Chapter 7

"James, thank you for meeting with me," the king began.

"It's a pleasure, your highness," James replied. He was very confused as to why he was called for a meeting. A servant had come and collected him as he was working with Oscar.

"Please, take a seat," King Jonathan offered, indicating towards a chair opposite him. James took the seat and looked up at the king.

"Now, I have called you here today as I have something that I need to discuss with you. I apologise for interrupting your work."

"That's okay, your highness," James said, frowning slightly. He wished that the king would just get to the point already. "What is it that you wanted to discuss?"

"Well, it is a matter concerning my daughter," the king answered, looking uncomfortable.

"Elizabeth?" James was glad that he had remembered not to call her 'Elle'.

"Yes, indeed,"

James sat up straighter.

"I would like you to keep your distance from her," The king said, bluntly. "I fear that you are becoming too close, and I cannot have my daughter associating herself closely with my workers." It was difficult for King Jonathan to say, as he truly wanted the best for her. But this was for the best.

"I-I don't understand," James replied, shock and confusion written all over his face.

"Elizabeth is," he paused for a moment, "engaged to another man."

"What?" James' shoulders slumped as he sat back in shock.

She was engaged to another man? All of this time he thought that he had a chance with her, but she was engaged? He could hardly believe it.

"But that doesn't make any sense. She can't have met someone so quickly!" James defended.

"When she was a child, she was promised to a prince from another kingdom." The king answered.

"She is being forced into marriage," James stated as if it was just another fact. But it wasn't.

"It is part of being a royal," the king said.

"I can't believe that after all she has been through, she is still going to be sent away to another kingdom," James said, looking at the king with hate in his eyes He couldn't believe that anyone would do that to their child.

"It was a mistake, I know." The king said with a sigh.

"Well can't you do anything about it?" James begged.

"I have has the papers reviewed, and they are set in stone It must happen."

"Can't you just refuse?"

"And have them declare war? That could be devastating for so many people." The king said sadly. "Sometimes, as royals, we have to put our people above ourselves."

James stared at the floor for a moment, trying to desperately think of a way out. But it seemed hopeless.

"What does Elle say about this?" James finally asked, when the tension in the room had become too thick to breathe.

"Well, I only told her today. She ran away, and her brother found her. She still hasn't spoken to me."

"Well, I don't blame her," James mumbled.

"What was that?" the king asked.

"Nothing, sir," James looked down to the floor once more.

"James, I know that you are close with my daughter. And I think that some distance between the two of you should be encouraged."

"Why? Surely there is no harm in our friendship." James told him.

"But I am concerned with the fact that it might develop into more. Elizabeth clearly likes you very much, and as much as it pains me to say this, she will never be able to be more than a friend to you."

James put his head in his hand. It was difficult to hear, but he had suspected that this may happen. She was a royal, after all, and he was just a poor villager.

"I don't know if I can do that," James replies.

"You will most likely cause her pain of you continue to talk to her."

"Who is she to marry?" James asked. He almost didn't want to know the answer, but he felt like he needed to hear. Perhaps if he knew that the man was kind he wouldn't be so worried.

"Prince Jackson, from the kingdom of Zari." The king told him

"Elle will be their queen?" James asked. He couldn't imagine that Elle would want that.

"Yes, Eliza will be," James didn't miss the emphasis put on her name.

"I don't think she would want that," James told the king.

"I think she can decide for herself."

This made James angry. "Decide for herself? I don't think that she is making any of her own decisions in this!"

"Calm down, James." The king instructed, and then waited for a moment for him to breathe steadily.

"What is prince Jackson like?" James asked.

"I am unsure. We have never met him. But he is set to arrive any day now. He began travelling shortly after we told him that Elizabeth has returned."

"So she will meet him soon?" James said. He hoped that he would be around to see what he was like. Although, in a way, he didn't want to know. It would hurt him to see who Elle would marry.

"Yes, she will."

They sat in silence for a moment more.

"Now, James, I must ask you to keep your distance. I would like to offer you a job based solely in other villages. You will rarely visit the castle, so you will rarely see Elizabeth. When she leaves with Jackson, you may return to your current job."

"Is this an order?" James asked, holding his breath.

"No. It is an option." The king then added, "But I highly advise it."

James thought for a moment. He wanted to see Elle as much and possible. And he had to see what Jackson was like.

"Then no. I will not do it." James answered firmly.

"Are you sure about that? It will be easier for both of you if you stay away."

"If Elle wants me to stay away, I will. But only if I hear the words from her." James answered. He had never been so sure about anything in his life.

"Very well, then. But if anything happens, it will turn into an order. Is that clear?"

"Yes, your highness. You have my word," James pledged.

James stood up and walked to the door.

"Are you sure of your decision? It is never too late to change your mind," the king said as James opened the door.

"My decision will not change. That is one thing that I am certain about," James said, as he shut the door behind him.

He walked over to a wall and leant against it. He took a deep breath and tried to relax slightly.

Sure, it was horrible news, but it was something that he couldn't change. Even if he promised to try his hardest.

"Are you okay?" James heard a voice from in front of him. He looked up to see Andrew.

"You know about it?" James asked him.

Andrew nodded. "But we are not happy. Eliza is devastated with the news, as she rightfully should be."

"Of course," James said.

"What did father say to you?"

"He wants me to leave. But I have refused." James said.

"Good. We are going to try and find a way out of this. You can have my word on that. We would all much rather you for our little sister than a prince who lives far away." Andrew said, before saying goodbye and walking into his father's office.

James was left thinking about what Andrew had said. Maybe there was still a chance.

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