don't need to worry. She won't do something like that anymore... probably..."

I am honestly shocked at Alstair's words. I feel like I missed out on something important. Though, judging from his little bit of uncertainty, then he hasn't found out about the new Lily.

"Why?" Gil chirps out, oblivious to everything around him.

"Certainly! How can you be so sure?! It's that Lily!" William joins in. I merely watch Alstair curiously for his answer, but Alstair hesitates. Actual hesitation, as if he's unsure whether or not to tell us whatever he has discovered.

"...During the siege on Celeste Castle it appears she was tortured... and she's been cut... injured 53 times... apparently even with a stab wound to her stomach... so they aren't sure whether she can even have children anymore..."

He says with a grim expression I haven't seen before. Alstair never actually understood the horrors of war since I never go... perhaps... hearing about Lily is helping him mature a bit in that regard.

Of course, I know she wasn't tortured, but rather lead some reckless raids on the enemy troops and got the injuries to show for it. The intensity of her killing intent is built on the blood and souls of her victims. Still, if that is the case I cannot help but to wonder how many people she had killed before the siege.

As for the others... they've gone silent as the grave. Alstair's words probably shattered their image of Lily. No matter how much you dislike someone's attitude, you do not wish for them to be tortured so such an extent. I would've felt pity as well if I didn't know the truth. Though, I have a feeling that the new Lily wouldn't like being pitied...

"That one went through something like that?"

Unexpectedly Gil was the one to speak. His eyes open wide. This plain response... wasn't childish... I know Gil sometimes pretends to be cuter than he really is... this is one of those times, but the timing was unexpected.

William gathers himself, but he's visibly trembling and holding back tears. His sadness for her is plainly visible.

"E-even so she might cling to you more now. M-maybe we can take turns dealing with her... gently..." Still apprehensive he tries a middle way, but he looks like he is about to cry. He doesn't like pain... I can't help but to wonder how the new Lily would react to him trying to stroke her hair... if she's still in as bad of a mood as she was before... then he might lose the hand.

Unexpectedly she might be able to get on their good side from now on.

"Apparently she's suffering from nightmares every night... that's another reason why they're at the palace..."

I didn't expect her to have nightmares. She had slept fine after killing the assassin after all...

---*---

As if on cue, a scream resounds from the room next to ours... Lily's.

I get up in an instant and instinctively rush to her door. The worry of assassins come before the thought of it being 'just a nightmare'.

"Lily!"

"I'M FINE!" She yells back at me angrily before I manage to open the door... one of said nightmares? I move my hand off my knife and prepare to return to the room when I note the others gathered behind me... and Alstair having a determined look.

Oh my Lord...

Alstair begins to walk towards the door.

"Perhaps now is not a good time," I warn him in a hurry and attempt to persuade him to leave her be.

"It's my duty as her fiancé. If she cannot sleep, then I must help her." He looks nervous despite his brave words.

"You're very admirable, Alstair, but she seems angry," I try again... but to no avail. Alstair steps into the wolf's den... and the door closes behind him.

I can't go in next to him, so I just wait while listening at the door cautiously.

"What are you doing?" Lily growls out at Alstair.

"I'll hold your hand while you sleep." A truly admirable choice, Alstair... but...

"I don't need it. Leave." She doesn't budge an inch.

"But your eyes are still wet from tears, I can't leave you like that." Oh, good job Alstair, with something like that even she should-

"I've no need for your pity, your Highness. They are not tears that can be fixed with kindness, for they are not out of self-pity."

"But!" Alstair's yelp is heard through the door...

What happened?

The door opens with Alstair rushing out. Pallid. Did she use her-

Why is he bare chested?

His shirt flies out from the door behind him.

"Did she?" I can't help but to ask. Did she do it on purpose to chase him off?

Alstair quickly shakes his head.

"I stumbled... and she tried to catch me..." he responded quietly before dashing off.

...you know... this makes it the third accident ruining Alstair's clothes. If I hadn't witnessed the first two times, then I would've been sure she did it on purpose.

Perhaps Alstair has been cursed to lose his shirts to her?

I can't help but to be slightly disappointed. I'd expected them to finally start getting along...

"Humph, who's the crybaby now!"

William! I know you are frustrated and convinced she did it on purpose, but with this girl you should let the sleeping dogs lie!

"I don't want to hear that from a pathetic child crying in public and shaming his family with it. At least save your tears for your private chambers."

See.

I withdraw my hope from earlier.

She has no intention of getting along with them. How in the world did I manage to get on her good side?

As for William... he's teared up again...

"I... I am not going to let myself be humiliated by you!" He bursts out and walks towards the door.

"Humiliate? You don't need my help for that. In fact I'm telling you how not to humiliate yourself, brat."

She's not even appearing at the door. Well, she's in a night gown after all. Still... fighting on opposites of a door...

William looks helpless. Well... he's an only child, so he doesn't get a lot of responsibility on his shoulders... and thus doesn't get scolded a lot... still... he's unexpectedly spoiled.

"Now now~ I'll make her cheer up a bit."

Gil interrupts their argument with a brilliant smile.

"Lily-chaaaan~"

He bravely walks into the wolf's lair.

"I brought cookies~"

I peer through the open one of her doors as the closed one shakes a bit with a 'DON'

Ah... she's got him trapped up against the door with her arm blocking his escape route... she's giving him a full taste of her killing intent...

Poor Gil got attacked by the sleepy wolf.

"Gilbert... I am too tired to deal with your shenanigans right now. Scram."

She's smiling...

She pulls back, and so do I as Gil slumps to the ground and backs out of the door, pallid to the point he almost looks blue. Lily... go easy on the rabbit...

Gilbert looks up at me with terrified eyes as if to beg me to save him.

"No thank you. I warned you ahead of time."

The open door pulls closed with an unnerving creaking.

Gil then looks to Soleil for assistance instead... and knowing Soleil... he'll help. He can't help it when someone looks at him like that... unexpectedly he takes a step back. Right... he saw me get tossed.

...

A few moments of quiet passes.

"You should be honored that I Soleil Listere wishes you a good sleep," Soleil speaks out. Soleil... your attitude is leaking through. She won't appreciate something like tha-

"...Thank you..." WHY?! I do suppose that, with the arrogance aside, it's the only proper action done up till now though... Both Alstair and Gil intruded on her chambers, and William picked a fight with her...

I sigh.

"What are you doing?"

Eric appeared nearby with a look of suspicion... no. He is definitely looking at us condescendingly. Gil of course flies into a doe eyed attack and hugs Eric.

"Your sister is scary!"

Eric doesn't look surprised at all but instead just sighs.

"That's what you get for entering a Lady's private chambers."

He is merciless.

"Now, let her rest."

He picked Gil up like a bag of potatoes and then glanced to the two others before locking his eyes on me with an unexpectedly sharp stare.

We let the sleepy wolf lie.

I wonder if she'll ever get along with William and Gil?

As for Soleil... respectful distance?

And she had such a good opportunity to change their opinion of her...