|🌴| Shipwrecked Princess |🌺| A Novel |🌺| Complete |🌴|

🌴 Chapter Sixteen 🌴

Meanwhile, William walked down to the docks, from a secret path along the shoreline. He needed to speak with his friend about what had just happened. He was disappointed about how his uncle treated Risa. "Jayme," He called, waving him down to get his attention. He stepped up on some rocks and jumped onto the dock, walking over to his friend.

Jayme turned towards William and smiled, waving back before turning back to the cargo he was directing onto a carriage. "Keep it steady, keep it steady, and . . . perfect. Take it to the palace." He turned back towards William. "What is wrong?" He could tell something was bothering his friend.

William raised his eyebrows, did he seem unhappy or something? "Ah, that is a loaded question. We do need to talk about Essa. Something happened -" He wasn't able to finish his sentence because Jayme had cut him off. He didn't quite know how to tell him in a way that wouldn't make him want to confront his uncle.

Jayme quickly cut in because as soon as he spoke her name he got worried. "Essa? What happened? Is she alright?" He asked, a little panicked because he would hate for anything bad to have happened. However it may have been a minor incident but still, it was better to be safe than sorry.

William shook her head and sighed. That was typical Jayme, always worrying about others and never himself. "She is fine physically. I invited her for tea, with the help of Disha, and let's just say it did not go well. From Leshay, my father and uncle, the amount of coldness was like the Antarctic despite the warm weather, and Toki flew in and made a mess of the tea party which embarrassed Essa." He explained, making various hand gestures.

Jayme sighed leaning on the next cart that had pulled up. "Oh, your uncle is here? Well, it can only get worse." He paused. "Oh my, poor Essa. I knew this might happen. Not everyone is as open-minded and caring as us, I will ask Taleiah to spend more time with Essa - oh that reminds me, maybe if we spend more time with Essa and see how she lives that will help us get a better understanding of how we can help!" He exclaimed.

William was surprised but he was nonetheless glad to hear that idea. It was perfect. If they could try and help her feel at home while not changing much on both sides, then maybe everyone would be more accepting of Essa. "You do come up with the best ideas Jayme. To help her fit in, we need to see things from her perspective and maybe we can work with what we will learn to help her fit in." He grinned l, hugging his friend.

Jayme pushed off one cart and helped guide another crate onto the other cart. When he was suddenly hugged by William he patted his back. "Haha, yeah, so it is only your uncle who is here right now? Or have your aunt and cousins arrived yet?" He questioned after the prince had pulled away from his friend.

William nodded, only to the first part that he had asked. "Only my uncle. I didn't even know he had arrived. Mother didn't either, only father knew. I suppose it was meant to be a surprise for us. I also don't think he was expecting Essa to be there, my father that is when he asked him to join. I only said something when everyone arrived." He explained.

That made sense. Jayme knew that if it had been said beforehand Raymond wouldn't have allowed Essa to join them. "It was probably a good thing you said something after and not before. I do wish they would become more accepting of Essa. All she has done is exist and be as nice as she can." He pointed out, placing his hands on a crate that was being lowered onto another cart.

William knew that was true. All she had ever done was stay out of everyone's way, be as polite as possible and she barely asked any questions. "It is a pity. She isn't as bad or crazy as I previously thought. I was wrong, how I acted towards her on the island and on the way here. I should apologize for that. In speaking, I should do something nice to apologize to her." There were many things he could do for her.