The Princess and Her Savior {Liam Payne AU}

Chapter 9: Right Here Right Now Is All That Matters

Beth's POV

As we walked back into the castle, Garrett was waiting there for us. "Are you ready, your highness?" he asked me and I nodded looking back at Liam who just smiled at me. I smiled back before walking towards the top of the staircase.

"Can we have everyone's attention please? The princess has a Royal Announcement to make!" Garrett announced gathering everybody's attention including mother and David.

My heart was pounding as nervousness took over me. 'You're doing the right thing honey, follow your heart'the voice was my father and I took a deep breath and smiled. "These past few weeks have been nothing but the best of my life and the thought of having the throne as Queen was something I had wished for, but if I did marry I wanted it to be for love and not for any other reason" I stared down at my mother and David who had smiles on their faces.

"So, with all that being said, I chose someone who share the same vision as me and my father to make our kingdom a better place for everyone-"

"Which would be me, Prince Gabriel" his voice made me turn and look at him with disgust as he came next to me. "Glad you finally came to yours senses" he whispered in my ear wrapping his arm around my waist.

"Actually no, I chose Liam Payne, son of Geoff and Karen Payne" I announced pulling out of his gripped and watched as Liam walked out and took my hand. "Guards, please escort Prince Gabriel to his chamber" I said and two guards came and grabbed Gabriel and dragged him away.

"I present the royal engagement of Princess Elizabeth and her chosen fiancé Liam Payne" Garrett announced and everyone cheered and clapped which made Liam and I smile at each other before making our way down the staircase where his family were waiting for us.

"Oh congratulations you two" his mother said hugging us first. "Our little brother is getting married and to a princess" his sister Nicole said as she and Ruth hugged us. "Never expected that" we all laughed.

"Hey, what can I say? You can't help who you love" Liam said kissing my cheek. His dad hugged us more tightly then the others and I could tell he was getting emotional as his wife. "Our son is engaged to a beautiful girl and he's finally happy and oh there is just so much excitement" his mother said crying.

"Oh, Mrs. Payne-" "Please call me Karen" she insisted as her husband held her. "Karen, I just want you to know that I care so much for Liam and trust me the proposal was unexpected and I was just like you are now in tears" we both giggled and she took my hand that had the ring and admired it. "It was a perfect fit, this ring has been in our family for a very long time so I bid you take very good care of it" I smiled and hugged her in reassurance before letting Liam walk me around and receive congratulations from all over the ballroom.

"Oh, I think there is something you should see" Liam said as he walked me over towards this portrait of myself that had me in awe. "This is incredible, so very detailed and creative" "Thank you your highness" I turned and recognized the face.

"Zayn Malik, I might say you have won me over with this painting and I hope you would consider doing more around the castle" I offered and I saw his eyes widen. He came up and gave me a hug that surprised me before he set me down.

"I'm sorry, I'm just..thank you your highness" Zayn said nervously. I smiled "Call me Beth and you are very welcome" "Harry is ready to reveal the cake" Liam whispered in my ear. I nodded before we walked further down and saw everyone gathering up. I saw the curly haired pacing and looking nervous before he saw us.

"Okay, so Princess, I know you asked of me to make your cake to show off my skills and so I thought I should go full out and I guess you can say I overdid it or maybe didn't do enough but here it goes" he told me before turning around and removing the cover carefully that revealed a layered chocolate cake with white cream frosting across the top and chocolate covered strawberries around the edges.

"Oh my" I was speechless at the masterpiece of cake. I looked towards Harry who had a worried look on his face. "May I try a piece, Mr. Styles?" I asked and he nodded shakily picking up the knife that Liam quickly took from him.

"Maybe I should do it since you're shaking too much" Liam suggested before cutting a slice and placing it on plate before giving it to me. Taking a bite, I felt the soft and gooey favor of the chocolate melt in my mouth. "Well, your highness?" Harry asked me and I looked at him before taking another bite.

"Call me Beth and you're set to make the wedding cake" I said smiling enjoying every last minute of my slice of cake. Harry cheered as everyone clapped for him. "This cake tops everything, like nothing I've ever tasted before yet it's so rich and creamy please everyone take a slice of this" I said and everyone cheered as Liam and I got out of the crowd.

"Stop it right there, Elizabeth" I smirked knowing that dark angry tone of voice anywhere. We turned around and there stood an angry King and Queen before us. "May we talked to you..in private?" my mother asked me eyeing down Liam.

"Anything you have to say, you can say it in front of me and my fiancé" I told her grabbing Liam's hand which received a hard stare from David. "Very well, follow us" my mother said before turning and walking down the hall with us and David following. The room we had walked in was very familiar to my eyes as I noticed it was my fathers study. I squeezed Liam's hand catching his attention from my fathers portrait on the wall.

"Now, I don't know what is going on in that head of yours but you better start explaining right now, Elizabeth" David spoke first looking at us. "What's there to explain? I'm engaged to Liam and now the whole kingdom knows" I said blankly.

I knew this was making things worse but I don't care, this is my life not theirs. "By law it is said that the Princess meaning YOU is to marry a prince not anyone else" David said but I laughed. "That's not in the law book, my fathers law was never changed you just made it up so everyone would believe your word, but I knew better" smirking I took a glance at my fathers portrait and smiled. "But I'm the King which means my word is law" David demanded and I let go of Liam's hand taking a step forward.

"And I'm going to be Queen in just a week, so my power is only growing while yours and my mothers weaken, that's why my decisions were approved becauset hey had nothing to do with you" "I will not stand here and hear you talk this way to us" my mother finally spoke. I eyed her seeing anger in her eyes "Then leave, better yet I will, let's go Liam" I said taking his hand again and walking towards the door. "You are not marrying him! I forbid it!" that made Liam stopped and I looked at him confused.

He turned around and looked at David "You have had nothing but control over her life and now she's an adult meaning she can make her own decisions without consulting you" they eyed each other deathly. "So even if you forbid us from marrying, it would not be for long since she will soon be Queen with me by her side as King" I stood there in awe while Liam turned to look at me. "I think we're done here, shall we?" he said holding out his arm. I smiled taken it as we walked out of the room arm in arm back to the ballroom.

"Might I just say I'm so proud of you standing up for yourself" Liam whispered as we danced to the slow music playing. I giggled wrapping my arms around his neck "Thank you for standing up for me" I told him and he smiled down at me. "You're my fiancée, it's my job to protect you" tears came to my eyes as I pulled up to kiss him. I'm so lucky to have him here with me. This is what things will be like, me and him side by side working together and making things right.

"I love you, Liam" I whispered looking my ring and smiled. "I love you too" he whispered back and with that he brought his forehead to mines and we danced the rest of the night away........

Not for long