“Why?” He yelled back.
“Do you honestly think I’ll leave you to face death alone?”
Nicholas was silent for a moment, and then he understood her meaning. “No! Knowing me as part of yourself, how can you break my hear?”
“Knowing me as part of yourself, how can you stop me?” Lilyanna answered. The crowds were making way for her, the guards were shocked by their conversion, and they didn’t even bother to stop her or block her way.
Sighing, Nicholas realized it was useless to stop her. “I can’t stop you can I?” He smiled weakly. “But leave here!”
“Why?” The guards came to their senses and was closing up on her. The sun was almost at the center of the sky, and they needed to follow the orders they were given – execute Nicholas at noon.
“I don’t want you to see me die.” Nicholas said with such intensity in his voice that made his words a command.
Lilyanna stopped in her tracks immediately, Nicholas was right. The whole time through out their relationship, both of them left the most beautiful and perfect image in each other’s heart. And they intend to keep it that way.
“I’ll see you in heaven once noon arrives!” With that declaration, she span around and headed to Aunt Marian’s. She had planned everything out ever since the secret about their birth were revealed. She was prepared for the worst. And of course, being the loyal and honorable, Sir Thomas and Sir Scott agreed to help. They would guard the little house so Lilyanna won’t be distracted or caught.
It didn’t take long for Alexander and Elizabeth to find out that Lilyanna was gone. They searched high and low, not a sign. At least not until a servant reported that the princess was out on the street, shouting and screaming. The king and queen caught the last bit of the lovers’ conversion which only to put them in a daze.
“Withdraw the order! Don’t you get it? If you executed Nicholas, you are not only losing a son, you are losing a daughter as well!” Elizabeth wiped.
“No! If I did that, I’ll be losing the entire country along with millions of people.” Inside, Alexander was beginning to waver. Nicholas was his son for twenty years; he had brought Alexander joy and happiness. It wasn’t easy, but then again, it wasn’t easy for anyone that was involved.
“Then you’ll lose me as well.” Elizabeth stated.
“What?”
“I heard from your messenger that Spain was attacked and they are in need of aid. You agreed to it.” Elizabeth stared into her husband’s eyes. “You can not use that excuse again.”
“How dare you meddle in my business?”
“A mother would do anything for her children. I owe them too much to let them go.”
Alexander could almost see a circle of raging determination around his wife. At that moment, he understood. “Fine. Call the messenger and tell him to hurry and stop the beheading.” Alexander gave in.