Chapter 11

"You have six brothers?" Eliza asked, her mouth hanging open slightly.

"And they are all younger than I am," he laughed. "It certainly made my childhood competitive!"

Eliza laughed slightly. Jackson really wasn't so bad. She couldn't understand what her cousin Joshua was talking about.

"Well, I grew up with no siblings. It was really lonely." She replied, frowning slightly.

Jackson placed a hand on her arm. The gesture was comforting to Eliza, and she smiled up at him.

"I am sorry that you had to live like that. No one deserves to be taken away from their home." He said. "I would like you to know that my father searched the entire kingdom of Zari in the chance that you were there."

"You did?" Eliza was shocked.

"Of course. I didn't want to lose my future wife that easily."

"Thank you," she replied.

"Now, would you like to dance again?" he asked, bowing for her. She giggled and took his arm.

"Why thank you, sir," she said, as he led her into the crowd of people. A path seemed to be cleared for them as they walked.

Eliza smiled the whole way through the dance.

If somebody had told her before that she would actually tolerate his company, she wouldn't have believed it. But she was more than just tolerating it. She was actually enjoying it.

She laughed slightly as he dropped her into a dip, and her eyes left him for just a moment. But that moment was all that it took for her to make eye contact with somebody else.

The moment seemed to freeze, and Eliza couldn't tear her eyes away from him. He just looked so wounded, stood watching in the candle light.

Jackson pulled her up from the dip, and Eliza turned around to see if James was still there. But he was gone. And Eliza knew exactly where he would be.

"Would you excuse me for a moment?" she asked Jackson, her eyes pleading up at him.

"Of course, my dear." He nodded, and she left him.

As soon as Eliza opened the door she could feel the light breeze flow through her hair. It brought a slight chill to her body, making her clutch her arms slightly.

The moon hung low in the sky. It was a bright night, and Eliza could see James immediately.

He was looking out over the gardens, his back turned towards her. He looked to be in deep thought, so Eliza wandered up to him and placed a hand on his arm. He jumped slightly in shock, before turning towards her.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, looking deep into her eyes. "Shouldn't you be in the party?"

"Well, I should be, but I wanted to talk to you first."

They stood in silence for just a moment, neither of them wanting to speak. They were so caught up at just staring at each other.

"I am sure that you are aware of my engagement," Eliza began, breaking their eye contact.

"Yes," James' voice was strained.

"And you know that he has arrived?"

"Yes. He seems to be a nice gentleman," James cringed slightly as he said the words.

"I'm sorry, James," Eliza whispered, staring at the ground.

He gently took her chin in his hands and brought her face up so she was looking at him.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," he replied. "This wasn't your fault."

"It isn't what I wanted." She told him. There were tears in her eyes that glistened in the light of the moon. James wiped them away.

"Elle, if it helps, it wasn't what I wanted either."

It didn't help her at all.

"That is why I have to do this," she said.

"Do what?" James had a face filled with worry.

"I have to stop talking to you, James." She finally said. James dropped his hand from her face in shock.

"I don't understand," he said, shaking his head slightly.

"Every time that I talk to you, it just makes me see everything that I wish my life could be like. Everything that my life isn't like. Even seeing you is difficult enough, but when we speak it just makes everything harder," she said, letting the tears flow from her eyes. James didn't wipe them away this time.

James sighed but stayed silent. It was a lot to take in.

"There is no way that I can change this. I will have to marry Prince Jackson. It will be easier for us both if we keep our distance. And I understand that you work at the castle, so I know that I will still have to see you. And I am fine with that"

James nodded. "If that is what you want, I will do it."

"Thank you, James," Eliza said.

"I just have to ask you. Do you think that you will be happy with Prince Jackson?" he said, watching her face for any sign.

Eliza didn't know how to reply. She had seen a kind side to Jackson tonight. She had seen a person whom she would be happy with. He still wasn't someone she would choose, but he was alright.

"I think I will," she said. She couldn't bear to look at his face.

"Very well." He turned to leave, before turning back to Eliza.

He picked up her hand and brought it to his lips.

"Goodbye, Elle," he said, dropping her hand and walking out.

Eliza was left with an aching heart. She couldn't go back into the part now. She felt like her world had just been taken away. Besides, the tears would be clear evidence that something had happened.

Eliza wondered how James was feeling. He had looked so hurt and heartbroken when she was speaking. She felt guilty about that. She had hurt him. And there was nothing else that she could have done.

Wiping her eyes, Eliza turned to face the ballroom. She couldn't go back through there. She would have to walk around the outside. There was a small clearing that she would make it through. But first, she would have to climb over the small wall.

With only a small amount of effort, Eliza made it over the wall. Her dress had caught once, but she had quickly recovered and made it over.

The gap in the bushes that Eliza had originally seen was a lot smaller than she had expected. She managed to rip her dress as she passed through. A small thorn bush resulted in a large scratch down her arm. But Eliza hardly noticed.

When she made it to the main garden path she took a deep breath and turned towards the castle. But right in the middle of the path stood Oscar and Delilah.

They were standing close together, and they were both smiling at each other.

Eliza tried to back away, but her shuffling didn't go unnoticed. Oscar looked up and saw her.

Eliza watched as Oscar whispered something to Delilah, and she walked away. She didn't even glance in Eliza's direction.

"Princess? Are you alright?" he asked, walking up to her.

Eliza shook her head.

"I would like to retire for the night," she told him.

"What are you doing out in the gardens?" he looked puzzled.

"I didn't want anyone to see me leave. I couldn't face going through the ballroom."

"Let me walk you to your room. I know of a few passaged that you will not be noticed in.

Eliza smiled gratefully. She knew she should ask him about Delilah, but she just couldn't bring herself to do so.

They began walking towards the castle in silence.

A/N- here it is :) Not sure when I can next update,  but keep an eye out. I have to go to Wales tomorrow because my Grandpa is in hospital. I don't think I will get chance to do any writing. But I will try for you guys!!

Love you all!!

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