A Love Ever After

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Eliza was walking through the gardens all alone when she finally decided that it was the time to speak to her parents. It was the following day, and she had taken supper from the evening before and breakfast that morning in her chambers, not wanting to talk to them.

But she had been thinking about it enough, and it now seemed like the perfect time to figure out her future. It was killing her not knowing who he was, so she had to find out.

Eliza decided to spin around and walk back to the castle. She saw three guards turn around and follow from behind. 'So they were following me,' she thought. She had rightfully guessed that the three guards were not just taking a stroll, and were, in fact, guarding her.

The walk was short, and Eliza saw Rachel on the way past. She sent her a smile.

"Where are you going?" Rachel asked.

"I'm going to go and talk to our parents. I just have to know what is going to happen" Eliza answered nervously. She was fiddling with her hands, and her face was pale.

"It will be fine, Eliza," Rachel sent an encouraging smile at her younger sister.

Eliza nodded.

When she finally reached her father's office, she raised her hand to knock on the door. But she couldn't do it.

What if they told her that he was awful? That he was an older king with several wives already if that was even legal?

"Would you like me to announce you?" A guard asked.

"Y-yes please," Eliza stuttered, as she took her hand away from the door. She hadn't realised how long she was stood there.

She waited a moment for the guard to walk back outside, and she slowly entered when he nodded at her.

"Eliza dear," the queen said when she saw her daughter. "Come and take a seat,"

Eliza did as she was told. But as she walked in, she could see the bags under her mother's eyes, and the recent tear streaks.

"Are you okay, Elizabeth?" her father asked, placing a gentle hand on her arm.

Eliza just nodded in answer, but it was a lie. And her parents knew that.

"We are really sorry, Eliza," her mother said, "We didn't think about how difficult this would be. But the truth is, there is no way around it."

"What is he like?" Eliza asked, shocking both her mother and father.

"We-we don't actually know. We have never met him," the king answered.

"But his name is Prince Jackson. He is soon to be king." Her mother added.

"Where is he from?" Eliza asked, fear evident in her voice. She played the fabric on her skirt.

"Zari," her mother answered.

"Zari? But that is so far away!" Eliza protested.

"And you will live there with your husband. You will one day be queen." The king added.

"W-when are we to be married?" Eliza asked, slowly. Perhaps she could handle it if it was a few years away.

"Prince Jackson will be arriving any day. He wants to marry you as soon as possible. He will be a stronger king if he has a beautiful queen by his side."

The young princess's eyes were wide. "As soon as possible? And then I will be leaving?"

"I'm afraid so," the king solemnly replied. "You will be well provided for in Zari. I hear that the castle and landscape are rather beautiful."

"And there is no way out of it?" Eliza asked again. She just had to hear it again. It still seemed so untrue.

"No. We have had our advisors review the papers, and there is simply no escape. The kingdom would declare war if you were to back out of it," The king said. "And I'm afraid that we can't let that happen. Sometimes, as rulers, we have to make choices depending on the welfare of our people. A war would cause many injuries and deaths amongst innocent people."

"I-I understand," Eliza said, slumping in her seat. But her parents didn't comment on her lack of posture.

Eliza looked around at the beautiful room. Just a few days ago she had been so grateful for all of the luxuries of the castle. She had been so happy living with her new family and having enough food to eat.

But now she felt trapped. Trapped in a castle where she no longer wanted to be. And trapped in a marriage where she would do anything to escape.

When she had lived in Grea she had been almost locked in a bookshop. Eliza couldn't help but realise the similarities of that and her current situation. What was so different about being trapped in a bookshop, and trapped in a castle?

She missed the freedom that she first felt when she had come to the castle. She could be who she wanted to be and talk to whomever she wanted. But that had all been ripped away.

"Now, I have one more thing to discuss with you, my dear," the king said.

"What is it, father?"

"Well, I am going to ask you to keep away from Mr Parsons."

"James? Why?" Eliza asked, confused.

"I fear that it will be more difficult for you if you continue to have feelings for him. It is best that you cut off your ties."

"No, I won't do that!" Eliza said. She was angry at the thought. After all that has happened, her father was trying to stop her from seeing her friend. It wasn't fair.

"James was given the option to have a job elsewhere, but he also refused." The king sighed. "I don't mind him being here, but I don't want to see you together."

"You can't ask me to do that," Eliza said, stubbornly.

"I can, and I will. I am not asking Elizabeth. It is an order. And you will understand and be grateful one day." The king said.

"Well, I refuse," Eliza said, glaring at her father in the eye. She knew that he was a good man, but she couldn't help but feel angry at what he was doing. It was clear that he cared, but he obviously didn't know what Eliza is like.

"Then I will send him away without a job."

"Why is this so important?" Eliza asked.

"Because Zari is the most powerful kingdom.  If they even think that they are being played, I fear what will happen to all of us. Especially you."

They sat in silence for a moment more. Eliza was still reeling from the argument.

"Elizabeth, you must visit the seamstress. She will need to make you a dress for the party that we shall be having upon prince Jacksons coming." Her mother announced, breaking her out of her thoughts.

"Is that Mrs Ovens?" Eliza asked hopefully.

"I believe so. I am unsure as to whether she has arrived yet, but she will surely be here by this afternoon."

Eliza felt a small bit of hope. She didn't notice how the king had his head in his hands, and how the queen was holding back a sob. She was too busy hiding her own emotions.

A/N- I am really busy at the moment, but I will still try and update as much as possible :) Please VOTE and COMMENT! And let me know if you are excited about meeting Jackson!!