-Jade-

William helped her off of Dimma when she had returned to him in the middle of the field. She was even sorer now than she was yesterday but she was too excited to care.

"That was so... exciting!" Jade breathed with her heart still beating from the exhilaration that Dimma had caused. William smiled widely and grabbed the reins in his right hand while his left hand's thumb stroked her cheekbone gently.

"You looked like you were having fun." He said friendly and then looked at Dimma. "He did as well..."

"I think he was just glad that he got to do something else than walk..." Jade laughed shortly. William shrugged his shoulders.

"Probably, but he wouldn't have let you ride him like that if he didn't like you." William stated and tugged playfully at Dimma's reins. The horse snorted at him. "Don't lie." William scolded the horse in a chuckle. "I know you loved it."

Jade covered her mouth to keep herself from laughing at them. William turned to look at her and raised his eyebrows questioning. It was so sweet how he acted with Dimma.

"What?"

"Nothing..." She giggled. William locked eyes with her and gave her a demanding look. "It's nothing, I just find it very endearing."

"Find what endearing?" He asked, frowning suspiciously but amused as well.

"The way you act around him... and how you talk to him." She said with a lower voice. She placed her left hand on Dimma's body and stroked his black hide. "It shows that the two of you have a tight bond." She added.

"That's enough out of you." He said quietly and smiled faintly. Did I say something wrong? Jade wondered unsure and watched as William started to check if the saddle was fastened properly.

It felt like he was avoiding her right now. Did I come to close to him? She thought as she watched while his fingers kept checking the saddle.

"Are you ready to go back?" He asked and reached his hand out to her. She took it and let him help her up in the saddle without a word.

William gave Dimma a piece of an apple before he got up in the saddle himself.

-William-

Jade suddenly became quiet after he had teased her. It had felt like she almost read him and Dimma like an open book. It scared him a little how she could see right through him or how well she read him.

When he was seated in the saddle Jade put her arms around him and he felt it in every part of his body. He did not want to go back but Jade's lip had turned a bit blue from the cold and he was not going to let Liz scold him in front of Jade again.

"Are you cold?" he asked while turning his head towards her a bit.

"A little." Jade answered honestly and squirmed a bit. William nodded and told her to pull her hood up while they rode back to the castle. He would have offered her his gloves but she had her own...

Dimma had not run out of energy even though Jade had done a very good job trying. Dimma speeded back to the castle like he had just gotten out of the stables. William could feel Jade's grip around him tighten and he could hear her laugh faintly every time he spurred Dimma to run faster. It felt amazing and if he could he would have kept doing this until Dimma couldn't run anymore.

. . .

Once again when they arrived to the courtyard Thomas met them. He had an annoyed and bitter look on his face when he realized that William had left the castle with Jade, again. Thomas always took William's mother's side and that meant that Thomas also did not approve of his prince's choice in Jade. Which was why his frown became even more bitter when he noticed Jade.

William did not slow Dimma down as they got closer. It was a fair warning for Thomas that he wasn't in the mood for his complaints. Jade seemed to notice the soldier and her arms snaked closer to William's body. She seemed bothered by the look on Thomas' face. William wanted to tell her that it was alright, that she never had to worry about that man's looks or words.

"Your grace." Thomas called out to William and stopped when he noticed Dimma's pace. He knew that William wasn't going to listen.

"Behave." Jade mumbled to him and it made the corner of his mouth twitch upwards. The warmth from her breath hit his neck and he could feel his crotch fill with blood.

"In your dreams." He chuckled at Jade. "What is it now, Thomas?" he called back to the soldier.

"Your father has summoned you, like he did yesterday." William could hear on Thomas' tone that this time it was not just to annoy him. His father was irritated. William had intently ignored his duties two days in a row to spend time with Jade. It was worth every second and he was more than willing to take his father's scolding. However, he did not look forward to the old man's grumpy face that he would have to look at later.

I could just turn around and take her on a ride in the forest... William considered it for a long moment before he shot the thought out of his mind. Jade was too cold.

"Thank you, Thomas." William muttered and urged Dimma to a quicker pace so he did not have to look at his face for a second longer.

When they were inside the castle again Jade seemed a bit withdrawn and William sensed that his little comment earlier had been the wrong one. Jade started to walk towards her chamber after giving him a faint smile. He quickly grabbed her hand to keep her from leaving. Jade turned in surprise and her face had a confused look on it.

"Whatever you think I said, I didn't." He said and pulled her closer. She shook her head when she didn't understand. "I was teasing you." He explained and the confusion in her eyes seemed to slowly disappear.

"Oh..." She whispered. "I thought I said something that upset you..." Now it was William that shook his head in confusion. Jade blushed. "I thought you..."

"What could you have possibly said that would have upset me?" he chuckled and leaned his forehead against hers. He wanted to run his fingers through her hair... He wanted to grab it hard and pull her head back just rough enough to make her whimper before he would kiss her...

"I thought I scared you... with what I said about Dimma and you." Jade mumbled with closed eyes. Her hands crept up to his shirt and her fingers scraped at the fabric of his shirt.

"Not in a bad way." William stated.

Jade tilted her head to the right and opened her eyes, William met them eagerly. He would stand here with her for an hour just to avoid the inevitable reprimand he was facing.

"I'll walk with you to your chamber." He said and kissed her softly. Jade met his lips carefully but they did not let it advance into something they couldn't stop.

-Jade-

When they arrived at the door to her chamber Jade had a familiar feeling nesting in her stomach. It was the one she always got when they had gotten a little too intense. The way he had looked at her in the great hall still had her weak in her knees. Her core reminded her that no one would be able to walk in on them if they just locked the door...

While Jade was giving into her carnal needs in her thoughts, William opened the door politely for her but did not push it open. Instead he grabbed her hand, kissed it and then took a step back so he was behind her. Jade smiled to herself and pushed the door open.

It is probably for the best that he stays on this side of the door...

On the other side a face appeared, wild green eyes stared at her. Jade whimpered loudly in fright and walked backwards, directly into William who caught her without struggle. His arms were immediately around her. Shielding her from what had scared her. Jade caught herself curling up in his embrace as the servant girl in the doorway stared at both of them.

The green eyes lingered at William and flickered occasionally to Jade.

Is it her? Jade thought in terror. Is this the girl that means me harm because of William?

"What are you doing in there?" William asked coldly and the girl awoke from her stare that was still focused on Jade. She quickly turned her gaze to William and then down to the floor.

"I was just collecting the girl's sheets." She answered.

"Then why are you emptyhanded?" William asked and it made Jade's eyes drop to the girl's hands. She wasn't carrying anything, which meant she was lying. It has to be her! Jade though and unconsciously tugged a little at William's shirt.

-William-

Something was definitely scaring Jade. She never stood this close to him if they weren't... doing other things. The only other times she stood this close was if she was scared... Her upper body was completely against his and the hands were holding on to his shirt, making it crease as her grip tightened.

"Leave." William ordered the girl. She obviously lied to him but he did not care. All he cared about was that Jade was almost shaking in his arms.

The girl nodded and then she was gone.

"Are you alright?" he asked Jade and caressed her cheek softly. Jade leaned her head against his chest and did not answer him. "Jade?" he asked worried and carefully put his finger under her chin and lifted it so she had to meet his eyes.

"Can you send Elizabeth up?" She whispered instead of answering his question. He nodded but did not let her go.

The icy blue eyes were flickering from him to the end of the corridor behind him, and the thick dark eyelashes blinked quickly. All of a sudden he noticed her hands were shaking at his chest.

"Jade... you are shaking." He whispered. As soon as Jade saw it she withdrew her hands from his chest, took a step back and crossed her arms.

"Please send her up as soon as you can." She mumbled and walked towards the door. She turned around her eyes were still frightened. "Thank you for today, it was... nice." She said and closed the door.

"Are you not-" Before William finished his question concerning if she would attend tonight's dinner she had closed the door.

What was it with that servant that scared her so? I have never seen the girl before... Could she have done something to Jade, or was it just the sudden scare that made Jade act so strange?

William studied her door for a while before he walked away.

. . .

William's father had called him to his study, again. They were sitting by the fireplace as usual and William was counting the minutes he had spent there already. His mind was occupied by the even that happened earlier outside Jade's chamber. He couldn't get it out of his mind and that she had seemed so frightened.

"So... how about it?" His father muttered without looking at William. His gaze was fixed on the tankard in his hands while he made its content swirl with a swift motion of his wrist.

"You have to understand that Jade will not agree to it just yet." William sighed. His father had brought up the wedding again. He was in a very foul mood and had decided to take it out on William. It was not a surprise to William since he was the reason for his father's mood, but he hadn't expected that he would bring up the wedding.

"What do you mean? Is she refusing to marry you?" There was concern in his father's voice when William had expected anger.

"She hasn't said anything." William answered. "But I suspect that if I pressure her, all that I have managed to accomplish, ever since we got back, will be ruined." William mumbled. His father frowned, there was confusion in his eyes, and then there was frustration.

"I was under the impression that the two of you finally... got along and was getting to know each other. You have neglected your duties to be with her for two days."

William pressed the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger. What answers was he going to give his father? He barely understood what was happening himself. All he knew was that if he pressured Jade it would have all been for nothing. He needed more time to get to know her, and she him.

Jade had finally accepted him and he would do whatever it took not to destroy his chances to at least some day have her as his wife. He really couldn't care less if the wedding was a week or a month away.

"What does it matter that I didn't attend some audiences with you?" He questioned his father. He knew perfectly well why his father had brought it up. William couldn't run from his obligations to be with Jade. Not if he wanted to be king. "She needs time." William said, tired of his father's meddling.

"So what now? Are you going to keep neglecting your duties? For a girl?" His father asked. He did not have any more patience in store for William and his insolence.

William could sense that his father had some form of punishment in mind for him. Otherwise he would have been done with his snide remarks and scolding already.

"Of course not. It was just two days, father..." William responded in a muttering tone. "I rarely get a chance to spend any time with Jade so..."

"So you took it upon yourself to make time for her."

"Yes."

"Then when will there be a wedding? You cannot keep living with her unwed." His father challenged him.

"I have to." William answered patiently but tightened his jaws.

"No, I am done with your child's play... There will be a wedding." His father decided and finished his tankard.

"That is not your decision." William stated and gave his father a very stern look. Does he really think he can force me to marry Jade? Force her to marry me? He should be lucky that I even found her in the first place!

"I have supported you since the day you told me about her. She has been here for months now. It is time." It sounded like his father was on the edge of using his advantage as king if William didn't comply. William couldn't imagine even in his wildest dreams of his father doing that to him. But still... something in his voice left William very uncertain about it.

"There will be a wedding, I just don't know when." William replied.

"I do. There will be one within this month. Before snow falls." The old man said sternly and got up from his armchair. William frowned and looked at his father.

"What do you propose I tell Jade? She doesn't respond well to being told what to do." He countered his father's order.

"What is there to say? The girl knows that you are to be wed." His father walked over to the table and filled his tankard again. "You should get it out of the way so the poor girl can get some answers."

William frowned. He was giving her and had given her the answers she wanted. It wasn't up to his father to decide this for them.

"Are you saying that I should just spring this on her? Because if so, you can just cancel the wedding all together." William said and hoped it would terminate this very unpleasant conversation. "Jade will not accept it."

"What would you know of it?" His father spat.

"What is wrong with you? You are acting like mother." William raised his voice and got on his feet. He wasn't going to take this. "I thought you-"

"Do not raise your voice at me!" His father bellowed at him and by the look of him he was very close to throwing his tankard in William's direction. "I am sick of you acting like a child! You have been ever since she got here and if you think I will hand over my kingdom to a child you are sadly mistaken!" He roared and William felt almost like a child as his father's voice boomed through him. But he inhaled slowly and felt his chest rise as he composed himself.

"If I do not see you at the following audiences or if I even hear of you neglecting even the smallest obligation so help me God, William! There will be consequences!"

William straightened himself and did not respond. It would not mend anything and neither would it help him.

-Jade-

Elizabeth came shortly after William had left. Jade was standing in the middle of the chamber, too scared to move if the servant girl had set some form of trap. A ridiculous thought, but still...

"The prince said that you asked for me." Elizabeth said as she closed the door behind her.

"She was in here." Jade said and got straight to the point. "I think the girl you mentioned was in my chamber. She stood in the door when I got back earlier." Jade's voice was a whisper and she kept it like that to keep her voice from trembling out of fear. To keep Elizabeth from hearing how frightened she was.

"My dear!" Elizabeth gasped. "Did she do anything?" she asked and walked straight over to Jade and examined her. Her warm hands felt nice on Jade's cool cheeks.

"No. Nothing happened." Jade shook her head. "William was with me." Elizabeth frowned suspiciously. "What?"

"I thought she might have said something to him if she got the chance..." she muttered. "Well... I guess that was the last time you could move around in the castle on your own. From now on Loren will have to accompany you at all times..." She added.

"Why can't we just tell William?" Jade asked. "Maybe he can get rid of her?" She continued. "And with 'get rid of'' I do not mean kill." She added quickly.

"We cannot tell him." Elizabeth answered. "He will not let her go quietly when he hears about this."

"Why is that a bad thing?" Jade asked confused. "Does it matter how he gets rid of her, as long as he doesn't kill her?"

"Very much so, child." Elizabeth replied strictly. "The king is grooming him to take over the throne and if William acts out, which he will, it will reflect poorly on him." She said and clasped her hands, making her look very serious and grave about the matter.

"The boy would go absolutely mad if he heard that someone was out to hurt you again." She continued. "I will not provide the king with more things to scold the boy for."

Jade frowned. William was getting scolded by the king? For what?

"What do you mean?" Jade asked.

"The king is not very happy about the amount of time the prince have been spending with you these last couple of days." Elizabeth answered clearly. "God knows that he is getting his fair share of a scolding right now because of it."

Is she serious? Does the king not approve of me anymore?

"Why would he-"

"The prince have been ignoring his duties." Elizabeth filled her in quickly. "And that reflects very poorly on him..." She continued.

Jade sighed in dismay. No one was ever happy here. If it wasn't her it was the queen, or in this case; the king.

William can't seem to do anything right in anyone's eyes... She thought and felt her heart break for him.

------------------------------------------

I hope you liked it!

Please leave a vote if you did, it would mean the world to me!

Love Jenny