Chapter 13

"Princess Elizabeth!" Delilah called as she saw her friend.

The young princess smiled and walked over to her. "Eliza will do just fine," she replied, shaking her head at the formalities.

"Well, Eliza, how are you?"

"I'm very well, thank you," she replied. She wasn't sure how truthful the answer was, but Delilah didn't need to know that.

"Well I wouldn't agree with that," a voice said from behind her. Rachel was stood there looking beautiful as always, in a stunning gown.

"What do you mean?" Delilah asked.

"Well, we have all noticed that Eliza hasn't been acting the same for quite some time. Since the ball to be precise."

Eliza blushed and looked to the floor to hide it. It was the night that she had said a final goodbye to James, and the night that she had first met Jackson. It was the worse night of her life.

"Perhaps some refreshments might be desired?" Rachel asked, turning to a servant and giving her instructions.

The three girls took seats in the comfortable chairs in the drawing room that they were in. It was a pretty room, with a large window overlooking the gardens. A fresh breeze would be there if the window was opened, but it was far too cold.

"Come on, Eliza. What is going on?" Rachel asked, gently placing her hand on her sister's arm.

"I really do not want to marry Prince Jackson!" she said, holding back a sob. She had been pretending to be okay, but now she was confronted the mask seemed to be slipping.

"Oh, Eliza! Of course, we understand," Delilah said, her eyes full of pity.

"At first I thought it wouldn't be so bad, and I did have a lovely time at the ball. But now I'm not so sure. I can't help but feel that he is different to that night. Yesterday he seemed so angry that I wouldn't go on a walk with him." She spoke the words with speed, but the other girls knew exactly what she had said.

"What happened, at the end of the ball?" Rachel asked. "One moment you were smiling with the price, and the next you had disappeared."

"And then you were in the gardens," Delilah added.

"You saw me?" Eliza asked. She had thought that Delilah hadn't noticed her.

"Well, not exactly. But Oscar told me. I didn't want you to be embarrassed." She replied.

"What was happening with yourself and Oscar? I meant to ask." Eliza couldn't help but be intrigued. It had been in the back of her mind since that night, but now she wanted answers.

"We'll come back to that afterwards. First, you need to tell us what happened to you."

Eliza sighed. She was hoping to avoid the topic, but perhaps it would help her speak about it with someone.

"I saw James," Was the short reply.

"And what happened?" Rachel pressed.

"I told him that I couldn't speak to him anymore." The tears started flowing, but she did nothing to stop them. "I didn't want to. But Father told me I should. And I knew that it would be easier on both of us."

The other girls were quiet for a minute.

"Are you in love with him?" Rachel asked gently.

"I'm not allowed to be in love with him. Besides, he deserves to be happy. I don't want him to feel like he has a chance with me."

Eliza took in a deep breath.

"I am beginning to come to terms with the engagement. I'm sure it is all going to be okay in the end," she said, but she was lying through her teeth. The mask was slowly moving back up to cover her.

"It's amazing how you can be so brave," Delilah said.

"Now, tell us about you and Oscar!" Eliza said, smiling as Delilah's face brightened.

"What would you like to know?" There was a twinkle in her eye as she spoke. It was the first time that Eliza had seen her completely happy.

"Everything," Rachel answered.

Delilah laughed.

"Well, it all started with the ball. He asked me to take a walk, and then we spoke for what felt like hours. I had no idea that he was even interested in me." She smiled and twirled a strand of hair around her fingers.

"What did you speak about?" Rachel asked.

"Everything and anything. It was so wonderful!" she replied. "We spoke about my life before this, and he told me about himself. I never thought this would happen to me!"

"What would happen?" Eliza questioned.

"That I would fall in love! I had only ever seen it happen to other people." She paused for a moment. "Oh, Eliza, I'm sorry! This was about you. Not about me!"

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm happy that you're happy." She really was pleased for her friend. Delilah had grown up with a difficult mother who had made her life hell.

"Well, in that case, I'm very happy!" she said, delightedly.

"Why are you happy?" the three girls turned to see Oscar and Andrew walk into the room. Rachel and Eliza started giggling, and Delilah's face was of pure surprise.

"No reason," she replied, not making eye contact. Eliza tried to calm her laughter, but one glance at Rachel led to her cracking up again.

Oscar stood in confusion, looking from one girl to another. He was pleased to see Eliza laughing. She hadn't laughed in days, and he was beginning to worry.

And seeing Delilah so flustered made her seem even more beautiful in his eyes. She always seemed so strong, but in this moment she had let her guard down. It reminded Oscar of the first time that he saw her, and he smiled slightly at the memory. She had been so brave.

After the girls had sobered up, Oscar spoke. "Well, if you're sure that nothing is going on, would you mind if I steal Delilah away? I have something work related to discuss with her." He sent her a small smile. The others needn't know that it had nothing related to work.

Eliza and Rachel broke down in laughter again, and Delilah followed him out of the room, her cheeks blushing, with a twinkle in her eye.

Sometimes, Oscar really didn't understand the girls.

A/N- Here you go :) I hope you enjoyed it!!

Be sure to check out the competition in the last part of Lost Royalty :) I have already had some brilliant entries, so I'm really excited.

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