The Crowned Princess

Chapter 24

Lily was hugging Mel tight.

"I will miss you, Mama!"

"Oh, you will be alright Lily!" Mel kissed her forehead. "It's just for a few days."

"Why can't you come with us, Mama?"

"I would come with you if I could," Mel sighed. "But... I cannot leave the boundaries of the tree."

"But why?"

"I will tell you when you are a little older," Mel lifted Lily up and safely put her on the horse. "Well then, I hope your trip goes safely!"

Lily nodded as James too got on the horse.

"Ready, princess?" James asked.

"Yes Dada!" Lily said nervously.

"Alright then," James kissed her head. "Let's go dear."

Mel and Victor watched the horse take off into the distance, smiling to themselves.

"She's growing up so fast," Mel said to herself. "She can use magic now. Someday, she will become a great witch just like Mother, or even Di."

Victor stared at Mel.

"I know this is rude of me to ask, but what happened to them? Especially your mother. She didn't even want Lily to be born in the first place if I remember correctly. Ms. Freesia was very angry when you told her that you were expecting. And she left and never came back. What... happened?"

Mal stayed quiet for a while.

"I apologize, it really isn't my place-"

"The tree is Mother's grave."

"What?!"

Mel sighed.

"We should talk about it over breakfast. Come with me."

The two went back to the cottage and walked into the kitchen. Mel gave Victor bread with cheese while she had hers with butter.

"It's about time I tell you too. The reason why Mother was angry that I was expecting was because, well, I was, and still am, gravely ill."

Victor's eyes went wide with shock.

"Gravely ill? Is that why you stopped working for the Imperial family?"

Mel nodded her head.

"Yes. And Mother was angry because if I were to go ahead and give birth to the child, I would've died. No questions asked. She said that she cannot afford to lose her remaining daughter."

"But you're still alive-"

"That's where Mother comes in. Rosemary Evergreen, the founder of the Evergreen Clan, left us with a secret spell. It was a protection spell with an enormous range, including healing abilities."

"Right. That I figured with the tree appearing suddenly."

Mel then looked at the magical oak tree.

"That protection comes at a price. The price being our own life."

"..."

"I do blame myself at times, but I know I shouldn't. My sister did the same for Dahlia, and I know that if the situation ever arises, I'd do the same for Lily."

Victor still didn't say anything.

"At times I wonder if I had just listened to Mother about overusing my magic. If I had, then she still would've been here, and she would have been the one taking her to the priests, not James."