Lilian York

**Lilian York** is the head maid of the Emerald Palace and the nanny to Athanasia de Alger Obelia.

## Appearance

A bright young woman, Lilian is recited as beautiful by many. With chestnut-brown hair, generally pinned back into a braided bun, her sweeping bangs which veer to the left fall shortly over her sea-like blue eyes.

During her early years, Lilian wore splendid garments with decorative jewels. Later after entering the imperial palace, Lilian can commonly be seen in her maids uniform, a black dress worn over a white blouse with a thin black tie and black buttons.

## Personality

With a kind and nurturing nature, Lilian raised Athanasia de Alger Obelia as if she was her very own child. Although strict at times, she works in favor of empathy and protects the young princess with dignity. Despite her timid tendencies, she displays conspicuous bravery and confidence in the face of persecution.

## Timeline

### Background

Lilian hailed from a proud and honorable noble family, but upon seeing Diana's performance at a royal banquet, she is overcome with admiration. This encounter drives the young lady to step forth in the face of a massacre, volunteering to be the nanny of the late Diana's daughter. With the absence of both parents, Lilian strives to become a surrogate mother to the young princess.

### The Lovely Princess

When Athanasia de Alger Obelia was accused of poisoning Jennette Margarita, Lilian was the only person in the imperial palace who vouched for Athanasia's innocence. She attempted to reason with the emperor and begged for Athanasia's life to be spared. In the end, she was executed along with Athanasia.

### Story

#### **Season 1**

As the exclusive nanny to the crown princess, Lilian was placed in charge of ensuring that Athanasia de Alger Obelia's needs were met. Lilian would read to and educate Athanasia on topics such as etiquette. Although strict at times, Lilian can be regarded as having a profound amount of love and care with matters regarding Athanasia. For example, in her earlier years as an imperial maid, Lilian confronts the head maid of the Ruby Palace on Athanasia's behalf about the mismanagement of the infant princess' funds. This incident resulted in Lilian's promotion to head maid.

Disoriented from the sudden disappearance of the young Princess Athanasia, Lilian and the maids of the Ruby Palace were shocked to find her returned to them in the arms of the Emperor's royal guard. The distressed Lilian held the girl closely, glaring defensively at the young man who retrieved her. However, when informed that the Emperor would be visiting the princess, their mood softened. The following morning, both Lilian and Athanasia were called upon by the Emperor. There, the announcement is given that the Emperor will be managing matters regarding the princess. A trembling Lilian embraced Athanasia outside the throne room, whispering words of comfort in the young girl's ear. Later, when Lilian voices her concern for Athanasia, her worries are shot down almost instantly by Claude. Though soon after, her fears become a reality as Athanasia is returned to her side, drenched and gasping for breath. After the princess's recovery from sickness, she and Lilian are greeted with new palace workers and the arrival of Athanasia's new personal guard, Felix Robane.

While sitting leisurely and playing with the princess, Lilian recalls Diana. Describing her features in vivid detail for Athanasia, Lilian becomes concerned when the princess mentions her longing for her late mother. Troubled greatly by the detachment Athanasia must have felt, Lilian joins Felix in a hunt for heirlooms or memorials left behind by Diana. Turning up nothing, Felix concludes that they must ask the Emperor, though, they are stopped on their way by a distressed Athanasia. Somber words leave the young girl's mouth as she screams of her father's hatred towards her mother. A harrowing look lined Lilian's face as tears welled in her eyes. Felix reassured the child, though Athanasia seemed reluctant to speak any further on the topic, running away from the pair. Throughout that night, Lilian sat at Athanasia's bedside, attempting to console the troubled princess.

When Athanasia collapsed in the garden of the Emperor's palace at the age of seven, Lilian was distraught. With the fear that the young princess may never awaken, Lilian was elated to hear when she finally awakened after nearly two months. Even as time twisted about, Lilian's motherly love for Athanasia remained a constant. The lengthy compliments of beauty or intelligence were never-ending and everlasting. Though this maid still followed the wishes of her commander, holding the respectability of the princess above all else.

#### **Season 2**

After the instigation of another mana explosion, Athanasia and the Emperor both fell unconscious for a grueling ten days. Lilian cradled the newly awoken Athanasia de Alger Obelia, waiting for her even as she wept to her motionless father. She stood beside the princess at Claude's awakening, crediting her as the only child of the Emperor. Though, the time he had been asleep was seemingly much longer than anticipated, as the Emperor found himself struck with a severe case of amnesia.

Saddened to deliver more disheartening news, Lilian reluctantly informs the princess of Raven's disappearance. She continues to attend to Athanasia closely, worried greatly for the princess' well-being. Lilian is relieved as the princess slowly begins to act as usual, taking her advice. However, that relief is short-lived as, soon after, Athanasia is attacked by her father, fleeing before facing death at his hands. And so, the harrowing search for the princess began.

A lonesome Lilian struggles to relax in the face of Athanasia's disappearance. Yet, in the blink of an eye, before her appears the girl she sought. The princess had returned. Embracing Athanasia, Lilian quickly checks her condition, though her relief is quickly shot down. As swiftly and quietly as she had come, she must leave.

Following the return of Athanasia, Lilian's concerns grew to the extreme as she witnesses the allure of romance threatening the princess. Although, Lilian and Felix do share pieces of their pasts to aid Athanasia in her romantic struggles.

#### **Season 3**

Sometime later, the emperor fell into a coma yet again. Inconsistencies in his condition sent Athanasia de Alger Obelia in a spiral of grief and Lilian desired to ease her heavy mind.

## Relationships

### Athanasia de Alger Obelia

Lilian was Athanasia's nanny, a person deeply trusted and beloved by the young princess. In the original story "Lovely Princess", Lilian was the only one who stayed loyal towards Athanasia until the very end.

### Diana

Lilian first saw Diana dancing at a royal banquet where she was deeply affected by her carefree nature. When Diana died, Lilian courageously begged Claude de Alger Obelia to let her take care of the infant princess that Diana left behind.

### Felix Robane

Although Athanasia had thought that the two often resembled newlyweds, the relationship between the two was not so. Felix could recall many instances where he'd meet Lilian in a formal setting, most of which would proceed with a light greeting or conversation. Lilian would frequently stand with or beside Felix during these events, something that Lilian had instigated to avoid the prying eyes of young gentlemen.

## Etymology

* The name "Lilian" is derived from the Latin word *lilium* and refers to the lily flower.
* The surname "York" refers to the historical English city of the same name.

## Trivia

* In the manhwa, Athanasia de Alger Obelia returned to the Emerald Palace after hearing that Claude de Alger Obelia wished to establish peace and reunite with her despite not regaining his memories. In the webnovel, Claude discovers how emotionally attached Athanasia is to Lilian and uses the nanny as bait to lure the princess back to the palace.

## List of Appearances

* Episode 2
* Episode 3
* Episode 4
* Episode 5
* Episode 7 (mentioned)
* Episode 8
* Episode 9
* Episode 10
* Episode 11
* Episode 12
* Episode 13
* Episode 14
* Episode 16
* Episode 18
* Episode 19
* Episode 24 (mentioned)
* Episode 27
* Episode 28
* Episode 29
* Episode 35
* Episode 43
* Episode 45 (flashback)
* Episode 46
* Episode 47
* Episode 48
* Episode 50
* Episode 53
* Episode 54
* Episode 55
* Episode 59 (mentioned)
* Episode 60
* Episode 62
* Episode 63
* Episode 71
* Episode 74
* Episode 76
* Episode 80
* Episode 84
* Episode 85
* Episode 93 (mentioned)
* Episode 97
* Episode 98 (mentioned)
* Episode 100 (mentioned)
* Episode 102 (flashback)
* Episode 106
* Episode 113 (flashback)
* Episode 115
* Episode 116
* Episode 117
* Episode 118
* Episode 119
* Episode 122

## Gallery

Athanasia wants the golden ballLily teaches Athanasia about sorcerersLily consoles the distressed AthanasiaLily is moved by Diana’s free spiritLily gets defensive towards FelixAthanasia asks Lily what Diana looked likeLily explains Diana’s appearanceAthanasia insists she doesn’t want to see DianaAthanasia misses LilianLilian waits for Athanasia to come back to the palaceLilian is worried about Athanasia since she is still a fugitiveAthanasia realises she became attached to her loved ones since she was a child
## References

1. ↑ Birthday - Naver Blog
2. ↑ Volume 4 Unboxing
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Episode 76
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Episode 4
5. ↑ Episode 8
6. ↑ Episode 9
7. ↑ Episode 10
8. ↑ Episode 11
9. ↑ Episode 13
10. ↑ Episode 14
11. ↑ Episode 19
12. ↑ Episode 46
13. ↑ Episode 47
14. ↑ Episode 54
15. ↑ Episode 62
16. ↑ Episode 63
17. ↑ Episode 71
18. ↑ Episode 84
19. ↑ Wikipedia - Lilian name
20. ↑ Ancestry - York
21. ↑ Episode 67