Chapter 24 - Invitation

Lilly heard the worry in Eolande’s voice, thicker than ever before. “What happened? Is the general in danger?”

Eolande nodded rapidly. “This amulet lets us know a few things about the other wearer. It’s a rare enchantment from the– No, I really have to go, Lilly! I have to help him, whatever it is!”

Eolande was already heading for the door, but she gazed hesitatingly back toward Lilly.

“Can’t I come with you? I’m sure I can follow your speed, and I might be able to help!” Lilly urged, fearing the worst.

“I… You’re not allowed to leave the city, Lilly. I’m sure you would follow me regardless, but I think this might require a more surgical touch. I’ll be back before you know it!”

She was about to leave out the door, but Lilly stopped her one last time, sharing the darkness in her heart; “Elly! If… If you don’t return… Let them know the capital will blaze if you don’t return!”

She refused to lose another family member, morals be damned.

Eolande smiled despite her pale face. “I’d better come back safe then… Don’t worry about me, Lilly; with this belt, I can’t imagine anyone being able to capture me. I even have the teleporting device Eolanathel left behind. I’ll stay safe, I promise!”

And with that, she was gone. Lilly stood there alone, feeling frustrated and helpless. ‘If I can’t help my family when they need me the most, what good am I?!’

A fiery fist hit the enchanting table, but she restrained herself and left only a scorch mark. “Damn it! What could have happened?”

‘We won’t know much before she returns, Lilly. I’m quite confident she can take care of herself, though. You shouldn’t worry too much,’ Myndia replied, filling the silence in the room. Or rather, in Lilly’s mind.

Lilly kept forgetting that Myndia was around, suddenly feeling embarrassed about her outburst. ‘I’m sure she will be, but what about the general? He’s a major part of our plans to make the king abdicate. And what would Elly feel if we lost him? I can’t even imagine.’

‘... I haven’t heard of this Dahn before, but he should be very strong since he’s a general. It might be a trap of sorts, but I doubt the general would tell our enemies about the amulet. The princess might know more. Weren’t you going to see her now?’

Lilly nodded in response, gathering her thoughts and putting them back in her mind before leaving the workshop. ‘She might be able to tell us what is going on. Or at least let me know what might have happened.’

Lilly walked urgently to the Princess’ quarters, hoping she would be available for a chat.

It didn’t take long before she reached the door. She started knocking firmly to announce herself and waited nervously.

The door was very thick, but she thought she could hear steps on the other side and prepared herself. It opened to reveal Claude, who greeted Lilly with a surprised smile. “Lady Lilly! How nice of you to visit!”

He turned back to the room about to announce her arrival, but was interrupted by Adelia’s excited voice. “Of course you let her in, Claude! Lilly is welcome anytime!”

Claude turned back around with a resigned expression and sighed. “Please come in, My Lady.”

Lilly smiled as she stepped past him, looking into the main room. Adelia was sitting on a desk with her legs up to her chest, as far removed from proper etiquette as she wished to be.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“Lilly! I was hoping you’d come by today! Is everything ready for tea?” Adelia asked, stretching her feet forward.

Lilly felt glad to see her less restrained now, thinking the situation between the two of them had cleared up. But she was soon reminded of Eolande’s departure, which soured her mood again. “Everything will be ready today, so you can come by in the evening. There was something else I wanted to talk about, though.”

Adelia promptly jumped down from the desk, looking at Lilly worriedly. “Anything serious? You’re not looking very… usual, at the moment.”

Lilly nodded and looked back at Claude and the door, which he quickly shut. “Elly just left the city for the capital after getting a signal that General Dahn was in trouble.”

Adelia looked back at her with wide eyes. “Dahn is in trouble? How much trouble? What could trouble him?”

Lilly shook her head. “I don’t know. Elly seemed very worried, so I assume it was big trouble. I wanted to follow her, but she said it was better if she went alone. Especially since I’m not allowed to leave the city right now.”

Adelia looked at Claude, waiting for his input. Claude had his hand on his chin, looking troubled. “I can't think of many things that would cause the general to be in trouble. He’s a very influential figure and not someone who can be disposed of without proper trials. Unless our enemies have started playing some very dirty tricks.”

“But surely father wouldn’t do something so despicable! Could it just be… sickness? Or some third party going after him?” Adelia asked, searching for other explanations. “Dahn is extremely strong, isn’t he? Not many can threaten him, even in the capital.”

“Indeed, he is strong. Which only makes it more certain that the king had something to do with it. Lady Lilly, is there any chance it could be a trap? What method did Eolande use to learn of his troubles?” Claude asked, looking at Lilly with a focused expression.

“It should be hard to fake the signal unless they obtained the general’s amulet and knew how it was used. It uses some rare form of enchantment that tells the other of the wearer's location and status.”

“Ah, it must be the twinheart swallow!” Adelia exclaimed, but then realized her excitement was unfit for the situation. “Sorry. But in that case, it might be a trap, right? I doubt the general would let them take the amulet, but if they did, Eolande might be in trouble.”

Lilly felt her doubts return, wishing she had been more firm before letting Eolande leave. She sighed, trying to convince herself it would be fine. “Elly is the greatest rogue in Eldoria. If anyone is planning to trap her, they would need some incredible traps.”

“... Or some incredible bait,” Claude countered, undoing everything Lilly had done to calm herself. If the general was the bait, few things would stop Eolande from trying to rescue him.

Adelia seemed to notice Lilly’s discomfort and stepped in to help. “Claude, let’s have some faith in Eolande. She has more experience in her pinky than all of us combined! And Dahn has been a general under four different kings! I’m sure they’ll both be fine.”

Lilly smiled despite the situation. “Thanks, Adelia. I just created a new enchantment for her, so I believe she’ll be fine. And if she isn’t… then I don’t know what I’ll do.”

Adelia looked at Lilly for a moment, perhaps imagining the consequences of her rage. “... Should I return and try to figure out what’s happening? I don’t have a lot of power, but I’m sure… I might at least be able to meet Dahn, if he’s fine. Coming back here might be problematic, though…”

Lilly considered it briefly before shaking her head. “I doubt you’ll be able to do much from there, Adelia. If they are finally showing hostility, I don’t think they’ll let us talk again once you leave. So I think it’s best if you stay.”

“I agree with Lady Lilly. If things indeed have reached such a point, we might even have to move our confrontation to before the war ends. And in that case, we should aim to stay here for as long as possible.”

“You can stop calling me Lady with just the three of us, Claude. I feel like my friendship with Adelia extends to you as well, in a way.”

Claude bowed graciously before replying. “It would be an honor, Lilly.”

Adelia still seemed to be considering whether to return or to stay, but she nodded in the end. “We will stay here, then. At least until Uncle finishes his investigation or until Eolande returns. I expect to hear from you when you learn anything new.”

“Good! I’ll run here if anything new happens, I promise.” Lilly looked around, only now noticing the books on the table, showing dense text of old history. “I’ll let you get back to studying, Adelia. I’ve got some stuff to bake.”

Adelia looked at the books with dead eyes, suddenly losing the spirit she had shown earlier. “... Yeah, studying is important... I’m looking forward to the tea, though! I’ll see you then!”

Lilly smiled and nodded, turning towards the door and leaving once Claude held it open for her.

‘Ah, let’s hope I still remember the recipe by heart.’