Masquerade {Edited}

Epilogue

Epilogue

In the eyes of the King

"We're here, your highness." The driver said, opening the side door for me. I got out and had a couple guards following me. I politely said hello to a few villagers as they looked my way and bowed in front of me. As I was almost to the bank for my monthly visit I noticed someone I had never seen before at a stand about a block in front of me. I watched her movement, it was elegant like. She held me captive. I watched a little boy run away from her and she ran after him, grabbing him forcefully and started to lecture him. As I walked closer I heard the voice, it was so familiar.

Every since the day I had found the note I often found myself wondering what I could have done to prevent Jane from leaving me. She was after all perfect. It was hard to wrap my mind around the fact she wanted to run away.

The pain I felt in my heart was overwhelming when I first found her letter. I knew something was wrong when Neville showed back up after the wedding. I could have prevented this from happening, but I didn't.

I didn't want to be the one who forced a relationship to end only for mine to stay strong. I was beyond thankful of Jane for giving me such a kind and compassionate village. The people were so considerate and giving, I tried my best to be a great King.

Often nights I would wake up and look outside the window at the moon, the same moon Jane could have been looking at. I would always wonder how she was, what she was doing, and if she was happy with her decision.

The worried thoughts came less and less as the duties of being King piled up on me. I was able to find a reasonable excuse for Jane's disappearance and eventually told her father the truth. When he passed however, he refused to let her be invited to his funeral. I agreed to his wishes but made sure Jane found out about the death.

After years of practicing, I was able to act normal and try to be the man I wanted to be. I still had a new wife to find, but I was giving it time. I wasn't going to force it this time; I'm going to let it happen as it happens.

I walked up to the little boy who ran away and the mother who was now lecturing the child. The voice brought back so many memories, some good but mostly bad. I felt my heart flutter for mere seconds before I realized she was no longer in my future.

"Is everything alright here?" I asked, watching her stiffen at the sound of my voice.

"Bow for the King, Ken." I heard her whisper as she bowed down in front of me. She ignored any form of eye contact, trying to calm herself down. She looked so familiar; I just had to make sure.

"Everything is fine, King, just a misunderstanding." She said, looking down at the boy who grabbed her hand nervously. Of course it was Jane, it was her voice; it was the way she elegantly moved. This was her son; I looked down at the kid who seemed to have her eyes.

"What did you want, young one?" I asked, getting down on my knee to reach the boys level. He looked scared, as he held on tighter to Jane's hand.

"I wanted to get a teddy bear for my new baby sister." He said, nervously. My mind went on overdrive. Jane was happy, with two kids. I couldn't be any happier for her. She got the life she wanted, with the kids she dreamed of.

"We can get you a teddy bear; we will get you the biggest one in that store!" I said, motioning for my guard to do as he was told. Ken's eyes widened as he smiled the biggest smile. Jane giggled; I felt my heart grow warm at the sound of her familiar laughter. I stood up slowly, looking at her curiously. She was nervous, she was afraid. A couple seconds later a guard came back out with a bear for the kid, handing it to him. I just wanted Jane to look me in the eyes; it's all I asked for. I wanted her to know, I knew she was fine.

"My sister is going to love you!" He said to the bear, trying to hold it up in front of him. The bear was the same size as he was and it was adorable to watch. Then, she smiled at me; it was breathtaking, she grabbing her son's hand and looked around uncomfortably.

"Well, I must be going home now, I'm expecting some company." She said, lifting the basket up to show me she was planning a dinner.

"Of course Lady, Go ahead." I said, moving aside to let her pass. She instantly looked relived as she practically ran away. I wasn't willing to let her go so quickly again, I needed just a few more moments.

"Oh and Jane," I started. Watching as she instantly stopped. She was caught, and she knew it now. She slowly turned around, facing me head on. I gave her a slight smile while I ducked my head respectfully after making long eye contact.

"I hope to see you again...." I said, loud enough for her to hear. I could see her eyes began to water as she looked at me, nodding her head. It was then she noticed a guard off to the right of me, Donovan. He was looking at her with a knowing smirk on his face, which I knew all too well. I turned around, and then followed by my guards as we walked towards the bank. I felt my heart slowly start healing itself, knowing she was happy and had kids.

"I told you she was doing fine, and with the help from you, she's great." Donovan said, clapping me on my back. Donovan and I were so close because he was the one to find them a week after they left. He had told me he was close to Jane and often let her sneak out of the castle; he was sure he would be able to find her. They were on the out skirts of town, hidden enough to be overlooked by our men. He raided their house and found a small piece of evidence, the note she wrote me and had kept as an old memory of her past that she took out of my hands the day she left. He told me, and gave me the address so I could send them some helpful money every once in awhile. I didn't trust the public to not follow where the money the King had sent, so I had him personally deliver it whenever they left the house.

"Hello King, would you like to send some money again today, sir?" The lady behind the desk asked me as we walked in. She was referring to me sending money to Jane. It's the only reason I came to town anymore.

"Yes, but can you double the normal amount, just this once?" I asked her while smiling. She nodded her head and grabbed an envelope, gathering a hand full of money and stuffing it into the paper. She folded the ends and sealed it shut, giving it to Donovan, who waited till the house was empty to slip the money onto the table, where it was noticeable almost instantly. Maybe now, she will realize I know where she's at, and I understand the choice she made. I'm happy, as long as she is. As long as she lives a long and happy life with her new found family.

My story isn't over. Now that I know for a fact and have seen with my own eyes that Jane is well, I'll be able to move on and find my own true princess and future Queen.

The End