Chapter 9

"Excuse me, sir," a maid rushed in and bowed before the king.

He gestured for her to stand. "What is it?" he asked.

"I hate to interrupt, your highness, but Prince Jackson of Zari has arrived."

The king rose from the table. He looked around, and he saw that everyone had finished with their meals.

"Let us go and greet our guest," he said, with a sober smile. He walked around the table and held out a hand for his wife to take.

The masons all stood up on by one and followed the king out of the room. Until finally, Eliza was the only one seated.

"Eliza, come on," Danny said as he put a hand on her shoulder. She stayed staring at the table.

"I-I don't want to meet him," she said, looking up panicked. "What if he is awful?"

"You'll just have to find out," Danny said, holding out an arm for his sister. "You might as well get it done with."

"You're right," she said as she took his arm.

They walked slowly, and Danny was aware that his sister was trying to delay the inevitable. He didn't agree with her, but he walked slowly nonetheless.

"And where is my future wife?" Eliza heard a voice, causing her to halt.

"She is on her way," the king announced. "Perhaps you would like some refreshments whilst we wait?"

"No, no. I will just wait here." He replied.

Eliza looked at her brother with wide eyes.

"Let's just go in," Danny whispered, pulling her to walk once more.

The door was opened for them, and Eliza was abandoned by her brother as soon as they entered. She looked up to see a man whom she didn't know.

He was rather handsome, with bright blue eyes and dark hair. He was well built, and fairly tall in comparison to her.

"Elizabeth?" he asked, in a deep voice. He began to walk towards her as she nodded. They didn't break eye contact for even a second.

When he reached her, he picked up her hand and brought it up to his lips.

"Well, you are very beautiful, my dear," he said, causing Eliza to blush slightly. Perhaps he wasn't so bad.

"Thank you," Eliza replied, looking towards the floor.

"Now, will you show me to my quarters?" he asked her, gently dropping her hand.

"I-I don't know where they are," Eliza replied.

"A servant will happily show you," the king replied.

"Very well," he replied, nodding at the king. He sent one last glance in his fiancé's direction.

Eliza just watched him follow the servant out.

"He doesn't seem so bad," Rachel said when the door was shut.

Elia shook her head. Rachel was right; he didn't seem like the worse man ever. And she could surely live with that.

"I agree," Danny added, sending his sister a supporting smile. "He seems like a kind gentleman."

"And he's rather handsome!" Sophia added.

"You're too young for him," Andrew teased, grinning at his youngest sisters' slightly red face.

"I was just stating a fact!" she defended, causing her family to laugh.

"That was more of an opinion," Rachel said, shaking her head slightly.

"You cannot tell me that you do not think he is attractive," Sophia accused, looking at Rachel.

"Okay, maybe he is a little," she admitted.

"And what do you think, Eliza?" Danny asked.

"I suppose that he could be worse. But I hardly know him." She said, looking at the floor. She could feel the gazes of her family, but she refused to give them the smile that they wanted.

"Come on, Eliza. At least give him a chance." The king said, watching his daughter with narrowed eyes. He just couldn't seem to understand the girl.

"What is it that I am doing?" she asked, sarcastically. Her mother sent her a sharp look. "If I wasn't giving him a chance I would not be here to greet him."

There was a tense silence for a moment.

"Well, we have organised for a small party tonight. Prince Jackson and the rest of his group will be joining us for dinner and dancing," the queen said after a moment of silence.

Eliza sighed.

"Elizabeth, your maids will be waiting to prepare you in an hour." She added, looking pointedly at her daughter.

"Of course, mother," she replied.

"Prince Jackson must not know that you do not want to marry him. We do not want to cause complications," Eliza's mother said.

"Why would it matter? She has to marry him anyway!" Oliver asked, looking on with questioning eyes.

"We don't want to cause any issues. I'm sure he would be disappointed to know that she wasn't interested in him."

"May I be excused?" Eliza asked, longingly staring at the window. She would do anything to be out in the gardens, even given the poor weather.

"Yes, dear," her father answered.

Eliza smiled at him. It was a small smile, but it was a smile nonetheless.

"Don't forget to be back in your quarters in an hour!" her mother called as she left the room.

Eliza didn't reply, but she sped up her walking.

After a few minutes, Eliza sat down on the soft grass. She was far enough away from the castle for them to not see her face, but she was close enough that if it started raining, she could rush for cover.

They hadn't had rain in a few days, but the weather had been cold. It was a slightly milder day, but rain was expected, ruining their chances of a riding lesson or long walk.

Back in Grea, the rain wouldn't have bothered Eliza. Her clothes were already so worn that getting them wet would make no difference, and her hair was always so matted that you wouldn't be able to notice the change.

But now, she had been told that walking in the rain was not fit for a princess. She would get ill due to the cold, and look unpresentable because of the moisture.

Eliza thought that this was a pointless rule. Who didn't enjoy running and walking in the fresh rain? Even the smell of rain was her favourite smell in the world. And to think that her siblings had never had the chance. Eliza was glad that she had been able to experience it before.

Eliza's mind wandered to Prince Jackson. He hadn't been what she was expecting, but she could hardly tell based on a first meeting. She could only hope that the siblings were right.

He was attractive, which she supposed was a good thing. And he had wanted to meet her straight away, before even settling in.

But who was she kidding? Of course, it was going to be awful! She would have to spend the rest of her life with him, away from her family and friends. All while she was in love with someone else.

She would have to talk to James. Her father was right that she shouldn't see him anymore. It would be too hard knowing that he was right there, but she could never be with him.

After a few minutes, Eliza felt a drop on her skin. She sighed and stood up. So much for a relaxing time in the garden.

She picked up her skirts and rushed inside. Maybe, just maybe, tonight Jackson would prove her wrong.

A/N- What do you all think?? He'll be in the next chapter more!

I have exams for the next couple of weeks, so I'm going to need lots of votes and comments if you want me to update as often!!!