Accept the Challenge (AU, CC, TEEN) COMPLETE [2/11]

[Sternbetrachter]

lovely updates

[Evelynn]

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Chapter Thirty Eight:
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Maxwell lies on his bed, wide-awake. It is hard to believe that Elizabeth laid right where he was just a few hours ago, leaving the faint smell of flowers in his pillow.

He misses her. She had not come to see him like she had promised. Maxwell sighs. She is probably too busy being a princess to spend any time with him.

Unlike he, who had been moping about the house, waiting for her. He should venture outside. Just to help pass the time until she will arrive.

But where will he go? Where did he used to go to B.E.? That was the way he refers to the time Before Elizabeth. He cannot seem to remember. His mind is too filled of During Elizabeth moments. God forbid there ever be an After Elizabeth period.

No. He will not think of it. It just is not possible. You do not have a Maxwell without his Elizabeth. Or an Elizabeth without her Maxwell, for that matter. Maxwell by himself or Elizabeth by herself is far too … incomplete. Absurd, utterly absurd.

Maxwell lets out a heart-wrenching sigh. But now that she is a Princess, where does that put them? They are right. He does not deserve her. Maxwell lets out another sigh and rolls over on the bed, burying his head in his pillow.

He hears a noise in his room and tenses, turning his head slowly towards it. Something has just entered his bedroom through the window. Maxwell can see a shadow lurking about through the corner of his eye.

He does not dare move, afraid to alert the intruder of his presence. The person walks about the room, rummaging through his desk drawer before shutting it quietly. Maxwell shifts somewhat and the person glances over in his direction.

He lifts himself up slightly and prepares himself to attack when the person heads towards him. Whoever it is should know better than to mess with an Evans and Maxwell is going to show this prowler exactly why.

The trespasser reaches their hand out towards Maxwell and he grabs the person’s small arm and flings them onto the bed, tangling them in the sheets with him. The person struggles a bit, but Maxwell is able to pin them down with ease. It is far too easy.

“Who are you and what are you doing here?” Maxwell questions the prowler, pushing them harder onto the bed.

“Well, that all depends,” her sweet voice sings out to Maxwell’s heart. “I had come here to see you, as promised, but at the moment I am highly reconsidering it.”

“Elizabeth?” he asks with a smile on his face. “I was wondering where you were.”

“Maxwell …” Elizabeth calls out to him.

“Yes?” he asks, still smiling widely.

She shrugs her shoulder, pointing out Maxwell’s firm grip on her.

“Oh,” Maxwell exclaims and he loosens his hold on her, but does not remove his hands.

“Maxwell?” Elizabeth asks. “Are you going to let me up?”

“I do not know,” Maxwell says in a singsong voice. “I am enjoying this, tangled in the sheets with you. It is like a dream come true.”

“Well,” Elizabeth says in a sugary sweet voice. “Your dream will be turning into a nightmare if you do not let me up.”

“I do not see how that can be,” he whispers to her. “Any dream with you and I, and a bed must to be good dream.”

“Let me up, Maxwell,” Elizabeth whimpers.

“Say the magic words,” Maxwell whispers to her.

“Now,” she orders.

Maxwell shakes his head. “Wrong.” He leans down a bit.

“I will scream …” she threatens.

“Incorrect,” he leans his head down and nuzzles her neck, letting the smell of flowers excite his senses.

“Please?” Elizabeth uses the most innocent voice she can muster. It almost does Maxwell in. He about lets her up, except for the soft moan that escapes her lips when his lips graze across the sensitive skin of her neck.

“Please Maxwell?” he hears the soft murmur come from her lips, but he is not certain anymore of whether she is pleading with him to let her up or pleading with him to keep going. His senses are overloaded. She even tastes sweet …

“Maxwell, Maxwell,” she calls out to him, enticing him further. “Maxwell,” she squeezes her eyes shut, trying to gain control. Why is it he can do this to her? “Maxwell,” she says, her voice more composed.

“Hmm?” he asks absentmindedly.

“You … you have to … have to stop, Maxwell,” she manages out through deep breaths. But Maxwell does not acknowledge her as he moves lower, gently nibbling on her collarbone. Elizabeth tries to suppress a moan before crying out, “Stop Maxwell!” as she pushes him away.

Maxwell tenses, stops for a second to catch his breath, and then lifts himself off of her, sitting up. His mind runs wild as he takes in what just happened. Licking his suddenly parched lips, he can still taste her.

Elizabeth sits up slowly, watching him as he stares at the ground before him. She wonders what is running through his mind. “Maxwell …” she speaks softly. “I apologize …”

“No, it is my fault,” Maxwell says dejectedly. “It is fine if you do not want …” he takes several deep breaths. “Perhaps I should go …”

Elizabeth chuckles, “this is your bedroom.”

“Oh … right.”

They stay sitting in silence.

“Maxwell …” Elizabeth calls out to him, softly. She does not understand what has happened. Why is he being like this now?

“Was there anything else you wanted, Elizabeth?” he asks her, his voice equally soft. My heart to stomp all over again, he thinks dejectedly.

“What are you thinking?” Elizabeth asks timidly as she draws her knees up to her body, wrapping her arms around them.

Maxwell shrugs his shoulders nonchalantly. “If I will ever be worthy of you,” he whispers, almost inaudibly, but Elizabeth hears it all the same.

“What?” she asks, shaking her head.

“You are a princess, Elizabeth,” he whispers to her, his eyes still locked on the ground.

“But I am still me,” she reaches for his hand and covers it with her own.

Maxwell moves his hand away. “I do not know if I can take this rejection all the time,” he whispers to her. “All you seem to do is not want me.”

“That is not true,” she says, shaking her head. “You should have been there earlier when I begged my father to allow me see you.”

“He does not want you to see me?” Maxwell asks. Her father does not like her being with him? She is probably here to tell him that. Tell him that she is leaving him. God … this is when the After Elizabeth period begins. But the During Elizabeth period was so short, far too short.

“He does not want me to see you. But I snuck out, just for you,” she says, scooting herself closer to Maxwell, to where her leg touches his back.

“I love you, Elizabeth,” Maxwell whispers out to her, turning to look at her. He may be losing her, but he will be damned if he goes down without a fight. “Do not leave me.” He leans his head on her knee, his arm wrapping around her legs.

“Maxwell …” she says, shaking her head. “I will never leave you. I love you too much.”

He still does not believe her, still pleads with her. “I know, I do not have much to offer, but I … I have my heart. I just do not know if that is enough …” he whispers, his voice faint.

“It is more than enough. Maxwell, look at me,” she waits until his eyes lock with hers. “I am not leaving you,” she says each word slowly, letting it sink into his head. “I love you. I will never leave you.

Maxwell revels in her words. She really is not leaving him. She is still his, still belongs to him. He lets out a sigh of relief. “So, you are not leaving me?”

“No,” Elizabeth says, chuckling softly. “What will make you think that?”

Maxwell shrugs his shoulders. “You rejected me and I feared the worst.”

“Maxwell …” she says with a small smile, he can be adorable when he is not being his cocky self, or even when he is. “I do not reject you.”

“Yes, you do,” Maxwell says, nodding his head. “You push me away.”

“That is just because …” Elizabeth takes a deep breath. “It scares me … sometimes … how close we have become. And it is still new to me and I just … I do not know how to feel. I do not know how to react when I lose control. It scares me. Because I always want to be in control, you understand?”

“Yes,” Maxwell says with a small smile. “Do not worry, love, you can be in control. All you have to do is say the magic words.”

Elizabeth bites her bottom lip and thinks for a while before her lips curve into a smile. “I love you?”

“You have to question how you feel for me?” Maxwell asks, feigning hurt.

Elizabeth rolls her eyes. “I love you,” she states this time.

“That is better,” Maxwell says, smirking at her. “Did you get into too much trouble today?”

“You mean about us doing impure things together on your bed last night?” Elizabeth asks, raising her eyebrows.

“Elizabeth …” Maxwell pouts his lip, “we did none of the sort. And even if we had, it would be called making love,” he says with a sweet smile.

Elizabeth blushes, rolling her eyes. “Not much. It only took me an hour to convince my father that nothing happened. Nothing else exciting happened during the day. Other than my tutor who was just so … Grr,” Elizabeth says, making a face.

Maxwell chuckles. “What was he, a cat?”

Elizabeth rolls her eye before continuing. “The tutor is so boring. And I was chastised today because of you,” Elizabeth tells him matter-of-factly.

“What did I do this time?” Maxwell asks, lying down on the bed.

“The tutor does not take to me daydreaming,” Elizabeth says with a sigh.

“You were daydreaming about me?” Maxwell asks, smirking.

“You dream of me too,” she rebukes.

“Oh, that reminds me, about that … dream you had the other day. You do realize it was not a dream, right? And that you actually had promised yourself to me? So you really are mine.”

Elizabeth smiles. “Of course. I was merely teasing.”

“Never again, Elizabeth,” Maxwell says with a smile.

“It is growing late,” she says with a yawn.

“Yes,” Maxwell agrees, sitting up on the bed. “Perhaps you should head back to the palace now.”

“Are you forcing me to leave?” Elizabeth asks, not budging from where she lies, on the bed.

Maxwell shakes his head. “No, I just …”

“Because I was hoping to spend the night here. After all, it as dangerous for a girl out in the city at night.”

“Y-you want to … spend the night … here?” Maxwell stutters out.

“May I?”

Maxwell stares at her with his mouth gaping wide, dumbfounded, but quickly covers up with a smirk. “Only if we can both sleep on the bed.”

Elizabeth narrows her eyes at him before giving in. “Alright.”

Maxwell is again at a loss for words. “I … I was joking, Elizabeth. You can stay. I will sleep on the floor.”

“It is alright, Maxwell. I do not mind,” She says with a sexy smile on her lips. “And you should not either.”

Maxwell swallows hard. “No … I … um …”

“I insist, Maxwell,” Elizabeth interrupts him, standing up to remove some of her outer garments and preparing for bed.

Maxwell stares at her before he starts to get undressed himself. He hopes she will not mind him in his shorts. Sure, last night he had slept like this, but this time they are sharing a bed … his bed.

“We should sleep now,” Elizabeth says, slipping under the covers.

Maxwell strips down to his shorts, blows out the candles, and slips under the covers beside her. He wants to wrap his arms around her, but is hesitant to do so. “Elizabeth?”

“Yes?” She turns and faces him.

“It has been a dream of mine to wake up with you in the morning,” Maxwell says, tucking her hair behind her ear.

“I know, you told me,” she says with a smile.

“When did I tell you?” Maxwell asks, furrowing his brow.

“When I was asleep,” she says, yawning.

“You heard that?” he asks, surprised.

“Every word,” she rolls back around with her back towards him.

“Elizabeth?” he calls out to her again.

“Hmm?” she asks hazily as she is already slipping into sleep.

“I just realized something,” he says, his lips pursed as he thinks.

“Yes?” she murmurs softly.

“You came in through the window,” he says, glancing over towards it where the moonlight is shining in.

“Yes?”

“We are on the second floor,” he states, matter-of-factly.

Elizabeth turns to face him, leaning up on her elbows. “Maxwell, I am ashamed of you. I thought you said you remember every word I have ever spoken to you.”

“What does that have to do with …” he says, shaking his head.

“I have told you,” she says with a smile as she snuggles up to his side. He turns and drapes his arm around her. This is where she is supposed to be, in his arms. Elizabeth snuggles closer to him, leaning her head against his chest as she whispers to him, “I will climb mountains to get to you. But all you have to do to get to me is smile.”



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[Evelynn]

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Chapter Thirty Nine:
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The sunlight filters in through Maxwell’s window. He groans and rolls over, burrowing his head in his pillow, not yet wanting to wake. Nevertheless, he slowly slips from his dream. Upon remembering the importance of this morning, a slow smile creeps up Maxwell’s face.

He turns on his side, eyes still closed, reaching his hand out, expecting to feel the warmth radiating off a soft body beside him, but all he feels are cold sheets. He opens his eyes, blinking as he stares at the empty space on his bed. The space where Elizabeth should be, but is not.

There are no dents, wrinkles, or creases in his sheets. No evidence that she had been here at all. Had it all been a dream? Was last night all in his head? Maxwell will not put it past himself to have imagined all those sweet moments with her. He has done that many a time before. But there is difference between a dream and reality.

Reality is filled with concrete moments, moments that were still vivid, tangible. Dreams are not. He can still smell the faintest scent of flowers in the air.

After lying in bed for a few more minutes, he grudgingly stands up. He has things to do today. His father wants to speak with him, Michael, and Alexander. He cannot simply stay in bed and mope, despite how much he wants to.

He dresses and heads down the stairs for breakfast. He hops down the steps, taking them three at a time while whistling a happy tune. Everyone is already seated at their spot at the table when Maxwell enters.

“Good morning,” Maxwell says with a bright smile, walking over to kiss his mother on the cheek before taking his seat.

“Well, someone is in a cheerful mood this morning,” Michael says, giving Maxwell an inquisitive look.

“What?” Maxwell asks, picking up his fork and poking at his food. “It is a beautiful morning. Why would I not be cheerful?”

“I do not think it is the morning that is pleasing Maxwell. I think it has more to do with last night,” Alexander says, winking at Maxwell.

Maxwell glares at Alexander. Although his mother had accepted the notion of Elizabeth spending the night with him, alone in his room, his father is another matter.

“Why?” Philip asks, his curiosity peaking. “What happened last night, Maxwell?”

All eyes are suddenly on Maxwell. He chuckles nervously. “Oh, nothing.” He busies himself with his food.

“Did you not know, father?” Alexander’s eyes widen. “Maxwell is over the moon that he is finally able to sleep-”

“In my old bed again,” Maxwell quickly interrupts his younger brother. “I am simply thrilled to be able to sleep in my old bed again.” Maxwell nods his head. “Yes. It has only been a few weeks but I am just so excited to be home once again.”

“That is not the only thing he is excited about …” Alexander mutters before receiving a kick from Maxwell.

Michael snickers and shakes his head from where he sits, watching the exchange at a safe distance from the other side of the table. “Yes, father. I miss home, as well.”

“That is good to hear,” Philip says, putting down his fork. “Because that is what I wanted to discuss with you boys.”

Everyone lifts their heads and looks towards Philip.

“Without Elizabeth to watch, your mother will be staying in the Kingdom City. I am going to send for her things today. But it is your decision whether or not you wish to return to Zanstown. I am not going to put any pressure on you and neither am I going to make your decision for you.”

All three boys nod their heads in understanding before Philip continues. “I am simply going to inform you all of a few points. That is all. And you can make your decisions from there. I trust you. You are all grown.”

Again, they all nod their heads, signaling for their father to continue. “First of all, I want you to know that I have missed you all a great deal while you were gone. The house is just empty without you.” All three boys lower their heads, remorseful for having left their father alone in a large house to himself. “But do not let that affect your decision.” All three boys roll their eyes. How can that not affect their decision?

“Secondly,” Philip continues, “with your mother here, we need someone to watch after the warehouse in Zanstown. So if you all go back to Zanstown, the job will be split between the three of you.” All three sons stare at their father. That was something they were not expecting. He is giving them an actual reason to go back.

“And lastly,” he continues with a wicked smile. “I have talked with the Governor. After what has happened with Sean, the girls will not be moving out to Zanstown any longer. Maria will be married soon enough, and James wants to spend as much time with her now as possible.” Michael’s smile drops and he lowers his head.

“And with Maria not going, Isabella will be staying at home as well.” Philip says, glancing at Alexander. Alexander seems to have to think for a second before his wide grin slowly shrinks down. Two down, one to go, thinks Philip.

“And as you know, Maxwell. Elizabeth now lives in the palace, where she belongs. She will not be living on Mount Roswell. I know you wanted the job to watch over the warehouse for quite a while, but I also know how much you care for Elizabeth. So it all depends on where your priorities lie, Maxwell. It is your decision. Just remember Maxwell, the palace is a lot further from Zanstown than it is from the Kingdom City,” Philip glances over at Maxwell, expecting to see his face fall as well. But it was not. Maxwell still has a large smile, plastered to his face. The same one he has been wearing since he came down the stairs. Philip sighs. It looks like it was not going to be enough to get Maxwell to come home.

“So, boys. Have you made your decision now or do you need more time to think it over?” Philip looks at each one of them in turn. “Michael?”

“Well, I enjoyed life in Zanstown. It is quieter than it is in the city. The people there are more friendly,” Michael says honestly. “But, I cannot be without Maria.”

Philip nods his head.

“I must agree with Michael,” Alexander comments. “I enjoyed Zanstown. But the truth is, I miss life here. The quietness was fine, but unlike Michael, I do not think I have had my fill of the hustle and bustle of the city quite yet.”

Philip again nods his head and smiles at his sons. With both of them staying, Maxwell will have to stay. After all, the three of them always stuck close together.

“Maxwell?” Philip looks towards his eldest son, who still has a smile on his face. “It is up to you, son. This is your decision.”

“Father,” Maxwell exclaims. “I am surprised you even have to ask. I will be in my bedroom,” he stands and leaves the table, leaving everyone perplexed.

There is silence once Maxwell leaves.

“Is that a yes … or a no?” Philip voices what is on everyone’s minds.

“He would not actually return to Zanstown, would he?” Diane asks, looking towards her other two sons. “After all, you boys always stick together. You will not part ways now, will you?”

“I do not know,” Michael shakes his head. “He did want that job in the warehouse.”

“But he loves Elizabeth,” Alexander rebukes.

Everyone sits silently in thought until Maxwell enters the kitchen. “I must go speak with Elizabeth now.” With that, he leaves, the rest of his family still wondering.



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“Now, again. The alphabet,” Nicholas says, pointing towards the sheet of paper.

Elizabeth groans. “But I already know my alphabet and my hand is beginning to ache.”

“We are not checking your knowledge of the alphabet, we are trying to improve your penmanship,” Nicholas berates her.

“Fine, then I will be able to write whatever it is I want, so long as I am writing?” Elizabeth asks, raising her eyebrows.

“Yes,” Nicholas answers her.

Elizabeth smiles graciously, picks up her brush, and writes away. After a few minutes, Nicholas walks over to see what she has written. “What have you gotten done?” Nicholas asks, peering over her shoulder.

“Look,” Elizabeth says, holding up the paper for him to read. The page was filled with small phrases such as “Maxwell loves Elizabeth” and “Elizabeth loves Maxwell.”

Nicholas narrows his eyes at her. “Can you not write something more productive?”

Elizabeth looks over her work. “I think this is quite productive.”

Nicholas rolls his eyes. “I want you to practice your signature.”

“But I have been sitting here for hours, can I not recess?” Elizabeth asks her tutor.

“I do not know, Princess,” Nicholas says, shaking his head.

“How many times have I told you to call me Elizabeth?” she says with a small frown.

“Alright, Elizabeth,” Nicholas smiles.

“Now, may I please recess?” Elizabeth pleaded, batting her eyelashes at him.

Nicholas gives in. “Alright, fine. Go on.”

“Thank you,” Elizabeth says, jumping from her seat. “I will be in the garden,” she says with a smile as she heads for the door.

“Do you want company?” Nicholas asks, hopeful.

“No, thank you,” she says, shaking her head and leaving out the door. “Oh,” she pops her head back in. “If Maxwell comes, will you send him out to the garden?”

“Certainly,” Nicholas says, his voice filled with spite. “I will certainly tell him.”

“Thank you,” Elizabeth says as she skips off.

Nicholas sits down in her spot with a huff. It is always Maxwell this or Maxwell that. That … boy … must have put her under a spell of some sort. How else can someone as incredible as Elizabeth, a Princess nonetheless, be so head over heels for a … a merchant’s son?

“She should be right in here,” Nicholas hears someone say from outside the door.

He also hears a polite “thank you” before the door slowly opens and a tall, dark-haired, young man enters.

“Hello … I am looking for Elizabeth,” Maxwell says to Nicholas. “They said she would be in here. Is she around?”

“So, you must be Maxwell,” Nicholas says, clasping his fingers together on the desk before him.

“That is correct,” Maxwell says, nodding his head. “Maxwell Evans. And you are?” Maxwell asks extending his hand.

“I am sorry. But I do not socialize with commoners,” Nicholas says, glaring at him.

“Alright,” Maxwell says, stretching out the word. “Then, if you will kindly tell me where Elizabeth is, or tell me whom I may speak with to find out.” Normally, Maxwell would not have taken such a comment from anyone. But he was in the palace, Elizabeth’s home. He cannot be disrespectful, no matter how crude the person is. He wants to make a good impression.

“What business do you have with Elizabeth?” Nicholas asks, raising his eyebrows at Maxwell.

“I came to pay her a visit,” Maxwell says, his voice rising. He really does not take well to this person.

“Ahh, but does she want to see you?” Nicholas says with a smirk.

“Why would not she want to see me?” Maxwell asks, grinding his jaw slightly.

“Well, let us think about that, shall we?” Nicholas speaks with his smirk still in tact. “She is a goddess, a Princess, one that is loved and worshipped by all that meet her. And you,” Nicholas looks Maxwell up and down, “are nothing but a lowly merchant’s son.”

“My father owns one of the largest businesses around,” Maxwell rebukes. “I am much farther from ‘lowly’ than you will ever be.”

“I highly doubt that. One day, I will have you bowing at my feet, Maxwell Evans,” Nicholas says maliciously.

“Of course,” Maxwell says with a cool smile. “When hell freezes over.”

“What makes you think that you deserve someone like Elizabeth?” Nicholas spits out.

“I do not deserve her,” Maxwell says, shaking his head coolly. “No man does.”

“I would not be so sure of that,” Nicholas says, smirking at Maxwell.

Maxwell’s eyes narrows. “Meaning?”

“Well, someone has to be King. And whomever Elizabeth marries shall don the crown,” Nicholas says. “And who do you think Elizabeth will prefer more, a boy-toy fling she had back when she was uncivilized, or a highly-scholar that can show her what a real man is.”

Maxwell’s anger boil. He snickers and shakes his head. “What makes you think she wants you?” Maxwell spits out at him. “She positively detests you. She told me herself last night.”

“Oh, but you see, I control her life. Whether or not she ever sees you again is my decision. If I increase her studies, she has no time for you. And when she spends day in and day out with her charming and handsome tutor, she will not be able to help but grow fond of me, and soon, I will be able to weasel my way into her bed, as well.”

“You lowdown bastard,” Maxwell spits at him. “What makes you think you can do such a thing? Elizabeth lives her own life. Things do not work that way. You cannot oblige someone to love you. You cannot force love …”

“Perhaps you did not hear me before,” Nicholas interrupts Maxwell. “I control her.”

“Bloody hell, you do,” Maxwell says in a low voice, filled with hate.

The two men stare each other down when Elizabeth walks into the room.

“Maxwell,” she exclaims as she rushes to him, throwing her arms around his neck, pulling him into an embrace. “I was wondering when you were going to get here.”

Maxwell glares at Nicholas before hugging Elizabeth back, burying his face into her hair and neck. Letting the smell of flowers calm him. “I have missed you.”

“I too,” Elizabeth whispers back before abruptly pulling away. She smiles shyly and blushes slightly. “Oh … Maxwell, this is Nicholas, my tutor.”

“Nicholas?” Maxwell asks, glaring at the other man.

“Yes,” Elizabeth says, nodding her head. “Nicholas, this is Maxwell.” She puts her hand over Maxwell’s arm.

Maxwell turns towards her, his back to Nicholas. He leans his head down and whispers into her ear. “I have missed you terribly.”

Elizabeth giggles. “I have missed you too, Maxwell,” Elizabeth whispers back, bringing her arms around his neck.

“Let us go somewhere to talk privately,” Maxwell says as he leans into her softly. “There are some things I must discuss with you.”

“Alright,” Elizabeth says softly. She was feeling a bit hazy from Maxwell’s kisses and soft caresses.

“Actually,” Nicholas’s voice broke in, unwanted. “You have not finished your studies yet, Elizabeth.”

“Nicholas,” Elizabeth looked towards him. “I’ve told you, do not call me Elizabeth.”

“I’m sorry, Elizabeth,” Nicholas says her name slowly and with longing, looking intently at her before glancing up and smirking at Maxwell’s enraged face. “You still have your studies to tend to.”

Elizabeth let out a loud huff. “Alright. I’m sorry, Maxwell…”

Maxwell interrupted her, spinning her around gently to face him. “Elizabeth. Please? I must speak with you.”

Elizabeth wanted to go with Maxwell, she really did. She glanced around Maxwell towards Nicholas and saw her tutor shaking his head at her.

“I am sorry, Maxwell …” she starts to apologize.

“No, Elizabeth,” Maxwell interrupts her. “I must speak with you.”

“But I …” Elizabeth tries to explain.

“Elizabeth,” he lifts her face, forcing her to look into his eyes as he whispers to her, “I really dislike this tutor of yours.”

“I did to, at first,” Elizabeth says with a reassuring smile towards Maxwell. “But you grow tolerate of him, I suppose. He is not all that terrible.”

“Can we … can I not speak with you alone for one second?” Maxwell pleads with her.

Elizabeth looks away, trying to make up her mind. She sighs and pouts her lips. “I apologize, Maxwell. But can it not wait?”

Maxwell looks at her with disbelief. “You are going to put me aside … for him?”

“No, Maxwell. No,” Elizabeth says, putting her arms around him. “It is just … the sooner I finish my studies done, the sooner I can be with you, and the more time we have together tonight,” she has a mischievous look in her eyes.

Maxwell sighs and gives in. “Alright. I suppose it can wait … until tonight.” Maxwell leans his forehead against hers.

Elizabeth smiles softly. “Now, go, before I call the guards,” she threatens, playfully.

“You will not,” Maxwell dares her.

“Maxwell …” Elizabeth whines. “Go. I must finish my studies.”

“Alright, fine,” he gives in, leaning down and kissing her lips. When they finally break apart, they are both smiling. “Elizabeth, stay away from him as much as possible.”

Elizabeth rolls her eyes.

“I am serious,” Maxwell says, bringing her hand up and kissing it softly. “Do not spend too much time around him. He is a fiend.”

“So are you,” Elizabeth narrows her eyes at Maxwell playfully.

“Now, now,” Maxwell protests. “At least what I want is in your best interest.”

“And what, pray tell, is that?” Elizabeth smiles up at him.

“I want to lock you away with me forever,” Maxwell says, his arms going around her waist.

“That makes you worse than him,” Elizabeth whispers to Maxwell.

“How is that?” Maxwell asks, his eyebrows knitting together.

“Well, you want to lock me away all for yourself, for an eternity. That is very selfish of you. Where as Nicholas wants to lock me away only to force me to study for an eternity,” she says, feigning a yawn.

“I think he wants to do more than just that,” Maxwell mutters through clenched teeth.

“What?” Elizabeth asks, suddenly concerned.

Maxwell sighs. He did not need her to worry about it now, when she is about to spend a few more hours in this person’s presence. “I will tell you tonight. Just make sure you come.”

Elizabeth smiles at him. “I will not miss it for the world.”

Maxwell leans down and kisses her once more. “What will I do without you?”

“You will do great things, Maxwell,” she whispers to him honestly.

“But I will do even greater things with you by my side,” he whispers back to her. “I will do anything for you. I will climb mountains, slay dragons, walk through fire, juggle swords …”

“Why?” Elizabeth asks, pouting her lips.

Maxwell shrugs his shoulders. “I do not know. People do crazy things when they are in love.”

A slow smile appears on Elizabeth’s face. “I love you too.” She leans up, lifting her lips and tilting her head slightly. Maxwell leans down and is just about to capture her lips with his when they are interrupted once again by a very obnoxious person, clearing their throat.

Elizabeth groans and leans up, and gives Maxwell a quick peck on the lips before heading off to her desk to finish her studies, working on her penmanship. She watches Maxwell walk away. He turns back to wave at her and blows her a kiss before disappearing through the door. Elizabeth sighs and picks up her brush, dipping it in the ink and writing. Only a few more hours until she will be able to see Maxwell again. Only a few more hours …



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[Evelynn]

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Chapter Forty:
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“You will accept?” the dark commanding voice rings out.

“Of course. We never decline an offer, especially not one this great,” the woman speaks, leaning back in her chair. “And I assure you, our work is thorough, precise, and professional. You will not be disappointed.”

“Of that, I am certain,” Khivar says, a grin on his face. “I have heard great things about you, Topolsky. You are almost as ruthless as I am.”

“Well, I do enjoy my work. I will handle this case personally, if it pleases you,” she leans forward in her seat.

“Pierce will not be working with you?” Khivar asks, raising an eyebrow.

“I see no need for him,” she glances at her fingernails. “After all, it is just a girl. I can handle it myself.”

“No,” Khivar orders, his voice stern. “I want both of you. I want this girl rid of, as well as her pathetic father.”

“As you wish,” Topolsky says, nodding her head.

“Good,” Khivar stands and heads for the door.

“Oh, and, Miss Topolsky,” Khivar stops at the doorway. “I want you to deal with a Maxwell Evans as well.”

“Evans? As in the wealthy merchant, Evans?” Topolsky asks.

“Yes. His eldest son has been … a nuisance lately,” Khivar says, narrowing his eyes.

“Then, consider him dealt with,” Topolsky says with a smile to Khivar.

Once he is out of the room, his footsteps fading down the hall, she gathers the paperwork and documents into her briefcase and hurries down the hallway to the office of her partner.

She flings open the door and Pierce spins around in his seat. “Topolsky,” he says, nodding his head towards her as she enters.

“We have our man,” she says with a smirk on her face as she sits down in the chair across from him and hands him the paperwork to examine.

Pierce skims through the documents, a smile slowly creeping on his face. “And you have it all in writing?”

“Well, not all,” she answers, shaking her head. “But we will. He explained the basic operation to me. He wants both of us to murder the King, his daughter, and Maxwell Evans.”

“Evans?” Pierce looks up at her, the papers slipping through his fingers and onto his desk. “As in, my nephew, Maxwell Evans?”

“The one and only,” Topolsky says, tilting her head to the side and raising her eyebrows at him.

Pierce groans as he raises his hands to cover his face and runs his fingers through his hair. “What did that boy do now?”

“Cross paths with ‘the all mighty’ Khivar,” Topolsky says with sarcasm, “who traveled all this way to seek our services.”

“What could Maxwell have possibly done to anger Khivar?” Pierce asks, his voice rising.

“You know your nephew,” Kathleen says, leaning forward and getting the paperwork in order, “always up to something.”

“Yes,” Pierce says, sighing and leaning back in his seat. “I miss him.”

“You should visit,” Kathleen looks at him intently.

“I do not know,” Pierce says, shaking his head.

“Go,” Kathleen coaxes. “You will not even be taking leave, you will be on assignment.”

Pierce purses his lips, thinking it over.

“When was the last time you saw your brother and his family?” Kathleen asks. “You did not even make it to the engagement ball they held for Michael.”

“I know. I am sorry,” he offers her a small smile. “I know you wanted to go. We had work and … Philip never really … approved of this career I have chosen …”

“With how much danger we deal with, who is ever going to approve? But he will accept it,” Kathleen says sympathetically. “Besides, we must go deal with Maxwell anyway.”

“Alright. Can you come up with a plausible excuse for coming to visit, even after having missed their engagement ball?” Pierce asks her.

“Oh, I can think of something,” she says as she comes around to his side of the desk and takes a seat in his lap, her arms going around his neck. “We do have a little announcement to make to them.”

“Oh yes … that,” Pierce says, smiling as his arms go around her waist.

“Yes, that,” she says, rolling her eyes. “You would think someone would be more excited about their engagement.”

Pierce chuckles softly as he nuzzles her neck. “I am plenty excited.”

“And since when do you need an excuse to visit family?” Kathleen asks, pulling away from him.

“Alright, fine,” Pierce concedes, “Pack you bags. We are going on a little trip …”



--------------



“We are all still a bit confused here, Maxwell,” Philip says once everyone is seated at the dinner table. “Are you going to take my offer for the job in Zanstown?”

“I am not certain anymore, father,” Maxwell says with a sigh. “This morning it was a definite ‘no’. I was not going to be anywhere without Elizabeth. And I do not want to take her away from her family … but now,” Maxwell sighs again. “It is actually starting to sound a bit tempting …”

“It is your decision, son,” Philip says, looking intently at Maxwell, as is everyone else. “The offer still stands.”

Maxwell takes a deep breath. “I will have to discuss it with Elizabeth tonight.” He picks up his fork and begins to eat.

Philip’s eyebrows knit together. “Is it not a little late to be visiting the palace at night, Maxwell?”

“Oh … yes. I meant I will talk to Elizabeth … later … t- tomorrow,” Maxwell stumbles out.

Alexander and Michael chuckle while Diane rolls her eyes.

“Am I missing out on something here?” Philip asks, glancing about the table at everyone else.

“Philip, dear, what are you talking about?” Diane asks, having been the first one to recover.

“It is just that … everyone,” he points towards the faces of a blushing Maxwell, and of Alexander and Michael, who are trying to hide their laughter, but are failing miserably.

“What about everyone, dear?” Diane asks, keeping a straight face, which is hard to do with Maxwell turning an even darker shade of red, Alexander turning purple, and Michael choking from laughing.

Philip shakes his head with a sigh. “Never mind. Let us just eat.”

The rest of dinner is rather quiet before Maxwell excuses himself to go to his room, wanting to retire to bed a bit early. Alexander and Michael begin snickering again, Diane rolls her eyes once more, and Philip, again, is confused at everyone’s behavior.

Maxwell bids everyone a good night and kisses his mother on the cheek before heading up the stairs, taking the steps two at a time. He enters his bedroom and shuts the door quickly, hoping no one else will disturb him the rest of the night. Well, other than Elizabeth, of course …

Maxwell does a quick scan over the room, seeing if Elizabeth has already come. No such luck. Darn it. He really needs to speak with her. They have so much they need to discuss. So many things … How were they ever going to get done discussing everything?

Maxwell sighs and relaxes. They have all night to talk about them. But then, he wants to spend the night with her doing more than just talking … And no, his mind is not in the gutter. He wants to sleep, simply sleep.

Maxwell walks over to his bed, kicks off his shoes and lies back. He might as well rest up while he can now. He is going to need it for later tonight.



--------------



Maxwell waits the entire night for her to come to his window. He stares out of it for hours, waiting for her to climb in. Any second now. And that is how it is all night. He does not even want to blink, thinking he might miss her coming in.

Any second now, he keeps thinking.

She is going to jump in the window, and apologize continuously for being late.

Any second now.

And of course he will forgive her instantly, telling her it was not her fault and that she has a lot to worry about, being a Princess, and that she just does not have time for him.

Any second now.

And she will disagree, telling him he means the world to her.

Any second now.

And he will tell her he feels the exact same way for her, and they will kiss … among other things.

Any second now. Except that there are not too many seconds left. The night seems to pass by in the blink of an eye. The sun rises and Maxwell stares out his window. She had not come. She promised she would. But she had not.

He groans into his pillow, turning to his side and burying his head into his sheets, finally closing his eyes for what seems like the first time that night. She had not come.

He feels a light tap on his left shoulder and jumps. And there she is, standing beside his bed, smiling at him. Funny, he had not heard her come in.

“Hello, Maxwell,” she says with a smile, her hands behind her back, a sad gleam in her eyes.

“Hello, Elizabeth,” Maxwell says slowly, eyeing her warily. “You are late.”

“I know,” she says with a sigh. “I spend the entire night with Nicholas.”

“Oh,” Maxwell says, his mind spinning. “Were you … studying?”

She nods her head. “Among other things.”

“What other things?” Maxwell asks, not liking what he is hearing. “What exactly were you and Nicholas doing?”

“Well,” she bites her lip and stares at the ground. “We started out studying in my bedroom and-”

“What were you doing studying with him in your bedroom?” Maxwell interrupts.

“-and one thing led to another,” she continues on, choosing to ignore him. “And …” she looks up at him, with apologetic eyes.

“No,” Maxwell whispers, shaking his head in disbelief.

“I am sorry, Maxwell.”

“No, Elizabeth,” he continues to shake his head fiercely, closing his eyes tight and clenching his jaw.

“I am sorry, Maxwell. I simply … stopped loving you …


Maxwell jumps in his bed, his heart pounding.

Elizabeth brushes back the hair sticking to his forehead. “That must have been a bad dream.”

Maxwell stares at her, his breathing still labored. He closes his eyes tight and pulls her into his arms, leaning his head on her shoulder.

“Do you want to tell me what it was about?” Elizabeth offers, wiping at the back of his neck, comforting him. “What has gotten you this frightened?”

“You,” he whispers to her, his breathing finally returning to normal.

“I did not know I frighten you,” Elizabeth says, making a face.

“You do not,” he says, pulling her tighter to him. “You with Nicholas, scares me.”

“Oh,” Elizabeth says, grinning. “Are you afraid of Nicholas?”

“No,” he answers, shaking his head slightly. “I am stronger than he is.”

“So you are frightened of the thought of me wanting Nicholas instead of you,” Elizabeth states, not asks.

And Maxwell nods his head, pulling her even closer to him.

“That is sweet, Maxwell,” Elizabeth says, pushing him away slightly. “But you must allow me to breath some time.”

“Oh … sorry …” Maxwell says, loosening his hold on her, but not letting go. “I am frightened of losing you …”

“You are not going to lose me, Maxwell,” Elizabeth says, running her hand softly over his cheek. “Besides, why would I ever want Nicholas when I can have you?”

“Really?” he asks, nuzzling her neck.

“Really,” she says with a smile. “Now, what is it you wanted to speak with me about?”

Maxwell suddenly pulls away from her. “That is right. We have a lot we must discuss.” He stands. “Now, you sit here,” he positions her on the side of the bed.

Elizabeth looks at him, unsure what he is doing.

Maxwell opens his drawer, grabbing a piece of chalk before closing it. Then he pulls his chair out from his desk and places it beside the bed. “And I will sit here,” he says, straddling it backwards. He clears his throat and pulls out a sheet of paper. “Let us get started.”

“What is that?” she asks, pointing to the sheet of paper in Maxwell’s hand.

“This,” Maxwell says, unfolding the paper, “is a list of everything we need to discuss.”

Elizabeth chuckles at his behavior. Maxwell tries so hard to keep things together, to control things. Elizabeth sighs. Poor, poor Maxwell. He will have to realize that she is not one to be controlled.

“Okay, first thing. We are clear that you,” he points towards her, “belong to me,” he points towards himself.

“What fuels this constant possessiveness of yours?” Elizabeth asks, shaking her head.

“Elizabeth, please?” he says, pouting his lip. “Humor me?”

“Yes, Maxwell,” she sighs out. “I belong to you.”

“Good,” he says with a smile. “And you still wearing the bracelet?”

“Always,” she says, holding her wrist out for him to see.

“Good,” Maxwell scratches a few things off with his piece of chalk. “Next thing, Nicholas.”

“Why are we even discussing Nicholas?” she asks, shaking her head.

“Because I dislike him,” Maxwell says simply.

Elizabeth chuckles and tilts her head to the side playfully. “You are simply jealous that he is able to spend more time with me than you.”

“Exactly,” Maxwell says, slumping his shoulders.

“Maxwell, I told you. You do not have anything to be jealous of,” she gives him a sympathetic look.

“It is not just that,” Maxwell complains. “It is the things he said while you were not in the room.”

“What did he say?” Elizabeth asks, smiling at him.

“That he is going to marry you, and be King. And that he is going to wiggle his way into you bed,” Maxwell huffs, making a face.

Elizabeth scoffs. “Nicholas said this? Are you certain this was not part of your dream, Maxwell? Because I highly doubt that Nicholas would say anything of the sort. He does not have those types of feelings for me.”

“Have you seen yourself?” Maxwell asks, shaking his head slowly. “You are a goddess among men. Who would not want you?”

“Not Nicholas,” Elizabeth says, shaking her head. “Besides, I think he prefers the company of men.”

“Really?” Maxwell asks, chuckling slightly.

Elizabeth nods her head. “And I also think that you dreamed this. Nicholas would not say something of that sort.”

“He did,” Maxwell says, his voice rising.

“Fine. I believe you, Maxwell,” Elizabeth says, holding her hands up in surrender. “But I am not going to marry Nicholas and I am most definitely not going to sleep with him.”

“I still dislike him,” Maxwell says, shaking his head. “What if he forces himself on you?”

”He will not.” Elizabeth rolls her eyes. “What else is on this list of yours?”

Maxwell huffs at her change of topic before glancing back down at his list. “This morning.”

“What about it?” Elizabeth asks, waiting for him to continue.

“You were not there when I woke,” he says sadly.

“Is it my fault you look so peaceful when you sleep that I did not want to wake you before I left?” she asks, pouting her lip.

“Yes it is,” Maxwell says, nodding his head.

“Maxwell,” Elizabeth sighs out. “What is one morning worth when we have an eternity of them together, in this life and the next.”

Maxwell stares at her, hardly believing all she is saying. “Do you mean it, Elizabeth?”

“Always …” she whispers to him as she leans forward and places a soft kiss on his lips.

Maxwell keeps a small smile of his face, his eyes glazed over as he stares at her, as if he were in a dream. He lets out a soft sigh and his smile widens before he clears his throat and sits up straight once more, a solemn expression on his face. “You are getting us off topic, Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth throws her hands up in the air and shakes her head. “Pardon me if I am taking up your time because I want to tell the person I love that I want to spend the rest of my life with him.” She rolls her eyes at him.

“I apologize …” Maxwell says pouting his lips. “There is just so much to discuss and so little time … I do not want to waste a second that I have with you …”

Elizabeth narrows her eyes at him, her lips frowning. “I despise you,” she says shaking her head. “How is it that you can always make my heart melt the way you do?”

“Because you love me,” Maxwell says with a triumphant smile on his face.

“Fine,” Elizabeth pouts. “What is next on your list?”

Maxwell scanned down his list of topics. “Your father. He is not very fond of me, is he?”

“My father loves you, Maxwell. Everyone loves the great Maxwell Evans, especially me,” Elizabeth says, winking at him.

Maxwell scoffs and rolls his eyes. “No, Elizabeth. I will not kiss you right now. Although, the flattery does help. Just … not until we are finished talking?”

“I can think of better ways to spend our time that simply talking,” she sighs and shakes her head. “I do not even see why we have so many things to discuss.”

“How about that your uncle is off to eradicate you and you are living under the same roof as he. Or that, although I want nothing more than to marry you and worship you for the rest of my life, I may not get the chance to because both Nicholas and your father are in the way. And not to mention that I maybe going back to Zanstown,” Maxwell says with a huff.

“Oh,” she says softly, biting her lip and looking away. “You are going back to Zanstown?”

Maxwell sighs, his shoulders slumping. He takes a deep breath to calm himself before he speaks to her. “I think that it will solve a great deal of the problems we are having.”

“We are having problems?” she asks softly, her voice cracking. “I-I thought … I thought things were fine between us. I love you,” she says, still not looking at him.

“Elizabeth …” he whispers, tilting her chin up with his finger, forcing her to look at him. “Not those sorts of problems,” he says, shaking his head. “I am referring to the problems with Khivar and Nicholas … not problems with us. Us, we are perfect where we are. We are happy. I am in love you and you are in love me.”

Elizabeth nods her head. “But … then why do you want to leave me and go to Zanstown?”

Maxwell shakes his head. “I do not want to leave you, Elizabeth. I want you to come with me. I want for both of us to go.”

“But our families are here, Maxwell,” Elizabeth protests.

“There are also so many complications here,” Maxwell sighs. “And Khivar. I do not want your life in danger, Elizabeth. No matter how many guards are around you, he will find a way to get to you. I just wish we had evidence against him so we can lock him away!” Maxwell runs his hand through his hair in frustration.

“But, did you not hear him say these things, Maxwell?” Elizabeth asks, her voice, still a soft whisper.

“Yes. But the Governor suggests that I do not bring it up. If I do, Khivar will most likely pin it on me as though I were trying to frame him and that I did all these horrible things,” Maxwell says sadly.

“Honestly, all that I really need is you, but … I do not want to leave my family, Maxwell,” she says, shaking her head. “You should see how joyful my father is. They say that he is the happiest and the healthiest he has ever been in years.”

“I know, Elizabeth,” Maxwell nods his head. “I do not want to take you away from them either. I just wish I knew what to do. The best I can think of was to go to Zanstown with you. It will not be a bad thing. We will live together. My father offered me the warehouse. And I will have more than enough money to live by. I will have enough to buy you anything you wanted … anything at all.”

Elizabeth shakes her head and rolls her eyes. “You cannot buy me, Maxwell.”

“But I did, remember?” Maxwell says with a smile on his face. “I offered you my heart. And you told me it was more than enough.”

Elizabeth smiles at the memory. “What are we to do now, Maxwell? I doubt my father will allow me go away and live with you.”

“I do not want to go anywhere without you. And I do not think the King will think too highly of it if I kidnap the Princess and hold her hostage in my closet,” Maxwell smiles at her.

Elizabeth rolls her eyes and hits his arm playfully.

“What are we going to do?” Elizabeth asks, frowning.

“I already told you, Princess. You are living in my closet,” Maxwell tries to lighten the situation.

“Really, Maxwell,” Elizabeth says, a serious expression on her face.

“Well … Khivar is not back yet. You have sworn that you will never be with Nicholas. Everything else, we will deal with as it comes. I will tell my father I am still unsure of my decision dealing with Zanstown. And I will think of something to get Khivar away from you,” Maxwell says, standing up and places his chair back under his desk and walks back towards the bed. He pulls off his shirt and throws it on the floor and then begins unbuttoning his pants.

“Then, is that all?” Elizabeth asks, taking off her shoes and grabbing the shirt Maxwell throws on the floor. She walks over towards Maxwell’s closet and opens the door, using it to shield herself from his view as she changes into his shirt.

“Yes, that is all,” Maxwell says, getting under the covers of his bed.

“Good. I am quite tired,” Elizabeth drapes her dress over a chair and slips into his sheets, blowing out the candle on her way. “Good night, Maxwell,” she whispers as she snuggles up close to him.

“Wake me before you leave. I want to know what it feels like to wake with you in the morning,” he pulls her closer to his body, rubbing his hands up and down her back.

“Why are you always in such a hurry?” she murmurs to him. “I have told you time and time again. We have the rest of our lives together.”



-------------------------------------------------
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[Evelynn]

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Chapter Forty One:
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“I do not like it,” Philip says, shaking his head.

“Please, Philip,” Pierce pleads with him. “I need this.”

Both men are seated in chairs in Philip’s office talking while Diane and Kathleen are in the kitchen.

“Fine,” Philip concedes. “But I do not want any of my children involved.”

“I have to deal with Maxwell,” Pierce speaks softly. “Khivar wants him eliminated.”

Philip explodes. “You cannot walk into my home and suggest these things. You are not killing my son!”

“Fine,” Pierce sighs. “I will think of something else. I will do my best to keep the kids out of this. But may I at least stay here to finish up this case?”

“Since when did I ever deny my younger brother a roof to sleep under?” Philip says, shaking his head.

“Thank you, Philip,” Pierce says, giving his brother a smile.

“Then Khivar is back in town?” Philip shakes his head. Maxwell is not going to enjoy this bit of news.

“Not for a while,” Pierce tells him. “We offered to ride to town with him, but he refused, saying he had some other business he had to take care of.”

At least this will keep Maxwell less worried for a few more days. “We will have to think of an excuse for everyone else,” Philip says, crossing his hands over his chest. “I do not want any of them knowing about this. The less they know, the better off they will be.”

“I agree completely,” Pierce nods his head. “So, what are we going to tell them?”

“You expect me to think of something?” Philip asks, raising his eyebrows at him.

“You are the smart one in the family,” Pierce says, matter-of-factly. “How else did you end up this wealthy? My pay is probably the amount you give your children as an allowance for the week.”

Philip chuckles. “I give my children more than that.”

Pierce rolls his eyes. “I actually do have a reason for coming to visit other than work.”

“Really?” Philip asks, giving him a look.

“Yes,” Pierce says, nodding his head. “I am engaged. Kathleen and I are going to marry in a couple of months.”

“Congratulations,” Philip says, a smile on his face. “It is about time you settled down.”

“Do not tell anyone,” Pierce whispers, putting a finger to his lip. “Kathleen and I are supposed to announce it to everyone together later. It is supposed to be a surprise.”

“Alright. So we have why you are here. We just have to come up with everything else,” Philip sits back in thought. “We cannot tell them what you actually do. That will put them at risk. We will say that you and Kathleen own a small medicine shop in a small town. Most likely, I think the boys will not care all too much. They will just be happy to see their Uncle Peter again.”

“It’s Pierce now,” he corrects Philip. “Do you think it gives me an edge?”

Philip shakes his head. “A dangerous name for a dangerous career.”

“Do not start with that now, Philip,” Pierce says in a low voice.

“Alright Peter … Pierce,” Philip corrects himself. “You should go down and talk things over with Kathleen. The boys will be up for breakfast soon.”

“Alright,” Pierce stands to head down stairs.

“Oh,” Philip stops him. “One more thing, Peter,” Philip calls out.

“Yes?” Pierce asks, popping his head back in the door.

“You are going to have to explain to Michael yourself why his Uncle Peter missed his own nephew’s engagement ball,” Philip says sternly.

Pierce nods his head grudgingly before heading down the stairs to talk to Kathleen. Hopefully she will be able to think of something to tell Michael why they missed his engagement because Heaven knows there just is not a good enough reason other than the truth.



--------------



“How have you been, Uncle Peter?” Alexander asks. He is the first one up and is seated at the kitchen table with Pierce. Diane has taken Kathleen to get her settled into the guest room before breakfast, and Philip is still upstairs.

“I have been good,” Pierce says, nodding his head. “It’s been years. Look at how much you have grown. You are taller than I am now, Alexander.”

Alexander smiles. “Well, I cannot stay little forever.”

“But you sure can stay scrawny forever,” Michael says as he steps into the kitchen. “Uncle Peter,” Michael says smiling towards the man sitting next to Alexander.

“Michael Guerin,” Pierce says, standing up and walking over towards Michael.

“It is Evans now,” Michael corrects him.

“So it is,” Pierce says, nodding his head and patting Michael on the back. “It has been ages, Michael. Look how much you have grown.”

“Have not we all?” Michael says, signaling for Pierce to take his seat again while Michael takes his.

“So, I want to hear everything,” Pierce says, sitting down in his chair. “What have I missed these last couple of years?”

“A great deal,” Alexander stresses with his eyes wide.

“Well, I have all week,” Pierce says smiling.

“You are staying all week?” Michael asks, raising his eyebrows.

Pierce nods his head. “So who will begin?”

“I will,” Alexander volunteers gleefully. “I can tell you everything. We will cover the more important things first, namely me.” Alexander smiles widely. “I am now officially courting Isabella Valenti.”

“Isabella?” Pierce asks, raising his eyebrows. “The one you used to tutor.”

“The one and only,” Alexander says, nodding his head.

“The one you used to … what was it? Hate with the flaming vengeance of a thousand suns?” Pierce asks, his eyebrows still raised.

“Hate is such a harsh word,” Alexander clasps his hands over his chest and lets out an exaggerated sigh.

Pierce chuckles. “I am simply quoting you, Alexander.” Pierce turns towards Michael. “How about you, Michael?”

“Well,” Michael takes a deep breath and thinks for a second. “I am engaged,” he says, shrugging his shoulders.

“To who?” Pierce asks with the best surprised-expression he can muster on his face.

“Rosemary Valenti,” Alexander supplies for him.

“Maria,” Michael corrects Alexander. “If she ever hears you calling her Rosemary, Alexander, she will have your head.”

“Feisty, is she?” Pierce asks, chuckling.

“Not feisty, really,” Michael shakes his head. “She is just very … dramatic.”

Both Alexander and Pierce snicker. “So,” Pierce continues. “What about Maxwell?”

“Our very dear Maxwell is in love,” Alexander says, batting his eyes.

“Really?” Pierce says, surprised. “I did not think Maxwell will ever find himself a girl. No one ever seemed good enough for him.”

“He does set his standards high,” Alexander says with a smile. “After all, he is in love with the Princess.”

“Princess?” Pierce asks, his eyebrows knitting together. He nods his head in understanding. So that is why Khivar wants Maxwell gone. Maxwell is in love with Elizabeth. And so Maxwell is always going to be in the way of Khivar while he tries to get rid of her.

“Where is Maxwell?” Michael says, glancing out the window. “He is normally up by now.”

“Well, his nights have been a bit more … occupied lately,” Alexander says, snickering.

Pierce raises a questioning eyebrow at Alexander while Michael kicked his younger brother under the table, just as Philip walks into the room.

“What is so funny, boys?” he asks, sitting down in his seat and opening up his paper.

“Oh, nothing,” Michael says as innocently as possible, all the while chuckling nervously. “You know Alexander, father. Always being jester-like.”

Philip eyes both of his sons before shaking his head and giving up. It is probably just some strange phase they are going through. “Where is Maxwell?”

“I do not think he has woken yet,” Michael says, shaking his head.

“The nights are becoming too tiring for him lately,” Alexander smirks out again, earning another kick under the table from Michael.

Philip shakes his head and puts down his paper. “I will go get him,” he says as he leaves the room.

Once Philip is gone, Pierce turns towards the boys. “Okay. What is going on?” But Alexander and Michael ignore him as they exchanged looks.

“You do not think she is still up there, do you?” Alexander asks, his mouth hanging open.

“Let us hope not,” Michael says, letting out a sigh. “For Maxwell’s sake.”



--------------



Philip walks up the stairs slowly, taking each step as leisurely as possible. Although he must wake his son for breakfast, he wants to give Maxwell every second of sleep he can get. The whole Elizabeth situation dealing with Khivar is truly wearing on his son.

When he reaches the top of the stairs, Philip walks over towards Maxwell’s door, knocking on it softly. “Maxwell?” he calls out. “Breakfast is ready.”

Philip hears a grunt come from inside and shakes his head. Maxwell is a heavy sleeper. Philip grabs the doorknob and turns it while pushing the door open. The door creaks slowly open and he steps inside.

Philip sighs and shakes his head. “Maxwell, wake up,” he says in an authoritative tone.

“Huh … what …” Maxwell jumps up in bed, startled. “Father!” Maxwell rubs the sleep out of his eyes and looks at his father. “Father … um … I can explain …”

“Explain what?” Philip looks at him, confused.

“What?” Maxwell glances around his room. What happened? Where is Elizabeth?

“Maxwell,” Philip sighs again. “What is it that has you so tired lately? Is it the Elizabeth situation that you are worrying over?”

Maxwell sighs and just nods his head.

“I do not want you worrying over it too much,” Philip says, but knows it is no use. It is not possible to keep Maxwell out of Elizabeth’s affairs. “Breakfast is waiting downstairs, so get dressed.”

“Yes, sir,” Maxwell nods his head.

“Oh and Maxwell,” Philip says as he is about to shut the door. “Wear something with a collar. You have bite marks on your neck …”



--------------



After his father left, Maxwell stands there, not certain of just what to do. Where is Elizabeth? He is starting to get upset. Did he not tell Elizabeth to wake him before she left? He distinctly remembers telling her … twice, once while they are discussing it and again before they fell asleep.

And what are these bites marks his father is talking of? Maxwell makes his way over to his mirror and looks at his reflection. Sure enough, there is a red bite mark on his neck. Not only that, but another one on his shoulder as well.

Let us just hope Elizabeth put them there. That Princess has been a bit … feisty, lately. And a bit demanding in bed as well, not that Maxwell is complaining. Perhaps she wants more out of the relationship. Perhaps she wants to move their relationship to the next level. What level are they at? Maxwell sits down and contemplates this.

They are more than just friends. But are just short of lovers. They will kiss, but nothing has ever gone further than that. They have not felt the need to. Maxwell is content with just holding her at night. But is she? They have discussed marriage plenty of times before, but they never actually truly think it through.

This is confusing. He needs to have another talk with Elizabeth. But last night she did not desire to talk with him. She wanted something more … physical. Does that signify that she wants to deepen their relationship?

Women, Maxwell sighs. They are so hard to read. If Maxwell wants anything more from her, he would tell her. So if she wants something more from him, she will tell him, correct? But then, had she not said something of it last night, something of a better way of spending their time than talking?

Heaven knows if she wants something more, he will be more than happy to oblige. He just needs her to tell him what it is that she wants. Maxwell groans. He will just have to wait until tonight to ask her. Or he can visit her at the palace today. That way, he can keep an eye on Nicholas as well. Even if Elizabeth does not find Nicholas as a threat in any way, Maxwell still certainly does.

“Maxwell …” Alexander calls out as he enters Maxwell’s bedroom. “Father sent me to order you to hurry. Uncle Peter is here to visit,” Alexander says, eyeing Maxwell.

“Yes. I will be right down,” Maxwell says, going through his clothes.

Alexander nods his head and heads for the door. “Oh, Maxwell?” Alexander calls out again. “Find something with a collar.” Alexander winks and shuts the door behind him.



--------------



Maxwell heads down the stairs after finding a suitable pant and shirt to wear … one with a collar, of course. He enters the kitchen and takes his seat. Everyone is already seated at the table, apparently waiting on him. “Good morning,” he offers everyone a smile before digging into his food.

“Maxwell,” Diane speaks up. “Are not you going to greet your Uncle Peter?”

Maxwell looks up from his food, swallowing before he speaks. “Good Morning, Uncle Peter.”

Pierce smiles at the boy. “Good morning, Maxwell. It’s been a while, has it not?”

Maxwell nods his head. “Yes, it has,” he says, before returning to his food. He looks back up and sees his mother glaring at him. Maxwell sighs. “Pardon my rude behavior, Uncle Peter. But I am still half asleep,” Maxwell adds in a yawn for good measure.

“Did you not go to bed early last night, Maxwell?” his father inquires.

“Oh … I tried to, father,” Maxwell explains. “But I simply could not fall asleep until it was far past midnight.”

“What was keeping you?” Philip questions further.

“More like who,” Alexander mutters under his breath, receiving a kick from both Maxwell and Michael.

“What was that, Alexander?” his father asks, looking towards the boy.

“Oh, nothing,” Alexander busies himself with his food.

“It is quite all right, Maxwell,” Pierce smiles. “I know what those days are like. I have had plenty of them,” he adds with a wink.

“Well, I am sure Maxwell and the rest of the boys will love to show you around town while Kathleen and I do a bit of shopping,” Diane says with a smile to Pierce and then turning and glaring at her boys.

“Actually, mother,” Alexander speaks up. “I am meeting with Isabella today.”

“Oh,” his mother says, surprised. “How has she been lately?”

“She has been well,” Alexander says, a smile on his face.

“And what about you, Maxwell?” Diane questions. “I am positive you have an excuse for not going as well.”

“I am just,” Maxwell rubs his face. “I am so exhausted, mother.”

“Very well,” Diane waves a hand at them as if to shoo them away. “You go on, Alexander. And you stay at home and rest, Maxwell. I am certain your Uncle Peter and Michael will not mind carrying bags for us while Kathleen and I shop today.” Both Pierce and Michael groan.

Maxwell smiles politely at everyone and pushes his seat back, kisses his mother on the cheek and leaves up the stairs to his bedroom, where he promptly falls to his bed. He has so many things to deal with.



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[clueless]

Thanks for all the wonderful parts. I'm looking forward to reading more!

[Sternbetrachter]

great parts

[Evelynn]

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Chapter Forty Two:
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Elizabeth enters her study with a smile on her face. She waves to Doug Shellow, her guard, as he takes his place to stand watch at the door as she enters the room. Maxwell has insisted that she have someone around to protect her, just in case. He has even gone as far as to write up a proper request, proposing the notion to her father, who agrees immediately. Both of them are far too overprotective of her. It is understandable why her father is the way he is. After all, he had missed out on being able to be overprotective of her while she was a child. But Maxwell … Maxwell should not worry as much.

Elizabeth sits at her desk and waits for Nicholas to arrive. Normally, he is here before she enters. After all, his quarters are only a short distance away. Where as, hers are much farther, deeper in the palace. He is most likely running late.

She readies her paper and ink. The sooner she completes her assignments, the sooner she can recess, and the gardens are always beautiful and peaceful in the afternoons. Perhaps she will send for Maxwell.

Elizabeth waits a while longer until she finally sees Nicholas coming leisurely up the walk.

“Good day, Nicholas,” she stands and greets him as he enters.

“Good day, Elizabeth,” he walks up to her and takes her hand, bowing down and kissing it.

Elizabeth smiles warily at him. He is behaving quite awkwardly today, but she chooses to ignore it. Elizabeth takes her seat and pulls out a book. She is to memorize and recite poetry today, before she practices writing them. “Shall we begin?” she looks towards Nicholas to begin his lesson.

“Actually,” Nicholas says, taking the book away from her. “I think we will postpone our poetry lesson for another day.”

“Oh, will we be practicing my penmanship first then?” Elizabeth asks, picking up her brush.

“No,” Nicholas takes the brush from her hand and places it neatly on the desk. “I was thinking we should study geography today. After all, you are the Princess. You should know what all your kingdom consists of.”

“Of course,” Elizabeth nods her head and sits up straight, ready to focus on his lecture.

“Well,” Nicholas begins. “As you know, Antar is the largest country in the world. It consists of several hundred million people and the land varies and consists of every type of terrain. There is desert, mountains, such as Mount Roswell, forest, like Mystical Forest, jungle, and more. But the majority of the land consists of plains, which is what the Kingdom City and the palace is built on …” Nicholas stops and glances at Elizabeth.

“Is something the matter?” Elizabeth asks, leaning forward in her chair.

“No, nothing is the matter,” Nicholas says, shaking his head. “It is just … it will be easier to explain this if I had a map of the land.”

Elizabeth purses her lips and shakes her head. “I do not have a map, I am sure father will though. There are probably plenty in the strategy room. I will go get one,” Elizabeth offers, standing and heading for the door.

“No,” Nicholas calls out, grabbing her hand and pulling her towards him. He pulls her a little too close for her comfort and Elizabeth wants to step away from him, but his other hand grips her upper arm, preventing her from doing so. “Actually, Elizabeth … Elizabeth,” he repeats, letting her name roll off his tongue as he whispers to her. “I have a globe of the world in my quarters, we can go in there and … continue the lesson.”

“A-alright …” she replies, warily.

“Good,” Nicholas smiles and, still holding on to her hand, pulls her out the door.

They leave the study and start down the walk, her Doug Shellow following. Nicholas turns sharply around, facing the guard, jerking Elizabeth while he is at it, due to their still joined hands, or rather, him holding onto her wrist.

“Shellow, why do you not stand watch at the study room?” Nicholas points back towards the door.

“I am sorry, Nicholas, but my orders come from the Princess, not her tutor,” Shellow says, folding his arms over his chest.

Nicholas glares at the guard. “Elizabeth,” he says, not even looking towards her.

Elizabeth sighs and lowers her head before she looks up towards her guard. “It is alright, Doug. We will not be long.”

The guard bows his head to the Princess and stands there while Nicholas pulls her off again. He sighs, staring after her as she looks back at him, offering him a sad smile. He does not like this, not at all.



--------------



“How are things in the land of love, Maxwell?” Alexander asks as he walks into his brother’s bedroom.

Maxwell stayed faced forward in his desk, continuing to ignore his younger brother. “I cannot think,” Maxwell groans out, pounding his fists on the desk.

“Calm down, Maxwell,” Alexander says, taking a seat on Maxwell’s bed. “You are a walking bundle of anxiety.”

“I have a lot I have to deal with,” Maxwell says with a sigh, leaning back in his chair.

“I know you do, Maxwell,” Alexander says, nodding his head. “But you need to relax. You cannot rid the world of all evil. There is just too much for you to handle.”

“But I do not want to rid the world of all evil,” Maxwell rebukes. “I just want to rid it of Khivar, and Nicholas while I am at it.”

“I know,” Alexander says, sympathetically. “Have you thought of anything yet?”

Maxwell shakes his head sadly. “I think I am going to do it,” he says softly.

“Do what?” Alexander asks, somewhat scared as to what Maxwell is referring to. Maxwell will do anything to protect his family. And Elizabeth is now included as a member in that privy group of people.

“I am going to the Royal Courts. I am going to tell the judges about Khivar and Sean’s murder,” Maxwell sighs out.

Alexander stands up, shaking his head. “Maxwell, think logically here. You cannot do that. Valenti told you, Khivar will most likely pin the blame on you. And even if he did not. If they cannot prove that Khivar is the one who killed Sean, then you will be hanged for false accusations of royalty. Valenti has looked over everything and they cannot find any clues. Why do you not just drop it.”

“What other choice do I have, Alexander?” Maxwell stands up as well. “It is Elizabeth’s life at stake here. I cannot allow him to be around her when he is intent on killing her.”

“But it is your life you are risking,” Alexander tries to persuade Maxwell.

“Better mine than hers,” Maxwell yells back.

“Oh, so risking her life is not alright, but risking yours is?” Alexander throws his hands up in the air. “Do not answer that. I already know what you are going to say!”

“Of course it is!” Maxwell answers anyway.

“I am not letting you do this, Maxwell,” Alexander says, shaking his head wildly.

“It is my decision, Alexander,” Maxwell says, taking a step closer to his younger brother, looking him straight in the eyes. “You cannot stop me.”

Alexander shakes his head in defeat. His brother is one of the most stubborn people around. But Alexander cannot allow Maxwell to risk his life like this, especially when there is almost a certainty of Maxwell being thrown in jail or hung. “Just … wait a while. Let me think of something else, Maxwell,” Alexander tries to bargain.

“Khivar will be back soon,” Maxwell says, his voice calm and even. “There is not enough time for you to think it over.”

“Just … just give me three days, Maxwell. Three days,” Alexander pleads with his brother.

Maxwell shakes his head no. “Khivar will be back soon,” he says stubbornly.

“Fine,” Alexander explodes. “Either you give me three days, or you discuss with Elizabeth what you are planning to do.”

Maxwell stares at his younger brother, as though he had not heard what Alexander just said.

Alexander shakes his head and chuckles. “I knew it. You are not even going to tell her, are you? I knew it! You are going to just go and do this and not even tell her about it!”

“It will be better if she does not know,” Maxwell says in a low voice.

“You are UNBELIEVABLE!” Alexander throws his hands in the air. “Why not tie a noose around your neck and hang yourself here and now?!”

“What is going on here,” Michael asks as he walks into the room. “I heard all the yelling from downstairs.”

“Thank the Heavens you are here, Michael,” Alexander says, walking towards Michael. “Perhaps you can talk some sense into him,” Alexander points his finger towards Maxwell and then heads towards the door. “I will be in my bedroom. Do not bother me. I have got a lot of thinking to do and only three days to do it in.” Alexander slams the door behind him. Alexander’s bedroom door can be heard opening and slamming shut as well.

“Maxwell,” Michael takes a seat on Maxwell’s bed. “What is all of this about?”

“Nothing, Michael,” Maxwell says, taking his seat at the desk once again.

“It did not sound like nothing from downstairs,” Michael says, matter-of-factly. “And you and I both know that it takes a hell of a lot to get Alexander angry like that.”

“I know,” Maxwell licks his lips and lowers his head. Alexander is a very good-natured person, who takes everything in stride. Rarely did Alexander ever raise his voice or become angry. And frankly, Maxwell feels ashamed for having caused Alexander to outburst the way he had.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Michael asks softly. “I am not pushing, Maxwell. I am only here to listen.”

“I am worried about Elizabeth again,” Maxwell says with a smile. “Nothing out of the ordinary. Nothing for you to worry over, Michael.”

“Alright, Maxwell,” Michael says, standing up. “But anytime you need to talk, I am here.” Maxwell nods his head and Michael leaves out the door.

He groans and bangs his head on his desk. What is he to do? There is not enough time for anything anymore. Maxwell sighs. Perhaps he should visit Elizabeth and talk to her about this. No. Maxwell shakes his head. She will become livid and most likely throw things at him. And the palace has a great deal of sharp objects lying around.

Maxwell stands up from his seat and drudgingly makes his way down the hall towards Alexander’s room. They will think of something together. They always do. After all, two heads are better than one.



--------------



“You have never been in my quarters before, have you, Elizabeth?” Nicholas asks as they enter through the door.

“No,” Elizabeth shakes her head. “I do not believe I have.”

They walk into the small living area and he motions for her to take a seat in a chair. “Would you like something to drink?” Nicholas offers as he makes his way over to his small bar.

“No, thank you,” Elizabeth shakes her head. “I do not drink.”

“Oh, come now,” Nicholas places a drink beside her anyway. “Just a sip? What harm will a small sip do?”

“No, thank you,” Elizabeth repeats herself.

“Very well, then,” Nicholas pulls a chair and places it right in front of her, so close, their knees are touching. "We are rarely able to talk outside of studies. What say we get to know each other better, Elizabeth. I dare say that you will find many interesting things about me that you did not know before.”

“I would love to chat with you, Nicholas,” Elizabeth says with a smile. “But perhaps some other time. After all, we had come here to continue our lecture. I will hate for you to be replaced with another tutor simply because you wanted for us to get to know each other better.”

“That is very considerate of you, Elizabeth,” Nicholas says, leaning forward in his seat.

Elizabeth leans as far back as she can, trying to put as much distance between them as possible. “Well, Nicholas. You were a bit nagging at first, but now that I have known you longer, I am starting to grow a little fond of you.”

“That is good,” Nicholas places a hand on her knee. “I have grown very fond of you too, Elizabeth.”

“Well,” Elizabeth smiles nervously. “You are my teacher.”

“Exactly,” Nicholas scoots up in his seat even further, his legs coming between hers. “I am here to teach you things, Elizabeth,” he whispers to her. “About life … about love …”

“I-I already know all about love, Nicholas,” Elizabeth scoots her chair back, “from Maxwell.”

Nicholas scoots his chair closer. “Oh, but Maxwell cannot teach you what I can teach you.” Nicholas whispers with a cocky grin on his face. “After all, he is merely a merchant’s son, where as I, on the other hand, am a highly educated scholar with experience in a vast deal of things.”

“No,” Elizabeth is getting scared. “But Maxwell has taught me all I need to know and more.”

Nicholas scoffs. “I highly doubt that. I bet dear Maxwell is still a virgin even. He cannot teach you what I can teach you. About pleasure …” Nicholas’s hand runs up Elizabeth’s thigh. “I can teach you, Elizabeth. I can teach you everything. I can make you into a great lover …”

Elizabeth jumps out of her seat, backing away from him. “Are we not… are you not going to show me a globe?”

“Of course,” Nicholas says sweetly, leading her into another room. He stops outside the door, stepping aside for her to enter. “Ladies first.”

Elizabeth offers him a small smile and walks past him into the room. She freezes and panics once she is inside. “Nicholas, this … this is your bedroom.”

She hears a lock click into place behind her and turns around in time to see Nicholas pulling the key out of the doorknob, locking the door from the inside.

“I know,” he smiles wickedly at her. “This is where I will show you the world and more.”

Elizabeth backs slowly away from him, shaking her head pleadingly.

But he advances on her. “You will be seeing stars before I am even through with you, Elizabeth.”



--------------



“And this is how you found it?” the officer question the guard. They are seated in the living area of Nicholas’s quarters. Officers with lanterns are searching everywhere within each room.

“Yes. This is how …” the guard begins to explain again.

The Governor walks over and interrupts them.

The officer looks up towards James. “Governor?”

“I will take this one,” James says, holding his hand out.

The officer hands him the report and bows his head slightly as he heads out the room.

James sits in the seat the officer vacates. His eyebrows knit together as he views over the report as it is so far. He lifts his head and looks at the guard. “Doug Shellow?”

Doug nods his head. “Yes, sir.”

“And it says here that you are Elizabeth’s hired guard?” Valenti flips back through the papers.

Doug, again, nods his head. “Yes, sir. I was hired just a few days ago.”

“Will you mind telling me what happened?” James asks, ready to absorb anything of importance.

“What part do you want to hear?” Doug slumps his shoulders and sighs.

“From the beginning. Do not leave any information out. Everything is of the utmost importance,” James says, gravely.

“Well,” Doug takes a deep breath and starts his story. “This morning is the same routine as every morning. I will wake early and take my post outside Princess Elizabeth’s door until she woke. She bids me good morning and then allows me into her quarters as breakfast is brought in and served. Once she is done, we start on our way to her study room. She has me stand outside the door, like always, so that she is able to concentrate wholly. But today was different …”

“How so?” James inquires.

“Well, first of all, Nicholas is not there when we arrive. On a normal day, he is there before the Princess even leaves to head over to her study room. But today, he was late,” Doug explains. “He came walking up the walk from the path that leads to here. He walks up, sneers at me like he always does and walks on in to start his lesson.”

“And you remained outside the entire time of their lesson?” James asks.

“Well, as always,” Doug answers, nodding his head. “But this time, their lesson only lasted a few minutes until the Princess and Nicholas exit the room and begin walking towards here.”

James eyes the guard. “Did you follow them?”

Doug nods his head. “Of course. I am to protect her. I follow them for a few steps until he turns around and tells me to stay watch at the study room.”

“And you listened to him?” James asks, anger rising.

“Of course not,” the guard defends himself. “I will never listen to him. But he somehow manages to have the Princess dismiss me. And I am to follow any orders given by the Princess.”

“So you let them come here by themselves?” James narrows his eyes at the guard.

“I did not want to. Believe me, I did not,” Doug says with a sigh. “But I was to follow the Princess’s orders. That is, until I remembered what Maxwell Evans told me,” he says with a small grin.

“What did Maxwell tell you?” James asks, curiously.

Doug sighs and shakes his head. “He told me, despite what she says or what anyone else says, to never allow Khivar anywhere near Elizabeth and to never leave her to be alone with Nicholas without supervision for more than ten minutes at a time. Or I will regret it. And that he will hurt me more than any royal punishment can ever. So, I waited ten minutes until I went after them.”

“And then what happened?” James asks, closing the report and leaning forward in his seat.

“That is it,” Doug says, shaking his head slowly. “I came here and this is what I found.”

The Governor shakes his head, taking a deep breath. “If this is how you found things, then where is Elizabeth?”



--------------



Maxwell sits at his desk, staring out his window. It is late. Where is she? He has so many questions to ask her, so many things to tell her. But she still has yet to arrive. The past few nights, normally, she will have been here hours ago.

Maxwell stands and begins pacing. What if something is wrong? What if she is attacked on her way to him? What if she falls climbing up?

Maxwell makes a mad dash for the window and looks down. There are not any bodies on the ground below. And there are not any broken branches on the tree either.

He sighs in relief and shakes his head. He is going to have to discuss a better way for her to get up to his room. Her climbing that tree is definitely not the safest way.

Perhaps he should tell his father about Elizabeth spending the nights with him. Maxwell will just explain to his father that he and Elizabeth do not actually do anything other than sleep together, literally sleep, of course.

His father will find out sooner or later anyway, especially with Alexander’s big mouth. But then, his father will not condone of it and force them to not spend their nights together any longer. Maxwell sighs.

Of course, Maxwell can just as easily go to the palace. He can also be shot by all of the guards and the heavy security about the palace, just as easily, as well.

He shakes his head. He needs to speak with Elizabeth. About this, about Khivar, about Nicholas, and about possibly taking their relationship to the next level.

Maxwell sighs and glances out the window once more, hoping to see Elizabeth’s figure, making her way up to his window, but no such luck.

Maxwell drudgingly makes his way over to his bed and lies down. It seems as though Elizabeth is not coming. It feels strange now, sleep without her warm body against his.

Maxwell sighs and turns to his side, trying to will himself to sleep and to not think. He has spent a whole day without seeing Elizabeth. Normally, he will compensate for that lost time by spending the whole night with her. And without her here, he does not know if he will last. Maxwell groans again and pulls his pillow over his head.

He is finally beginning to fall asleep when he hears a thump in his room near his window. He turns to the side and looks up to a shadowy figure standing beside him. Maxwell sits up in his bed, squinting at the figure. “Elizabeth?”

She stands there, her body motionless, her arms hugged around herself.

“Elizabeth, I thought you were not coming,” Maxwell whispers to her. He looks at her with a smile, but she is not looking at him. Her eyes are staring off, looking at nothing in particular, outside his window.

Maxwell stays seated on the bed, but moves closer to her. “Elizabeth … is something the matter?”

He sees her shake her head slowly. Her gaze finally turns somewhat in his direction. And when he looks at her, she has tears in her eyes and she is biting her lip softly as it quivers.

“Elizabeth, love, what is the matter?” he kneels on the bed in front of her, cupping her face with his hands, wiping away her tears.

She breaks down and leans forward, collapsing onto Maxwell. His arms go around her instantly as he holds her to him. He strokes her hair, trying to calm her and calm himself as well. “Love … Elizabeth … you are scaring me. Tell me what is wrong …”

She lifts her head from his chest and looks into his eyes. Seeing so much love in them, more tears run down her face. She falls back into his arms, sobbing. “Maxwell …”



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[Evelynn]

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Chapter Forty Three:
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“Come here, Elizabeth,” the sick voice calls out as he approaches her.

“No,” Elizabeth cries out in fear. “No, please do not, Nicholas. Please … please … just let me go …”

“It is not that simple, Princess,” he sneers out at her while grabbing her wrists and jerking her to him. Elizabeth lets out a scream, but it is muffled by his hand covering her mouth. “I suggest that you cooperate. If not, it will just hurt more for you,” he pulls at the neckline of her dress and begins kissing her bare shoulder.

“Either way,” he picks her up and throws her down on the bed, keeping one hand covering her mouth while he uses his other arm and his legs to pin her down. “I will have my way with you. And when you produce my child,” he starts ripping at her clothes, “Whether he is a bastard or not, he will be the heir to the throne, and I, his father, will be King.”

Elizabeth begins sobbing, squirming under his grasp.

“Do not worry, Princess. It will be the time of your life.” Nicholas goes to untie the back of her dress with one hand, while the other still covers her mouth, giving Elizabeth just enough room to place her hands on his chest in an attempt to try and push him away. Nicholas is too heavy for her.

Both of Nicholas’s hands grab hers. “Not a very good move, Princess. But we will just have to put these hands to use …” he grips her wrists and starts to lower her hands further down his body.

Elizabeth fights against him with all her strength, digging her nails in his chest, pushing him with as much force as possible, all of her energy going into her hands. “No … no … no …”


“No … no … no … no …” she mutters as she tosses and turns in bed, her arms and legs flinging around wildly. “No … no … no …”

Maxwell’s eyes fling open. He glances over at the restless body beside him. Her eyes are still closed. She is still asleep and having a nightmare. Maxwell sits up and holds down her arms as he shakes her gently. “Elizabeth … Elizabeth …” he whispers to her. “Love … wake up, darling.”

Elizabeth’s eyes open, tears coming out of the corners of them. Maxwell lifts his hand to wipe them away, murmuring her name, “Elizabeth …”

Elizabeth flinches and shoots up in bed, breathing heavily. Maxwell pulls her into his arms, stroking her hair, trying to help calm her. “Sweetheart, you are having a nightmare. It is okay. I am here. It is only a nightmare …”

Elizabeth shakes herself out of her sleepy haze and out of Maxwell’s embrace.

“Elizabeth?” Maxwell asks softly, trying his best not to scare her or pressure her in any way. “Do you … do you want to talk about it?”

Elizabeth shakes her head from side to side, her hair falling about her face. She lowers her head while her hands fidget with the sheets.

Maxwell gently grabs her hand, holding it in his. “Elizabeth. We need to talk about what ever it is that has happened.”

Elizabeth looks at him. How can he be like this? So sweet … so loving … How can he love her when she is this terrible … thing? She glances up at him as he lifts her hand to press against his cheek. Elizabeth smiles slightly at his loving gesture. With her fingertips, she lightly traces his jawbone. Under her open palm, she can feel the short stubble of a beard, growing on his chin. She can feel him with her hand. Her hand … the same one that she had used to …

Elizabeth jerks her hand away from his face, hugging both her arms around herself. She cannot touch Maxwell ever again … not with her hands … not when she had … no. Tears slip down Elizabeth’s face as her sobs return. She can never touch Maxwell again. She should not even be here with him now. Why had she come here?

“Elizabeth …” Maxwell’s concern grows with each tear she sheds. “What is going on? Tell me … please?”

Elizabeth’s eyes remain downcast on the bed sheets before her. She cannot look at him. She cannot tell him what has happened. She will not be able to stand it if he looks at her in disgust, like he will if he knows just what she has done. He will think she is a monster. And that is exactly what she is … a horrible, horrid monster.

“Elizabeth …” Maxwell reaches his hand out and slowly tilts her head up, so that he can look into her eyes, even though they are not looking at him. “Tell me what happened,” he orders.

Elizabeth turns her gaze towards him and stares at him for a second before she jerks her face away. “I should leave,” she mumbles as she stands from the bed.

“No,” Maxwell calls out, grabbing a hold of her arm. “I am sorry, Elizabeth” he pulls her back down on the bed. “I did not mean to push things. I should not have. I apologize. You do not have to tell me. Not until you are ready.”

Elizabeth pulls her arm away from Maxwell, hugging herself again. “I do not think I will ever be ready …” Elizabeth speaks softly, sniffling back tears.

“Why not?” he asks, reaching out and running his hand over her shoulder, down her arm.

“Because … because I … I do not want you to hate me …” the tears that Elizabeth tries so hard to hold back, pours down her cheeks.

Maxwell’s eyebrows knit together as he slowly shakes his head, leaning down to whisper to her, “Elizabeth, I can never hate you … I love you far too much.”

Elizabeth’s head shoots up at his words. They stare at each other in silence, until she speaks. “I know, Maxwell. I know you love me now … but if you only knew …” more tears stream down her face. She covers her face with her hands as she shakes her head, crying. “If you only knew …”

Maxwell pulls her hands away from her face. “Elizabeth … listen to me …” Maxwell waits until she looks up at him. “Nothing will ever make me hate you. Nothing, Elizabeth.”

Her lip quivers and more tears come out as she squeezes her eyes shut. She leans towards him, burying her head in his chest. “Maxwell …”

His arms go around, rubbing her back, trying to soothe her. “Elizabeth …”

“Maxwell,” she pulls back and looks at him, her face merely inches away. “Maxwell, I love you. I love you so much. Do not ever forget that,” she whispers, shaking her head.

“Never,” Maxwell leans his forehead against hers.

She gives him a sad smile. “Good. So long as you remember that.” Elizabeth licks her lips and leans forward, giving him a sweet, slow kiss before she pulls away.

Maxwell still has his eyes closed, thinking she merely pulled away to take a breath and is waiting for her to kiss him again.

Elizabeth, on the other hand, is off the bed, slipping on her shoes in a hurry. She leans back on the bed and captures his lips once more. She kisses a trail along his jaw up to his ear. “I love you so much, Maxwell,” she whispers to him. “That is why I must leave …” She flies to the window and hurries down the tree, not glancing back.

Maxwell’s eyes open at her words just in time to see her disappear out the window. He jumps out of bed, preparing to jump down after her. What is going on? Why is she leaving? Maxwell is only able to manage one foot out the window when his bedroom door is flung open.

“Maxwell, what are you doing?” his father asks, standing at the doorway.

“Nothing, father.” Maxwell jumps back into his bedroom. He will just have to go to the palace later and find her.

Philip shakes his head. “Well, Governor Valenti is downstairs. He wishes to speak with you.”

“At this hour?” Maxwell asks, finding a shirt and pulling it over his head. “Did he say what about?”

Philip shakes his head. “He will not say what, but he did say it is urgent and that he only wishes to speak with you.”

Maxwell nods his head and heads down the stairs. He finds the Governor pacing in the living room. “Governor? You wanted to see me?”

“Yes,” Valenti takes a seat and motions for Maxwell to do the same.

Maxwell sits. “What is this about, Governor?”

James takes a deep breath. “Well … there has been a … situation.”

“What sort of situation?” Maxwell asks warily.

“I am sorry, Maxwell,” James shook his head. “But this is a royal matter and I am not allowed to discuss this with you. But something has happened in the palace today and I need to find Elizabeth.”

“What happened?” Maxwell asks, his concern evident. “What is everyone not telling me?”

James sighs. “Maxwell, I need to find Elizabeth …”

“Tell me what happened!” Maxwell explodes.

James looks the young man dead in the eyes. There is so much worry and fear in them. James shakes his head with a sigh, giving in. “There has been a situation in the palace this morning … and … Elizabeth is missing.”

“What happened to her in the palace?” Maxwell asks, his voice low.

The Governor took a deep breath. He does not know how to explain this to Maxwell, but James knows that Maxwell should be informed. If anyone should be told about anything concerning Elizabeth, it should be Maxwell, even before the King.

“What happened?” Maxwell demands through clenched teeth.

James shakes his head as he sighs out, but what he speaks is enough to get Maxwell tensed, enough to get the murderous cold look in his eyes, and enough to get him jumping from his seat and racing out to find her. “It was Nicholas …”



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She dismounts her horse and leads it over to the river to drink. The sun has yet to rise over the mountains in the distance. She rode all night … since she left him. And now, she is here, at the first place they met. Here at the river, when he had borrowed her horse from her. Her Fate, not the horse she has now.

The horse she has now is a white mare. It is one of the royal stallions. One that is worthy of a Princess … but she is no Princess … she is a ruthless evil, one that needs to be locked away from everyone. That way, no one will get hurt … especially Maxwell.

Elizabeth sits down on the ground with a sigh, leaning her back on a tree as she watches the sunrise. Her eyes brighten and a small smile appears on her face as the dull orange rays peak from behind the mountaintops, scaring away the dark, evil, and unknown.

“Beautiful, is not it?” a soothing voice comes from behind her.

“Yes, it is,” Elizabeth says. She does not bother turning around. There is no need. She knows who it is. She stays seated, leans back against the tree, hugging her arms around her with a sigh.

She hears his footsteps approach her and stop right beside her, but her eyes remain on the beautiful scene before her, the smile on her lips fading slightly. He lets out a sigh and sits beside her.

Elizabeth feels his arm brush against her and soon, she is pulled into them. But Elizabeth does not protest as she leans her head back on his chest, her eyes still glued to the sunrise.

He brushes her hair behind her ears, his caresses slowly making their way across her cheek, her neck, her shoulder, her arm, her hand … her hand … Elizabeth jerks her hand from his and tries to push herself away from him.

But he has anticipated such, holding on to her tightly. His hands link around her waist the instant she begins rejecting him. He kisses her shoulder before leaning his head against her. “Why are you leaving me?” he whispers to her.

Elizabeth slumps her shoulders in defeat and leans back against him. She is too tired to fight him now. She closes her eyes tight and chuckles softly, shaking her head back and forth. “I should have known better. No matter where I go, you always manage to find me.”

“Always,” he whispers, lifting his head, leaning back against the tree and pulling her closer to him.

“How is it you always seem to know where I am?” Elizabeth asks, still watching the sunrise.

“You tell me, Elizabeth,” he whispers into her ear, sending chills down her spine. “You call out to me, like you always do. And no matter how much you deny it … no matter how much you push me away … and no matter how far you run … you want to be with me. You want me to be there … to hold you … to love you. And I will always be there. Always, Elizabeth. Despite how far you run, I will always be there, three steps behind you.”

For the first time, Elizabeth turns her head back to look at him. She sees so many emotions in his eyes … so much love. She offers him a sad smile and leans back against him. “Why three?”

Maxwell smiles. “Because that is how far away I must stand in order to avoid all of the punches and kicks you throw my way.”

Elizabeth rolls her eyes and hits his chest playfully.

“Ouch,” Maxwell cries, feigning hurt. “See what I mean? You are one deadly person, Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth’s face falls and she pulls herself away from him, tears forming in her eyes.

Maxwell does not know what had happened. One second she is responding to him, being her playful self again, and the next she is closing herself off once more. “Elizabeth? Did I say something wrong? Did I do something?”

She shakes her head, holding back her tears. “No, Maxwell. You did nothing wrong. I am the one who did something wrong.”

Maxwell licks his lips, not certain what to say to her. Should he ask her? Or is it too soon to ask? “Elizabeth … you do not have to answer if you do not want, but … what …” he takes a deep breath. “What happened with Nicholas?”

Elizabeth looks at him, biting softly on her bottom lip, tears falling from her eyes. He sees the fear and distraught in her before she pulled her knees up to her chest and buries her head in her arms.

Maxwell kneels besides her, putting his arms around her. “Elizabeth … I am sorry … can we just forget that I asked?” he pleads with her.

Elizabeth slowly lifts her head and Maxwell gently brushes away her tears. “I want to tell you, Maxwell,” she whispers to him. “I do, but just not now, not yet. I just want … just a little more time with you. I do not want you to leave just yet.”

Maxwell shakes his head slowly. “Elizabeth, not in my life will I ever do anything but love you. And no matter how many times you may leave me, I will never be the one to leave you. Never.”

Elizabeth smiles at him. “Can we finish watching the sunrise?”

Maxwell nods his head, sitting back to lean against the tree. He holds his hands out for Elizabeth to take her place in his arms. Elizabeth slowly stands and situates herself in Maxwell’s arms, leaning back on him, cherishing every moment she has left with him.

“Can we talk about something else?” Maxwell asks, carefully.

Elizabeth nods her head. “What did you wish to talk about?”

“Well,” Maxwell starts, “you were not there when I woke the other morning.”

Elizabeth smiles. “I tried to wake you, Maxwell. I honestly did.” Maxwell eyes her warily. “I did,” Elizabeth says, giggling again. “It is not my fault you are a heavy sleeper. I tried everything to wake you. I hit you, I shook you, I even bit you,” Elizabeth wiggles her eyebrows at him, “twice.”

“Thank God it was you,” Maxwell says with a sigh. “I was starting to fear that Alexander is developing some type of vampire fetish.”

“You did not,” Elizabeth laughs and hits him playfully.

“No, I did not,” Maxwell says, smiling. “I just wanted to see you smile.” With that, Elizabeth’s smile grows wider and she blushes slightly. “And so long as you keep smiling like that, I will forgive you for not waking me … and for anything else, as well.”

“Anything?” Elizabeth asks, wiggling her eyebrows playfully at him.

“Anything and everything,” Maxwell says with a nod.

Elizabeth’s lips curve up in a smile. “Maxwell Evans, you are putty in my hands.”

Maxwell rolls his eyes and smiles at her, leaning his forehead against hers, a suddenly serious expression on his face. “Always, Elizabeth.”



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[Evelynn]

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Chapter Forty Four:
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“Is there anything else you would like?” Elizabeth asks, stretching in the grass where she lies and gazes at the clouds in the sky. The sun has risen long ago, but Maxwell and Elizabeth are still there, in their cool spot by the river, just enjoying each other’s company.

Maxwell still sits where he was all morning long, leaning against the tree as he watches Elizabeth. She seems so joyous out here. There are no worries or weights on her shoulders, like a nymph, happy, spirited and carefree. He loves her when she is this way. She is at ease with herself. “Well,” Maxwell takes another breath. “I want for you to tell me that you will love me for en eternity and beyond.”

Elizabeth rolls onto her stomach, her head resting in her hand and she looks over at him, a sly smile on her face. “Why on earth, would you want that, Maxwell Evans?”

“Oh, so you are going to deny me, are you?” Maxwell narrows his eyes at her. She is playing him. Maxwell stands and lies down in front of her, so that they were facing each other. “You know exactly what I want of you, Elizabeth Parker.”

Elizabeth rolls her eyes. “I do not know to whom you are speaking to, but I know of no Elizabeth Parker.” She sticks her nose high in the air.

“Oh,” Maxwell says, his eyes widening. “Well, my apologies Princess Elizabeth. I had no idea it is you. I seem to have mistaken you for my loving and caring Lady Elizabeth. You see, she seems to have run away and left me, and so now I am on my quest in search of her.”

“Well, Sir Maxwell,” Elizabeth plays along. “Would you not rather prefer a princess instead of a lowly commoner? After all, I have heard that this … Elizabeth, that you speak of, has gone off and joined a convent. You would not go chasing after a women sworn into the Holy Order of the Gods, now would you?”

Maxwell stares at her. “I will follow her to my dying day, and for forever and an eternity in my life there after.”

“Truly?” she whispers softly, gazing up at him.

“Why do you doubt yourself so? Why do you doubt our love? Why must you doubt me?”

“I do not know,” she bites her bottom lip and lowers her gaze.

“You need to know, Elizabeth,” he says, forcing her gaze upward. “Must I remind you every hour of ever day?”

“I am sorry,” Elizabeth shakes her head. “I will not bother you with these things ever again.”

Her tone is beginning to worry Maxwell. “It is alright, Elizabeth. If that is what you need I-”

“No. I will be out of your way. I will bother you no longer, Maxwell,” she goes back to staring at the ground.

Maxwell begins to panic. He licks his lips. “B-But I want you in my way. I want you there to bother me. I love you,” he tries to get her to look at him again, but she will not.

“It does not matter,” Elizabeth says, shaking her head, sniffling back tears. “I am leaving nonetheless.”

Maxwell’s mouth opens and closes, not sure of what to say. Frustration, anger, annoyance, hurt, and sadness are all building up in him. But he tries his best not to show it. “So, you decided to go to Zanstown with me?” Maxwell asks, a hopeful smile on his face. Though he already knows her answer.

Elizabeth shakes her head. “No. I am not going to Zanstown. I am going to Mount Roswell.”

“Oh. That is alright,” Maxwell says, nodding his head with the same smile still plastered on his face. “It is not a far walk from the cabin to the warehouse. I can just wake a little earlier. And there will be more privacy. So, we will have more time alone together. We will be fine there, just the same.”

Elizabeth, again, shakes her head slowly, staring at the ground. “You are not going with me, Maxwell. And I am not staying at the cabin.”

“What do you mean, Elizabeth?” There is so much desperation in his voice, the smile, all but gone from his face.

“I am a monster, Maxwell,” she finally looks up at him and he can see the tears falling from her eyes. “I did a terrible thing and I should be locked up and put away.”

Maxwell does not understand. But he has a good idea as to where this is coming from. What had Nicholas done to her? He is going to kill the bastard. But not now. Now, he has to get Elizabeth back, get his Elizabeth back to her playful, carefree, childlike self again.

“I had offered to lock you away in my closet,” Maxwell tries to joke.

Elizabeth shakes her head. “When I meant I should be locked away, I meant from everyone, Maxwell, especially you.”

“Why, Elizabeth?” his voice comes out as a whisper, and he reaches forward, lifting her face, forcing her to look at him. Tears are forming in his eyes. “Tell me why.”

Elizabeth lowers her eyes to the ground, fidgeting silently under his intense gaze. He is waiting patiently though, waiting for her to speak. He is not going to push her. He knows any pressure will not help her right now. It will only make it worse and push her further into her shell, further away from him. And there is nothing in the world he will not do to prevent that from happening.

Elizabeth softly bites her bottom lip, but it does not help to stop it from quivering. She nervously tucks her hair behind her ear and shifts her eyes around, not looking at Maxwell. That is, until Maxwell reaches out and gently grabs her hand with his. Elizabeth slowly lifts her head and looks at him. His eyes are radiating so much love, loyalty, concern, fear … he is scared of something. Scared of her?

Her gaze travels slowly down his face, his neck, his shoulder, his arm, his hand … their hands … joined together … like they are supposed to be for the rest of their lives. They are supposed to marry, have a family, do all the things that people in love do, but they cannot because she is different, because she is a bad person. Because with her hand … with her hand she … Elizabeth looks down at their joined hands again and suddenly jerks hers away from his.

Maxwell looks down at his now empty hand that just seconds ago, was holding onto Elizabeth’s. He turns his hand over and over again. What is wrong? Why did she not want him touching her? Did he do something wrong again? Why will she not just tell him?

They sit there quietly for a while longer. Elizabeth closes her eyes and slowly lifts her head, opening her eyes to look at him. He is not looking at her though. He is staring at his hand, turning it over and over again, as though looking for something wrong with it. And the look on his face … His lips were thinned, his breathing deep, and his eyes … his eyes … he just stares at his hand. He is blaming himself for this.

“Maxwell …” Elizabeth calls out softly. He lifts his head to look at her and his face crumbles more upon seeing her. A tear slowly seeps from his eyes. Elizabeth lifts her hand to wipe it away, but when her thumb barely grazes over his damp cheek, she gasps and pulls back. She is not to touch him. She cannot.

His heart falls. He lowers his head and closes his eyes, trying to regain his composure. But his bottom lip still quivers when he lifts his head again to look at her. “What did I do? What is so terrible, that you cannot even touch me?” his voice comes out so quietly, so scared and childlike.

“Maxwell …” she shakes her head slightly. “It is not you. Do not think that. Do not ever think that. You have never done anything wrong. It is I,” she whispers, tears sliding down her face. “I did this. I am a terrible person.”

“You are not, Elizabeth.” Maxwell lifts his hand toward her face slowly, watching if she will back away from him, but she does not. He gently wipes away her tears. But when he goes to grab a hold of her hand, she jerks back, scooting away from him. “Elizabeth?”

“I am a terrible person, Maxwell,” she whispers, refusing to look at him. “I did a bad thing.”

Maxwell leans forward, kneeling before her. “You are not a bad person, Elizabeth. Whatever happened, just tell me.” He brushes the hair away from her face, trying to get her to look up at him. “We will fix it, Elizabeth. We will make it better.”

“You cannot bring a person back to life, Maxwell!” she explodes at him, lifting her head to look at him, and then suddenly burying her face in her arms, bringing her knees to her again.

“Elizabeth …” Maxwell tries to reach out to her but she scoots away. “What happened?!” he screams.

Elizabeth flinches at his tone, but she knows it is her fault he is angry like this. It is her fault. Maxwell would not be angry at just anything, and this is not just anything. He had found out that the supposed love of his life is not who he thinks she is.

“Damn it, Elizabeth. TELL ME!” he explodes again.

And Elizabeth breaks down. Her anger rises and she stands, looking down at him. “What part do you want to hear, Maxwell?! The part where I was stupid enough to follow Nicholas into his bedroom?! The part where he forced me onto the bed and nearly raped me?! Or the part where I pushed him away with my hands, and it killed him?!” Elizabeth breaks down, the sobs racking her body as she drops down to her knees.

Maxwell lifts her into his arms and pulls her to him as he sits down onto the ground. He wipes away her tears and strokes her hair until she calms. Her whole body is encircled in his arms, as she lies against him, passively.

If anyone else had passed by, they will have thought that the two are merely lovers, without a care in the world, gazing at the setting sun, other than the fact that both of their eyes are red with tears and Elizabeth’s hand are hugging around herself, rather than around Maxwell.

Elizabeth shifts and finally speaks, breaking the silence between the two. “It is growing late, I should go …” she whispers to him.

“Yes,” Maxwell agrees, nodding his head. “We should go.”

Elizabeth stands up from his lap and looks down at him. “Where are you going?”

Maxwell stands and walks over to grab her bag from where it is, next to the tree. “With you, of course.”

“No, you are not, Maxwell,” she hugs her hands around herself again.

Maxwell stares at her, shaking his head slightly. “You cannot stop me from going with you.”

“They will not allow you in,” she says defiantly, retrieving her white mare.

“Who will not allow me in?” he asks, throwing her bag over his shoulder as he pulls Dreamer forward. “Where do you plan to go?”

“To the convent,” Elizabeth does not look at him. She busies herself, fixing the saddle of her horse.

The silence that grows between them is deafening. Elizabeth sighs and finally turns to look at him. Maxwell is staring at her dumbly, before shaking his head and chuckling. “No, you are not. You cannot.” He turns around and starts fixing Dreamer’s saddle, attaching Elizabeth’s bag to it.

“You cannot prohibit me from going. You do not own me and you cannot control what I do,” she walks over to him, pulling her horse along, and detaching her bag from his saddle.

“That is where you are wrong,” he grabs the bag back from her. “I do own you. You belong to me. You promised me.”

“Promises are meant to be broken,” she says to him, staring into his eyes.

Maxwell shakes his head. “What are you talking about?”

“You promised me too, Maxwell,” her tears return. “You promised me that we will marry and be happy together.”

“Exactly,” he throws his hands up in the air. “And how am I to do that with you going away? How am I to keep my promise to you, if you will not give me the chance?”

“And how are we to marry if I am going to go to prison?” she grabs the bag back.

“You are not going to prison, Elizabeth,” he grabs the bag back again, tying it, once again, to Dreamer. “You were defending yourself. Nicholas was trying to hurt you. And you are the Princess, they will find a way around it.”

“But I killed a person, Maxwell,” she says, shaking her head. “And even if I had not, we still will not.”

Maxwell stares at her, his voice low and even. “Why will we not?”

“Because you are just a merchant’s son and I am the Princess. Did you ever truly consider it?” Elizabeth looks at him and slowly shakes her head. “They will never allow us to marry.”

“You do not want to marry me?” Maxwell crumbles at his own words. “You do not want to be with me?”

“It is not that, Maxwell,” she says, shaking her head. “But they will never allow it.”

“Who are they?!” Maxwell hollers.

“My parents, your parents,” she says, throwing her hands up in the air. “Everyone, Maxwell.”

“No,” Maxwell shakes his head. “My parents cannot wait until you and I marry. And your father. He … he has talked of us marrying before.”

“When, Maxwell?” Elizabeth walks over and detaches her bag from his horse once more.

“I am positive he has mentioned it before. I know he has,” Maxwell nods his head, trying to prove his point.

“No, Maxwell,” Elizabeth shakes her head, slowly. “He will never-”

“But he knows that you and I are together,” Maxwell tries to convince her. “It is blatantly obvious.”

Elizabeth again shakes her head. “He thinks you are just a fling. He thinks I will forget you.”

“Well, tell him he is wrong. Tell him that you love me and that I love you and that that will never change.” Maxwell is frantic.

“I tried, Maxwell. But he does not believe me,” Elizabeth says, shrugging her shoulders.

“Why did not you tell me any of this?” Maxwell asks.

“Because,” Elizabeth sighs, she knows he is angry. “It would not have done any good.”

“But what about the magic healing phenomenon,” Maxwell asks, his eyes suddenly brightening. “You need me to help you.”

Elizabeth sighs again. “Like I said, Maxwell. He thinks you are only a fling. My father is positive that I will fall in love again.”

“But you will not,” Maxwell stares at her, uncertain. “Will you?”

She smiles at him and shakes her head. “No, Maxwell. Never. But that is not what my father believes,” Elizabeth lets out a sardonic chuckle. “How hypocritical. My mother is a commoner. Far below you, in fact. But something happened between the two and now, he does not believe that royalty should mingle with others. He is simply waiting until I leave you ...”

Maxwell just listens, soaking it all in. “But you will not, will you?” Maxwell asks, not looking at her.

“No, Maxwell,” Elizabeth shakes her head. “I do not want to. But my father does not believe that,” Elizabeth lets out another sardonic chuckle. “No. He has even looked at over a dozen potential suitors for me, all of some royal lineage. Even Nicholas is one of them.”

“Nicholas is …”

“A distant cousin by marriage to a king from some far off land or other,” Elizabeth says, shaking her head. “But royalty, nonetheless.”

“But he tried …” Maxwell starts, a disgusted look on his face.

“I know. My father told me of Nicholas’s proposal. But I refused immediately,” Elizabeth lets out a sigh. “So my father turned him down. And Nicholas became angry. And so tried to get back at me.”

“Elizabeth, no,” Maxwell shakes his head. “We can still marry.”

“How?” Elizabeth asks, shaking her head at him.

“We will run away,” Maxwell says simply.

“We cannot run away, Maxwell,” Elizabeth shakes her head.

“Exactly, Elizabeth.” Maxwell looks pointedly at her. “You cannot run away from this, from us. You belong to me, remember.”

“No, Maxwell,” she shakes her head. “I do not anymore.” She lifts up her bare wrist for him to see. “See? No bracelet. That was part of the agreement. I wear your bracelet, then I belong to you. So if I do not, then I do not.”

Maxwell looks at her with a smirk on his face. He just smiles and shakes his head as he unties the bag from her horse and rummages through her things. “You mean this bracelet?”

Elizabeth looks away from him. “I am not wearing it though.”

“But you still have it,” Maxwell says with a smile on his face. “So, in your eyes, you still belong to me.”

Elizabeth rolls her eyes and hugs her arms around herself. “Fine. Take it then, if it will prove my point.”

Maxwell shakes his head and grabbed her wrist. Elizabeth tries to jerk her hand away, but he holds on tight. Maxwell fastens the bracelet back on her wrist and then laces his fingers in hers. “See, Elizabeth? You are not going to hurt me.”

Elizabeth stares at their entwined fingers. “But what if I …”

“No,” Maxwell interrupts her. “I trust you, Elizabeth. I trust you to not hurt me. And you trust me to love you. It takes the two of us. Can you do that for me? Can you trust me?”

Tears slips from her eyes at his words as she nods her head. He pulls her into his arms. “Good. Then let us go home.”



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