Chapter 3

Lilia strolled through the hallway and headed towards the throne room. She glanced down at the pink gown she decided to wear. It stood elegantly on her body but not regarding its beauty, Lilia felt very uncomfortable in it. She glanced at her hands that were covered in white long gloves, her hair was nicely packed by her maids with hairpins that added more radiating beauty to it. 

As she sauntered further, her blue eyes twinkled as unspoken words filled her mind. She wondered which kingdom this suitor comes from and his looks but one thing is certain that no man can ever win her heart. 

She got to the door of the throne room, from where she stood, she heard her father's voice along with an unfamiliar voice. The soldier at the door opened it widely for her as she stepped in, her eyes fixed on the young man next to her father.

King Arthur looked up at the sight of Lilia, he smiled proudly at her look and was sure that her suitor would be thrilled by her captivating beauty. 

Queen Mena nodded in happiness at the dress Lilia chose to put on and the way her hair was styled.

"Good evening father" Lilia greeted with a bow as she stood before her father. She turned to the young man and felt disgusted at the way he stared at her. Quickly, she turned away from him and faced her father, "You asked for my presence father" she let out calmly as she tried to hide the anger growing in her. 

Not noticing his daughter's countenance, King Arthur nodded in pride, "Yes I did because you have a new suitor and I want you to meet him" he turned to the young man who stood up and took a slight bow.

Lilia scanned him for a while, his blonde hair was brushed nicely and rested royally on his shoulder. From where she stopped, she could see his sparkling blue eyes just as hers, his tall physique and dimples when he smiled at her. He is indeed handsome just as her mum said but her heart felt sick by the sight of him instead of happiness.

King Arthur glanced at his daughter, "This is Prince Philip of the neighboring kingdom Sunan, his father is my very good friend and it is quite unfortunate that he couldn't make it tonight" he said turning to prince Philip who stood gazing at Lilia.

Prince Philip walked towards Lilia, took her hand In his, and placed a gentle kiss on it, "Nice to finally meet you, my princess, both of us will rule your kingdom greatly" he disclosed as he smiled romantically at her.

Lilia glanced at her hand, thank goodness she was putting on a glove, she could not imagine his lips on her bare skin. She glared at him not hiding the irritation in her eyes, instantly she turned to her father, bowed, and gazed up, "I am sorry father, but I don't want him as my husband" she declared to the shock of her father whose eyes widened in shock. 

Queen Mena stared at her daughter with a firm look, anger rising in her, "What do you mean by that Lilia?" She inquired to her stubborn daughter. 

Lilian peeked at her father, "I don't want him as my husband because I don't like him, father, I need to get married to someone my heart yearns for" she announced with a pleading look in her eyes.

"Enough!" King Arthur roared in rage, his eyes filled with anger. 

Lilia's heart skipped a bit at her father's outburst, she knows her father to be a ruthless man but he has never acted this way towards her. She moved backward in fright, her eyes not leaving him.

"Listen, Lilia, I have given you enough time to make your own decision" his voice echoed through the large room as he pointed a finger at her, his forehead squeezed in resentment.

"You have been given enough time to pick a suitor. It is a year now and you still haven't made your choice and I am tired of hearing a repeated no every time you have a suitor" He glared at her intensively in a way that Lilia could feel his eyes piercing into her soul.

King Arthur turned to prince Philip and back at her, "I have made my decision because you are unable to make yours" he pauses, his eyes stern and sharp, "You will get married to Prince Philip and I don't care about your opinion" he nodded, "Get ready daughter, your sent off has been fixed and this is final" he asserted firmly with a harsh stare indicating his authority. 

Lilia froze as goosebumps covered her body. Her eyes welled up with tears as she couldn't believe her ears, she knew her father's act when he makes decisions like this, he is deadly serious and will surely stick to his word. She glimpsed at her mother who looked unconcerned and staring at her, Lilia knew that her parents had made this decision before assembling her. 

She turned to her mother with pleading eyes, "Mother, please" she begged with teary eyes.

Queen Mena's face hardened, "We have made our decision and Prince Philip is a nice man, he will surely take care of you and treat you well, I see no reason for you to reject his proposal when you don't even want to know him" she noted.

"No…" Lilia mumbled, not wasting another second, she burst into tears and ran out of the throne room, her feet echoed down the hall.

King Arthur turned to prince Philip who smiled happily at the king's decision, "We are sorry that you had to see that. Don't mind her behavior, my daughter will make the best wife and with time, she will come to her senses" King Arthur assured him. 

"Thanks my king" Prince Philip bowed in respect, "I have to take my leave back to my kingdom, I will deliver the news to my father" he contended.

"Very well" King Arthur nodded, "My soldiers will see you through" he dismissed the young man who walked out of the throne room accompanied by a tall soldier. 

Queen Mena turned to her husband with sympathetic eyes, "You don't have to worry, I will talk to her" said, stood up, and walked out of the throne room leaving her worried husband. 

Lilia lay on her bed with a pillow soaked in tears, her scattered hair covering a part of her face as she sniffed loudly, tears rolling down her eyes. How can her parents make such a decision for her? The thought of it brought more tears to her eyes. Prince Philip just doesn't attract her in any way, not him, not any man ever! She just wanted to be free and go on so many adventures but getting married will keep her down. 

For a moment, she wished she was never born, why did fate bring her into a royal household, why is she a lady that should be controlled by the words of men and her father. Now she is going to get married to a man that despite just looking at first sight, how will she live with such a man till eternity, No! She won't let that happen.

The door of her room opened as footsteps entered into her large furnished bedroom with beautiful flowers and radiating ornaments. The white curtain adorned with flowers was raised by its side, a gentle breeze passed by it into the room. 

" I want to be left alone mother" Lilia noted as she perceived her mother's familiar smell, quickly, she cleaned her tears and rested her head on the pillow, her gaze away from her mother's direction.

Queen Mena walked towards her, sat on her bed, and slowly stroked her hair. "My daughter" she let out softly, "You should know that your father and I are doing this for your benefit. You are the princess of the great kingdom which ruled the seven neighboring kingdoms" she paused, glanced at the open window, and back at her, "This is your responsibility Lilia if you don't do this, your father's reign will be at risk because he doesn't have a son. This is the only way you can save your kingdom, the ball is in your court Lilia" she explained calmly with love in her eyes.

Lilia lay still and didn't say a word, her mind was occupied with so many words. She knows that her parents need her but she needs herself the most, she isn't trying to be selfish but being someone's wife isn't her goal right now. 

Queen Mena sat for a while, she didn't hear a word from Lilia, slowly, she kissed her cheek and stood up, "It's late now, you have to sleep, your father will see you by morning" she said and walked out of the room.

Immediately she left, Lilia stood up from her bed. She glanced at her gown, walked towards the tall mirror in her room, and stared at her reflection. Right now, she knows what to do and she must do the right thing.

Quickly, she walked towards her cupboard, rummaged through it, and found a pair of shorts and a white shirt she hid months ago. She has to run away from the palace to escape this wrath from her father, this is the only way she can gain the freedom she has always wanted.

Hastily, she changed into the clothes, picked a pair of black boots, wore them, and packed her hair in a bun. Quickly, she took a bag underneath her bed, placed her savings in it, a bottle of water and fruits which she left for her in her room. With the money she has, she will be able to buy some food and find her way through. 

Slowly, she walked towards the mirror, glanced at her reflection with a satisfied look on her face. She is sure that no one will be able to recognize her and she will come back to the palace when her parents decide to let her live her life the way she wants but if they don't she will never step foot into the kingdom.

Lilia scanned her room for the last time, walked through the open window, and jumped down with a gladdened heart but before she leaves the kingdom, she must see Mama Gunad and say goodbye to her.