Chapter 21 - The Banquet Pt. 3

Once Nora’s eyes settled on Lilith, she froze up. It was obvious that she was here, but Nora must have been too worried about Raymond to even notice her.

The Queen gave Lilith a look that she could not really decipher. She walked up to her and once she was in front of Lilith, she curtsied to show her respect. Lilith hoped that she was not too late. If she was supposed to do it as soon as the Queen set her eyes on her then she would be in trouble.

“Where did this, ‘little servant girl’ come from Raymond?” Nora had a look of disdain on her face and Lilith had to keep herself from rolling her eyes. She was the last person to judge her.

Raymond was not very inclined to tell his mother how he and Lilith came to know each other. She had surely heard the news about the mysterious Princess and trying to explain it all to her would add more to the headache that he was trying to get rid of.

“Well, I was introduced to her through Lucan,” he said simply.

He knew that Lucan would go along with what he was saying. He did not know the full story between him and Lilith but he would understand that talking about the fact that she was the one who came to his ball without an invitation would definitely cause some problems.

Lilith saw all the servants behind Lilith looking at each other with confusion on their faces. And she focused back on the Queen, making sure to keep her head slightly bowed.

“I didn’t know you were looking for anyone? If you were, you should have come to me. I would have made sure that you would not have gotten anyone below standard.” The Queen looked right at Lilith when she said those words.

To her knowledge, there was nothing that Lilith could have done to upset the Queen. So was she judging her based on how she looked? Last Liltih checked she was being talked about for being a Goddess that decended to earth on the night of the Silver Moon. She was being compared to greek goddesses and the Quen was judging her based on how she was presented. Maybe Lilith should not have sold the dress, but changed it to a design that would have better suited the times and then worn it today. Such a missed opportunity.

“Mother, I picked someone who I thought was the best and she is doing a well enough job.”

Well enough?

“Well enough?” Nora turned to Raymond. “You need the best, not someone who is well enough. Look, if you are taking new servants then let me find some good ones for you.”

The way the Queen talked about the servants as if they were appliances really ticked her off.

“I am not taking any more servants. I was looking for one and I found one.”

Raymond liked Lilith well enough. She did her job and was not annoying all the time. She also cared about his health and almost got herself fired because of it. He could see that she was just trying to do the best she could and that she was not interested in him in any romantic way. It was a breath of fresh air that he did not feel like he had to walk on glass to try and prevent that. He wanted to keep her on as his personal servant. And she was smart too, so that was a plus.

“Are you sure that you picked the right one? Did you do a proper background check on her? You know that we don’t take just anyone to be servants.”

Lilith was from the future. She had studied all that was going to happen so technically, she knew the future. She was more than qualified to be a servant. She could be a freaking oracle. But then again, she would have watched ‘Back To The Future’ for nothing. So she guessed she would have to be more careful about what she did and said.

“Lilith is very highly educated. To the point where she is able to help me with my work.”

“Huh?” Nora could not hide her shock. “Don’t be ridiculous Raymond.”

Lilith was starting to get bored of the conversation. She just wanted the Queen to shut up and sit down and have everyone drone on about some problem they had in life. And it seemed that Raymond had the same thought she did.

“I will talk with you about this later mother, please, sit and eat.”

Nora opened her mouth to protest but the King called her to sit down, agreeing with Raymond and she was finally able to breathe properly.

The banquet was finally back on its tracks. Lilith watched Raymond like a hawk and made sure that ate. He took his food in little bites but eventually he finished it. An hour passed after that and Lilith wanted to sit down so badly. She was starting to get shifty. Lilith wanted to stay as still as possible but she knew that was not possible.

Raymond had his head rested on his hand as he looked around the room. Next to him sat his brother Rory, he was eating slowly. He had been since the beginning and that was how he would be until the banquet ended. He would only speak when spoken to and that was it. The King tried to engage with everyone at the table and he and Raymond always talked about the latest political disputes. Landon would always give him the most immature expression while he was talking and all Raymond did was ignore him. There was no use trying to reason with ignorance.

He had finished the food Lilith put out for him and was again starting to crave something, but now what was put out on the table in front of them. There was an assortment of meats, food rich in starch and fiber and there were also desserts. But dessert was the last thing on Raymond’s mind. He wanted something fresh. Fruits.
Looking back at Lilith, he could see that way she fidgeted and looked around the room. It was obvious that she was bored and wanted to leave. He guessed they were in the same boat then. After he ate some fruits, he would then leave.

“Lilith,” he called her with a gentle wave of his hand.

Relived to be able to move after so long, Lilith went to Raymond, struggling to keep the smile of relief off of her face. “Yes, Your Grace,”

He beckoned for her to come closer and so Lilith bend down slightly. “I want you to go and find some fruits for me. They should be in the kitchen. Maybe ask for directions if you come across anyone.”

Lilith smiled and whispered. “Thank you, my legs were about to fall numb.”

“I could see that.”

“Do you have any preference in mind?”

“Something refreshing,” Raymond said thoughtfully.

An entire list of things popped into Lilith’s head and she nodded, knowing what to look for. She would probably prepare it in the kitchen and then bring it to him after.

“I will be back quickly then.” she bowed to him slightly and then left the banquet hall.

Lilith felt many pairs of eyes following her and she moved with her head down towards the doors. The guards standing there opened the door for her and once she was outside and the doors were closed she let out a breath of air and smiled.

As Lilith walked she took long strides to stretch her legs, looking around to see if there was anyone she could ask for directions. But as she was walking, she did not expect to come across the Queen, standing by herself in the middle of a hall, thinking, and someone who looked to be a noble, approaching her.

Walking there was in her path and so Lilith did not stop, but when she got closer, the approaching noble saw her and paused, before turning around and fleeing in the other direction.