The Unexpected Visit

Chapter 21

After you passed out, the soldiers cuffed us and brought us to your mother. You were on a stretcher next to the temporary throne that they had set up. It seemed that they were putting something on your ankle and then gave you some sort of shot. Jackson and I were forced to our knees in front of the throne. Your mother didn't look pleased.

"Why are you bringing me two prisoners when it's obvious I have to leave with my daughter right away?" She asked.

"Your highness, these are the two boys who were with your daughter. I believe that this boy is Owen from your compound, the one you gave permission to date your daughter. This one looks like he's some kind of bodyguard or something, especially considering he seems to know basic first aid," A soldier replied, pointing to each boy respectively.

"Owen, I see your rebellious nature hasn't changed much and you have taken quite a liking to my daughter. Too bad you won't ever see her again," she motioned to the guards around her, 'Take her to the car. I will be there shortly. You, bodyguard, I wonder what I should do to you? I could keep you in a dungeon somewhere and waste food on you or-"

"Your highness, it would be an honor and a level of respect I don't deserve, but is there a possibility that I could continue to serve your daughter, the princess? I will pledge my loyalty to you here and now, if it pleases you," Jackson said, bowing as low to the ground as possible.

"Well, your humbleness is an attribute you don't find in many men these days. Why do you wish to continue to serve my daughter?" She asked, looking at him calmly.

"Why, I long to be by her side at all times and to keep her from any harm that might try to reach her. I was given this task by your disgraced husband; I swore my loyalty to her and only her; but, should you wish it, I will also swear my loyalty to you. The hard part about this is, should you allow me to serve your daughter, my first and foremost duty is to protect her and anyone that she orders me to protect. Her orders would outrank yours," Jackson replied.

"I see, so my daughter would outrank me?" She repeated with an odd look on her face.

"Yes, your majesty," Jackson replied simply.

"Well, I will consider this matter and give you my answer in a few days. For now, you will have to ride with the other prisoners. I would allow you to ride somewhere else, but there is simply no other way," She said, getting up to leave.

"I understand, thank you," Jackson says calmly, getting up to go with the guards.

"Dude, you're going to betray your own-" I started, but was cut off by a slap from Jackson.

"Keep your mouth shut. You're lucky you're still alive. I wouldn't push it," Jackson whispers harshly, walking with the guards to a truck.

Jackson and I walked to the truck and got in. The soldiers left us there to get more prisoners. The truck wasn't very clean but it was manageable. Jackson proceeded to grab one of the rags nearby, dunked it in a bucket of water, and proceeded to wash the truck bed.

"What was that back there? Calling your father disgraced? Saying that you would pledge your allegiance to the mother who gave you away and then proceeded to forget about you? And since when are you humble? I've known you for a long time; all those times we met in the woods and played Cowboys and Indians. What happened to the boy I knew then?" I said, barely controlling my anger.

"Don't you get it? Everything I said is for Rebecca's sake; one of us has to be near her in case she wakes up, and you have been branded a traitor. I'm sure that's the only logical reason she would have to execute you. I figured if I didn't convince her to let me be her bodyguard, I wouldn't be able to save you either, and I would be in big trouble if I let you die," Jackson replied calmly, scrubbing the truck with determination.

"That's why you did it? To protect Beca?" I asked, looking stricken with guilt at blowing up at my friend.

"Yes. As long as she is in danger, I know. Even when I'm not with her, sometimes I can feel her emotions like they are my own. Maybe it's because we are twins or because of our level of trust--we didn't have our real mother and father, only substitutes. We longed for the day when our parents would walk through the door and claim us. I realize now how foolish that kind of thinking is, but being as young as we were, we didn't realize it and clung to that hope with all our might. I think that's why when I left, she felt so heartbroken and didn't understand why I had left her," Jackson replied quietly, looking heartbroken.

"Get in there; we have a long way back to the compound. Well, would you look at that? We left this truck dirty, and now it's cleaner than when we got it! Good job. I will certainly be telling the queen about this," A commanding officer said, patting Jackson on the back.

"With all due respect sir, I can't take all the credit. Owen helped some too," Jackson replied.

"Well, good job to you too, Owen. I will tell the queen. Now, everyone should get seated. It will be a bumpy ride," The officer said, looking doubtful.