Lucas walked through the hallway with Anna trailing just behind him. Anna, in Lucas’s eyes, was a mysterious woman and someone who was hard to read. Lucas had keen eyes and intuition for reading people's faces and minds, however for him Anna was like a blank canvas. Her expressionless face and perfect demeanour made her impenetrable, she was Lucas’s worst enemy, if she was one. It was as if she was trained to hide her identity by living as someone else. But why would she do that? Is she a spy planted in the Kingdom? Lucas thought.

However, Lucas doubted she was a spy, because why would a spy cry when the Kingdom’s Queen was dying on her bed, even encouraging someone else to heal her? Unless she was an experienced spy with great acting and committed to her mission. He wanted to make sure she was not a spy, but expending resources other than looking for the Crown Prince was not in Lucas’ best interest.

Lucas's observation found out Anna did not talk much, she would only answer when asked. Lucas was mesmerised by Anna, he wanted to know more about her, about what she felt and he wanted to break her expressionless face. Lucas loved challenges and when he faced one, he wanted to solve them; For him, Anna was a challenge.

“We haven’t talked a lot, have we,” said Lucas.

“Why would we, My Lord?” Anna was right, there was no reason for Lucas and Anna to converse about anything. She was just a maid for the Queen.

They arrived at the garden, it was a beautiful sight. A garden always reminded Lucas of Sophie because she loved flowers. She would always be excited when she saw a garden. The Duke, Lucas' father, built a garden on Lorien just for her; until now Lucas did not know the reason why his father did that.

There were many kinds of flowers there and all of them were well-maintained.

"Does the Queen like flowers?"

"Yes, she does."

"Did the King build this for her?"

"Kinda." She answered him with a brusque reply.

Lucas saw Lilies' flowers, he stopped to observe the flower. Lucas always thought Lily did not represent his House correctly, rather Magnolia flower would be the perfect symbol for Lorien. Magnolia was said to be the oldest flower on Earth and had stood the test of time and survived the whole changes of Earth. Just like the House of Lorien, which was created at the beginning of the Galactic Imperium and survived until today.

“That’s lilies, it was known as the flower of the Lilium Empire.”

“Lilium Empire?”

“An ancient empire. They once ruled over the continent, but years ago they fell into ruin.”

“What happened to them?”

“No one knows. All the records of the Empire were gone after they fell.”

“Did this empire leave something…like ruins or weapons?”

Anna fell silent for a while. “I don’t know.”

“Hmm... so their known legacy was this flower.”

Lucas thought that the Lilium Empire had the same flower as the Duchy of Lorien was just a coincidence. There was not enough evidence to connect the Lilium Empire to the missing expedition, except for its similarity of having Lilies as their symbol. Lucas plucked a lily and held it in his hand.

“Do you know what Lily flower means, Anna?”

“Purity.”

“Correct. The purity and innocence of this flower symbolise the love of my ancestor.”

“Your ancestor?”

“Yes. My house was created from the beginning of my country's foundation and has faithfully served the nation until today. Lilies became the symbol of my house because the first Duke loved her wife so much0.”

“Are you related to the Lilium Empire?”

“No. As far as I know.” Lucas walked closer to Anna and placed the flower above her ear. “But, behind the innocent face of my house, it hides the darkness and wickedness behind it. Who knows if they are related.”

"Every family has its own secret, My Lord."

"That's true. In every person there is darkness dwelling inside, waiting for the time to reveal itself."

Anna looked at Lucas intensely. "I will listen to your problem," said Anna.

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

Lucas was startled. "What?"

"You looked hurt since we arrived in this garden."

Lucas was surprised when she said all that. Anna was able to see through his emotion or perhaps his emotion was leaking out and she was able to see it. However, this was what Lucas needed, since he arrived here and was stuck on this planet he had kept up all of his worry and emotion to himself. He had to hide his fear and worry and show his confidence to everyone in his crew. Unbeknownst to him, Bianca knew he was hiding his fear and worry.

Lucas sighed. “I’ll take on your offer.”

“I’m listening.”

“Where should I begin… I truly missed my home. Yes, there was once a time when I felt I wanted to leave that place. But… that place has memories of her. Anna, do you have siblings?”

“No.”

“I see. I have… had a twin sister, she was a part of me, literally. We were born together, grew up together, cried together, and laughed together. We shared everything in our lives and we supported each other. But, after that incident, everything changed. She wasn’t what she was before, I know the incident left a deep scar on her psyche. I wish she would talk to me and tell me everything she had on her mind, so I could prevent her death.” Lucas touched the flower on Anna’s head. “Lilies were her favourite flower and every time I saw this flower, I saw her, laughing and having a good time. Back then, I tried to do everything I can to try talking to her, but as if she was a statue, she just stayed silent with an expressionless face and dead eyes.”

Suddenly, Anna hugged Lucas. This surprised him, but he let her hug him. “There, there… Fairies bring the tears away,” said Anna.

“A-anna?” Lucas was dumbfounded.

“My mother always hugged me when I felt sad, and then I will feel better after that. So, I’m hugging you to make you feel better.”

Luca laughed at her reasoning, but she had a point, the hug made him feel better and warm inside. “I see. Your mother is a good one.”

“She is a good mom. I love her more than anything.”

“I’d like to meet her?”

“... You will meet her… Probably”

“Okay, can I continue my story?”

“Sure.”

Lucas told her all the worries he had buried inside him. He felt relieved after telling Anna everything, she didn’t speak much or respond to his story. But, Lucas knew Anna was listening to his story earnestly. Her small figure made her look younger than she was, but Anna was the same age as Sophie. Anna then excused herself after Lucas had told her everything.

She went to the Queen’s chamber to check on her condition.

“Greeting, Your Majesty,” said Anna.

“Hello, Anna. Where have you been?” said the Queen, Mira. She was sitting on her bed and two maids were waiting for her in the room.

“I had a chat with Lord Lucas.”

“Oh, wonderful.” the Queen turned her attention to the two maids. “Both of you thank you for waiting for me, Anna is here so you may leave for now.”

Both maids then left the room. “Are you getting better, Your Majesty?” asked Anna.

“You can drop the act, Anastasia. No one is in this room.”

“Yes, mother.”

“Nice flowers,” said Queen Mira, chuckling.

“Huh?”

“On your hair, over your left ear. There is a flower.”

Anna reached out to her hair and picked the flower from her hair. “Ah, he put this in there while we were in the garden.”

“It looks good on you. You should try wearing something other than your maid's headdress.”

“There is no need, mother. Ah, Lord Lucas said he will meet you when Lady Bianca has recovered.”

“Alright, that’s fine. Hmm... Lady Bianca worked hard to eradicate the disease within the Capital, I wondered what I should give her as a reward?”

“I don’t think there is something we can give her that matches her achievement.”

“You’re correct. Their country looked much more advanced than ours. Still, if they are stuck in this place and could not get back I think we can grant them a noble title with a land to rule. I’m sure with their knowledge it will bring us prosperity.”

“How did you know that they are stuck in here?”

“Duke Aruburn visited me when you were away. He told me about Lucas and his people.”

The Queen told Anna–Anastasia–everything she knew about Lucas and his people that Duke Aruburn told her. Anna could not believe what she heard.

“They defeated a ten thousand-strong army? By themselves?” said Anna in disbelief.

“Yes, the Duke said they targeted the commanders and nobles of the army. Leaving the army leaderless.”

Anna was amazed by that idea. “Right, by removing their commanders, the army will be leaderless and chaos will ensue within the army since there is no clear line of command. Mother, if an army has a clear line of command and protocols to follow in case of the death of their superior, it would prevent the collapse of the army.”

The Queen patted Anna’s head. “Yes, Anna. With your bright mind, you will be a great Queen for this kingdom.”

“I don’t want to.be the Queen...”

“Anastasia, the people need you, you learned everything needed to become Queen of this kingdom. Don’t waste it away.”

“I-i don’t think I have the capabilities to lead them.” She was not confident of herself being a leader of the Kingdom.

“Anna. Look at me.” Anna turned his gaze to the Queen. “You are different from your father. I know you hate your father, he wasn’t the best person. I agree. He changed when he became a King, he who was a sweet and loving person became a coward and debaucherous. But, you, Anna, you’re not him.”

Anna turned his gaze away from the Queen. “...”

“Duke Aruburn, Marques Petrova, nobles and the people of this kingdom are waiting for you. Even Lucas and all of his companions are looking for you. Princess Anastasia…” Anna did not respond to her mother's plea, but the Queen knew, deep inside Anna cared about the people of the Kingdom.