To Save a Kingdom

Chapter 2

I didn't want to get out of bed the next morning.

"Come on Eve. It's time for you to get ready." Lila urged patiently. I forced my sticky eyes open and rolled to my side with my covers up to my chin. I didn't want to get up. I knew what faced me today. Eventually I slowly eased back the blanket on my bed then sat up in a crumpled position. My eyes were dry and felt like they were full of dirt. My pillow was soaked from tears and I was exhausted from the sleepless night. What an impression I would make on king Theo looking like this.

For once Lila didn't shout at me to get up. Instead she looked at me with eyes full of something I thought I would never see while she looked at me. Pity.

I splashed some cool water on my face to help wake me up. I would never wake up from this nightmare.

Lila helped me into a dress and for the first time I didn't protest. She started to comb my hair when I heard the gates open. From my window I would have a clear view of the entrance to the castle. What I saw made my blood run cold. A carriage was pulling out. It was Joseph's carriage.

Joseph was leaving.

I turned and sprinted from the room. My bare feet slapped loudly against the stone floor. I flew past a few surprised servants and nearly trampled Jared in my haste. There was no time to explain. I burst out the front door and was hit by a drenching rain. With one hand I clutched the skirt of my dress and held them up so I could run and with the other I wiped the wet hair from my eyes. The carriage was slowly gaining speed. I pushed myself faster.

"No!" I screamed.

I sprinted for all I was worth. Mud coated my legs splashing on my knees the hem of my dress was mud soaked but it didn't matter. All that mattered was the carriage ahead of me and my brother inside taking my place. Mud sloshed and I slipped as I ran. When the carriage turned a corner and disappeared from sight I cried out then I fell. My tender palms caught me before I could completely land in the deep mud. There I stayed. My dress was fanned out around me in a soaking heap and I crumpled. On my knees shivering with rain cascading around me I hit a new low. My brother had taken my place. I was ready to go and he did the unthinkable.

Within seconds I felt Jared's arm around my shoulders as he knelt next to me. He threw his warm cloak around me and I shrugged it off. I didn't feel cold. I didn't feel anything except pain.

"It was supposed to be me." I whispered. "I was ready to go."

I hoped he couldn't see the tears in the rain. With all this crying he would think I was weak. But right now I didn't feel strong. My tears combined with the rain dripping off my nose continuously. I don't know how long we stayed out there like that.

Eventually the rain stopped completely and I was shivering violently. Jared scooped me up in his arms cradling me against his warm chest like he would a child. Then he started back to the castle walking through the deep mud.

"It should have been me." I whispered against his neck.

Lila gasped when she saw us and with good reason. We were a mess. Mud was caked everywhere pieces of hair were clinging onto my neck and around my face. I was completely soaked to the skin with my teeth chattering. Jared had mud all over his boots and he was drenched.

"Draw a hot bath for her and put her to bed." Jared instructed as if I were a child. He set me down steadying me on my feet. He stood with me his arms wrapped around my shoulders. When Lila came for me he walked away after giving me a small smile.

§

Earlier....

"What happened?" Jared demanded as he walked across the throne room. Eve had just told him the horrible news. Jared didn't want to believe it. Joseph was standing looking out the window at the setting sun. "Eve attacked me. Then she had a complete breakdown. What happened." Jared repeated. Joseph sighed and his shoulders hunched.

"Mother found a way to get us out of debt. One of us has to get married to one of king Theo's children." Joseph said as if it was a simple solution.

Jared sucked in a breath. The queen was going to marry off one of her own children to a tyrant of a king. Eve couldn't do it. The queen couldn't force her to. Jared knew what kind of life would be waiting for her as the bride to one of king Theo's children.

"Jared I know how you feel about my sister." Joseph started but Jared interrupted.

"You have to save her." Jared said. "You can't let her do this." Jared stared at Joseph. "Please Joseph. There has to be another way. Talk your mother out of it. Surely there is something else that will save the kingdom."

"There is another way." Joseph said because he loved his little sister and his best friend. With that statement he left the throne room and went to find his mother. She would allow him to go even if she didn't he would go anyway. When he reached her room she was waiting for him. She knew of course she knew. "I will take her place." Joseph said and she smiled.

"Are you going for your sister or are you going for Jared?" Jared's feelings for Eve were visible to everyone except Eve. Every one knew how he felt he would do anything for her.

"Both of them." Joseph answered.

"I will miss you." She replied as she wrapped him in her arms.

Joseph left his mother to get things arranged for his journey in a few hours. When his things were thrown into a bag he sat down to write a difficult letter for his sister. She would be angry but eventually she would understand. She would be happy if she stayed. The letter took him all night to write. It wasn't easy to put all of his feelings on paper. As the sun was rising he folded the paper up and wrote her name on the outside. Joseph straightened his wrinkled clothing then with one last look at his room he left without another glance back. On his way out he passed Jared who was waiting for him at the door.

Jared jumped up and opened his mouth but there were no words to describe how he was feeling. "Thank you." He finally managed to say. Joseph hugged his best friend then handed him the note. With a wave Joseph walked out of his old life.