A Bridge of Chains - Chapter 2 part 1

Chapter 2- Lillian

Her fingers drummed impatiently on the arm of her chair while she listened to the Queen continuing to read out names that meant nothing to her. Who knew weddings could be so tedious, especially when she was the one who was to be wed.

She looked at the ladies sat around them, all dressed in their pretty gowns, hair styled to perfection. True she was no exception to all of that, wearing her emerald green gown, she had been told the shimmering fabric brought out the green in her eyes. The dress held a golden trim and had clearly cost a small fortune. Her hair was an elaborate formation of curls that her servants had slaved over earlier this morning, the auburn masterpiece falling gracefully over her shoulders and down towards her waist.

Lillian couldn’t help but wonder if looking good was worth all of the discomfort however, there were pins digging uncomfortably into her scalp and her corset was laced tightly enough that she was beginning to think that breathing was too much of a chore to continue with.

In truth she had only donned her finery in the hopes that the Prince would be joining them. However when she had voiced these hopes to the woman beside her, the Queen had only laughed as though she was a complete fool. “My son has more important things to worry about than planning weddings, my dear” she had said, brushing it off as easily as that.

Now Lillian was left sat with the Queen and her ladies, pretending to listen while the list of potential guests was aimed her way. She knew that she should be trying to make them all like her, soon she would be surrounded by them almost all the time, but the only one who she wanted to win over was the Prince. Her Prince.

She knew that there were millions who would love to be in her position, preparing to marry the most desirable man in any of the kingdoms. Heir to the largest and most powerful kingdom, a throne that none could take away. And then there was him. Black hair and startling blue eyes, tall and chorded with muscle, even the blind would be drawn to him.

Before the engagement had been finalised she had gazed at him admirably, soon she would gaze at him lovingly, joined to him in every possible way. She had been overjoyed the day that her father had told her of the wedding, and had been counting down the days ever since. Lillian’s heart fluttered and she turned to see the Queen looking at her expectantly.

Shoot. She hadn’t been paying attention. Lillian bowed her head respectfully towards the Queen and her ladies as she rose to her feet. “I beg your pardon, Your Highness, my ladies. I fear that I have developed a headache, and I would not be good company at the moment. You must forgive me, we shall simply have to continue another day, though I trust that your Highness has fantastic judgement to choose in the meantime” she said with a polite smile.

The Queen offered her a small smile and bowed her head, a slight gesture that wouldn’t be noticed unless you knew to look. “Of course, my dear. We shall rearrange for when you are feeling better.”

Lillian dipped into a deep curtsey “thank you, your Highness. You are most kind.”

With that Lillian turned on her heel and walked from the room, a small breath escaping her as soon as the doors closed behind her. She thought it strange that it was so much easier to breathe when she wasn’t surrounded by the court and their pawns, for a brief moment she even wondered if her corset was coming undone, but the pressure on her ribs told her otherwise.

The whole of the court in this city was petty, where she came from people knew how to play the game properly, and just because not everyone here knew the rules did not mean that she planned on holding back. Everyone had their own agenda, Lillian included. Not that anyone here knew that. That was the first rule of every game; never show your hand.

A small smirk flickered across her face, covered before it could be seen. She would have what she wanted, and by the end of it she planned on being the one on top. So far everyone had been doing everything as they should. That was everyone but the Prince.

She meandered her way around the castle gardens, her two guards following a distance behind, an ever present shadow. They were as the Prince should be by now, loyal to her. But that was immensely hard to do when the royal persisted in avoiding her, even at feasts when he was sat beside her his attention seemed to always be elsewhere. It was grinding on her nerves now. Her whole plan depended on him, and sooner or later he would have to give her the attention she so clearly deserved.

And then, as though summoned by her thoughts she saw him. Not all that far away, walking with another man, the captain of the guard she believed. A small smile flickered across her features as she adjusted her course so it would be unavoidable for them to run into her.

Even she had to admit she could see what all the fuss was about him. Though his skin was a little pale he truly looked like a force to be reckoned with. His was dressed in black, the only colour he wore coming from the red cape snapping in the wind behind him. There were two blades strapped over his shoulders, a third sword hanging from his hip. The hilt of each carved elaborately and onyx stones were fitted in.

The captain looked plain in comparison. He too wore black clothing, though it showed signs of age and use. He had one long sword slung at his waist, the hilt was simple, and the blade itself contained small nicks from use. And upon sighting her and her guards his hand was immediately upon it, ready to draw at a moment’s notice.

Lillian stopped a few feet away and dropped into a low curtsey, leaning forward in an alluring fashion before rising again and looking at the Prince, doing her best to ignore his companion. “Your Grace, such a surprise to bump into you here” she said, an innocent expression taking its place on her face.

However, the Prince did not seem in the least bit interested, it was almost as though he didn’t believe it was a chance meeting, Lillian had to fight the clench of her teeth. He gave her a polite bow “my lady. Were you not supposed to be with my mother?” he asked, and she could have sworn that she heard an accusatory tone in his voice.

She nodded her head slightly “I was not feeling well, I thought that the fresh air might help” she said, gesturing vaguely at the gardens around them. “And what, might I ask are you and the captain doing wandering the gardens?” she asked offering a small smile. It was not returned.

“We were just cutting through, we have a meeting to attend” he said stiffly. The captain shifted uncomfortably on his feet.

Lillian knew a dismissal when she heard it. She had to fight back her scowl, why did this man have to be so different from every other man out there. “Of course, forgive me. I did not mean to keep you from your business. I only wished…” She batted her eyes slightly before looking up at him through her lashes. “Perhaps we should get to know each other better before the wedding?” She fought back her grin of victory as a flicker of irritation passed over the Princes face; she knew that she had him in her grasp now. “Maybe you could dine with me in my chambers?” she suggested, doing her best to make herself appear sincere in every possible way.

The Prince nodded curtly “of course, my lady. It would be an honour. I shall send someone to arrange it with you. Now if you will excuse us, we’re late” he said, bowing once more before walking around her and heading towards the castle, the captain a step behind.

Now she was unable to hold back her grin. Finally the Prince was in her grasp, and though their story might not be the fairy tale of most girls’ dreams, she was not inclined to mess up the first chance she had at making him hers.

In the meantime however, she had more pressing issues. Like what she was going to wear.