Chapter 1

"Is there anything else I can do for you, your highnesses? I was about to leave for the weekend if not." James asked, sending a smile in Elizabeth's direction.

She gave him a small smile back but the action did not go unnoticed by others in the room. The whole of the Mason family was sat in the dining room, just finished with their meals.

"I don't think so, thank you, James." The king replied. "Thank you very much for staying to help us send off our guests."

"It's no problem," James replied, "I really did enjoy the ball." He looked at Elle and grinned again.

"Enjoy your weekend off," the king instructed.

James had only been around for a short while, but he was already very close to the Mason family. He had been doing a lot of work alongside them in the recent weeks, especially with the ball for the return of the princess.

He had been incredibly lucky to gain a job at the palace, but it was mostly due to his help finding Princess Elizabeth, who had been missing for nine years. He had lived in the same village as her and had never known that she was royal until she had already been taken away again. He had been courageous as he worked alongside the future king with her rescue.

"Thank you, sir."

"I'll walk you out," Elizabeth jumped up from the table and followed him out of the room.

The rest of the Mason children all dismissed themselves in much more polite ways to their sister, and soon it was just the king and queen left sitting at the large table.

"You're going to have to tell her soon." The queen said, still looking at the door where Elizabeth had left. It broke her heart to think of the news that they would soon have to break to her.

"I know, I just don't want her to hate me for it." He replied, his forehead creased. He seemed to look twenty years older whilst discussing this topic. "I want her to get properly settled here first. She has only just returned to us."

"The longer you leave it, the more attached she will get to him. And then she may never forgive you." The queen said, a sad frown on her face.

"I know you're right, and I'll do it soon. Just give me a bit of time to figure out what to say." He replied, with his head in his hands.

Queen Penelope put her hand on his shoulder as a comforting gesture, "Okay, but don't take too long. The longer you leave it, the harder it will be. Besides, I'm sure Prince Jackson will want to see his fiancé as soon as possible now that she has been found."

A/N- Bet you didn't expect that!! Let me knw what you think. I'll dedicate chapters to any of my favourite commenters. Xx