Russell's Daughter

Eventually, she was picked up by a country's naval patrol for an unreported ship. The White Wave was escorted to the nearest port for that country.

"Hmm, Kaelivin. Strange name for a country."

She was taken before the king to see what was to be done with her.

"Hmm, what do we have here?"

"A stray sailor, Sire," a Kaelivinese soldier said.

"Your name?"

"Lily Aliman."

"Not Captain?"

"No, I wouldn't dare to call myself that. That'd be disgraceful to all those who actually are sea captains."

"Your speech. It sets you as higher class."

"If you say so, Your Majesty."

She heard him lean over and whisper to his queen.

"I like her. She seems sophisticated. i could use another adviser anyways."

His queen nodded and agreed.

"Miss Aliman, what country are you from?"

"Er, one far away from here. I do not align myself with it any longer though. Call me an expatriate, call me a deserter, it doesn't matter to me."

"How would you like to stay here in Kaelivin and be my new royal advisor."

She thought about the shadow creatures. Liana hadn't had another incident in a year.

Hopeful, she said, "Uh, I'm honored, sire."

"

Well then, it's settled. Wiggins!"

A man appeared from off on the side and bowed.

"yes, sire?"

"Miss Lily Aliman here is to be my new royal advisor. Please show her to the Gold Suite in the East Wing."

"Yes, sire. Come with me, Miss."

Liana bowed to King Kyle and followed Wiggins out of the throne room. She memorized the twists and turns as they walked.

"So, are you even qualified for the job?"

"I should hope so. The king seems to believe I'm from higher class, which I must admit, I am."

"We shall see how well you do then."

"Indeed."

At her suite, he left her, and she entered alone. Now used to modern plumbing, she took a hot shower and dressed into a wine red dress that a maid had brought by. With some free time on her hands, later that night, Liana headed towards the library. She had passed it on her way to the suite with Wiggins and remembered how to get there.

Inside, she looked around.

"Woah, this library is bigger than the one at home."

She wandered and marveled at the differing shelves of books.

"Are you a reader?"

"Hmm? Oh, Your Majesty."

Liana dropped into a perfect curtsy.

"Rise, my dear," Queen Camille said. "Tell me one thing. Can you advise my husband in any and all matters regarding the state and economy. You've just been plucked from the seas, after all."

"I understand you concern, Your Majesty. And yes, I know the ways of royalty and ruling well."

"How?"

"I, uh, used to live and work in a palace. The kingdom... is very far off, probably unknown to most in this part of the world."

"Try me."

Liana winced.

"Salencia."

The queen's eyebrows shot up.

"I have not heard of that place is a long time. Tell me, how is Prince Russell?"

Liana's eyes widened in shock.

"Uh, good. He's king now though. He has children of his own now too."

"Oh, really? I never thought that my brother would be the marrying type. He was more of a free spirit."

Alarms went off in Liana's head.

She thought, 'This is the aunt my father never speaks of?! The one who disappeared? She came here?'

"Bro, brother?"

"Yes. You said you worked in the palace. Wouldn't you know that?"

"Well, years have passed, Your Majesty. And he never speaks of any sister."

Queen Camille looked confused.

"And, I'm sorry, but I lied earlier."

"What do you mean?"

"I lived in the palace, yes. But I never worked there. And my name isn't Lily Aliman; I created that name when I came here."

"Then who are you?"

"My name is Liliana... Davine. I'm the sole Princess of Salencia and King Russell and Queen Coraline's second child."

"You're Russell's daughter?"

Liana nodded.

"Yes, I am. I have two brothers as well. Vander is my younger twin, and then there's Crown Prince Harmon, who's five years older than me and Vander."

"Liliana you said."

"Yes, but I usually go by Liana."

"Our mother's name was Liliana."

"My grandmother?"

Queen Camille nodded.

"Yes, she was a kind and good woman."

Liana winced.

"I'm afraid I don't live up to the name then."

"Why do you say that?"

Liana was just about to respond when something hissed.

"Pricccesss. My masssterssss are growing resssstlesssss. You will not evade me thissss time."

"Begone!"

Flames flared in her right palm, and she hurled it right at the shadow creature. It dodged out of the way.

"I will find you. You will cannot hide forever, Princccesss."

"Rah!"

She hurled fireball after fireball until the shadow creature scampered away.

"Finally, damn creature."

Liana turned back around to see a horrified Queen Camille.

"You, you're a mage. You can't be Russell's child. He, there has never been magic in our family line. Never."

"Then why do Vander and I both have magical abilities, but Harmon doesn't? My mother would never go outside of her marriage vows. That's not who she is. And neither would my father."

"You must not be of royal blood."

"Preposterous! I have Davine blood flowing through my veins."

"No, you mustn't. I'm sorry, but you're not my niece."

Then, the queen walked away.

"Is there something Father and Mother never told me and Vander? Do we really not share their blood? Is Vander even my twin? Have I been lied to my whole life, well, lives?"