Chapter Text
The palace was bustling with New Years ball. All the nobles have come to celebrate with the royal family — no one was courageous enough to decline the invitation. Despite it being busiest time of the year, James loved New Years festivities in the capital, especially here, in the palace. He was working here for about three years, since his parents died. He could’ve went to children’s home, have slightly easier life than running around day and night to fulfil every whim of people who didn’t even see him as human. But James loved noise and action palace was always brimming with. Here he got to eavesdrop various secrets of nobles and royal family alike — who had affair with who, which daughter had a child out of wedlock and now is trying to find a husband, which candidates are being considered for a royal wedding and more.
James can think of litany of reasons why he enjoys working at the palace. But the main reason he can never admit out loud if he wants to keep his head. The real reason behind it is his immeasurable fondness of Princess Lily.
Princess Lily is second heir to the throne, right after her older sister — Crown Princess Petunia. While a lot of people in The Empire were disappointed Emperor had no sons, Emperor himself loves his daughters and spoils them endlessly. Princess Petunia, perhaps, less so, as she’s being prepared for her own reign as she succeeds her father. But Princess Lily, in addition to being the apple of Emperor’s eye, is spoiled by entire palace. And who could object that, James thinks, young princess is loved by everyone due to her cheerful mood and fiery personality. She can argue her way to victory without any regard about propriety, but even so, she’s never cruel or rude to the servants. That’s why James likes her — she’s kind.
Now, as James hides in the corner of the ballroom to remain unnoticed by other members of the staff, Princess Lily is in the middle of the room, spinning around with her sister. They’re both laughing — a rarer view these days, to see them willingly spending time together and even enjoying each other’s company. As always, next to her sister Princess Lily looks wild with her red hair loose and untamed, dress shorter than appropriate for an event such as this, but no one is saying a word. Princess Petunia, however, is true image of royalty with her regal attire, tiara adorning her pinned up hair. While Princess Lily dances recklessly, not really looking where she steps, Princess Petunia is always in perfect control, leading their dance in effective pattern to avoid any possible mishaps.
They have to stop dancing for a bit as Emperor beckons the Crown Princess by his side for whatever speech he is about to make. Unfortunately for James, he can’t listen to it as he’s found and dragged back to the kitchen to work.
Lily stays here frozen. Father has just announced Petunia’s engagement. Her dear sister, leaving the country in a couple months as a part of a delegation. “I am the Crown Princess, I have more duties now as I’m grown up,” Petunia said to Lily after she tried to convince her to play in the garden. But Petunia is not grown up, she’s just 15! Couldn’t Father wait until she’s at least of age? Her thoughts must show on her face, because as soon as Emperor is done with his speech, Petunia whisks Lily away to a quiet hall.
“How long will you stay there?” Lily blurts out.
Petunia sighs. “About half a year for now, I will be back in autumn.”
“Half a year?! That’s so long!”
“Father decided to send me with the delegation as a sign of our strengthening relations. Engagement is not final and this time is for me to figure out if my fiance and I are compatible, if he would be fit to become my Consort and support me in my reign.”
“But what will I do while you’re in Paris?” Lily asks, her eyes welling with tears.
“I will convince Father to let you come visit me in the summer. But while you wait, I have a gift for you.”
“What kind of gift?” Lily asks, afraid to get her hopes up.
Petunia pulls out something that was carefully hidden in the pockets of her dress. Her long fingers unfold to reveal a music box adorned with different colour jewels. In her other hand Lily sees a necklace, a key! Lily realises as Petunia unlocks the box and soft melody spills out in empty hall:
on the wind
‘cross the sea
hear this song and remember
soon you’ll be home with me
once upon a December
Lily eagerly takes the music box from Petunia, who says, “I had it made for you so you would always have a piece of me with you even if I’m far away.”
Lily hugs her sister so fiercely she stumbles backwards a few steps but Petunia hugs her back with a similar force. Even so, the Crown Princess is ever gracious and let’s go of Lily saying, “Okay, enough now. Let go. We have to return to the ballroom before we are missed.” As Lily steps away, Petunia brushes her messy hair out of her face and smiles at her. When girls come back to the ballroom, Lily is wearing her new necklace with inscription “Together in Paris”.
James wasn’t sure what had happened but the palace garden was full of people with forks and torches, marching to the doors with terrifying unity. He ran to Royal bedchambers in attempt to make sure everyone in the royal. family, but particularly Princess Lily was okay. Just as he turned the hall, he saw both princesses running towards the exit, but James knew it was too late for that — all the main exits were already surrounded.
“Your Imperial Highnesses, this way!” James shouts leading the way to the room he knows has a secret passage. Luckily enough, princesses follow him without a question and he opens the secret door to let them through as he hears footsteps approaching. “Hurry, they’re almost here!”
As soon as James closes the passageway and steps away from the wall, door bursts open and revolutionists start shouting. One of them hits James in the head and it all goes black.