Recap: 

James and the maid were walking towards the castle, a trail of footprints etched into the snow behind. A semi-permanent reminder that James was with another women. 

As they got closer, smiles could be seen on their faces, and by the way James' shoulders shook, laughter was obvious. By the time they had reached the doors, Eliza could see them clearly.

And that was the moment that Eliza's heart seemed to shatter into a million pieces. The moment that the maid reached up and kissed James.

Eliza tore her eyes away from the scene, and hauled her drapes closed.

Her breaths were shallow and rapid, and her eyes had glazed over with tears.

"Are you alright, Eliza?" Sophia's concern was touching, and Eliza pulled her into a hug.

"I will be. It will take a little bit of getting used to, but I will need to come to terms with it at some point. It is inevitable that he will find somebody else to love.

Chapter 22

James pulled back with a start. What was he doing?

He looked at the girl in front of him. She was unmistakably beautiful, with sparkling brown eyes and rosy cheeks. She even had a dash of freckles scattered across her nose. But it all felt wrong.

For just a moment James had lost himself. He had imagined it was Elle who was walking next to him, giggling at what he was saying. Of course, it was so far from the truth that it was almost laughable.

Looking at this beautiful maid now caused a shiver to travel down his spine. It was all wrong. This girl was nothing that he wanted. He might have enjoyed her company for a few minutes, but kissing her felt like his heart was being stabbed.

James took another step back, staring into her confused eyes.

"I-I can't. I'm sorry," he told her.

Her lips quivered slightly, but she soon stopped them. With a single nod, she turned around and walked back into the distance. Away from the man who had rejected her so harshly.

But James hardly even gave it a second thought. His mind had been taken captive by the beautiful princess who lived in a castle.

After a few moments, James snapped out of his trance and walked into the castle. He had one destination in mind, and he wouldn't turn back until he had spoken to the king.

***

The king sat tall on his throne as James waited for a reply. It was intimidating to be in such a controlling presence, but James hardly paid it much attention.

"You want to leave?" the king echoed, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Yes, Sir. A least until after the wedding. I think it would be better for me to be far away."

"You've only just lost hope, have you not?"

"I thought we would find a way. But that doesn't seem to be a possibility anymore." James replied, watching his feet. "Are you really going to let her leave? Even when you have only just found her?"

"I think you would do well to mind your own business, Mr Parsons. You are dismissed. I will see you after the wedding is over. Good day to you."

James bowed before he walked out of the room. As he walked away from the castle towards the stables, he couldn't help but think of what he was leaving behind. It seemed that his heart would not be leaving with him.

***

"Eliza, James has gone." Delilah burst into her chambers, her cheeks red and her breathing ragged. She must have run from the other side of the castle.

Eliza didn't move at first. Her eyes were locked on Delilah's face, and fists were clenched tightly together. Slowly, she sank to the ground.

At that moment Prince Danny rushed into the room. He knelt on the floor beside his sister, his arm tightly around her shoulders.

"He can't be gone," she sobbed. "I know he has found someone else, but I didn't think he would leave. He promised to stay!"

"I know. But I think he still loves you. It can't be easy to watch the woman you love to be taken away by a different man. Especially a man like Jackson." Danny replied.

"I hate it! I hate everything about being royal. I wish I still lived in Grea. At least then I would be able to be with him!" Eliza yelled.

Danny took a deep breath. She didn't mean it. Of course, she liked having siblings to keep her company. She was just speaking in the spur of the moment.

Nonetheless, Danny withdrew his arm from her shoulder. He didn't know how to comfort her anymore. Delilah noticed the helpless look on his face and she knelt down beside them.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean you, Danny. Finding out that you are my brother is the best thing that has ever happened to me."

Danny wiped away a tear that had dripped onto her cheek.

"I know. Now, Eliza, you need to dry your eyes. There is nothing you can do about James apart from letting him have time to fix his heart."

"That is easier said than done." Eliza gave him a slight grin.

"Would you like to play hide and seek? I could ask everyone else to play. The castle has so many hiding spots, it will be just like we are children again."

Eliza giggled. "I'm rather good at that game. Last time we played I hid for over nine years."

***

A/N- I know it's short, but I wanted to give you an update tonight . I hope you are all having a  lovely new year and you haven't given up on this story! Just wait until you see how it turns out. I've finished the plan and I think it's pretty exciting!!