Saving Her Kingdom

♡ Chapter 39

Chapter 39

The following days passed uneventfully. I regularly played on the pianoforte and the harp, and even on a party one afternoon. I saw Elisa and John being very friendly towards one another, which was why I wanted to speak to John, to evaluate his feelings for Elisa on her behalf.

I went to him one day after lunch and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and smiled when he saw me. "Hello Anna." He took my hand and kissed it.

I laughed, "That wasn't necessary, John."

"Why not?", he asked innocently, "Shouldn't I kiss the hand of beautiful ladies?"

"Not me. You should kiss the hand of a certain princess instead."

He sucked in a breath and reddened slightly, "You really think so?"

I patted him on the shoulder, "Come on. Let's take a walk."

We walked to the garden, even though it was getting a bit cloudy. "So, tell me John, you have discussed things with Elisa, right?"

He nodded shyly, "She told you?"

"She did. What have you agreed on?"

"Well, she told me she likes me too. She does, right?", he looked at me with an unsure look.

"Of course. She told me herself. But why wouldn't she?"

"Because, you see...", he ran a hand through his hair a bit anxiously, "She's a princess, and I'm the last one born in my family."

"Oh John, do you really think that? Her feelings for you have nothing to do with her rank or yours. But about your family, won't you inherit the rank of the Lord of your lands, when you're old enough?"

"Well yes, I know I will. My mother is currently managing this in my place, but when I turn eighteen, I'll officially be the Lord of my lands."

"There you see. You've got nothing to worry about for your rank."

"I just hope I'll manage the position," he mumbled with a little bit of anguish.

"Of course you will. You won't have to do it alone, you know. You can always ask your sister or your mother."

He nodded, "Yes, you're right. And maybe then, they will include me in the politics."

I chuckled nervously, "Well, that's something we'll have to see. Anyway, we're drifting away from the subject. Do you have feelings for Elisa too?"

He blushed a light shade of pink. "Yes, I do."

"Do you want to marry her?"

He opened his eyes wide. "Me? Marrying Elisa? But how could I have a chance?"

I smiled at him softly, "That wasn't my question. Do you want to marry her?"

"Well, yes of course! If she would have me."

I wondered if he hadn't a wrong idea of what marriage really is, so I asked, "You know how it would be when you're married, right? You would have to love her and take care of her through good and bad times. You would have to stay faithful to her, build up a family with her and provide for it. Are you ready to do that with Elisa?"

He stared at me wide-eyed, his mouth agape. "I... well... in the future maybe."

"Yes, don't worry," I chuckled, "I know you're too young for marriage. But what I'm asking is if you could imagine doing it with Elisa when the two of you are of age."

"Then... yes, I would. She's really wonderful, so I'd be happy to marry to her."

"I'm not saying this to pressure you, you know," I said earnestly, "Elisa just needs to be sure you won't leave one day, just like that."