A short while later, a knock echoed at the door.
"Princess, the Prince has come to see you," Anna announced.
"I'm coming," Liliana replied, smoothing her dress before stepping out.
"It is an honor to see you again so soon, Your Highness. I thought it would be at least two weeks before our paths crossed again," she said, her voice laced with a hint of irony.
"I came here to say one thing," Andreas began, his face tight with frustration. "I hope you will drop the idea of Melissa becoming your lady-in-waiting."
"And why should I do that?" Liliana countered. "I am the Princess; I can choose whomever I wish for my court. She is perfectly suited for the role."
"You can choose anyone but her," Andreas insisted. "Please, respect my decision on this."
Liliana's eyes sharpened. "Your Highness, may I ask what is so special about this girl that you would come all this way just to plead for her?"
"It's nothing like that!" Andreas snapped, his voice rising. "I just came to say that she cannot be your lady-in-waiting. Period."
"Fine," Liliana said, a small, triumphant smile playing on her lips. "I will do as you wish."
"Thank you," Andreas sighed, looking relieved.
"But..." Liliana added.
"But?"
"I have one condition. I want you to make time in your schedule for me. I want us to spend actual time together."
"I can't. I am far too busy," Andreas replied instantly.
"Busy, you say... Heh." Liliana looked at him with her cutting blue eyes. "Yet you somehow always manage to find time for her, don't you?"
Andreas faltered, unable to find a comeback. "Alright," he finally muttered. "But not every day."
"Every day," Liliana said stubbornly. "Or there is no deal."
"Fine. As you wish. Now, I shall take my leave."
As he walked away, Liliana watched him with a cold determination. "I have you now," she thought. "You can't escape me."
The following days were a test of patience. True to his word, Andreas came to see her every day. They took tea and walked through the gardens, but the silence between them was deafening. Andreas remained a statue; his answers were limited to short nods or cold "yes" and "no" replies.
Finally, Liliana reached her limit. "Prince Andreas..."
"Yes?"
"You come here every day as I asked, so we can spend time together... but it feels like I'm forcing you to be here. You won't talk to me, and you won't even look at me. If you hate being here so much, just say so."
"I am simply following our agreement," Andreas said coldly. "There is nothing more to it."
"So you're saying that if it weren't for the deal, you'd much rather be spending this time with Melissa?" Liliana's anger began to flare. "Tell me, why are you doing this? What is the reason?"
Before he could answer, a servant rushed into the garden, looking pale. "Your Highnesses! Forgive the interruption, but this is urgent!"
"What is it?" Andreas asked, his tone shifting to one of concern.
"His Majesty the King... he has collapsed. You must come to his side at once!"
The atmosphere in the Main Palace was grim.
"He is stabilized for now," the Royal Doctor explained, "but due to his failing health, I'm afraid he can no longer manage the affairs of the kingdom. He needs absolute rest."
Andreas remained silent, his gaze fixed on the floor.
"Is there nothing we can do to improve his health?" Liliana asked, her voice soft.
"Unfortunately not, Your Highness. He is no longer young. All we can do is make him comfortable."
They entered the King's chambers. The King looked frail against the pillows. "Andreas..."
"Yes, Father."
"Come closer. As you can see, I am no longer in a position to rule. I wish to see your coronation while I am still alive. I want to see my son lead this kingdom."
"But Father—!"
"Do not make me repeat myself," the King commanded, his voice weak but firm. "You have a wife by your side. It is time. I order the preparations for the coronation of Crown Prince Andreas and Crown Princess Liliana to begin immediately."
The palace became a hive of activity, but Liliana found no joy in the news. "I don't think I'm ready to be Queen," she whispered to herself in her room. "It's too much responsibility... and I am so alone."
In two weeks coronation ceremony was held and now half of the responsibilities fell into Liliana's shoulders.
A knock at the door startled her. "Your Majesty, may I come in?" It was Anna.
"Yes, what is it?"
"The Queen Dowager wishes to see you, Your Majesty. In her private quarters."
Liliana felt a shiver of nervous anticipation. "The Queen Dowager? Now?"
When Liliana arrived at the Queen Dowager's Palace, she bowed deeply. "You wished to see me, Your Majesty?"
"Yes, sit down, please," the Queen Dowager said, gesturing to a chair. "The coronation is approaching—the most meaningful day of your lives. The day the people meet their new King and Queen."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Liliana replied carefully.
"But tell me," the Queen said, leaning forward with a piercing look. "Is there perhaps some other good news you have for me?"
Liliana blinked, confused. "What kind of news, Your Majesty?"