Escaping Her Curse—Completed

Chapter Fourteen

Jessie was surprised to see the king seated at the head of the table. He looked regal in his crisp white shirt and dark trousers, a fur-lined cape hugging his shoulders. Though, he had no crown upon his head. His brown eyes looked tired, and he had large bags under them. The king had greying hair that was combed back and a nicely trimmed beard and mustache combo that was also starting to turn white. He looked older than his 58 years. Jessie supposed that ruling a nation would do that to a person.

King Tyson glanced over at her, gesturing to a seat on his right. Oliver was to his left.

“It’s an honor,” Jessie said, coming up from her curtsy.

The king waved a servant over to plate her place and flashed a smile at her. “The pleasure is all mine. When I heard that my son was going to dine with you, I decided to join. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to learn more about you, since you’ll be following my son everywhere he goes. I know he trusts you, and I’m not saying that I don’t, I just would like to learn more about the assistant who will practically be glued to my son.”

Jessie sat at the table and let the servants fill her glass with wine and serve her the first course of the meal before saying, “That is completely understandable, Sire.”

“And besides,” the king continued as though she had not spoken. “You’ll be in charge of his schedule, and I want to make sure that you know that any meetings I want him to join take top priority over anything else. He is, after all, my one and only heir. So, ensuring that he learns how to be a great ruler is one of my highest goals in life.”

“Naturally, Your Highness,” Jessie agreed.

“Oh and tomorrow, son, don’t forget. Actually, Jessie, it’s a good time to be here. Oliver will have a 10 o’clock appointment in the garden. A tea party has been set up, and everything is arranged for the event,” King Tyson prattled on.

She took a bite of food and thoughtfully chewed as he spoke. It was painfully obvious that the king was trying to set something up to put her in her place, but without all the context, it was difficult to understand where the king was going.

“Father, please. I won’t be late. No need to drag her into this.”

“Well, why not? Starting tomorrow, she’ll be your assistant. She’ll need to know everything! Including when you’re meeting with potential suitors.”

And there it was. Jessie saw the full picture then. King Tyson was telling her in not too subtle a way that Oliver was actively seeking a queen and that she would not interfere. She smiled gently at the king. She knew her place. He didn’t need to worry. Like she had said earlier, she was not after the throne or Oliver’s heart. She had given that up years ago.

“I shall ensure that His Majesty is not late, Your Highness. And, he’ll arrive showered and wearing one of his best suits,” she said, shocking both men.

Oliver looked annoyed while the king grinned into his wine glass.

“Perfect. Perhaps this wasn’t a mistake after all, Oliver,” the king stated. “You know, he didn’t even show up to the last event. I was surprised the ladies were cordial enough to reschedule. It is a testament to their character, that’s for sure. Lady Fiona and Lady Christine will be arriving tomorrow for the candidacy.”

Jessie nodded, pretending to be interested. Sadly, she figured that this would only be the beginning of these petty schemes aimed her way. Simon had tried to warn her, though she had already guessed that it would come to this.

“As Oliver already knows, I’m eager for him to get married so that we can begin training the queen by the time she needs to take over. Our last approach didn’t work out very well, so here’s to plan B!” the king laughed.

Oliver’s mood soured, and Jessie ate in silence. It didn’t take her long to see that her input was not needed nor wanted by the king. He was talking to show his dominance over his son and show him that he, the king, was still in control. Jessie felt uncomfortable bearing witness to such an exchange.

After almost an hour of awkward glances and shallow small talk, she was released by the king. Dinner was finally over. Jessie watched the king saunter off, slightly drunk.

“Are you…alright?” she whispered.

“Fine,” Oliver replied curtly with a forced smile. “Just my father being the jackass he usually is. The servants are even used to it by now.”

“Oh,” Jessie responded demurely. “Does this happen often?”

“Only when potentials come by. Expect to dress alone tonight and tomorrow, by the way.”

She frowned. “Has Lydia fallen ill?”

“No, she’s just unfortunately his flavor of the month.”

Feeling uncomfortable, Jessie played with her hands in her lap. She hadn’t realized that the king was that sort of man.

“Don’t worry. You’re off limits. I made that extremely clear to him,” Oliver attempted to reassure her, getting up from his seat.

Jessie hadn’t even thought of that as a possibility. How she had avoided Francis’ gross misconduct, she hadn’t known, but she certainly didn’t want to fall prey to the king.

“It is something I will abolish once I’m king. I can’t force every noble to accept it, and if it’s consensual, there’s nothing I can do. However, once I take the throne, one of the first laws I’ll be establishing is no s****l relations with maids, staff, servants, whomever. It’s unseemly and degrading, not to mention a horrible abuse of power.”

She watched him walk to the door and turn back towards her.

“I apologize that dinner couldn’t have been between only the two of us, but I do look forward to our shared meals in the future. I pray you have a wonderful evening, and I’ll see you tomorrow, bright and early,” Oliver said.

He then walked out of the grand dining room, leaving her alone with the serving staff. Feeling as though she too should leave, Jessie got up from her chair and hurried out of the room. She wandered the halls, making her way to her own little room and sat on the bed. Carefully taking off her new uniform, she placed it on the desk in the room so that it would be ready for her the following day.

“Suitors, hmm?” she mumbled to herself.

It was only natural. The king had alluded to the original plan. She had been the original plan. Before becoming Jessie, she had been groomed from a young age to become queen. It was all she had thought about, and it was all she lived and breathed. At the young age of 16 and 17, she believed that she would make an excellent queen. She believed that she was what the people would want and that they’d love her.

All she could do now was laugh at herself, and laugh at her silly childish thoughts. Jessie was grown now, a true woman. She knew the truth, and because she had been able to live among the people she had once hoped to serve, she saw just how inadequate she would have been. She would have been just like Oliver, living in ignorance and unable to fully help her people because she didn’t have a clue how to actually help them. The palace was a suffocating place that forced one to mold to its ways. The mere fact that Oliver had lasted as long as he had with his ideals was a true miracle. Perhaps leaving had truly been the right call.

“It was the only call,” she said aloud. “It was the only thing I could’ve done. There was no other choice.”

Though it was still fairly early, Jessie turned out her magical light that was sitting on her bedside table. A little extra sleep wouldn’t hurt, especially with a full day planned for tomorrow. Not only did Oliver now have an unexpected garden tea party to attend, he had several other meetings to attend. One was for finances, while another was for the military shortages. He had training at 6:30 sharp in the morning, which she was expected to be at for whatever reason, and her day wouldn’t end until Oliver said she was dismissed.

Jessie knew she had a lot to be thankful for. Oliver was giving her so many more opportunities as his personal assistant. She just wasn’t sure if she was ready for it all and where this path might lead her. She had worked so hard to rid herself of feelings for him, only to see how fast they came crashing back once he entered her life.

Sighing, she tossed and turned in bed until finally she was able to fall asleep, only to land herself in a nightmare.