Chapter 5

"So, how do you know that Delilah girl?" Sophia asked as she pushed some food around her plate. She had snuck down to the kitchens with Danny just an hour before, so she wasn't hungry for lunch.

"She is from Grea as well. We weren't really friends back then, but we are now." Eliza said.

When they had finished eating, the king cleared his throat.

"I actually have some things that I would like to talk to you about," he began, glancing worriedly in his wife's direction.

The siblings all turned to each other, confused. They had never seen their father so nervous.

"Elizabeth, you know that royals have duties, don't you? And as a princess, you have to fulfil these." He began, watching his daughter with sad eyes.

"Yes, father," Eliza replied, confused as to what was happening.

"Well, one of those duties is to have a suitable husband," he continued. Eliza turned pale. She was only sixteen years old.

"Well, it is something that we took into consideration when you were a child."

"I don't understand," Eliza stuttered slightly.

"Eliza, when you were a child you were promised in marriage to the future king of another kingdom." Her father finished.

"But-but you c-can't," Eliza tried to speak, but she was too shocked.

"I'm sorry Elizabeth, but you have no choice in the matter." Her father said, with a sad voice.

Eliza could say no more. She was in shock. She looked around at her family to see their apologetic faces.

She had to escape. She needed to be alone for just a few minutes to think about what was happening.

So Eliza got up from the table and ran.

She didn't even know where she was running to, and she didn't notice the cold weather outside. She didn't even realise that tears were streaming down her face.

When she reached the hill, she sat down. Her knees were pulled up to her chest, and she was looking out over the hill. It was the first time that she had been up there and not noticed the beautiful view.

How could this happen to her? Of course, she was grateful that she had a family, but at this moment she almost wished that she didn't.

She was promised to a man whom she had never met. He could be awful and unkind. And she wouldn't be able to do anything about it.

Eliza felt a tightness in her chest, and her breathing was heavy. She just felt numb all over.

She had no freedom whatsoever of choosing her own relationship. She was already promised to another kingdom. And no doubt she would have to move once she was married.

What would she tell James? She wouldn't be able to look at him, knowing that she could never have a future with him. Even just thinking about him made her heart feel like it was in a thousand pieces.

Eliza felt a piece of fabric being gently put over her. And then she felt a warm arm around her shoulders. She looked up to see Danny.

"I'm sorry," Danny said, as he looked out over the hills.

"You knew?" Eliza couldn't help but feel betrayed.

"I suppose that it was something that I just expected you to know. I have known from when I was a child, so I didn't even think to say anything. It isn't something that any of us really discuss."

"There must be a way out of it?" Eliza asked, hopefully. She needed to know that she could escape from this fate.

"No, there isn't." Danny sighed.

Eliza let out a sob, and her brother pulled her into a hug.

"I'm sorry, but it really isn't so bad. You will get used to the idea soon enough." Danny tried to comfort her. It didn't help.

Eliza was angry all of a sudden. The thought of being forced to belong to someone else made her furious.

"They had no right!" she cried, making Danny jump back slightly. "I will not do it! They can't make me."

"Eliza, as much as I hate it as well, they have every right. We are their children, and they rule our kingdom. It is part of our role to help bring strong connections with other kingdoms. And marriage is a way of doing that."

"But don't they care that I already love somebody else?" It was the first time she had said it, but it was true.

"They can't change it now. They made the promise when we were babies." Danny said apologetically.

They sat in silence for a few minutes. Neither of them had anything to say.

"Mother and Father were both crying when you ran out. I think they really hate it as well."

"It's their fault," Eliza said, feeling angry at her parents. She knew that being a princess and living in a castle was too good not to have any drawbacks.

"None of us likes the idea, but it is something that we have to live with," Danny told her.

"So it isn't just me?"

"Of course not. But I will let the others tell you about it." Danny answered.

"Who are you betrothed to?" Eliza was curious. He didn't seem angry at all.

"A young lady named Heather. Her father works with our father. She is a year younger than us. But we have grown up together. You used to be close friends."

"So she is nice?" Eliza asked, almost feeling jealous that her brother knew who he was to marry.

"She is very kind, and she is beautiful." The way he spoke about her made Eliza smile slightly.

"Do you want to marry her?"

"Yes. I think that even if we weren't engaged I would want to marry her." Danny smiled.

"Why haven't I met her yet?" Eliza asked. If they had grown u together, surely she was around somewhere.

"She is visiting her uncle in another kingdom. She will be back next week." Danny said, smiling at the thought. "We will not marry for a few years yet. She is only 15, and her mother has said that they will not even begin to plan the wedding until she is at least 16. I don't mind waiting for her, though."

"Do you know who I am to marry?"

"I haven't been told. But I do know that he lives in another kingdom and he will one day be their king."

Eliza sighed, but she stayed staring at the floor.

"When do you think it will be?"

"Your wedding?" he asked.

"Yes."

"I really don't know. But it could be soon. You are nearly 17, after all." Danny replied sadly.

A few minutes later, Danny was beginning to grow cold. "Do you think that we could go in? That is my coat that you are wearing, and I am rather cold."

Eliza looked up. "Of course, I am sorry," she said as she shrugged off the coat and handed it back to her brother.

They walked down the hill, and back up to the castle in silence. Eliza was still too shocked to think of anything to say.

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If anyone has any ideas for who the characters could be (which actors etc...), please tell me :)