Long Live

Chapter Two

Adele left her parents confused and enraged. She hated the thought of giving up her freedom so young. At twenty years old many people were trying to figure life out. What they wanted, who they wanted, and who they were.

Later that day she had a meeting with her military advisor, John. They had a pretty decent relationship, it wasn't all business with the two of them. She considered him a friend.

Slowly opening the door she lightly knocked, "Good afternoon John" she smiled at him, lighting up her blue eyes.

John quickly looked up at her getting flustered, "Princess, hi, I was just, you're early, please come in, sit down" he recovered the things off his desk as he waved her in.

"John how many times have I told you to call me Adele? We've known each other for years" she lightly laughed.

His face turned slightly red, "Right, Adele" John was twenty five and was the assistant military advisor. Adele dealt with him more then the royal military advisor, Paul. John was her advisor while Paul was the kings.

When she became queen, John would become the royal military advisor. She knew he was perfect for the job, his personality fit the needs of the people.

He looked nothing like he acted. His tall frame stood a little over six feet, blonde hair spiked down the middle, warm dark brown eyes. Many times he was shy, reserved. "So why are you here so early?" he asked shyly.

"I'm sorry I didn't know you were busy, my parents and I had a meeting and I was in town so I thought I'd drop by"

"No no I'm not busy"

"Great!" she smiled taking a seat in one of his chairs. He handed her the reports of supplies needed in each base. "Why doesn't base number seven have enough boots for the men?"

"The aircraft had some minor issues so it wasn't able to fly"

"Couldn't they load the supplies on to another cargo plane?" she quizzed him. If there was one thing she hated it was the fact that her soldiers didn't have enough of anything.

"Yes, it's heading out right now as we speak. I gave them permission to execute the supplies"

"Good" she examined the reports more closely. John leaned over his desk helping her understand some of the military terms.

He noticed how stressed she looked. Her eyes seemed red and puffy possibly from crying. John could not stand seeing a woman upset, it brought sadness upon him.

"Princess, are you alright?" he asked as she lifted her eyes off the papers onto his. Then he could see the gloss of tears that covered her eyes.

"I'm fine, why do you ask?" she put on a fake smile, trying to conceal her worry of finding a husband.

"You have anxiety written all over your face"

"Oh, family drama"

"Is there any way I can help?" he swallowed, trying to hide his nerves.

Adele stared at him not sure if she should confide in him or not. She did consider him a friend but they weren't extremely close. He was trustworthy, after all he was the assistant military advisor.

"No, thanks for asking though. I'm just having a hard time coping with the news"

"What news princess?"

She sighed, she needed someone to talk to, "In my grandfathers will, he wants me married before the age of twenty one to be queen"

"Oh" he couldn't find the words to comfort her.

She put the reports back on his desk and stood up, "Well I better be going, I have all the information I need"

"What are you going to do? You're single right now aren't you?"

"Yes I am single, my parents have this brilliant idea to put me on that television show the bachelorette" she said her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"The show where a single woman dates twelve men at the same time?"

"That's the one, personally I think it's ridiculous but my father already made the decision so I can't back out of it"

"I'm so sorry princess" he sympathized with her, it must be horrible for her to go through that. It was obvious she hated the idea.

She barely smiled at him. From the look on her face she was ready to crack. "Princess, I don't-" he was cut off by Adele crashing herself into him, bursting out in tears.

Stumbling back he wrapped his arms around her. He could feel her short breathes as she sobbed through the material of his shirt. Trying to be as comforting as he could he began rubbing his hands along her back.

Composing herself she pulled away. Tear stains on her cheeks, eyes pink from crying, make up running down her face. She looked like a mess, but to him a beautiful mess.

Before he could stop himself he reached a hand up to wipe away her tears and tuck a piece of hair behind her ear. She smiled grabbing a tissue from her purse.

"Sorry about that" she shyly apologized. It wasn't like her to just break down or at least in front of someone. "Oh no, I got makeup all over your shirt" she grabbed another tissue wiping off the stains.

"Princess, it's alright. I can wash it" John let his gaze fall on her concentrated face. Up close he could see the small freckles on her nose. He was slightly losing his breath at her touch on his chest.

"Well it's not off but better" she examined the mess of make up on his shirt. "Thank you John" she simply said before walking out the door.

He stood there in front of his desk taking in the moment that just happened. His princess was going on that horrendous show with twelve other guys. The only thing he knew, he had to get on there.