Chapter Three

"We need to leave now if we want to make it back to the mansion on time, Elizabeth." Jasper reminded as he strode back into the cabin from the make-shift stable behind it. He made sure she heard him before walking back out.

Several minutes later, Elizabeth walked out fully geared up for horseback riding like she was the day before and walked up to her readied Stallion.

"Has he been fed yet?" She asked as she ran her hand across his chin and he neighed.

"Yes he has, milady." Jasper responded in a gentlemanly tone as he held out his hand to help her mount her horse. After helping her, he mounted his own steed and they both set off in the direction of the mansion.

Elizabeth couldn't help but make a little competition out of it, spurring on her steed to move faster so she could beat Jasper. But of course, he noticed and silently urged his own steed to pick up the pace. They sped through the trees, galloping down the faint trail until the castle loomed over their heads. As their steeds came to a stop at the front doors and they hopped down, servants rushed to take the reigns of both horses and lead them to the stables. Elizabeth and Jasper climbed the stairs heading to the front door.

"Have I mentioned how grand your mansion looks? It's splendor is like no other in the northern province!" Jasper waved his arms and gestured to the castle that loomed overhead. Elizabeth rolled her eyes and climbed the steps quickly.

"Lady Elizabeth," A servant greeted their arrival with a bow, "Your parents request your presence in His Highness' study, Miss," She bowed once again as Elizabeth passed her.

"Thank you," She replied curtly before moving on. She hurriedly climbed the several flights of stair with Jasper hot on her trails. He wondered why she was in so much on a hurry, didn't a princess of her status, an only child at that, take her time with everything she did? After all, she should have been pampered like no tomorrow by her parents.

After a couple minutes of ascending the stairs, Elizabeth cut through a corridor that held multiple doors on each side. She walked down to the last door before knocking, announcing her presence and gently pushing the door open, all of the tension in her back immediately fading away. Jasper stood outside the room as she stepped in, feeling uncomfortable. He felt as though he was intruding on what was supposed to be a moment between Elizabeth and her parents.

"Jasper?" A smooth feminine voice called out to Jasper. The voice was velvety and soft, like that of a siren. But Jasper could recognize that voice anywhere, anytime.

~************~

"Elizabeth! Where have you been?! Your father and I were worried!" Elizabeth's mother gushed as soon as Elizabeth stepped into her father's study. Elizabeth smiled at her to ease her worries as she walked into her father's range of sight.

King Elroy was a bear of a man. Large, burly, and with a loud, hearty voice, his closest companions called him a bear. He looked no different from a grizzly with little fur. He smiled warmly at his daughter and patted the space beside him, motioning for her to join him on the plush couch.

"Elizabeth, my sweet daughter, how are you?" He slid an arm around her and pulled her into his side.

"I'm okay, dad. How's your health? Is it okay for you to be out of your room?" She directed a concerned gaze towards him. He smiled and nodded his head at her.

"It's alright, dear. I'm not planning on staying out for long." King Elroy was once one of the fiercest men in the lands of Brite. With his might, the kingdom of Brite quickly spread it territory, smiting every opponent who dared to challenge ts warriors. In the last conquest King Elroy took part in, he was gravely injured and barely survived. Even with his survival, he still struggled to maintain his health.

"That's good to hear. Don't push yourself too hard." She grasped one of his large hands between her small delicate hands.

"I'm not the one pushing myself too hard, kitten. You should really take a break. Maybe find yourself a man. It's not easy to rule this kingdom, you should find someone to help you, you know." He quirked an eyebrow at her, hinting at the fact that she refused to accept any of the suitors that came to ask for her hand in marriage.

"Daaaad." Elizabeth whined and looked up at her father with big round eyes. She would never dare act this way in the presence of others, but her parents were an exception. "I don't want to get married to any random man who comes knocking on our gates. I'll find the one who's meant for me. All the others are just looking for connections or an easy way to get rich and powerful. I want a man who's able to do what is right for the people!" A fire was lit behind her bright brown irises. She meant what she said and she would stick by her word!

"Elizabeth... Darling. I love your passion. I support you. But sometimes, the only way to do what's right for the people, the only way to serve them, is to do a disservice to yourself. Sweetie, you can't always have what you want. Fairy tales aren't real. There's hardly any man in these goddamn lands that care about the general populace. That's why I'm so glad I have you as a daughter; because no matter what, you will stand by the people. I know that you will be the one that will set this kingdom on the path that it should be! You will be our rightful queen." His face broke out in a proud grin and tears stung his eyes. He couldn't be any happier with his daughter and how faithful she turned out to be. He knew she was born to be queen!