“Are you certain this is a good idea?” Lilyanna questioned as Nicholas led her to the carriage.
“Yes, I am. You’ll be fine.” Nicholas smiled warmly while helping her on the steps. Her full dress billowed out with a lace overskirt cascading on its satin. Cautiously, she climbed on. Nicholas was wearing a dark green waist coat which was the same color as Lilyanna’s gown.
“What if she doesn’t like me? What if she refuse us? What if...”
Nicholas stopped her with the tip of his index finger. “What if she accepted us and loved you as a daughter?”
“How can you have so much hope when I have none?”
“Because that’s the only way I’ll be able to live. Now stop worrying.” He stroked her hand gently as the driver directed the horse to go.
“Mother, may I present Lilyanna Bairect.” Nicholas bowed and Lilyanna followed with a similar gesture.
“Come closer, my child. Let me get a good look at you.” Elizabeth signaled Lilyanna to her side.
“Yes, your majesty.”
When Elizabeth took a full look of the young woman in front of her, she almost fell off her seat. Whoever this woman was, she shared the same dark, mysterious brown eyes as herself and the rich, thick hair of Alexander. What Elizabeth had in mind was to dismiss the girl with some foolish reason and make sure Nicholas would give up her. But now she couldn’t and she wouldn’t.
Lilyanna stared at the woman in silk gown with wide eyes. She looked exactly like the mother she’d been dreaming of ever since she was a child. Such alikeness, Lilyanna could swear that the queen, Nicholas’ mother, came alive from her imagination.
“Mother?” Nicholas asked eagerly.
“She’s slender, but elegant nonetheless.” Elizabeth commented as she held up the younger woman’s hands. Smooth, but with scars and marks of hard labor. “How old are you?”
“Nineteen years, your highness.” Lilyanna answered.
“Do you love my son?” Elizabeth asked.
“Mother!” Nicholas protested.
Rising her hand to silence Nicholas’s protest, she repeated her question. “Do you love my son?”
Blush colored her cheeks and Lilyanna slowly nodded.
“I need to talk to Nicholas in private.” Elizabeth signaled Gloria, who was at the corner of the room the whole time, to take Lilyanna out the room. She and Nicholas shared a glance of hope and worrying before the door closed behind her.
“What do you think of her?” Nicholas looked up to his mother, his expression was pleading and hoping.
“Well...”