Chapter 5 King James walked in on Emma and Kevin laughing hysterically of a joke. They were both almost in tears. He cleared his throat to make his presence known. Emma quickly stood up. “Go find Clara and get her down here.” He said. “Yes your highness.” She answered. “It was my idea for her to stay. Do not take it out on her.” King James nodded and left the room once again, leaving Kevin alone. A smile grew on his face as he thought of Emma. ---------- “You never answered my question.” Clara said after a long pause. “Do you love me?” “Clara I have not known you for long. This is not some kind of fairytale where you fall in love at first sight.” “Answer my question.” Alex stood there and stared at her. He knew the answer, but for the sake of her own safety, and hoping that if he gave her a different answer, she wouldn’t leave. “No.” he finally said. “Clara I cannot let myself love you because you are a princess and I am nothing but a servant. It would never work. You would not be able to survive my way of living. I cannot let you leave. You must stay here.” Clara was hurt by his words. She was getting more and more angry than anything. She had a short temper and when she lashed out, she said things that she didn’t mean. “You do not love me. All right, you want to play princess and the servant? Be my guest. These roses, they look hideous. I want you to trim all of them. And when you are finished I want you to trim these bushes over here. I want them to be perfect. You will not go home until you are finished. If you do a bad job, you will be thrown in the dungeon, along with your father and your brother and sister. Do you understand me or do I need to go over it again?” He looked up at her, his jaw clenching. He looked into her eyes and all he saw was coldness, and she just saw hurt. “Do you understand?” She asked again. “Yes.” He answered. “Yes what?” “Yes….your highness.” She turned around and walked back toward the castle. Once she was inside she slid down to the floor and started to cry. “What have I done?” she asked herself. “Clara?” Emma said as she came running toward her and knelt down in front of her. “What is wrong?” “I just did the most horrible thing.” She said in between sobs. “I am such a horrible person. No wonder is does not love me.” They heard footsteps coming down the hall and Clara started to wipe the tears away. “Clara are you alright?” Kevin asked, seeing that she was crying. “Yes, I just fell.” She said as he helped her up. Kevin lead her toward the fireplace and sat her down. She turned around to see Emma. “Emma please tell him that he does not have to do what I told him to do.” Emma nodded and walked out the door. “Tell who?” “Oh a servant was going to get some bandages. He thought I had cut myself.” She lied. Chapter 6 Emma walked into the garden and found Alex trimming the rose bushes. “Hello Alex.” She said as she approached him. “Hello.” Was all he said. “I have a message from Clara.” “I do not want to hear it.” Alex started cutting even faster and she backed off a little bit. “She says…” “Emma.” He warned. “Oh Alex just listen!” she yelled. The other servants that were around looked at her. “Continue!” she yelled to them and they did as they were told. “What is it?” he finally asked. “Clara said that you do not have to do what she had told you.” “She told you that?” he asked. “Yes.” “Good.” He started to walk away but felt a hand grab on to his shoulder. “Whatever it is that she said to you I am sure she is truly sorry. She is in there right now crying her eyes out, and trying to cover for why she is crying. Kevin is probably getting a doctor in there right now because he thinks that she has fallen.” “She is none of my concern.” He said harshly. “Alex, she does not know yet, but they are moving the wedding to two days from today.” “Two days? That can….why are you telling me this? I do not care.” He started to walk away again but Emma stayed close to his side. “Oh Alex, don’t you see? I know you love her. You know you love her. Are you just going to let her walk out of your life like that?” “Emma what am I supposed to do? She is a princess and I am noting but a servant. How many times must I say this?” “Oh you are being so difficult Alex!” She turned around and walked back toward the castle. Alex stopped and watched her as she walked away. After she was out of sight, he sighed and continued walking to his home. Maybe his father would help him figure out what to do. Chapter 7 “Who is this girl you speak of?” Alex’s father, Robert asked him after he listened to only half of Alex’s story. “Well, her name is Clara.” Alex answered looking away. “Clara? It surely cannot be Princess Clara.” “It is.” Robert sighed and sat down at the table to think about it. Even though he didn’t know the whole story he knew enough to give his son advice. “I think you should go to her and tell her that you love her.” “But father, she is marrying Prince Kevin.” Alex argued. “There is nothing I can do about that.” “Alex if the girl really loves you it will be her that stops this wedding, not you. Her father will do anything to make the girl happy.” Alex sat down next to his father. “Father you still do not understand. Her father does not listen to her. He will make her marry Kevin and then I will end up in the dungeons for trying to change that. She is better off there. I have nothing to offer her.” “I see what you mean.” He paused. “But Alex she is rich! We would be royalty! No more working! Can’t you see that this would change our lives for the better? Haven’t you thought of that?” “No I have not. This has nothing to do about money. This has everything to do with her and what is best for her. I cannot get in the way of this marriage.” ---------- “Two days!” Clara exclaimed. “But that cannot be! We are not supposed to marry for a few weeks! Who changed this!” “Do you really have to ask that?” Kevin asked. “My father.” Tears started to stream down Clara’s cheeks. “Clara I know you do not love me. But soon we will learn to love each other and it will be right in the end. Please do not cry.” Kevin placed his hands on her shoulders. His hands felt like fire to the touch. Every place he touched her she thought that spot would burst into flames. He was a good friend but the thought of anyone else but Alex touching her, made her feel ill. “It will work out. Trust me.” Chapters 1-4 Back to Fanfic Back to Main Page