James POV
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I pushed Cora's door open after nocking lightly a few times but heard no response. She sat on her bed staring blankly at the wall, her black hair in a tangled mess as her eyebrows were turned together in a frown. She didn't blink once or move a muscle since I entered the room.

I have never seen her like this.

"My lady?" I asked as I Approached her.

She snapped her head to look at me before her face became Solid again.

"He sent you here to replace her didn't he?" She said knowingly.

"Yes, your uncle said that beth fell ill and needed someone you could trust to take care of you while she's away." I lied.

I had known of her uncles evil plan since he felt very generous in telling me every detail. He told me how he would use beth to Persuade Cora, he told me about his plan to have Cora kill the prince on there wedding night. he said he wanted the Baby all for himself so he could rase him to be the future king of both kingdoms and do his bidding.

"That's a lie." She spat at my words with Disgust towards her uncle.

I prayed she wouldn't tell me anything. I prayed that whatever her plan was that for once she wouldn't tell me. I wanted to help her the best way I could and the only way for me to do that is to not know anything, that way I have nothing to tell king Xavier.

"He has her locked up. He is holding her to make sure I do as he ask's"

Please don't... I thought to myself

"Why don't you go get her back?" I asked. "Just use your skills to set her free, you know those guards won't have a chance."

She ran her hands over her face then stood up and starting pacing the room.

"You don't think I thought of that James? I have, countless times. It would be so easy to get beth to safely." She said as I stood waiting for more.

"But then what? My uncle would just find another poor soul to torment, like you James. He could get to you, harm you. I couldn't live with that. I won't."

He already got to me.

It would never stop, he Would never stop till She gave in.

My heart felt like a brick wall inside of me. Her voice held so much concern for me that I thought it might Break.

She was right. Her uncle would keep hurting innocent people until Cora did as he asked. Cora was powerful but how could she possibly fight someone who with one word could have a entire village Executed.

"I don't want to hurt him." She said and I could only Assume she was talking about William. "But I might have to."

•••

I stood in king Xavier's room awaiting his presents since he requested me to speak with him this evening. I kept putting my hands in and out of my vests pockets nervously. He pushed the door open and came in, immediately walking to his desk and sitting down. He propped his legs up on the desk as he crossed his arms and looked at me.

"Good news I hope?" He asked.

"Tell me boy" he warned after a long moment of silence. "What did she say?"

"She's going to do it." I said with my head hung low. "She says she can't let you hurt anyone else."

He smiled wide and rubbed his hands together madly.

"The heart is always your weakest asset. It would be wise of you to remember that." He said as the door was pushed open once again and a woman came in.

A woman with hair the Color of fire. She looked very familiar.... Ruby?

"Ahh yes, I almost forgot." Xavier said
"This is ruby. Williams manservant's cousin. I bet that William tells everything to that mangy little servant.. She's going to help us find out if there's anything Fishy going on on Williams end."

"I guess you could say you are working together" he said.

Ruby looked to me and smiled through her red lips as she spoke "Partners!"

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Partners!!!

Short chapter but much needed.

Please vote and comment your thoughts!! (Mariska98)