Royal Affairs

Chapter 6

(Ember's POV)

   We walked through the halls of the castle. Ann walked close to Jonathan. They were arm in arm and I found it hard to concentrate on what Sebastian was telling me.

   "Ember?"

   I turned to look at Sebastian who was staring at me. "Yes?"

   "Do you feel well? You seem a little...... I'm not sure but you are always so attentive but today you seem distracted," Sebastian told me.

   I wanted to tell him the truth but I wasn't sure what it was exactly. Was I really well? I just couldn't stand to see Jonathan with Ann. Why do I care? He seems happy, and I am happy. Or well I was. What was wrong with me?

   I sighed and instead looked at Sebastian and said, "I am fine. I just have a lot on my mind." It wasn't to far from the truth.

   Sebastian looked down. "I can see why. All the guards and being under constant watch must be hard."

   I looked in to his eyes and smiled. He understood. "Yes. It is very hard." He grinned and I felt heat rise to my cheeks and I turned away.

    We walked into the library and I stopped to gaze at the wondrous room. Every time I stepped in to this room I fell in love with it. I could understand why my mother liked it so much. It was elegant and just glorious.

    I followed the others through the doors that stood near the back of the room and led out to  the gardens.

   I stepped out in to the light and took in the beauty of the garden. In the sunlight during the spring the garden was one of my favorite places to be. All the flowers bloomed and flourished in the bright light.

   Jonathan stood to the side with Ann as she took in the view. I frowned and walked past them. I could hear Jonathan behind me as he talked to Ann. "It is wonderful is it not?"

   I walked through the gardens and vanished from their sight as I headed to the fountain beneath the willow tree that stood in the center of the garden. I made out Sebastian and eventually Jonathan's voice as I left their view as they told me to come back. I ignored it all.

    I reached the fountain and sat on the edge. I looked into the water and let out the breath of anger that had built up within me. I heard footsteps approach and I thought it was Sebastian or maybe even Jonathan. I looked up and found out I was wrong.

   Two men, both would be taller than Sebastian but neither would be taller than Jonathan, stood in front of me.

   One had short brown hair and he was the first to speak. "You stupid girl. You have guards for a reason you aren't supposed to leave them. Of course they could have paid a bit more attention."

   The other one chuckled. He had long wavy brown hair.

   I stood up. "What do you want?" I asked them.

   The first one laughed. "It's not what we want," with that him and the other man grabbed my arms and cover my mouth but not before I screamed.

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(Jonathan's POV)

   I hadn't even realized that Ember had left us until Sebastian started calling her name and telling her to come back.

   When she didn't respond Sebastian started to walk in the direction she had left in. I grabbed Ann's hand and followed him. When we came to a split in the path I cursed under my breath. "We must find her!" I yelled to Sebastian.

   He turned to face me. "You were supposed to be guarding her but instead you got distracted with her," he nodded his head toward Ann, "that you let her walk away and out of our sight."

   I frowned. He was right. It was my duty to protect her and I didn't do that. "We have to find her. I will take this path toward the fountain. Ann you must go with Sebastian."

   She looked at me. "Why can't I go with you?"

   I sighed in frustration. We were losing time. If Ember was really in danger we could be to late. "It would be inapropraite."

   "So would going with Sebastian."

   I didn't respond but turned to leave. Before I had even moved a step I heard a scream come from the fountain. With out wasting a minute I broke into a run.

  I didn't see the flowers that I trampled nor did I feel the thorns of roses that cut my flesh.

   I broke through the flowers and bushes to see two men trying to carry an angry and fighting Ember Dereverux.

  I could tell the men were winning but they were surprised to see the Princess fighting back. One look at Ember and I could tell she was frightened but she wouldn't let fear stand in her way.

   I jumped in to action immediately. With my sword at the ready I used the advantage of surprise to take out one of the men. The other one wasn't as easy.

    He had his sword drawn and was facing me. "I should have guessed guards would be around. Then again it was your fault we almost had her. The Princess isn't safe with you. The King has a fool watching his daughter." I didn't let the him continue but instead made my move. Striking out my sword pierced the man's skin.

   The man grinned and dropped his sword. "We will get her again." The man said his last words and I watched as he took his last breath. He laid in a pool of blood.

   A gasp from behind me had me turning around. I saw Ember. She had her hand over her mouth and I could see tears running down her face. I walked over to her and pulled her into an embrace. I was carful not to touch her dress with my bloody sword. "Its over now.Tthey can't hurt you," I murmured into her hair.

   Ember slowly wrapped her arms around me. "What did they want?" she asked quietly.

   I looked down at her. "I'm not sure but your father may know. Ember I am sorry. This was my fault. I was distracted by Ann. I wasn't doing my duty. I will tell your father that I am incapable of dong my duty and the withdraw from the position as your personal guard."

   Ember stood on her tippy toes and pressed a kiss to my cheek. She met my eyes. "No. You saved my life for that I am grateful. Don't withdraw from the position. I don't see Sebastian here, I see you. You saved me not Sebastian. You are capable of the duty."

   "We still need to talk to your father."

   She nodded and then turned away and slowly started walking toward the doors that led into the library. There we met up with Sebastian and Ann.

   Ann kept saying how she was happy I was all right and that I was brave for just dashing into danger. I didn't listen to any of it. All I could think about was that I could have and almost did lose Ember.