Love & Thieves (Book 2) ✓

𝓒𝓱.18 ~ 𝓖𝓾𝓪𝓻𝓭 𝓓𝓾𝓽𝓲𝓮𝓼

Kaleb was over the moon with excitement after the General showed him Marcus's list of duties, which included guarding the Tower of Light. It was perfect really, now he knew the times and schedules of the Guards at the tower and around the castle. All Kaleb and Jezamine had to do was plan an escape route and plan an exact day to steal the crown.

A couple of days have passed since Kal has last seen Jezamine, hoping to see her some time today and share the good news with her. Jez could fill him in on anything he missed in the past few days. He heard the whispers around the castle about Lady Marigold marrying the Prince and wondered if Jezamine was upset with the news.

He had to admit that Marigold was a beauty and caught his eye the moment he danced with her. She was an impressive woman with all the gold she wore, but Kal noticed Marigold wore less and less golden accessories whenever he saw her around the castle. He wondered why, but couldn't think of anything to explain the sudden disappearance of her jewellery. Maybe Jezamine decided to do some light thieving since he assumed that she would be around Lady Marigold often.

Kal wished they could go back home soon and return to the Guild, missing the old mill factory more than he thought he would. He missed his friend Finn, and more so, his ability to speak. He also missed eating stews near the fireplace while he listened to the other thieves tell stories. A fortnight was almost up, and he wished the days would go by faster. He wondered if Jezamine was as eager to go home as much as he was.

Kaleb sighed as he laid down in his bunk bed, Darren climbed on top bunk. "Get a good night's rest lad, we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. We will be guarding the Tower of Light."

Tomorrow after his Guard Duties, Kaleb would search for Jezamine to tell her the news and see if she has had any luck plotting an escape route or not. Snuggling deeper into the pillow and springy mattress, he fell asleep to the sound of the other men snoring. Although he didn't want to be the Leader of the Guild, Kaleb dreamt of himself sitting on the throne instead of Caine or Jezamine...

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Dining with the Royals ended up being a terrible experience for Jezamine - between Lady Marigold talking about wedding dresses, a drunk Lord and King retelling war stories, and Prince Alexander being preoccupied with his Queen to be, who never once left his side - the night was awful.

Jezamine walked back to the Prince's Chambers after politely excusing herself from the feast. She wanted to get out of this gown that clung to her body and into something more comfortable. Jez didn't understand how the Royal women of the Court wore these absurd dresses, they looked pretty but we're uncomfortable to move around in.

How does discomfort count as beauty?

She pondered on this topic while she changed into a nightgown and removed her makeup. Eventually she gave up trying to come up with an answer to her own question, deciding to lie on the bed and look at the ceiling.

Jezamine knew she and Alexander could never be, but she still felt a pang of jealousy towards Lady Marigold, wishing she wasn't just a thief who was going to steal the crown. 

Alexander didn't seem to talk to her once Marigold made the announcement of their marriage. The Prince looked annoyed and sat brooding with cheerful Marigold by his side.

Everyone was happy for the pair, especially the Queen who smiled at Jezamine with satisfaction on her petite face. Princess Avery was ecstatic for a Royal wedding and even more so to be the Maid of Honour for Lady Marigold. The King and Lord Darius celebrated by drinking more ale and laughing amongst themselves, oblivious to what was going on around them. The only one who was left out and felt out of place during dinner was Jezamine.

Sighing, Jez closed her eyes trying her best to forget her feelings for the Prince and accept that they could never be together. She was a thief and he was a Prince and soon to be King. Jez has no place at the castle with these people, her true place was at the Guild with the other thieves, soon to become Leader of the Guild.

Drifting off to sleep, Jezamine dreamt she was sitting on a throne, but it wasn't at the Guild...she was sitting next to Alexander, both of them wore a crown and were surrounded by the people of Arondale who cheered their names and threw roses towards them.

It was a shame it would never become a reality...

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Alexander disliked how Lady Marigold chose dinner of all times to announce the wedding arrangement in front of Lady Jezamine. He already had his father, the King's permission to choose his heart's desire. But apparently his father has changed his mind over dinner, because he raised his glass and made a toast announcing the unity of Aronhall's and Redelle's.

The Prince couldn't believe the Kings betrayal, not keeping to his word. Alexander suspected his mother got into his father's ear and changed the man's mind on the matter. Alexander felt like no one was on his side anymore and his marriage to Marigold was looking inevitable.

Alexander knew he has not known Jezamine for a long time like he has Marigold, but he has fallen in love with the stranger who bumped into him at the Grand Ball. Seeing Lady Jezamine stirred feelings inside of him, feelings he has never felt for Lady Marigold during their friendship.

Why could no one understand he and Marigold were just friends and that's all they would ever be? Even if the woman persistently tried to suffocate him with her attempts of affection, he didn't feel the same about her.

All the Prince wanted was to be alone with Jezamine and get to know her better. She was interesting and he knew there was more to Lady Jezamine than she was leading everyone to believe.

He was unable to chase after Jezamine when she left dinner, Marigold attached to his arm and still rambling on about the wedding decorations. The woman never let him go until they parted ways for the evening, by then Jezamine was in her room and probably fast asleep.

Alexander stood hesitantly at the door debating whether or not to knock and apologise to Jezamine for tonight, but decided to leave her sleep as he returned to the spare chambers. He will find Jezamine tomorrow and hopefully she won't get mad at him. Alexander would explain that everything was out of his hands and would confess his love to her.