A Little Light Reading

Leon is sitting at a table covered with books & scrolls, he is doing a little light reading. "Why must I read everything in sight?" he asks himself, "Especially about the magic here.... or what the church hasn't burned! These transmutation books are complete rubbish!" he starts to put them away & as he finishes he knocks over an old vase, which shatters as it hits the ground. "Oh crap!" he curses & begins cleaning it up, "There is a lot more shards than what should be here..." he trails off as he sees a couple small scrolls. He picks them up & reads the titles, "Necromancy for Beginners & The Secret of Transmutation! Well what a coincidental stroke of luck!" he smiles. "I suppose I should find someone so I can pay for it."

Lilli was heading to the library to find a book to take with her to the garden. She was fond of books and her flowers. Recently she had began to learn how to ride a house and to fight. She thought it would come in handy in the upcoming war.

She walked into the room full of books and scrolls. She knew how everything was organized. She began walking to the back where all of the frivolous reading books were. But then she noticed someone cleaningup some glass. She stopped and watched. He didn't come across as a servant.

She walked towards him, she skirts of her dress trailing after her. She was graceful in movement as she made her way to him. She stopped at the edge of the table to avoid stepping on glass. "That is a job for servants." She said softly.

"It's my mess so I'll clean it up!" he says coldly looking up he sees the princess, "Princess, sorry about the vase, I'll pay for it." he tells her bowing & at the same time deftly tucking the scrolls up his sleaves. "I am Prince Leon Lucifer Belmont, it's nice to finally meet you Princess!"

She smiles. there is no need to bow. I really hate it when people bow to me. It is tiresome. And worry not about the vase. I hated the thing anyhow. It's only use were for hiding things.

"Umm..." he stammers, "H..hiding what exactly?" he asks hoping to any and all gods that she doesn't know about the scrolls.

She smiled. I would hide things from my father. His gloves, jewelry from other ladies that have stayed here, and various other trinkets. The mayhem is an enjoyable distraction.

"Well don't try stealing any of my jewellery... my people are very serious about theft & they put curses on them that activate when stolen." he tell her in relief, "But if you see anything you like I would be happy to give it to you. May I inquire about the book you came here for?"

"Yeah I hate this county's system for royals. It's why I didn't tell them I was a prince!" he says, "That & the church's view on magic." his eyes have a deep hate in them. "Burning whiches & warlock just for healing! It's ridiculous!"

"I see that you don't listen to him, with learning to ride and all that..." he trails off keeping hidden meanings in the last few words. "Ah, I'm sorry Princess am I keeping you?"

"So would you care for a walk around the garden?" he asks. picking up the last of the vase fragments & putting them into a canvas bag.

Yes, please. She said as she clasped her hands together in front of her.

"So Princess, what's your favourite flower?" Leon asks offering her his arm.

She took his arm and walked casually with him. I love them all, bit there is a certain beauty in the orchid and cherry blossom.

"Ah the Sakura tree am I right?" he asks, "Mine is that pure black flower with a white core of petals.... It's intresting that you have it here it's from my country. Do you know who brought it?"

"A lilly for Lilli!" he laughs, "I only mentioned the Vampire's Heart as it can be made into a very deadly poison!" his eyes tear up & he stokes the scar under his right eye.

She looked at him. I did not know that. Surely father did.

"Very few people do! It's normally kept between our assassins & our King." he tells her, "We had a traitor a couple hundred years ago.... be very wary of drinking anything that smells like.... heaven is the only way to describe it. It is a very slow & painful death." tears run down his cheeks, "I'm sorry Princess." he sobs.

Maybe I should havesomeone else taste my drinks first. She said slightly jokingly. I can't believe I am saying this. I just had a thought of sending this poison to the enemy king as a peace offering to trick him. If he dies, then there is no war.

"Don't take poison lightly with pagans!" he says wiping his tears off his face, he starts fiddling with the necklace around his neck. "They see it as a cowards weapon, it may infuriate them into slaughtering everyone of your people!" he warns.

"They should only kill the soldiers.Pagans are normally peaceful people.... something must have provoked them!" he says puzzled, "I bet it was your bloody church!" he said with venom in his voice, "They already destroyed a my county's neighbouring kingdom! & I believe it was them that tried to kill me!"

"You will soon understand that he has his peoples safety to place above your own." he tells her, "I realised that too late.... & it cost me dearly!" he then blinks quickly as if trying not to cry again. "Heh! I must seem weak to you, crying like this."

He smiles weakly, "A man can break down & cry like a baby from heartbreak Princess."he tells her, "As to your father, you will find he just hides it from his people, being a king requires you to make very difficult choices so most stay detached from emotion."

He Hadnt seen her all day he missed his Love but he knew he would see her again he just didnt know when and where. So now off duty for the day he decides to go in the Library and read a few books being as he does somewhat enjoys reading.

If he does, then he hides it well. She said as they finally reached the exit. She spotted Helios and smiled. Off duty sir? She asked him not wanting to raise suspicion.

He looks up when he hears her call he Smiles brightly at her when he sees its her "Yes it is My Lady" He then glances over at the prince

Prince Leon Belmont, this is my knight Sir Helios. She said introducing the two of them. He is in charge of keeping me safe whilst out of the walls.

He Smiles at her "You told him of our adventure My Lady?"



He turned his attention to the Prince "Yes I am the Leader of the Lillitain Knights but we dont pride ourselves on our fighting mostly on our wit and intelligence"

He thinks to himself for a second and looks up at both of them and he Smiles at the Princess "Might i ask where you two are going?"

"We were going to the gardens, Sir Helios." he tells him, "would you care to join us?"

He looked at the Prince " I would be delighted to join you both"

She smiled. What is a girl to do? Two men escorting her to the gardens. She said with a hint of a joke.

He holds back a small laugh while trying to smile "Oh we can find something to do my Lady"

"Yes I'm sure of it." Leon says smiling in mischief, "Wow! Is that the time... I'm sorry Princess I must leave now. Goodbye Sir Helios." he bows to both & walks away.

She looks at him as he leaves and then looks at Helios. He is an odd one.

Looks back at the Princess "He sure is an odd one indeed"