Unexpected Royal Love!

Chapter 7

Elly’s POV

We all sit in silence at the dinner table. I’m still trying to process what Prince Edward revealed so unexpectedly. He keeps gazing, but I try to ignore the lump I’m feeling inside my throat. I can’t even enjoy my supper. It's like it knocked out the life of me, and I’m gasping for air. There is no escape from this war, the only way we’ll all survive is by me keeping my mouth shut and wait for the war to play out, but I cannot let the Queen marry her son off, I never excepted for me to fall in love with him, but I did.

No matter how hard I try to suppress my feelings, I can’t. I try to keep a straight face, but the Queen picked up the mood and ask what's wrong. Edward glares at me with fear in his eyes.

“Nothing, I’m still not feeling well, I think I have a stomach bug or something.” I can see the relief on Edward's face when I gave his Mother some lame excuse for not feeling well.

“Well then, Ms Elly, you may be excused from dinner,” she announced, while everyone looks shocked. In royal life, you may not leave the room until the Queen finished her dinner. I nodded and quickly disappeared up to my room. Winter is almost here, and the cool breeze is blowing through the window into my room. I closed the window and changed into comfortable clothes.

I would give anything to get away from this palace, away from the lies and the decisiveness, but I promised Edward, and I can’t risk my families’ safety.

So instead I’m a prisoner in this palace, and a bargaining chip to win a war. Edward said that the war already started, just most of the country doesn't know, except for those who swore loyalty to the Queen and will gain something out of her religious plan.

Other than the once that knows, the town is unaware of her plans, and once everyone realises that a war is coming, panic would sure take over in this town, and the entire town folks would turn against her, but then it would be too late. She planned everything to the finest detail. I drew in a deep breath and slowly blow it out again.

“Miss Elly?” Prince Edward calls at my door. At first I ignore it, but he knocked again.

“You can't be here,” I whispered while he pushes past me.

“I know, I just had to make sure you’re okay, after all the information you had to seize earlier.”

“Yes, I’m okay. I just need a good night's rest.” I let out with a sigh.

“My mother picked up something, she never dismissed anyone from dinner before.” he looks worried while pacing back and forth in my room making me nervous as well.

“I, well, it was a massive surprise for me. I tried keeping a straight face.”

“I know, and thank you. You know I would've never told you Ms Elly if I didn't have feelings for you.” Hearing the words leaving his mouth is making me feel unease. I can’t have a future with him. I never wanted a royal life in the first place, but life has a strong way of making you feel things you don't want to.

“You have to understand that it was never my intention to fall in love with you. It just happened. I’m not regretting it, I just wished it was under different circumstances,” he admits. He knows he will marry the King’s daughter of France, whether they win the war or lose it, his Mother already set the plan in motion. Prince Edward anxiously stretches his hands in front of him.

“You don't have to explain your mother's actions. It's the Queen, and you're her son. I guess you must fall in line with her plans.” I tried to calm him, but he turned around and kissed me passionately.

“I don't want to lose this, the excitement of being in love, and to know the other person feels the same.” he holds his face close to mine.

The cool air that I felt in the room minutes ago, was replaced with warmth. My heart jumping to my throat.

“Neither do I.” we have no escape from the feelings that we're feeling, but this is called a royal life, and what we have is called an unexpected royal love. He pulled me closer, cupping my cheeks.

Fear playing deep in his eyes. Not fear for the war, fear that I will be sent home soon, and he will have to marry someone he never met. There is nothing we can do.

We can't even escape the palace together without the Queen putting her best man to track us, and that would mean my family will lose their lives, because of my feelings for the Prince. Tears filled my eyes in seconds.

“Don't cry.” Prince Edward pleaded, but I can’t help it.

“You’ll have to let me go, we don't have a choice, soon you’ll be married to the duchess of France and I will be sent home, we're my Father is the only one that gains out of this tragedy of a war.” I bent my head, tears soaking my cheeks.

“I can’t, not yet,” he admits.

“If we go on like this, it will only make things harder the day we have to say goodbye.”

“Just give me a few days, a few days to enjoy life the way I want to. I know it's selfish and will make things harder, but I need to feel love, I need to feel your love, Ms Elly.” he kissed my hair, while I can feel his body shiver out of fear. I nodded, gaining a smile from him.

“After breakfast tomorrow, I will take you to the lake, we can spend the day there.” he gave me one last kiss before he left my room. Mixed emotions are running through me. I opened the window to get some fresh air and just breathe for a moment.