The Heir and her Guard

Chapter 17

Will grinned, "I knew you'd agree!" He said, high-fiving Nancy.
"Okay okay, we get you're a genius Will." Nancy chuckled, rolling her eyes playfully. "All we need to do now is wait for the day."

"What?" Max asked, "Is that all? What am I supposed to say?!"
"Well just be yourself of course. You really can't expect us to give you a bloody script, can you?" The prince asked her sarcastically.
"Of course not, but I'll be no different to the others there."

The pair looked at each other, "Uh- well maybe the fact you two have known each other practically since birth seems like a pretty big factor." Nancy said.
"Or maybe the fact you two actually love each other-" Will tried.
"Okay, enough with the sarcasm. I was just asking for... ideas. Something that'd make me stand out."

"Honestly, just walk in there as your usual confident self, speak from the heart, and see what happens." Nance advised.
"You mean, see them put the handcuffs on me?"
"We've already gone over this Max! Nothing will happen to you, I'm completely certain of it." Will said.
"Very well. Wait- I have to be beside Jane during the process, just in case anything happens." The guard suddenly remembered.

"I know, we've already talked to Jason, one of the door guards. He's agreed to guard Jane temporarily, until the end of the session." Nancy replied.
"Till the end?!" She asked.
"Well obviously. Unless you want to go back there under father's watch?" Will said sassily.
"...fair point." She confessed. "I suppose I'll know what to say in the moment."

Nancy nodded, "Good idea. But there's just one more thing."
"What is it?" Max wondered.
"We need one more supporter, or a sort of alibi. Someone who's on your side other than us." Will continued.

She thought for a moment. "I think I have an idea."

———

The three of them headed into town, roaming the streets looking for a certain but very special man.

Max had an idea of where he would be, and so she rode her horse to the same bench he sat with the princess almost a week or so earlier, and luckily he was there.

"Mr Smith!" She called out, jumping from her horse before tying it to a nearby streetlight.
He turned and smiled as he saw her. "Oh! Hello!" He waved, rolling the birdseed bag up he was using to feed the stray pigeons and robins as well as other random birds.

She smiled and turned to the others before signalling to him, showing them he was the man they needed. They looked at each other, confused. After a few seconds of their weird telepathic communication, they jumped off the saddle they shared and gave the reins to a nearby guard.

Max was already by his side, catching up with him. The others gathered around the bench.

"Sir, can I ask for a massive favour?" Max asked.
"Of course? What is it?" Thomas wondered, an innocent smile on his face.
"We were wondering if you'd like to support Max's decision in marrying the princess." Will answered.

Mr Smith gasped, "You two are to be married?!" He asked, excited.
"If all goes well. Nothing is certain at the moment, but I assure you I'm going to try my hardest." The guard answered.
Thomas put his hand on Max's shoulder, "I'm sure you will." He looked at Will and gasped again. "Aren't you the Prince?!"

"I am. Nice to meet you." Will replied, shaking his hand.
Nancy chuckled, "Sir, if you don't mind, we need your help. Urgently. The ceremony could happen at any moment."
He looked at each of them for a second before squeezing Max's shoulder. "I'll gladly help. I saw the way you two looked at each other during the dance."