The Heir and her Guard

Chapter 42

A few days passed and Jane sat atop a thick branch of a tree, drawing a butterfly that landed not that far from her as Mike sat at the trunk, deep in his thoughts.

"Jane?" He suddenly asked, looking up at her.
"Hmm?" She hummed in response, focused on her sketch.
"Do you still think I have a chance with Will?"
"Of course you do. Why would you think otherwise?" The princess wondered.

"I don't know... I just feel like we've been distant recently. And I know he's been focused on helping the towns and his paintings, but I feel as though he's really been casting me out. I mean, you've been helping those around here too and you still spend a lot of time with Max. He's not doing the same with me."

Jane sighed, putting her sketchbook down as she finished. "I think you should talk to him about it. He's likely not even realised, and it's good to talk about your feelings so you're both on the same page."
"Yes but what would I say to him? That I feel left out? That sounds stupid compared to the weight of the other things he's been doing."
"No it doesn't. You won't know what he'll say unless you talk it out, and he's not the type to argue, you know that."

He nodded, leaning his head back against the trunk. "Yeah, I suppose you're right. I shall talk with him tonight."

Max came outside at around 12 pm, watching as Mike seemed deep in conversation with Jane. She walked towards them, a slight frown on her face.

"Good afternoon." She greeted, bowing to the Prince and Princess. "What are you two talking about?"
The Princess smiled as she saw her, "We're talking about how I think Mike is taking way too long to make a move on Will."
"I did make a move! I kissed him!" He exclaimed.
"Yes when you brought him to Hawkins almost a year ago, that doesn't even count anymore!"
"Well of course it does!"

"The last thing you did was a year ago?" Max asked, disappointed as she sat down, looking at them.
"No-! We've held hands and I've talked to him a lot..."
"I talk to Lucas a lot, doesn't mean I'm dating him." Jane scoffed.
"I sure as hell hope not." Max spoke, a small smile on her face.
The younger girl chuckled and the guard decided to leave the conversation and instead reattach a new bowstring onto her bow after the one prior grew too flimsy.

"Are you two even dating?" Jane asked.
"Yes, well at least I think so."
"You think so?" She repeated, unimpressed, "After an entire year you're still unsure?"
"We're just taking it slow!"
"A bit too slow! You've kissed once in 12 months!"
"Mm, I agree." Max nodded from a few yards away.
"You don't even know what we're talking about!" Mike shouted.
"So what? Can't I agree with my wife?" She argued back.

"See, Max and I got married and you two are still practically friends." Jane stated another point.
"Ugh, shut up Jane." He scoffed, a small yelp of surprise leaving his lips as a small rock hit him straight between the eyes.

"Don't make me test my new bow on you, Michael." Max warned, showing him the potential arrow.
Mike huffed, knowing she would actually do it if he antagonised her too bad. "Okay fine! But we're not friends! Friends don't kiss, well some do but-"
Jane rolled her eyes playfully, "Go talk to him Mike, I'm sure he'll be willing to hear you out and your doubts will vanish."

The prince exhaled, considering it for a moment. "Okay, I will speak to him then." He concluded, standing up. "I shall tell you how it goes?"
"Definitely. I'll be out here." The princess smiled lightly, "Now go." Mike left to go back inside and she looked over to Max, seeing her deep in thought.

"Are you okay, my love?" She called out, jumping off the branch and landing gracefully.
Max broke from her reverie, a soft smile growing on her lips as her wife walked towards her. "Never better." She replied, kissing Jane's cheek as she sat down in her lap, her sketchbook and pencil in hand. "What are you drawing?" She wondered, setting her bow down as she wrapped her arm around her waist, keeping her stable.

"A butterfly I saw." The princess answered, adding the final details to its gorgeous wings. "Do you like it so far?"
"I love it. It looks like a photograph, quite mesmerising." She complemented.
Jane smiled shyly, a faint blush on her cheeks. "I love you." She giggled.
Max grinned, resting her head on her shoulder as she watched her draw, "I love you more." She spoke, a warm feeling in her heart. Her wife was healing a heart she never broke, she was the reason for Max's happiness and she'd never be able to repay her enough for that.