Addendum:

Chapter 4: The Gift

One step at a time. That's all Elesia could think about, willing her feet to to continue moving towards the dining room. She soon came face to face with the large oak doors that had been painted white, knowing her father was most likely already seated, she braced herself, reached for the gold handles, another breath in and she pushed the doors open. She had been right, her father was already seated at the table that was laden with dishes of all sorts. She glanced around the table noticing several of her favorites: strawberry and spinach salad, roasted chicken with carrots, potatoes and onions, roasted sweet potatoes with garlic, and an array of cakes and custards. Whatever the bad news was, she knew she was bound to be devastated, regardless of the heavenly smells filling the room. She took her seat, directly across from her father eyeing him suspiciously.
"What's all this?"
"I had cook make your favorites."
"I see." She said as a servant came and plated her meal. She accepted the dish with a whispered thank you and was met with a timid smile of appreciation.
"It's in celebration."
"Of what?"
"Your birthday"
Elesia felt herself cock an eyebrow. "My birthday isn't for another two weeks."
"Yes, well.... There's another reason for celebration"
Elesia arched an eyebrow in response. "Oh?"
"Your betrothal ceremony."
Elesia felt the fork, laden with spinach and ripe strawberries fall from her hand and clatter onto her plate.
"What betrothal ceremony?"
"You've been invited to Prevaricatia to meet the Prince. Apparently word of your .... um... outburst in the counsel meeting has reached his advisors and he has requested you come to visit. If all goes well, they have agreed to move forward with the betrothal ceremony which will take place one month after your birthday."
Elesia stared, her hard gaze fixed on her plate. Her father continued. "You leave tomorrow."
The screech of wooden chair legs on marble was heard as Elesia stood abruptly. "Well then I suppose I should pack." And she retreated without another word. The king looked at her abandoned plate, she had only taken a few small bites before he had broken the news to her. She would most likely sneak down into the kitchen, well after the staff had gone to bed, for a midnight snack, he decided it was time to gift her her birthday present. Dominic finished his evening meal in silence and walked to his study. After closing the door, he made his way to his desk and produced the key to the drawer that always remained locked. Not much presides in the drawer, just a copy of the treaty and a burgundy leather journal with the letters "E-L-E-S-I-A" etched into the front.
Dominic removed his quill and ink pot from his desk and unlatched the clasp on the journal to the very first page and began to pen these words:
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Dear My Beloved Daughter,
    I know the circumstances are less than ideal and I hope one day you can forgive me for the heartache that I have caused.
   I have only one thing I put above your happiness and that is your safety. While you may not believe me, please know that that is the truth.
   You have grown into a wonderful young woman who I am very proud of. This is your birthday gift. I know it is early but I wanted you to have it in the coming weeks. Change is coming, you are growing up and it is essential that you chronicle these times of growth, (and dare I say romance?)
   Know that I love you dearly and am trying my best to do what is right for you, my child. I wish you nothing but happiness and success in representing our kingdom.
I will see you in six weeks time. In the meantime I know you'll make me proud.

         With all my love,
             Your Father

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After a slowly exiting the dining room Elesia sprinted up the stairs towards her bedroom, nearly knocking a servant down on her way. She slammed the bedroom door and threw herself on her bed.
Her plan was ruined, how could she possibly run away with Eli if she had been carted off to another kingdom? And there was no way to send him word. All of her correspondence was checked by Maggie, who had discouraged any sort of intimate conversation between them, as it was not proper.

Just then, as if she had heard her name, Maggie entered the room, accompanied by six servants carrying trunks and boxes to be packed with her things for tomorrow's journey.
"Set them at the far wall, thank you, you are dismissed." Soon they were left by themselves.
"Am I to assume you have ears in the walls? Or is my father that eager to be rid of me?"
"Your father called me to his study shortly after you left dinner. He is not eager to be rid of you, cease that foolish thinking. He loves you and is trying to do right by you."
"I know he cares for me Maggie, but how can this possibly be right?! I can't marry a perfect stranger, I won't!" Her proclamation came out as half scream and half sob. The pitiful sound tugged on the older woman's heart.
"Elesia, no one is making you marry him next week. The trip is just to see if you would make an ideal match. You'll be back at home before you know it."
That did little to calm her spirits.
"Now come help me get you packed."
The next few hours were spent with them folding gown after gown into the trunks and carefully packing an assortment of jewels, perfumes, hats, scarves, gloves, and slippers into the smaller compartments. The smallest trunk was reserved for any personal items she chose to take, like her books, paints, and sketch papers. After the final trunk was closed and stacked next to the door Maggie stifled a yawn and announced that she was off to bed leaving Elesia by herself.
Her room was now mostly barren, save for the large oak and walnut furnishings. She sat at her desk and located a piece of stationary. She began to write;
Dear Eli,
Her letter explained that she was leaving for Prevaricatia at the princes request and her fathers urgency and would be there for several weeks at the very least. Her tears marred the pages as she confessed that she would most likely soon be betrothed. She poured her fears and concerns into the page. She didn't dare mention their plan lest someone find it mistakenly but instead wrote how she would miss him terribly, and hoped that he would come to visit. She hoped that he sensed the urgency in her words and would find her in time to save her from her impending nuptials.
She signed the letter "happily yours," dated it, and located her slippers and a cloak. Wrapping herself tightly against the cold night air, She made her way down the servants stair cases letting her hand glide across the wall, feeling the stone to guide her, making her way to the garden. Following the same cobble stone path she had taken that morning she came upon the greenhouse. She slid the letter under the door, praying he would find it sooner rather than later and turned on her heel. Just as she was reaching the kitchen her stomach let out a low rumble, seemingly yelling at her for not finishing her dinner. She rifled through the pantry, finding left over bread, goats cheese, and fruit tarts.  Returning to the counter she found rudimentary stools tucked under the wooden edge, no doubt where the house staff took their meals. She pulled one out and sat on it starting in on her meager feast. She was enjoying the salty tang of the goats cheese when a flash of red caught her eye. On the far counter was a leather bound book. The book looked out of place sitting on the butcher block counter tops. She swallowed her bite and walked over to the book, noticing her name etched into the front and that the pages were empty, save for one. Taking the journal back to her seat she opened it to the first page and read the words her father had penned to her earlier that evening. She felt her eyes pricking with tears as she finished her meal in silence. A short while latter with her eyelids drooping, Elesia tucked the journal under her arm and carried herself up the stairs to her bedroom. She surveyed the room on last time before she laid down, the emptiness of it mirroring her own heart. Her tears streamed down her face and carried her off into a restless slumber.
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Hey guys!
Super short chapter and I do apologize for that. Originally I intended it to be longer but I felt like this was a good stopping point.

Next chapter we'll see Elesia's journey to Prevaricatia and possibly meet her mysterious prince ?

I really hope you guys enjoyed the chapter and as always any feedback is greatly appreciated 💛

If you're enjoying the story so far please vote, comment, and share with friends :)

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!
Lots of love!
~Mads