Illusion and Reality

Sort of get together

Leaving me with an unsolved invitation mystery he went inside. 

Soon I followed him inside the house as well only to find him talking to Astrid, from the looks it was clear they were having a serious conversation.

I stood there awkwardly thinking if I should go to my room or say something to them. Before I could make any move Astrid’s sharp eyes fell on me, her eyebrows twisted into a frown, “Were you eavesdropping on us?” 

I took a step closer in their direction, “No! I just came here.”

That didn’t satisfy the doubt in Astrid’s mind.

“She is saying the truth, she was with me.”

Astrid did not say anything else but stared at Lucius with a different look in her eyes. The look disappeared from her eyes as soon as it came, “Are you sure about it?”

“Hmm...it’s the only way. People are asking questions and we have to stop them before the king hears about it.”

That sentence made an uneasy feeling stir in my stomach, were they talking about us?

“Which one?”

Lucius looked at me with an intense gaze, making me look away from his deep eyes staring directly into my soul.

“Lily,” his one-word answer was enough to pull me away from my thoughts.

“What about Lily?”

But as usual, my words did not fell in Astrid’s ears, “Good decision.”

“Will you give me an answer?”

“It is none of your business,” Astrid snapped.

I was not going to stand there quietly when they were making plans about my best friend, “If your plan involves Lily then yes it is my business.”

Astrid looked like an animal ready to pounce on her prey.

“There is a meeting in the palace, it is sort of a get-together. Astrid usually accompanies me but people have seen you both the other day and they have questions in their minds. I will take Lily to the palace with me and introduce her as Astrid’s family friend,” Lucius finally explained, maybe he had seen Astrid’s expression.

“She can’t go to the palace, what if someone figures out everything?”

“Lucius took a step towards me, ”Hey, it will be fine. It is just a formal meeting where we will talk about the things going on in the Kingdom. If someone asks about you we can say you are her friend.”

I stood there without uttering a word, Astrid was quiet as well, with her folded arms she was looking at us.

“I will keep her safe, I am giving you my word, we are doing this for your safety.”

There was only honesty in his voice, I couldn’t help but nod with a small smile on my face.

It was almost 12 when I came back to my room, with a head full of thoughts I closed my eyes and soon the sleep overtook all my thoughts.

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“Beautiful isn’t it?” said a familiar voice.

I was sitting under an oak tree watching the rays of the sun dancing happily on the petals of colorful flowers, which surrounded every inch of ground around me.

I touched the soft grass underneath, “Why don’t you show me your face?”

“What’s in the face? We all are just wandering souls trying to find our destination.”

I stayed silent, it was the first time that voice was saying something to me in more than a few words. A droplet of water fell from the lily I was looking at, “Are you real?”

There was no response.

The blue sky in an instant turned dark with the clouds. Heavy rain started pouring down, almost making it hard to breathe.

“It is time.” 

Her soft angelic voice disappeared under the roaring sound of clouds.

I woke up with a jerk. Looking outside I sat the water spattering on the glass of my window.

With a sigh, I went to wash my face. Trying to sleep was of no use I knew that.

Putting a thick coat of concealer, I made my way towards the dining room for breakfast.

Except for Lily, everyone knew about the invitation, but we waited until breakfast was done.

Astrid and Lucius explained everything to Lily, she was skeptical, but she said yes in the end.

I took a seat next to Lily in the living room, “Everything will be fine Lily, you don’t have to be scared Lucius will be there with you.”

Lily took a deep breath, ”I am not scared Sam I am just not sure if this is a good idea, we need to stay away from people of this world not attend their fancy parties. What if the king asks me something about the place from where I am or something about this place then what? Am I supposed to tell him the story about the crazy old lady or the freaky pendant she gave me? And if something goes wrong Lucius will save his ass first. Since when did you start trusting him anyway?”

Her saying it out loud made me question my decision, what if it was not right to trust Lucius? 

“He made a promise and he is the man of his words,” came Astrid’s strong voice. We turned in the direction of her voice and saw her standing behind us with a big box in her hands.

"He will answer everything and he will tell you how you are supposed to answer some expected questions. Just remember our grandmothers were best friends and our families are close to each other. Now try this dress I need to see if I have to make some changes." Astrid said shoving the box into Lily’s hands.

Lily opened the box and put it on the table, she then removed the pink fabric from the box. 

She went to a room to put the dress on.

Astrid and I waited silently for Lily, she came out of the room wearing a gorgeous v-neckline baby pink half-sleeve long dress, "You are looking amazing Lily," I replied as she stood in front of us.

“This looks fine, I do not have to make any changes,” Astrid said looking carefully at Lily’s dress, “everything you need is in your room, get ready in 2 hours.”

With that announcement, she turned around and went back to her room. 

Astrid was right, everything Lily needed was already waiting for her in her room, from makeup to the shoes. I helped with the hair while Lily did her makeup.

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After Lily left with Lucius I had nothing to do, to enjoy some peaceful moments on that beautiful day I sat under a willow tree, admiring Astrid’s garden. It was surprising how every flower looked happy and there wasn’t a single dead flower in the whole garden. I closed my eyes in bliss to enjoy the soft rays of sun peeking through the leaves.

Hearing the chirping of birds I realized that I was sitting in the garden for more than an hour. I got up and lazily stretched my arms before moving inside. I was in no mood to face Astrid, especially without Lily or Lucius.

It is always good to maintain some distance from people who don’t like you, especially if that person happened to be a witch. With that thought, I started walking to my room but I ran out of luck as a kid because Astrid was sitting in the living room sipping her favorite herbal tea.

Moving like a mouse I started taking small steps but her witchy senses were on, “You do not have to hold your breath while walking around me, I want to get rid of you but it does not mean killing you.”

Taking a deep breath, I took a seat in front of her and poured myself some tea. I took a sip of warm hibiscus tea, “How do you and Lucius know each other?”

She took a sip without looking at me. Just when I thought she was going to ignore my question she answered, “It is a long story and you will leave this place soon for good so tell me, Samara, why should I bother telling you about my personal life?”

“I get it you don’t like me, but do you think I am in an unknown world surrounded by unknown people by my choice? I am sorry for all the trouble and I really grateful for everything you both are doing but can you try not to be rude all the time?”

A humorless laugh escaped her lips, “Trouble you are causing? Dear, you have no idea about the trouble you can cause in our lives. I do not have to welcome you with a smile, you know why? Because you are living in my home without my choice. I do not understand why Lucius is suddenly interested in charity work, but I am helping you because of him. Honestly, I do not care what happens to you or your friend,” she slammed her cup down on the table loudly and walked away leaving me alone.