The Princess and The Assassin #Wattys2016

Chapter 9

Caleb, Ellie and, Connor are gathered around the living room with the television playing in the background.
"What's your plan with the princess?" Connor asked.
"Just take good care of her." Caleb said.
"But how are we going to do that when she's locked up?" Ellie asked.
I know, I want to let her go as well, I want her to be free, with...well Braden, just let her be with the love of her life. They love each other, right? Duh, that's why they're getting married. No! Caleb stop it!!! Don't let your mind be befuddled by your heart! Mr. Jones is counting on you. Caleb thought, but quickly said, "Just do the best we can, well  I guess we can let her out the tiny room and talk with us here."
"You know what, sometimes, you're really cold hearted." Connor added. They all stood up, opened the where the princess has been for a few hours.
The princess is crying, her filled up with tears, and sobbing.
"Aww, don't cry Princess Isabella, we're not mean people." Ellie said, hugging Isabella.
"Yeah, Ellie's right, don't be afraid." Connor added.
Caleb was just standing on the door, thinking to himself, Don't cry...I'll take good care of you, my princess.
Isabella was staring at Caleb, thinking, please, save me, I know you're a good person, please, I'm begging you.
They were staring at each other, their eyes, sparking, for a good minute, when Ellie interrupted, "Come on, let's go to the living room." And started walking towards the couch.
Isabella cautiously sat down the couch next to Ellie, while Connor on the floor even though there are plenty of chairs, and Caleb sat, a few feet away from Isabella.
"So, guys, what's your plan with me?" Isabella asked.
"Caleb is the one you should ask." Connor said, and everyone suddenly turned to Caleb.
"Mr. Jones has not given me any further directions about it." he said.
"Well what do you think?" Isabella asked.
"I really have no idea." Caleb quietly said, as a sign of disappointment.
"I'm begging you, please don't kill me, or my family." Isabella begged, looking straight at Caleb.
I won't, I promise. He thought, but Caleb didn't say anything, instead, he just nodded.
"So do you miss the palace?" Connor asked, out of the blue.
"Well, not really, the palace actually feels like prison, to be honest." she confessed.
"Oh really? I thought it's all fancy and everything is so easy for you. Anyways Connor and I have to go, it's getting late, and we have plans tomorrow, see yah!" Ellie said.
"Oh okay, bye." Isabella said.
Connor and Ellie headed out the door, and when the door shut, the house is filled with silence. Then, Caleb broke it by asking, "Um, what were you saying again?"
"Oh um, I have to follow the rules and I can't disobey anyone, because the country depends me."
"Kinda like my life." he said.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Well, Mr. Jones, and everyone else is depending on me, and he said that our future is on my hands, and I can never disobey him or mess up in anyone."
"Do you want to do what he wants you to do?" she asked, looking right at him.
"No, not at all. But I don't wanna disobey him, and he raised me and treated me like his kid, so don't want to repay him by not following his rules."
"I totally get you, I mean like my parents keep pushing me to do this and that and to marry Braden, when I don't want to."'she said.
"You don't want to marry him?"
"No offense to him, he's nice but I don't think he's right for me." Isabella said, frowning.
"Oh, um. Don't be sad, I'm sure your parents will understand once you tell them." he suggested.
"No, I don't think they will. Um can we please just talk about something else or just watch television?" she asked.
"Um, yeah sure." Caleb said.
They started watching a movie, but none of them are actually paying attention, instead, they are cautiously and constantly taking a glimpse at each other.
About 15 minutes, Isabella fell asleep on the couch. Caleb got up and carried her to her room. He placed her on the bed, stared at her, and whispered, "God, you are so beautiful, and so warm hearted. I promise you, I will not let you die, and I will protect you, my princess. Good night." and kissed her on the forehead.
He closed the door, and went to his room, and went to bed with a smile on his face.