Chapter 4: Lady Sophie

"Good morning, Prince Zuerien", a palace maid greeted Zuerien as he made his way to the dining hall.

"Good morning", he replied and entered.

 He saw his mother and his younger sister already seated on the table and ready to eat.

"Good morning, Mother. Sorry I'm late."

"This is unusual. You are never late to the dining hall", Princess Leah said.

He chuckled. "I could not sleep."

"Why?! What is wrong?” Queen Anne said with concern.

"I have no idea."

"Ohh! You should not stress yourself too much. Rest is essential."

"Yes, Mother. Have you been to Father's chambers this morning?"

"I was with him throughout the night. He slept throughout."

Prince Zuerien and Princess Leah exchanged glances and Princess Leah smiled.

"What is wrong with the both of you?” Queen Anne asked.

"Nothing", the both of them said smiling.

"Eat your food and go to your Father. He should be awake by now."

"Yes, Mother", they said and continued eating their breakfast.

They ate their food in silence. When they were through they stood up and went to see their Father.

They entered his room and saw him already seated and eating his breakfast.

"Good morning, Father", the both of them greeted.

"Good morning. How was your night?"

"Fine, Father", they replied.

"How are you feeling today?” Zuerien asked.

"I feel better. What of your Mother?"

"I do not know. She just asked us to come visit you because she was with you throughout the night."

He looked surprised. "She was with me?"

"Yes."

"Was the Queen truly with me throughout the night?” He asked facing the maid present in his room.

"Yes, Your Majesty. She left shortly before you woke up."

He couldn't believe she would still stay by his side even after telling her not to touch him. He felt sad because he was being hard on her but she deserves it. He also tried for her to love him but she kept on pushing him away.

"Zuerien?"

"Yes Father."

"You have to go pick Lady Sophie at the airport very early tomorrow morning."

Zuerien suddenly felt sad. He doesn't understand why his father just couldn't stop this Lady Sophie's issue.

"Yes, Father", he said reluctantly. He said a silent prayer to God to give him courage to one day oppose his Father.

*~*~*~*

In the Duchy of Galdonia, Lady Sophie, the Duke's daughter removed her gown and changed into a black tee and jeans trousers for her secret adventure. 

She removed the accessories in her hair, her necklace and her earrings. She put on a smaller earrings, loosened her hair and did a little bit of makeup. She has to look good for him. 

When she was done, she opened her door slightly and checked the corridor but nobody was present. Not even any maid or guard. She was happy because she doesn't want anyone to find out what she is about to do.

She sneaked out of the room holding her shoes in her hand and made sure she didn't make a sound. She sneak into the elevator and got to the ground floor without any problem. 

She got out of the elevator and moved towards the door but stopped when she heard voices.

"She would leave for Valtoria tomorrow. I trust you will be of a great help to her", she heard her Aunt's voice and wondered who she was talking to

"Yes, My Lady", the other person said and Lady Sophie realized her Aunt was talking to her personal guard, Jacob. She hasn't seen him since he came back from visiting his mother who was a little bit indisposed.

She made sure they left and the coast was clear before running out of the house. When she was out of the house, she exhaled and put on her shoes before making her was towards her bike.

She put on her helmet and made her way to his cabin. She misses him and can't wait to see him. She rode the bike faster than usual and got there in no time. 

She got to the cottage and took her own spare key to open the door. She already knows he wouldn't be in but she still entered to wait for him. She sat down on one of the chairs in the cabin and took pictures on her phone. 

Minutes later, she heard footsteps and stood up knowing he is back. He slid in the key into the keyhole and opened. On opening the door, she ran and jumped on him.

"What?!” He shouted. He then took a good look at the person that jumped on him. “Oh! Sophie."

"I miss you, Jacob", she told him. Jacob may be a personal guard to everyone else but to her he was more than that. He is her personal guard and the one she loves unconditionally.

"I miss you, too", he replied kissing her forehead. 

She removed her legs from his waste and got down. She looked at him before smashing her lips on his. She poured all her emotions into the kiss. She pulled back from the kiss, panting.

"I am so happy to see you", she said.

"Me too", he said. "But I thought we agreed you would not sneak out to meet me again."

She looked down and couldn't meet his gaze looking like a kid that was been scolded. "I am sorry. I could not help it. I miss you."

He placed his hand under her chin and raised her head up. "I know you miss me. But I would have to come to you."

"I am sorry."

"It is okay", he said and pulled her in for a hug.

She wrapped her hand around his waist and placed her head on his chest listening to his heartbeat.

"Your Aunt said you are going to Valtoria", he said.

She pulled away from the hug and went to sit on the couch and placed her head on her hands.

He moved closer to her and knelt down beside her. "What's wrong?"

"I don't want to go."

"Why? You have to go."

She looked up at him. "Don't you understand what is going on? They want me to get married to Prince Zuerien."

He sighed. "I know."

"Why are you being cool about this?"

"What do you expect me to do? There is nothing I can do."

She sighed. 

"You are the only one that can do something."

"What can I do? I just know I do not love him. You are the one I love and want to spend my life with."

"Me too. But I know-"

"I know what to do!” She shouted as an idea came to her mind. 

"What?"

"I will go to Valtoria and make sure they all hate me there."

"I don't understand."

"The reason I'm going to Valtoria is to get Prince Zuerien to fall in love with me just like Father said but I'm going to change the reason. I would not go there to make him fall in love with me but to make him hate me."

"How can you do that? You know due to your personality, everyone likes you. I don't think anyone can hate you."

She smiled. "I can really act. Trust me. And besides, you would be with me."

"They would notice you have changed."

"Why are you being so negative?” She asked raising an eyebrow.

"I'm just stating the fact."

"But I told you I can do it, did I not? Why can you not trust me? Don't you love me?"

"Of course, I do."

"I said I don't want to get married to him. Why are you against my plan?"

"Listen. I'm sure your father would not allow you to choose a guard like me in replace of the Crown Prince. I'm just a guard, Sophie. Let's face the truth. This", he waved his hand between the both of them. "This can't work. We'll just get hurt."

She looked at him with tears in her eyes threatening to fall. "Why are you being like this? Don't you love me?"

"I do, Sophie. I really do."

She wiped her eyes clean and stood up. "I don't think you do", she said and stood up walking towards the door.

Before she could go out the door, Jacob moved to her and held her hand stopping her. 

"Let go."

"I won't."

"I'm not joking, Jake. Let go, now. I would n-"

He didn't allow her finish her sentence before he smashed his lips on hers silencing her. She melted into the kiss completely, her anger long forgotten. 

He pulled away from the kiss and kissed her closed eyes too. "I'm just hurt."

"Why?” She asked.

"I'm hurt because you are being forced into this marriage. I wish I was more than this."

"I'll choose you over anyone a thousand times. I love you just the way you are, Jake."

"I know. I love you, too. I'm sorry if you think I'm being negative."

"Tsk tsk. You shouldn't apologize. I'm sorry for doubting you."

"It's okay. You know what?"

"What?"

"Let's go with that your idea."

"Really?” She said with her eyes almost popping out of the sockets.

"Really."

"Oh! Jake, I love you", she said and hugged him tight.

"I love you, too", he said and kissed her head.

"I can't wait to get to Valtoria."

"Me too."

"Oh! I forgot to ask. How is your Mother?"

"She is fine. She just miss her son."

"Okay."

"You should get going now. Your Aunt will soon notice you are not there."

She checked her wristwatch. "Oh! I got carried away." She kissed him again. "I'll see you later. Love you."

"Love you too."