“Are you sure this is alright, Marianne?” Liliana asked as she looked around the courtyard.

Some spell or enchantment must have been placed on it, because despite being open to the cold winter weather, it was as comfortably warm as a late spring day. Flowers sprawled across the courtyard, carefully curated to be pleasing to the eye and with golden stones paving the paths. Statues made of precious metals and priceless gems decorated the courtyard, their beauty only rivaled by the flawless blooms surrounding them. Marianne had led them to the center, where a fountain depicting the first queen of the Cista Queendom resided, water pouring from her raised blade. It was the only area nearby large enough to fit Liliana’s tames.

“Yes, it’s fine! I can lift the restriction on your summoning stones. So please show me your Bonds!” Marianne gushed excitedly. Liliana snuck a glance towards the left, where a knight was standing sentry. His eyes were locked on her and she didn’t need to hear him speak to read the warning in his eyes. Liliana sighed, feeling sweat bead on her back.

Really, do they think I’d be dumb enough to attack Marianne here? I get they’re overprotective of her because she’s the only heir, and she was sickly for so long but please, have some faith that I wouldn’t be this stupid, Liliana thought as her shoulders sagged for a moment. Being with Marianne was an enjoyable experience, but her bodyguards caused Liliana never-ending stress. Tasking a deep breath, Liliana laid her hands across each stone and willed Nemesis and Lelantos to appear.

Marianne squealed excitedly, gripping Liliana’s arm tightly as the forms of a giant tiger and serpent shimmered into existence. Liliana was relieved that Nemesis chose to stay in her smaller form, as she wasn’t sure even this courtyard was large enough to house both the tames at their full sizes without ruining something worth more money than Liliana would see in her life.

Lelantos yawned as he finished materializing, displaying his large canines before he stretched out languidly. Nemesis shook herself and quickly regained her bearings before slithering to Liliana. The girl knelt down instinctively, belatedly remembering the princess clutching her arm. But Marianne eagerly followed Liliana’s lead, cooing softly when Nemesis got close enough for her to see properly. Liliana mentally sent messages to both her tames to treat Marianne as if she was a delicate youngling, and to be on their best behavior. It took no time for both her tames to sense the overwhelming strength of the surrounding knights, which set them both a bit on edge, but it would ensure they behaved. Liliana reached out a hand for Nemesis to climb onto and she rose to her feet, Marianne still attached to her.

“Nemesis is still a bit wary of people. Would you like to meet Lelantos first?” Liliana asked as Nemesis climbed up her arm and into her hair. Marianne was staring at Liliana and the serpent resting in her hair with wide, sparkling eyes.

“Yes!” Marianne breathed and Liliana smiled, leading Marianne to Lelantos, who was sitting, his tail flicking about in wariness. Liliana rubbed a hand against his face, sending a sense of calm to him. The knights watching them wouldn’t attack as long as they treated Marianne with respect and gentleness. Lelantos chuffed quietly, lowering his head some to make it easier to pet him.

“You can pet him. He likes the attention,” Liliana told Marianne.

The princess looked at her in disbelief before turning to Lelantos, audibly gulping as she held out a trembling hand. Lelantos lowered his head further, sniffing the small hand shaking before him. He nudged it gently with his nose, eliciting a surprised squeak from the princess. As Lelantos turned his head to encourage Marianne to pet him, she grew more bold, moving her hand against his iridescent silver fur, her face full of awe and wonder.

“I thought he’d be soft, but his fur is rough!” Marianne said, giggling slightly when Lelantos chuffed when Marianne’s hands found one of his favorite spots to be scratched.

“It’s more common for wild beasts to have rough fur than soft,” Liliana commented.

Mentally she inquired if Nemesis would be alright with greeting the princess. She expressed how dear Marianne was and how kind the girl was. Nemesis reluctantly agreed, her natural curiosity overriding her inherent distaste for humans in general. Liliana knew as well that any individuals she personally felt strongly for in a good way, Nemesis was more inclined to accept. The serpent slithered down her head and settled on her shoulder, her tail wrapping around Liliana’s neck, the leaves at the end tickling the skin there.

“Nemesis says you can greet her as well,” Liliana told Marianne. The princess froze before turning excitedly to the serpent resting on Liliana’s shoulder.

“Oh wow, she looks just like a little flower. How beautiful,” Marianne said, holding out a single finger to the serpent. Nemesis flicked her tongue out, causing Marianne to giggle nervously as her tongue tickled the girl’s finger. Satisfied with whatever she tasted on the girl, the serpent nudged her head forward, letting the princess rest one delicate finger against her head. Marianne was exceedingly careful as she stroked Nemesis’ scales, barely touching her petals as her fingers ghosted over them. Liliana watched on, a serene smile on her face as she watched the scene. The sweet princess charming animals, like something right out of a storybook.

“Oh!” Marianne said, startled when Lelantos gently nosed her, chuffing quietly at the lack of attention he was receiving. Nemesis took the moment of distraction to make her way back into Liliana’s hair, her social battery run quite dry. Marianne looked a little crestfallen at the serpent’s departure, but she quickly smiled, laughing when Lelantos nosed her once more. The tiger flopped to the ground, rolling onto his back to display his belly to the princess, his rainbow eyes big and pitiful.

“Oh, how adorable!” Marianne cooed.

Forgoing any sense of decorum, the princess knelt to the ground and started to rub his belly, giggling when he chuffed in response. Liliana looked at the princess for a moment, happily kneeling on the ground before a beast that by all rights should terrify her, petting his belly and telling him what a handsome boy he was. Liliana quickly covered her mouth to hide the laugh that wanted to emerge.

It was such an absurd sight she doubted anyone would ever believe her if she spoke of it. Shaking her head, a mirthful smile on her face, Liliana knelt next to Marianne, shifting until she was sitting on the ground entirely. Setting her chin in her hand, Liliana watched on as Marianne seemed to fall into her own world, not a care for who might see her.

She was always my favorite in the game, but I never imagined meeting her in real life would make me like her even more. She really is an amazing person. Many noble ladies would be terrified of Lelantos and Nemesis, bonded or not. Yet she doesn’t hesitate to pet them, and she respects their boundaries as well, without me ever having to tell her. I didn’t ever think that the word Princess could describe more than just a title, but Marianne really is the perfect embodiment of that word, Liliana thought as she watched on.

With the scent of blooming flowers around her, the warmth of the enchanted courtyard sinking into her bones, and the relaxing tableau of her friend lavishing her Bond in affection, Liliana felt like she was in a dream. One she’d rather never wake from.

“Mari!” a voice called out, singsong and sweet but familiar. Liliana jolted, breaking from her half-daydreaming state. She was on her feet before her brain could catch up, reaching for a weapon she couldn’t summon on instinct. Lelantos had sprung to his feet, his body between Marianne’s and the intruder.

“Oh, I seem to have startled your friends Mari,” a woman’s voice spoke up, full of amusement. As if she had just seen a child do a particularly ridiculous act. Liliana’s eyes finally settled on the intruder, and she immediately knelt down, bowing her head. She sent a harsh order to Lelantos to bow as well.

“Your Majesty, I apologize for my rudeness,” Liliana said, her heart pounding in her chest.

She had been ready to attack the queen because she’d startled her so badly. She hadn’t even heard the woman approach, nor felt her presence or aura until she called out. It had reminded her uncomfortably of the assassin that had snuck into her room, and she’d panicked. But it didn’t excuse her for acting in such a way toward their country’s queen.

“Please, rise. It’s good to see that my Mari has a friend so willing to protect her,” the queen said, her voice still full of amusement, not the slightest bit of anger in her tone.

Liliana looked up hesitantly as saw the queen’s imposing face softened by a warm smile. She was dressed far more simply than when Liliana had seen her at the ball. Her long white hair was tied up in a simple high ponytail, and she wore breeches and a billowing top with a vest over it. The clothes were obviously expensive, perhaps even more than Liliana’s own dress, but it was evident they were the queen’s training or comfortable wear. She even had a sword strapped to her side, a less ornate sword than the one she wore to balls.

“Mom! I told you I was meeting my friend today, and you weren’t to barge in! Now look, you’ve gone and frightened Lady Liliana!” Marianne stepped past Liliana and Lelantos, who were both still kneeling, to confront her mother.

Seeing the small and slight Marianne nagging her much taller and sturdier mother was an odd sight. Liliana slowly stood back up as Marianne berated her mother for interrupting them. Lelantos rose with her, and the two shared a confused look. The queen raised her hands, looking away from her daughter in a way that Liliana would call bashful if she was describing anyone but the queen.

“I just wanted to meet your friend Mari, and offer you two some refreshments and snacks,” the queen spoke in soothing tones, trying to calm her angered daughter.

“You were being nosy! We talked about this mom! You’ve got to give me some space. I’m not the sickly girl I was before!” Marianne scolded her mother and the queen’s shoulders drooped.

Liliana couldn’t decide where to direct her eyes. She felt like she was seeing a scene no one should be privy to. The crown princess scolding the queen? It was unthinkable. Yet Liliana felt a painful ache in her heart, because the scene reminded her so much of how she used to talk to her own mother before she got sick again. Before the cancer ruined her life, she used to nag her own parents for being too overbearing because of her health.

“I know, but I’m your mother. It’s my job to worry, my sweet,” the queen said gently. Marianne sighed loudly and opened her mouth to start in when the queen swooped in, picking Marianne in a hug.

“Besides, how else would I see my precious Mari in such an adorable scene?” The queen cooed as she spun the princess around effortlessly.

This family is crazy, but in a good way, Liliana thought, raising her hand to her face and covering her eyes in second hand shame. Marianne was shouting at her mother again to let her down. Eventually the queen did, but not before Marianne’s face was flushed bright red in anger and embarrassment.

“I’m sorry, Lady Liliana. We showed you something so unbecoming,” Marianne said, turning her back on her mother and walking to Liliana and gripping her hands.

“It’s alright. Be glad your mother cares so much for you to do things like this. One day you’ll miss this,” Liliana told her, a sad smile on her own face. What she wouldn’t give for one more embarrassing moment with her parents. One last teasing remark from her father, one last affectionate hug from her mother. One last memory. Marianne’s face fell, and she looked down at their clasped hands.

“Right, I shouldn’t seem so ungrateful before you,” Marianne mumbled, and Liliana blinked. That hadn’t been what she meant, but Marianne wasn’t entirely wrong either. Liliana had lost her mother, just not the one Marianne was referencing with her comment.

“It’s alright, I have happy memories like these to cherish. It’s why I say to not be so hard on your mother, and to appreciate the love she gives, and the memories you make together,” Liliana comforted, giving Marianne a happier smile when the princess looked up at her. Liliana’s heart tugged when she saw the wetness in the princess’ eyes.

What a sweet heart she has, crying because of someone else’s pain, Liliana thought.

“It’s so sweet, my little Mari has such a smart friend,” the queen said from behind them, ending the moment as Marianne’s face flushed dark red and she whirled to fix her mother with a baleful glare.

“Mother, could you please cease harassing my friend in such a manner? You’ve already tarnished our family’s reputation beyond repair with your actions,” Marianne said slowly, her voice irritated.

“I don’t think Lady Liliana would speak of this,” the queen said, meeting Liliana’s gaze with her own. Her face remained warm, but her eyes held a silent threat. The queen trusted Marianne’s judgment enough to show this sort of scene to Liliana, but it didn’t mean the queen trusted her yet.

“I would never speak of such a private moment, your majesty. I wish only to be Crown Princess Marianne’s friend, and I would be a truly horrid person if I went around saying things about my dearest friend that would sully her reputation,” Liliana said, bowing her head to the queen.

“A smart young lady, Mari, you’ve made a good friend,” the queen told her daughter as Liliana rose again. The queen’s eyes met her own again, and there was approval in the depths. Liliana felt a warmth in her chest, but unlike the warmth she felt when her father expressed pride in her, this feeling wasn’t followed by self hatred. It was pure, untainted.

It was a silly, improbable, and impossible wish. But for a moment, as Liliana basked under the queen’s approval, she hoped that perhaps the queen would come to see her as a type of daughter. Or at least maybe treat her with even a fraction of the care and affection she showed Marianne. It was greedy though, and Liliana shoved the wish down deep where it would never reemerge.

I should be happy with what I have. The people I have now are enough for me. More than enough, more than I ever dreamed of having, and more than I deserve. Liliana thought as she banished the wish from her mind.

“I’ll be on my way then, since you don’t seem to want my company, Mari. But please, bring your friend to tea with me next time she visits,” the queen instructed her daughter. Marianne huffed and glared at her mother as the queen waved and departed. Liliana curtsied, Lelantos following her lead beside her.

I hope I passed that test of hers, Liliana thought as she rose again, finally taking a deep breath as the queen vanished from view.