Prince Evander, outside, was also wearing body armour, and immediately after Lucien and Liora joined them, they all mounted their horses and led the guards. Liora came to understand that because of the assassination attempt earlier that day, they had also received reports of other ambushes along the way. Lucien suggested that instead of tackling them as they came, they should go out for a surprise attack; it would be easier for him and the guards to focus on the fight when the princess, who needed protection was not present.
That was why it was decided to camp in Roshik instead of the last stop before the capital, Karnak, and to set out immediately. Despite wanting to follow them, Liora decided to stay back and keep Lily company, so she turned and floated back toward the bedroom.
She found Lily being served dinner, and since maids were bustling around, she sat opposite her. After Lily was served, she dismissed the maids and turned to Liora.
"What is wrong?" she asked. Liora seemed restless; Lily realised that whenever Liora was hiding something, she would shift in her seat a lot.
"Is this about my brother and the archduke leaving to attack the assassins?" Lily added.
Liora's jaw dropped. "How did you know?" she asked.
"I am no fool, Liora," Lily said. "I can sense something amiss when I am served dinner in my bedroom. So I asked Marian to go and report what it was, and she has just come back to tell me," Lily said, putting a piece of meat into her mouth and relaxing into her chair, chewing with relish.
"Are you not worried?" Liora asked, sitting up straighter.
"No," Lily said. "I am sure both my brother and the archduke are capable of defeating some assassins. My only worry is that tomorrow evening we will be entering the capital, and life will not be the same again."
"Don't worry," Liora assured her. "You have a hidden weapon." She pointed at herself. "I'll be your eyes and ears everywhere you cannot go or be. All you need to do is capture the emperor's heart and make Duke Vexwell's house and Baron Ravenscourt regret what they did to you. Maybe after your revenge is done, my punishment of being a roaming ghost will be over," Liora said, sighing.
Lily nodded, though she did not understand the last part of Liora's words. What did her revenge have to do with Liora being a ghost? She did not question her, however, not wishing to pry into Liora's past when she was clearly not ready to speak of it. So she kept eating as Liora continued to chatter about the capital's ghosts and their endless drama.
"I am done," Lily said, wiping the corner of her mouth with a napkin. "Let us go out for a walk," she said to Liora. "This will be the last evening of freedom and peace I am going to have." Liora nodded in agreement, and they left the bedroom Lily walking, Liora floating beside her.
The air was cold, colder than in Drushik but less biting than in the capital, and Lily breathed deeply. Marian and the maids joined them as they admired the mansion and its surroundings. It was built on higher ground, and the sun was setting below them, casting an orange glow over the sky. Lily walked for a while, stared in the direction of the capital, and murmured, "Be safe," quietly under her breath before turning back to her bedroom with her entourage.
Lily turned in her bed, restless as she waited for news from Liora, whom she had sent out to learn of her brother's and the archduke's return. But despite waiting for a long time, there was no sign of Liora. Lily sat up in frustration, running her fingers through her hair. She contemplated going herself to ask for news, but since Lucien had instructed the maids not to inform her of anything out of concern for her, she wished to act oblivious for his sake.
"For someone who said she isn't worried, you seem very worried," Liora said, prompting Lily to jump and hit her head on the bed canopy. Lily glared at Liora, her eyes sharp as arrows, while holding her head.
"Why are you creeping like a ghost?" she said without thinking.
"But I am a ghost," Liora quipped back.
Lily immediately covered her mouth, looking horrified. "Forgive me, I did not mean it so!" she stammered, and Liora laughed loudly.
"It's okay," Liora said. "Lucien and your brother are back. It's late you can go to bed now. We're leaving early tomorrow."
Lily lay down, her cheeks flushed, as Liora chuckled again.