Unexpected Royal Love!

Chapter 14

As Edward and I embarked on our journey across the river to seek out Martha, the Queen's trusted housekeeper, a sense of trepidation tingled in the depths of my being. It felt surreal to contemplate the Queen entrusting her deepest secrets to someone so seemingly insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Martha, a woman of humble means, resided in one of the small houses nestled on the outskirts of the kingdom.

As we approached the modest abode, I couldn't help but ponder the paradoxical nature of the Queen's trust in Martha. How could she confide in someone from the lower strata of society when her true intentions were to obliterate the poor and seize their lands? It seemed incongruous, as if the Queen used Martha as a pawn in her grand scheme, manipulating her loyalty to further her own agenda.

Our footsteps crunched on the gravel path leading to Martha's humble dwelling. The air was thick with anticipation as I braced myself for the revelations that lay ahead. Upon reaching the door, I raised my hand to knock, silently hoping that Martha would be willing to share the secrets she had guarded so faithfully.

"Martha?" I called out, my voice trembling. There was no response, only the eerie silence that enveloped the cottage. I exchanged a worried glance with Edward. The look on his face mirrored my own fears.

"Do you think?" I began, my voice faltering, unable to finish my sentence. Edward's expression turned grim as he nodded, his eyes filled with a mixture of dread and understanding. We both knew exactly what had transpired in this desolate cottage.

"My mother must have found out that Martha was confiding in someone, revealing her deepest secrets," Edward muttered, his voice heavy with sorrow. He let out a long sigh as if the weight of the world had been placed upon his shoulders.

The realization hit me like a bolt of lightning. Martha had been sharing the dark secrets she had uncovered, secrets that could potentially topple the powerful regime of Edward's mother, the current queen. A chill ran down my spine as I contemplated the implications of this discovery.

"Do you think your mother...killed her?" I asked hesitantly, my voice barely above a whisper. I desperately hoped that Edward would deny such a sinister possibility. After all, he was her son, the next in line to inherit the throne. However, I, on the other hand, was just an ordinary farm girl, entangled in a web of secrets and treachery. What would the queen do to me if she discovered that I knew about her malicious plans to destroy the lives of the less fortunate?

Edward's face paled, his eyes haunted by the thought. He hesitated for a moment, then slowly shook his head. "No, I don't believe she would go that far...at least, not yet. But we can't stay here. It's no longer safe."

His words sent a shiver down my spine. The realization that we were in grave danger settled heavily upon us. With Martha's demise, the truth she held had become a dangerous weapon, and we were the unwitting bearers of this weapon. We had to protect ourselves and find a way to expose the queen's malevolence without falling prey to her wrath.

As we made our way back to the castle, the weight of our predicament settled heavily upon us. The fear of being discovered, especially by Emma, consumed my thoughts. She had this whimsical notion that Edward was on the verge of marrying one of the farm girls and that she would soon become a princess. Little did she know that the truth was far more perilous.

Once we reached the safety of the castle walls, Edward and I exchanged worried glances. We knew that time was running out, and we had to devise a plan before the impending battle. However, with his mother already aware of our intentions, and the risk of the French soldiers discovering our underground tunnel operation, it seemed like an insurmountable task.

"Edward," I began, my voice tense with concern, "we cannot proceed with our original plan. It's too dangerous. If we attempt to infiltrate the enemy's camp through the tunnels, we will be walking right into a death trap. The French soldiers would surely be aware of our presence. We must come up with a different strategy."

Edward's brow furrowed as he pondered our predicament. "You're right," he admitted with a sigh. "We need a plan that will catch them off guard, something unexpected. But what can we do? Time is running out, and everyone's life is at stake."

I could sense the desperation in Edward's voice and knew that we needed to act swiftly.

Prince Edward's tender touch lingered on my forehead and then on my lips, leaving a gentle warmth that sent shivers down my spine. It was a bittersweet moment, knowing that the battle for England's future loomed ahead, yet finding solace in his affectionate gesture.

"Go to your room, Miss Elly," Prince Edward's voice resonated with a mix of concern and determination. "I will come and find you if I think of a plan." I nodded, my heart heavy with worry, and bent slightly over to show him the respect he deserved.

But before I could leave his room, a question burned within me, begging to be voiced. "Edward?" I called out softly, uncertainty lacing my words. His attention turned towards me, his eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and anticipation.

"What will happen after this? I mean, if we were to win the battle and reveal the Queen's secrets," I hesitated, knowing that our conversation might seem trivial amidst the weight of the impending battle. "If you spare the King of France's life, and your mother loses the throne, will you still marry the Duchess?"

The Prince's expression softened, and he stepped closer, his hand reaching out to gently caress my cheek. "Miss Elly," he began, his voice filled with a tenderness that made my heart flutter. "I want you. I love you. Once England has been saved and my mother stripped of her duties, then I will find a way to be yours forever."

His words filled me with a mix of hope and uncertainty. The path ahead was treacherous, and the fate of an entire nation hung in the balance. Yet, in that moment, I couldn't help but believe in our love, in the possibility of a future where we could be together

As I left Prince Edward's room, his promise echoed in my mind. The weight of the impending conflict bore down on my shoulders, but I couldn't let it overshadow the flicker of hope that Prince Edward had ignited within me.