Thief • Jay

Chapter 8

It's the day of our coronation. Ben as King and me as Royal Princess. I wore a yellow off-the-shoulder ball gown with gold accents around the waist. I rode in a carriage with Jay to the hall. Jay had on his red leather jacket and black skinny pants on with all of his hair slicked back into a low bun.

He was shaking his leg the entire ride with a small blue box on his lap.

"Why are you nervous? You do know both of our jobs are to sit and look pretty right?" I said. "Let's face it Jay, you're the prettiest of them all."

"Shut up." Jay said stifling a laugh while shoving me slightly.

"Hey look, there's that smile." I said, smiling as well. Jay took my hands in his hands and looked straight at me.

"Look, I'm sorry about the other day. I didn't mean to shut you out like that."

"It's okay. I understand. You had to protect your friends." I smiled at him.

"Well as a way to say I'm sorry, I made you this chocolate. There would be more but none of them turned out right." Jay opened the small blue box and showed me a single chocolate heart.

"Aw. I'm touched Jay. How'd you know I love chocolate? I think I'll have to try it now." I popped the chocolate into my mouth as Jay started to panic.

"No!" exclaimed Jay. Why is he acting so weird? It's just-

Oh I get it now. It's the reversal potion.

"What's wrong?" I asked after I swallowed the chocolate.

"Nothing! Just I wanted to know how it tasted. I was afraid you'd feel a little weird after having it." Jay tried to play it off and slowly sat back in his seat.

"You know I think I feel just fine. Just wait a few minutes for the potion to work it's magic and then we'll see." I smirked and waved to the crowd.

"Whaaaaat?" Jay drawed out. "Okay. How'd you know?"

Jay sounded defeated

"Ben." I said. "He told me after our date, gave me some water, and then it hit me. I was under a spell. But do you wanna know the funny part?"

"What?" asked Jay.

"It didn't change how I feel about you." I smiled at Jay. He smiled back at me and covered my hand with his.

Our carriage slowly came to a stop in front of the cathedral. Jay got out first as the guards were helping me get out of the carriage.

Ben was one landing ahead of us when Jay and I began to climb the stairs towards my parents. Jay held on to my right hand as I held my dress with my left. We climbed past the men playing a fanfare onto the landing with my parents, Ben, and Mal. I stood to the right of Ben. Jay bowed while I curtsied in front of my parents.

We moved closer together and Jay went to stand by Mal.

"About the other day, I just..." Mal began to say until Dad cut her off.

"I told my children this wasn't going to be easy." Dad said

"You also taught us that a king has to believe in himself." Ben said

"Even when it isn't easy." I said looking at Dad.

"I did?" Asked Dad. Then Mom hit him. "I... how very wise of me."

"Isabelle," Mom grabbed my left hand and grabbed Ben's right. "Ben, we are very proud of you two. Keep listening to your hearts."

We smiled at her.

"Thanks, mom." Ben and I said in unison.

Dad clapped his hand onto Ben's shoulder.

"You're gonna make a fine king." Dad said then he looked at me and pulled me in for a side hug.
"And you, my daughter, will be the best second in command there ever was."

I smiled at Dad as he took Mom's hand and walked away. Ben moved closer to Mal while I moved closer to Jay.

"Well. Wish us luck." Ben said as he grabbed Mal's hand. A guard cleared his throat as Jay took my hand and kissed it. He then let go, took Mal's hand and followed the guard to where they will be for the coronation.

Once they left the fanfare continued as Ben and I made our way through the cathedral's front doors.

"Ready?" Ben asked as the guards were getting ready to open the doors.

"As ready as I'll ever be."