CHAPTER 15 Part 1: My Downfall --Lily's POV-- [what happened?!] I asked myself peeking through the curtain, confused of what was happening outside. I only just woke up inside the luxurious room that was offered to me for free so that I could enjoy my time during the 3 days of my concert when I heard a loud commotion outside of the Inn that I was staying in. “Fake!” “Traitor!” “You told me I was the only one!” “Fuc-” “Please sir-” “We can’t let-” “Step asi-” Angered citizens push the armored guards that protected the door of the Grand Platinum Inn, the most luxurious inn in the whole kingdom, 5 interconnected towers that form a pentagon each having its own features and the most expensive building was Tower Aiden, named after Lord Aiden who everyone believed to be the savior of the Human Continent. “What’s happening, babe?” the red haired pretty boy who was naked under the sheets asked, rubbing his eyes and sitting up. “I don’t know Paul, I just woke up only to hear a loud crowd outside.” I answered honestly, still feeling embarrassed from wearing the white night gown that he gave me for my birthday. “LILY! WAKE UP!” an aggressive knocking came before the familiar voice that sounded very agitated which made me jump from the shock. “Quick hide!” I whispered to Paul, gesturing him to hide somewhere. He was quick to find a place away from peering eyes. “What is it~” I answered opening the door after I dressed up more appropriately. “You need to come with me to my portable office down stairs Lily.” The 4 eyed manager said as she pulled my arms. She usually had this calming aura around her but the way she was gripping my arms tightly was nerve wracking. “What happened? You’re scaring me right now Lin” I asked my manager named Linda, she wore some expensive looking dress fit for sleeping. “What do you mean Lily!” she stopped to look me in the eye. “You’ve caused this!” [what?] I froze due to her unusual behavior, she was breathing quiet heavily, her eyes were like daggers stabbing me. “Come. We will discuss this inside” she walked faster this time. I remained on her tail and closed my mouth. We finally reached her portable office, opening the foldable door frame that was one of the invention of LouwenDale. “Close the door.” “…” “What the FUCK were you thinking!” she glared at me, this was the first time I angered her even after the 7 years that we were together doing this business. “What? What happened? Why are you so angry at me Lin?” “What do you think?! Because of your carelessness everything is ruined now… *sigh* look at this” I moved towards here and looked at the magic paper that showed the latest news. “Famous Idol Lily caught having a mystery dat—” I took a step back unable to believe what I saw and turned to Linda. “You heard the angry mob outside? They came here for you…” “Wha-what? ” “I told you Lily Idols cannot be seen having a relationship, you’re an entertainer your priority should always be your fans.” Her eyes looked less tense than a moment ago and looked away from me. “Lily… I’m sorry but the company decided to let you go” [what?] “Wait Lin… w-why?” “This was their final decision. The concert was already cancelled. I’m truly sorry.” “What about my family? My mother? My father? We can’t live without your support. Please!” I begged now on the floor, my body giving out. “You should’ve thought about that before going outside with the captain of the Holy Knights of Niru. It’s over Lily… even with the king and prince’s orders they cannot help.” Not long after that she left me outside the room, and removed the portable office she always carried during business trips, folding the wooden door frame quickly. I was just standing there, left on my own. The empty hall was quiet even with the crowd outside I couldn’t hear a thing. Before I became Lily, I was a nobody working as a waitress at a restaurant unable to afford the fees for my parents who were ill and stayed at a local medical center. I worked and worked, sometimes unable to eat food that I wanted to eat only for my parent to live. One day I sang while cleaning on a midnight shift and a woman in her 20s who wore a glasses heard me sing, and recruited me, that woman was Linda. That was the start of my career as an Idol who would be able to sing and dance in front of hundreds of people who traveled across the continent just to hear and see me. I started to afford a more qualified medical center that treated my parents better, they looked way healthier there which they were surprised and scolded me for spending so much for them. How could I not do it to them when I ruined their health. Yes it was me who caused my parents to become the way they are now. I was a sickly child and often spend my days on top of a medical bed and because of my expensive treatment my parents worked multiple jobs and even sold our home just to support me, so how could I not support my family even after the sacrifices they’ve made for me. After a few years, I made a steady amount of money and treated myself to some delicious food and bought some cute dresses that I could buy before which caught the attention of many people including Paul the captain of the Holy Knights of Niru, a red head muscular man who I was attracted to ever since we were kids. He often visited me before and only stopped due to his training and education and now he couldn’t even recognize me. One day Paul confronted me and confessed his feelings under the stars while we walked quietly outside the walls of Niru, the flowers which we brushed past gave a romantic feel to his hands that grabbed mine, the night breeze made his hair sway softly as he knelt before me. I couldn’t turn away from his eyes that shined from the moonlight and after that we in a secret relationship unable to announce to the world the greatest thing that happened in my life. But now… The greatest thing that ever happened to me became my downfall. “What do I do now?” I ran towards my room seeking comfort only to find myself alone once again. “Why… I just wanted to feel loved. Can’t I enjoy my life for once? Do I have to work all my life?!” I shouted smacking the wet pillows that caught my tears. “Fuck…” I cursed, crumpling the sheets. I stayed indoors for the whole day, crying myself to sleep only to wake up crying again. [what would happen to my parents now? I was only able to save up for 2 years and after that I won’t be able to pay for them… what if I sell my belongings? Or… sell myself?] [no. Paul wouldn’t allow that.] [I should come over to his home maybe he’d be able to help me.] I stood and washed myself, wore some decent clothes and went to his home. *knock knock* I used the door knocker to get anyone’s attention. “What is it?” Paul’s mother came and opened the door, her usual kind atmosphere nowhere to be seen. “I-is Paul home mother?” “No never come back Lily or you’ll ruin my son’s reputation!” she heavily slammed the door to my face. [what? Ruin?] *KNOCK KNOCK* “Mother what do you mean!” I unconsciously banged on the door louder this time unable to realize what she was implying which made her open it. “Get away from my son. Do you not understand? Because of your scandal my son might get fired. Stop dating him.” “Please give me another chance. Mother please!” she once again left me outside to myself. I don’t know what was going on, it feels like everyone is leaving me in massive groups even the family of my fiancé abandoned me. [where is he? Paul don’t tell me you also left me?] it felt too surreal, I had a thousand fans, a lot of family members, and friends and in just a single day I had lost everyone. [what did I ever do to deserved this?] I walked under the clouded sky, drops of rain came pouring down as if to mock me even more. I could’ve used magic but I just let the rain drench me all over. There was nowhere else that I could go or that I wanted to go so I went to the newly bought house that I dedicated for my parents. I removed the clothes that were too heavy for me and placed it on hamper, I didn’t had any appetite in me so I just moved towards the soft cushioned bed that I was proud about. [where are you love? I need you now more than ever., I need your touch, your caring heart, your ears, and arms.] I sat up on the bed, my legs close to my chest feeling vulnerable. I cried myself to sleep again, my eyes feeling heavier than the drenched clothes that I wore hours before. I lost my fans, my job, my fiancé’s family, and possibly my love as well… in just a span of a day I lost almost everything that I held dear, I can’t talk about this to my parents who were so proud of me and my success. [What would they tell me? Should I go there today? Mom… dad… I’m scared] Opening the door outside to see a familiar envelope that came from the place that took care of my parents. [could this be about the monthly fees?] curious I picked and opened the envelope that had a red seal. “Dear Lily, we are sorry to say that your pare—” unable to handle the news I unconsciously let the paper go. My heart couldn’t handle everything that was going on, my life was falling apart in front of my eyes. The letter contained the news about the death of my parents after the shock of hearing about the scandal from doctors and nurses from the location, angered fans also came to the building shouting curses towards my parents and me. Who could’ve informed anyone about that secret that I kept even from my friends? “AHHHHHHHH!” I screamed again and again from the top of my lungs until I couldn’t anymore, I banged my fists on the cold stone floor until they bled, my dried eyes just hurt unable to produce tears. Now I was truly alone. *** I woke up at night only to find my place to be visited by the royal guards. “Umm… can I ask you why you’re here?” “The king has summoned you lady Lily.” One of the guards approached me and the rest kneeled. “W-why? I didn’t do a-anything bad.” “It is fine lady Lily, you are not in trouble. We are here to help.” The guard in front of me offered his hands which I wasn’t too eager to accept. “Can it not wait tomorrow? I had a rough day.” “I’m sorry lady Lily it take at least 3 days to travel back to the capital.” I lived in the Residential district of the kingdom where locals reside which is 3 days away from the capital. “Then let me get a bag of clothes.” After changing and packing my luggage I followed the guards who offered a ride to the castle in the capital. The trip was abrupt but a little bit relaxing, the rhythmic galloping of the horses that led the carriage were somewhat calming it took me away from the thought that my life was falling apart. I don’t think I’m stable enough to go see and talk the king but… I don’t know I just thought that I had no other choice but to go with them. 3 days went by in a flash and I find myself in a private room alone with the King of Niru. The room was isolated from everything, no windows, thick stone walls, a wooden table and a pair of matching chairs sat in the middle of the room and a light that came from the chandelier above. What came to mind was an interrogation room, I didn’t know why was I summoned but coming here was not giving me a peace of mind. “Welcome lady Lily, a pleasure to finally meet you face to face” the bearded white man was the first to break the silence, his clothes were somewhat casual compared to the formal dress that I wore trying to present myself. “I-it is an honor that you s-summoned me your majesty. B-but may I ask the p-purpose of me being summoned to such a p-place?” I stuttered, this hasn’t happened in a long time since becoming an idol but my heart was restless ever since I had stepped outside of the royal carriage that I rode along the way. “You don’t have to be so nervous. I was informed of the trials that you had been facing ever since the incident in the Entertainment District. I am truly sorry about your occupation my son and I tried to talk to your company for we are one of your loyal fans, my wife also tried to help… what I’m trying to say is that we are willing to give you a way to earn money to help you.” His eyes pitied me the whole time he talked, his voice was soft and understanding. “We will clear your name even if you truly had someone special, you work more than any idols that stepped on stage and you deserve to be happy… yet I cannot give your old job back to you we can only offer a job of teaching in the Academy. We are planning of going to war and avenge our fallen comrades in LouwenDale and go to the Demon Continent, for that we will need to train warriors. I know your alias is ‘Dusk’ a famous young assassin that was able to sneak inside the most secure palace and managed to murder 2 influential individuals years before.” “W-what?! How could you have known?” I stood fast, the rubbing of the chair against the marble floors reverberated throughout the room. “The how shouldn’t matter now lady ‘Dusk’. I am offering you a way of earning a living, I won’t force you too much I just wanted you to know that there’s something waiting for you here if things don’t go well. Well then, thank you for your time, I have places to go to lady Lily make yourself at home before going back.” And the King left. ***