“So, Lily,” Asher addressed her as he sat next to her against a tree, wiping his feet in the grass, and the sun aiding in drying them, “how about you come meet my parents? They really want to meet you, ever since I found you in the forest that day.”

  “Your parents know about me?” Lily didn’t expect him to talk to his parents about her, especially enough to want to meet her. Asher chuckled.

  “Of course. And don’t worry. They are pretty nice for royal parents. As long as you are respectful. Anyway, I was thinking you could meet them tomorrow?”

  Lily was surprised he suggested so soon. She was quite nervous, but she’d love to meet his parents, if they were as nice as him. She nodded.

  “Sure. That sounds great. I’ll meet you at the markets. It’s the closest to the pace,” she held out her hand, waiting for him to shake it. She didn’t know why she did it, but she just didn’t know what else to do after saying that. Asher chuckled and took her hand, but instead of shaking it, he brought it up to his lips, and kissed her knuckles once again. Lily’s face went slightly pink and she shook her hand out his grip.

  “Stop with that. It can’t be proper for a prince to do that to a commoner,” she crosses her arms.

  “What’s the change in attitude? As if you care about being formal to me. You speak to me like I’m merely your pet fish,” he flicked her lightly on the forehead. Lily pouted angrily. He just ughed at her.

  “I must go. I’ll see you tomorrow, My Warrior Princess.”

  *

  Lily stared into her mirror, brushing her brown locks. The brush glided smoothly through them, not a knot in sight. She pulled the top half of her hair into a bun, leaving half of her hair down. She picked up the silver pin from her desk, sliding it into her neat bun, keeping it in pce. She brought her hands back down into her p, looking at herself for a couple more seconds. She nodded to herself.

  ‘I look presentable. But is that enough for royalty? Oh I don’t know. Why do I care about my appearance anyway? Asher will be there to help if I need it,” she thought, trying to reassure herself. She stood up, pushing her stool back.

  ‘Maybe I should buy a bit of makeup at the market? Some cheap lipstick or something. Yeah. Good idea. I’ll leave now so I have some time before Asher gets there,” she smiled to herself, grabbing some coins and walking down the stairs of her house, about to exit. She stopped when she heard her father’s voice.

  “Where are you going sweetheart?” His croaky voice came from the other room. Lily backtracked and opened the door to her father’s room, peeking in. He was ying in bed, arms by his side and eyes closed.

  “I’m just going to the market, dad. I forgot to buy the food when I went yesterday because I met a new friend,” she expined, opening the door slightly more, entering his room. Her father opened his eyes slightly, moving them to look at her.

  “Ah of course. Good. You must have friends. You barely go out enough. A couple times a week for maybe an hour isn’t enough. I know you just love to look after an old hag like me but you are still young. And I have your mother, even if she is quite busy. Anyway, excuse my rant. Go to the market. Get some sun. And make sure to buy yourself a little treat,” he waved his hand, telling her to leave. She nodded.

  “Of course. I love you dad,” she went to the door, turning one more time to check on her father then left his room. Then she made her way out of her house, shutting the front door with a soft click.

  Her baby pink dress swished in movement with her legs. It was a 20 minute walk before she could see the bustling of the markets. She came to a stop when she saw the painting store again. Damian’s painting store. She pnned to just walk past it, hoping that she wouldn’t bump into Damian, but with her luck, that wasn’t possible.

  “Hello Lily. Nice to see you again,” it was unmistakably Damian’s low, soothing voice.