Chapter Five

Jasper could only watch on as Elizabeth walked through the doors that let out of the sparring grounds. His palm still felt warm from when he grabbed her waist. He could still remember how his hand had seamlessly fit in the contour.

He slapped his cheeks to wake himself up from his drifting thoughts. Elizabeth was most likely mad and he had to find a way to make it up to her. He felt that they had gotten closer the previous night when they had been stuck together in the same cabin because of the storm. At least it seemed that way considering she had given him a sound slap when he proposed for her hand n marriage.

If he let things stay as they were without trying to make it up to her, there was a very large possibility of their current relationship falling apart.

Dusting himself off, He quickly left the sparring grounds in search of Elizabeth. He walked through the winding hallways, climbed the twisting staircases, asked the various servants that were going about their usual daily life for the princess.

"I think I last saw Princess Elizabeth going to her room. It's on the third floor of the mansion." An idle guard finally pointed him in the right direction after a few minutes of wandering around aimlessly. "If you want, I can take you there, Sir." The guard offered.

"No need, I'll get there on my own." Jasper waved him down before turning to head for the stairs.

Just as he got to the third floor, he ran into someone he wasn't expecting to.

"Your Majesties." Jasper bowed his head in a respectful manner.

"Ah. Viscount Jasper; the very person I needed to see." Elizabeth's father smiled at Jasper with slightly narrowed eyes. Elizabeth's mother also mirrored the same smile. Jasper just knew that something fishy was going on.

"Please, come with us to my private study. There's something of utmost importance I must discuss with you." King Elroy waved at Jasper, motioning for him to follow behind them. Jasper meekly followed.

Although he was also of nobility, he had never gotten the pleasure of personally meeting the King or Queen, aside seeing them from the distance at the occasional public exposures they gave themselves. As it was, his heart was beating in his throat and blood rushed through his ears. He could only imagine Elizabeth telling her parents to give him a proper warning to stay away from her. That would be the worst thing to ever happen to him.

The trio walked down the brightly lit corridors, the King and Queen occasionally nodding at the various guards that they passed. No matter what they were doing, every guard immediately put it down in order to pay respects to their leaders. Jasper just awkwardly followed behind them, his playful demeanor nowhere to be found in the presence of the most influential figures in the Kingdom of Brite.

They soon arrived at King Elroy's personal study. It was vastly different from what most people would expect. One would expect the study of a once aggressive King to have various trophies he had gotten from his various conquered lands scattered around, flaunting his battle prowess, but King Elroy's study was a lot more modest. It wasn't too large, but also wasn't small. At the far left wall, a small fireplace that remained was lit burned slowly as it warmed the room. To the far right, several six feet tall shelves that contained various books were arranged. The last side of the room that was directly opposite the door was just a large glass wall that let light filter into the room. The green and brown walls of the room gave it a natural homey feel. Jasper took in the beautiful scene with little stars in his eyes.

"Beautiful, eh?" King Elroy's deep voice shook his mind from its daydream. The burly king tentatively pulled off his large fur robe, hanging it on a coat rack by one of the couches in the middle of the room before sitting down. Queen Magdalena sat down beside him, resting her hand on his arm as Jasper stood, not knowing what to do.

"Take a seat, young man. I'm not going to bite." King Elroy barked out a laugh when he noticed Jasper's nervous look. "I just want to discuss an important matter." He then turned to the pair of guards that were standing by the door. They nodded and then stepped out before closing the door behind them.

Jasper gingerly took a seat on the couch opposite them, the tension in his body keeping his back ramrod straight. King Elroy could only sigh helplessly and shake his head at Jasper's actions. It was normal for anyone to be tense before their king.

"Now then, young man. I think it's about time we spoke about you and my daughter."