33 James?

You finish eating your breakfast and get dressed for the audience with the princess. All the ladies gather in the living room car and you find a seat. The princess is standing there with a big grin on her face as if someone gave her a brand new toy.

"Ladies I'm so glad all of you could join me today..."

She looks at you.

(Urgh)

"I have some exciting news. As you all know, I'm betrothed to the King..."

Everyone clap their hands and cheer. You decide to give your best fake smile.

"Okay, girls, calm down. I'm going to choose a few lucky ladies to join me in Austria. We will be going to the best wedding dress designer and pick my wedding dress"

Everyone once again breaks out cheering. You're glued to your seat and frozen in time.

(Could that be the reason the King ran out on me last night? Did he realize he's getting married soon and got cold feet being with me?)

"So without further ado, let's pick the ladies. The first one, Lady Denise"

Everyone's smiles and applause her. She stands up and walks to stand next to the princess.

(Please, not me, not me, not me...)

"Next lady, Lady Elizabeth"

Everyone cheer. You and Anabel look at each other in fear.

"...and last but not least..."

(Oh god...not me!!)

"...Lady Winters"

You stand up hesitantly and walk to the princess. You're not very sure what's happening to you right now. You don't have time or the will power for this kind of inconvenience.

(I'm a well known, respectable businesswoman. I'm running my own business for goodness sake! What's this that I have to bow before this child??)

"Aren't you happy you've been chosen, Lady Winters?"

She jumps almost up and down from pure joy.

"Of course, I am, your Grace. It's such an honor"

(Definitely not...God help me)

You feel an urge of anger push up inside you. You try to contain yourself while she keeps on talking about the three of you as you're puppets. She carries on and on about how happy she is, being with the King, and how deeply in love they are. It's not soon enough that she excuses you like children to be free to do as you please. You walk as fast as you can back to your room feeling the anger ready to erupt. You're so focused on the floor so that no one can see your eyes filled with anger, that you walk straight into someone. You lookup.

"I'm so sorry, your Highness please forgive, I didn't see where I was going"

You bow low before him. He braces you by the shoulders. Then he looks down to find your eyes.

"Lady Winters, are you okay?"

(He probably knew about this entire thing)

"Why did you leave last night so abruptly? Did you know about Austria? Did you know what she has planned??"

You feel the anger lashing out on him. You can't control yourself anymore and you need answers now.

"Forgive me but I don't know what you're talking about?..and about last night...I uhm-"

"Your Highness, we're ready for you" Lord Walton bows before him.

The King quickly pulls his hands back to his sides. You stare at him and then whisper to him when you pass him by on your way to your room.

"I thought so..."

You walk to your room and close the door. You pace around the room in the hope that you could get rid of the anger and then, you start to cry. Everything is just too much for you. You feel hopeless. You realize that you're falling hard for something that might never happen.

(Why did I even reach that high? Why couldn't I just fall in love with Lord Jackson, who's a perfect gentleman? Why did I reach so far out of my level?)

THE KING

He wakes up the next morning with the usual knock on the door. He opens his eyes and despondency fills his being.

(Dammit, what am I to do? I can't run out on her everything I'm not feeling well...I'm going to have to tell her but no one knows? Would I be able to trust her with this secret? I want her to know but if this comes out, all my plans could fail. The country might not have a bright future then, people might not support us. Damn, I want to tell her so badly, I should just risk it. She, after all, didn't tell anyone about us yet...?)

He gets up and gets dressed. He walks out of his room to the dining car. Everyone bows at his presence. He scans the room for you but you're nowhere to be seen.

(She's not here. The last time she wasn't at breakfast....oh god, I don't even want to think about it...)

He eats as quickly as he can so that he can go and check up on you. He tries to avoid people as far as he can.

"Your Highness, could we discuss the treaty for Austria in the other room?"

"Yes, yes of course...uhm let me just finish up here and then I'll come to you"

"All good, Sire"

He watches as Lord Walton leaves the room and then finishes his breakfast. He then quickly walk towards your room. He knocks on the door but you're not there.

(Where are you? I hope you're not with Lord Jackson. Damn, I should've just told you)

He then proceeds to discuss the treaty. After an hour or two they take a break, he very hastily walks back to your room. He couldn't concentrate on discussing the treaty as he was thinking, the entire time, about where you could be. Then he feels you bumping into him. He grabs you by the shoulders and finds your eyes.

"Lady Winters, are you okay?"

"Why did you leave last night so abruptly? Did you know about Austria? Did you know what she has planned??"

(Oh god, I should tell her. What does she mean Austria? Who? The princess? Fück what did she do now???)

"Forgive me but I don't know what you're talking about? And last night...I uhm-"

Lord Walton interrupts and you whisper in his ear "I thought so". You walk away. He stares after you in shock.

"I'll be right there"

"Of course, Sire"

He bows and walks away. The King just stand there in frustration.

(Fück!! She's mad at me, she thinks I knew what the princess planned. I must first go see the princess and hear what she has done. Dammit, but I must first do this treaty thing...Calm down James, calm down...)

The King leans up against the wall, trying to calm himself. He put his hand to his forehead.

(Not now....not now...)

LADY WINTERS

You hear a loud thump outside your door. You quickly wipe away your tears and slowly open your door. You look down the corridor and see the King laying on the floor unconscious. You quickly run to his side and you see his eyes opening.

"James!"

"Urgh...Please...please get me out of sight...uhmm"

You put his arm around your shoulder and slowly walk him to your room. You lay him down on your bed and quickly get a wet towel to press to his forehead.

"Mmmm...I'm sorry....it feels so good...thank you"

"What's going on with you James? You need to talk to me. I can't handle seeing you so weak if I don't know what's going on. Please I beg of you to tell me, are you dying?"