The Heir and her Guard

Chapter 3

They reached the palace once again, and Sterling had been put back in his stable. Jane was still upset with her parents, but her mood had improved since going into town.

Max had gone to go train, so Jane wandered around the halls, looking for Will.

Instead of finding him, she ended up bumping into her mother. She mumbled an apology and was about to continue walking when the queen grabbed her arm. Jane sighed and turned, waiting to hear what she was going to say.
"I really hope you're not too upset Jane. We're doing this for the good of the people."
"I just don't understand why we have to be in such a rush. No official statement of an attack has been made, and all the princes are not to my interests."
Her mother gave her a sympathetic look, but that didn't change anything, "Your half sister-"
"She is not my sister." She interrupted.
"Rose, as you know, is a very... aggressive young lady. An announcement could be made any minute and we're not in any position to take risks."

"We have multiple guards and I know how to defend myself."
"I know, but if one thing goes wrong the whole monarchy could collapse. And we have ruled over this peaceful land for centuries." Joyce explained.
"If I do end up hurt or even dead, we have Will to become King. He will be an excellent monarch."
"We don't want you to get hurt Jane. And you spend more time with the people, you have a more of a personal connection with them. The people of Aveington want you to be their queen."

Jane sighed and looked away for a second, "I shall take it into consideration. I will not have father be firm with me when I'm dealing with the consequences of his own choices."
"I will inform him. You know I don't like when he loses his temper." She nodded and Joyce let her go. "Thank you for at least thinking about it."
"Do you have any idea where Will might be?" Jane asked, wanting to visit him.
"I think he's in the drawing room. I'll see you soon hun." She gave Jane a kiss on the forehead and let her about her day.

Jane headed down the halls and the servants opened the door to the drawing room. She thanked them and walked inside, noticing Will standing in the corner, painting on an easel.
"Brother!" Jane said, giving him a warm hug.
He smiled and put his brush down, putting his hands on his hips. The princess turned to look at the easel and gasped. "Woah... this is so good Will."
"Thank you. I suppose I'm finished." He said, grabbing an off-white rag and getting the paint off his hands.

The picture was a landscape painting of the view from the palace balcony, outlooking onto the town and terrain below. A lot of detail had been out into it, and it looked quite realistic. Will had painted a lot of sceneries and even portraits, some of them even being hung around the palace. Most of his masterpieces remained in the drawing room though.

"I've heard what mother and father said." Will began, "It was said you weren't very happy with the decision."
"Of course I wasn't! It's just so... sudden. I've had barely any time to think over it, but it's being forced upon me so heavily." Jane answered.
"And you're going to meet the bachelors next week?" He asked, cleaning his brushes.
"Yes, are you going to be there?"
"I think so, would you like me to be there?"
"Of course."

The siblings spoke together for a while before they decided to head out onto the lush gardens. Will had brought his sketchbook out and he climbed up a tree, sitting on one of the thick branches so he could draw the scenery.

Jane had noticed Max sharpening arrows by the riverbank, so she walked over to her. She sat down and Max looked at her, wondering what she was doing.
"Princess, you're awfully close to the water. Your gown might get damp." She warned.
"Come sit up here with me then." She moved up higher, onto the short grass.
Max hesitated for a second but moved up beside her, continuing to sharpen the tips with her dagger.
"Would you like any help?" Jane offered politely.
Max shook her head, "This is the final one. I saw the prince walk out here with you."

"You were watching us?" Jane asked, confused.
Max's eyes shot to hers and Jane swore her cheeks had the tiniest red tint. It might've been because she's been out in the hot sun for a while though. "No, I was simply checking who's voices I was hearing."
"Oh, that makes sense. Will's sitting upon that branch over there." She turned and nodded towards the tree. Max turned and saw him.
"And I suppose his painting is finished?" Max asked.
"Yes, you should look at it. It seems as if a photograph's been transferred onto a canvas. If he wasn't a prince, he could've been a very famous artist." She laid down and pulled a daisy from the ground, beginning to make a daisy chain.

"Why can't he be both?" Max chuckled, wiping the excess wood off the arrows. She felt Jane's eyes on her but didn't mind, instead she put the arrow in it's quiver and the dagger in her sword belt.
"Why are you wearing that on such a hot day?" Jane asked.
"Wearing what?" She asked, looking down at her attire.
"Your tunic of course. And it's black, how are you not burning?"
"I'm used to it." Max chuckled, "But I suppose I can take it off."

She undid the buttons and took it off, folding it once and setting it on the ground beside her. Now she was left in her shirt and trousers.

"How did you get all these medals?" Jane asked, looking at her tunic.
"Years of training and experience. You've attended all my award ceremonies Jane." She answered.
"That's true. Maybe you are a good guard." She smiled mischievously.
"You've just now noticed?" Max joked, lying beside her.

Together they lay on the soft grass, talking between them. Will joined them for a bit but headed back inside a few minutes later, excited to start a new painting with his new inspiration.

Jane's worries had died down since this morning, but one thought remained in her mind. What was going to happen next week?