Knock! Knock!

Lily tapped at the large castle gates, humming a tune, while swaying the basket in her hands back and forth.

The young girl rocked on her feet, her eyes searching around while waiting for the gates to be opened.

She was about knocking once more, when a palace guard showed up, sword and shield in hands, while staring down at little Lily.

"How may I be of help to you, young lady?" He questioned in a husky voice.

"G'day!" She replied immediately in a cheery voice.

"I'm here to deliver cookies and milk to the Queen"

"As sent by my mother, Edwina" She added.

The guard stared at her for a fleeting second, gazing at the basket of cookies and milk.

"Do come on in" He made way for her to proceed, and then made sure to lock the gates right after.

She followed quietly behind, being led straight into the castle walls.

Since her eleven years of existence, she had never made it far into the castle, despite her mother being the royal cook.

Villagers of Tramaría weren't allowed in, only on official meetings. Hence she couldn't help but admire the beauty that came with the castles. Horses trotted around, with riders on them, most of 'em knights, moving around to see to the safe-keeping of the kingdom.

The eyes of the young girl rested on the artistic carvings and pillars of the castles. They were suddenly interrupted by a boy who walked up to them, conversing with the guard.

Lily still lost in her admiration of the environment.

"She's here for the Queen"

She heard the palace guard say to the boy.

"Yes" Lily chimed in.

"I'm here to deliver this to her" She uttered.

"You must be Edwina's daughter" The young boy called out, his eyes staring at Lily, accessing her from head to toe.

"I sure am" Lily replied with a smile on her face.

"I don't think we would be needing the cookies today" He said immediately.

The smile on Lily's face was immediately replaced with a frown, her face drooping a little.

"But, why?" She asked softly.

"Well, mother has been quite unwell, since dawn but has been receiving treatment and is getting much better.

Realizing, that it was the prince of Tramaría she was talking to, she gave a curt bow, raising her dress up with her fingers and then paying her respects.

The prince brushed it off immediately, resuming talking.

"But according to the physician, she has been placed on some certain potions to get her back on her feet, meaning she has to take soup to help with the digestion of the potions throughout the day" He said to her.

"Ugh!" Lily groaned,

"Mother had this specially made for her. I hope she's alright"

"Of course, she's much better now" He replied.

"I wouldn't want you to go back with the cookies, hence, I'll take it from you"He said to her.

"I've always wanted to try it" He added.

"Thank you so much!" Lily called.

He presented a bag of coins to her and then bade her farewell, watching her hop away happily, right after the guard had recovered the basket of cookies and milk from her hands.

***

In the kitchen of the cottage which she lived in, was Edwina, having Lunch made for herself and her daughter, when suddenly she heard some commotion outside, along with some wailings.

She peered out through her windows, but couldn't get much of what was happening so she stepped back, resuming her cooking.

"Lily!"

"Could you please pass the salt" She called.

"Of course, moth-"

The wooden door of the cottage burst open, some guards trooping in, causing Lily and Edwina flinching at the sudden interruption.

"What's going on?" Edwina asked, Completely confused.

"Edwina Griffin, I'm arresting you for the alleged murder of Prince Harland of Tramaría" He announced.

"Seize her!" He commanded.

"What?! Mother hasn't done anything. She's innocent!" Lily stepped forward pleading, while watching her mother being dragged away roughly by the armed men.

She turned off the kitchen stove, grabbing her cloak and then chasing after the men as they led her to the castle.

Villagers turned to look at Lily, watching her as she chased wildly at the men, tears in her eyes.

She finally got to the castles, pushing through the guards and making her way to the throne room which her mom was being dragged to.

Edwina was dropped at the feet of the Queen, hair already rough, and wrist bruised by the strong pull of the men.

"You killed my son!" The Queen got up from her throne, advancing towards Edwina, and then smacking her hard across the face.

"Mother didn't do nothing!" Lily stepped forward, moving over to stay beside her mother.

"How dare you interrupt me? You twine!" Queen Darallise spat.

"But she's innocent. You've got the wrong person!" Lily pleaded.

"Then how do you explain this?"

The Queen brought out a tiny bottle with a string attached to its top. She held it forward for Edwina to stare closely at it.

"It was found in the basket of the cookies you gave him" The Queen yelled.

Lost for words, at the sudden realization that it was her carelessness that killed the prince, Lily dropped to her feet, tears flowing from her eyes.

She had been warned, begged and even advised by her mother to stop with the mixtures, but none of that did she pay attention to.

She had murdered the prince.

"For years, Edwina you served me. I loved your daughter like mine. I took care of the both of you. Gave you what requested for and this is how you repay me?" The Queen's voice croaked as she spoke, while tears filled her eyes.

"I am truly sorry for what has happened, but I'm letting you know that I didn't kill Prince Harland. I would never think of such" Edwina uttered.

"Enough!" Daralisse snapped at her in a fierce tone.

"As ruler of Tramaría" She announced.

"I have no other choice than proclaim you death by beheading, for the murder of Prince Harland" She finally revealed right after a long pause.

"Take her to the town's square, and get everything set for her beheading" She commanded.

"No!"

"Take me instead, mother's innocent. I beg of you"

"Please!" Lily cried. She ran to the Queen, pulling at her long dress made of shiny crystals, begging.

"Get out of my sight!" The queen yelled and kicked at her, stepping out of the throne room with guards following behind.

Lily left all alone sprawled on the floors, tears streaming down her face, while she prayed silently in her heart.