Lost Royalty

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Seeing James and Delilah together hurt Elle more than she would ever admit. The way he smiled into her eyes and had taken her hand in his own, without sending Elle a second glance, was enough to prove to Elle that she would never have that kind of life.

She turned away as soon as she saw the conversation, and for some reason she began to run. She tried to stop, but she couldn't. Not until she had reached the very top of her hill.

The sun had already set, so Elle sat down and looked up at the stars. They were so beautiful.

Elle didn't know why she was so upset. She couldn't help but feel betrayed and deceived.

But he had never betrayed her. The only promises that he had made her had been kept. He had even covered for her when she said that she couldn't go to the party.

She was stupid for thinking that he might have liked her. It was clear that he liked Delilah. Why would anyone pick a poor girl over a beautiful and rich young woman? It was preposterous.

Delilah. Just the name itself made an uncomfortable feeling rise in Elle's chest. She knew that she shouldn't hate Delilah, for it wasn't Delilah's fault that James liked her, and not Elle.

Delilah had never been kind to Elle, but she had also never been mean. It seemed that it was her mother who had the feelings of hatred towards Elle. No, she would not hate Delilah for this.

The silent tears falling down Elle's face couldn't be helped. She had no idea why she was feeling so emotional all of a sudden.

Elle didn't know how long she had sat on the top of the hill. Only when her hands were shaking too violently to ignore, and when her feet began to feel numb, did she even think about going home.

It was one of these times that Elle wished that she had a mother. Or even a friend to talk to. If she spoke to her Pa about something like this she would surely be punished. He just didn't understand emotion.

The walk home seemed to be over too quickly.

*Back to the party*

When James turned around to see the empty window, his heart stopped for a second.

He couldn't have been imagining it, she had been standing right there a minute ago.

But now she was gone, back into the shadows of her life, where she wouldn't let anyone else in.

James let himself be pulled back around by Delilah, and before he even realised what was happening, he was on the dance floor.

He had to stop pining over something that he never had. Elle was that thing.

"You seem distracted," Delilah said, as she fluttered her eyelashes. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he replied, looking her in the eye. He needed to forget Elle. He grabbed Delilah's waist, and lead her through the upbeat song. She seemed delighted in the change in him, and she gave him a bright smile.

The song quickly ended and was replaced by a slower song. The whole time he kept his eyes locked with Delilah's, but his thought couldn't help but drift towards Elle. Something wasn't right with her, and tomorrow he would go and see what it was.

But for now he would enjoy the party with his friends, for he didn't know when he would next get to attend such a wonderful party.

At the end of the dance James excused himself from Delilah. She didn't want to let him go, but causing a scene on the middle of the dance floor would result in serious embarrassment for her.

He walked over to Oscar, who was stood watching the girls.

"What do you think?" James asked. "Is she here?"

"I don't think so," he replied, his face looking sad.

"How do you know though?" he pushed. He didn't understand how Oscar would know just by looking at her.

"I knew her before she disappeared. I'm best friends with her older brother." He replied.

"It has been nine years, she will have changed." James said.

"She has a twin brother. They weren't completely identical, but they looked pretty similar. Besides, I'd recognise her eyes anywhere. I expect that they will have changed her features, but eyes are the hardest to alter. Her eyes are exactly the same as her little sister's."

"So what happens now?" James asked, saddened by the prospect of the lost princess not being found.

"I guess we will admit defeat." He replied, with drooping shoulders. "The search is over in the other villages tonight as well, as they too have assessed all of the girls. I will go and report back to King Jonathan in the morning. If no one else has found her, we will stop looking."

"But you can't just stop looking!" James said, "She could still be out there!"

"But she isn't within our reach. We have had specialists searching for nine years, James. They have hardly found any trace of her."

"What do you think happened?"

"I used to think that she had been kidnapped, and they would try to get a ransom for her. But that seems unlikely now. If they were to do that, I don't know why they would keep her for so long. I think now that she was probably killed. I'm not sure why or how, but if she was still alive we would have found her."

"So that's it then?" James asked, and Oscar nodded his head.

"Thank you James for all of your help. I must return back now, but know that I am grateful." Oscar said, holding his hand out for James to shake.

James shook his hand.

"If you need to find me at any point, come to the palace." Oscar said.

"Thank you, Oscar," he said, and Oscar turned away and walked out of the doors, his shoulder drooping under the heavy burden he was carrying.

James wouldn't like to be in his position. To have to tell the king that Elizabeth had not be found would be heart breaking.

And not to mention breaking the news to the family. No doubt they have been caused so much pain in this as well.

James couldn't help but feel annoyed with himself. He had promised himself that he would find Princess Elizabeth, and he had failed miserably.

A/N- Hello there! I hope you didn't hate the chapter too much ;)

Have a good day/ night depending on where you are! Xx