Jade was not enjoying the countless pairs of eyes looking her up and down as she walked the cobbled street of the city. It was beyond busy because of the market and she could see people everywhere looking at her and whispering things to the person next to them. Zachariah was too her left, the old knight to her right and a tense looking Ethan behind her. His hand was on his sword, ready for a fight as always.

"Hold your head up high. You are a Princess remember?" Zachariah whispered to her without so much as looking in her direction. Jade sighed and straighten her back. She put as much confidence into her walk as she could muster though inside she wanted nothing more than to hide behind a closed door. She wondered how the real Princess did it. Being in the public eye 24/7, expected to be the definition of perfect. It must take its toll on someone and it hadn't been till that moment that Jade has really come to understand the great pressure placed on a Princess. It seemed like a lifetime before they reached the wooden bridge leading out of the town and into the castle. They passed through the large stone archway and Jade looked up at the castle. One look and you could tell that it was old, it seeped with elegance that could only be gained with age. There were large stone eagles dotted all around on the rooftops, the stone guardians of the ancient castle. There were knights walking around the ground, each one stopped and bowed their heads as Jade passed. It felt weird, she hated it. She has never been one to be in the spotlight, she had always been your average wallflower and now it seemed like there were a million pairs of eyes burning holes in her skin. There were two large knights stood by the gigantic wooden doors leading into the castle, they bowed for a second and then moved to open the doors. Jade glance towards Zachariah as he waited for the doors to open. He was the picture of calm but nothing new there. He was so confident in everything he did but Jade assumed that that came from the fact he was older than the castle they were to enter. The amount of things he must have seen, experienced and learnt were things that a mortal would never be able to. As the doors opened Jade followed Zachariah into the castle. Jade looked around the room to have entered. It was a very long room, at the end she saw a throne. It was made of thick dark oak and it was covered in plush red cushioned on the seat and the back. 4 thick pillars were even spread out down each side of the room, supporting the abnormally high ceiling. Each pillar had a dark blue flag with the black image of a flying eagle. The Kingdoms flag. Each flag was huge and embroidered with gold at the edges, underneath each flag a knight stood. They were so still that Jade wondered if there were even really but one knight was swaying ever so gently from side to side and she knew they were. Jade and her small company followed the knight to the other end of the room and stopped by the throne. Jade's eye caught a side door to the left of the throne open and out of it came a small boy. He must have been no more that 15 but he was a small 15 year old. He had blonde hair cut in a prefect bob with crystal blue eyes. He was cute, in a little brother sense of the word. He wore a crown on his head, a cape on his back, a plain white shirt with a red velvet jacket over the top, completely covered in gold buttons. He had a small sword strapped to his waist but his frame and age told Jade that he had little knowledge of how to yield it.

"Princess Jade, welcome. I was not expecting you, I have only just been informed of your arrival." His voice, although high in pitch still, was commanding. The voice of a young Prince, a boy who grew up wanting nothing and expected everyone to treat him with the highest respect with no regard to his age.

"Yes I am aware. I do apologise for that, I had no idea I would be coming until yesterday." Jade said in the poshest way she could. She believed for a second that he would not believe it, that it was perhaps too over the top but he smiled and gave her a nod.

"Well as always you are very welcome. You are in rather unusual company though." The young Princes frowned at the single knight standing behind her and Zachariah.

"If I may your majesty I can explain that one." Zachariah butted in.

"Yes of course. Please do go on."

"Princess Jade has expressed her wishes to visit you for some time now after she found out of your father illness but the King naturally refused. However with the brewing war he thought it was perhaps a good idea to let her come here to show the Kingdom's support as well as fulfilling her own desire to see you."

"I see, well the visit is very much appreciated. I shall assume the little protection you bring with you is an attempt to travel undiscovered?" He asked looked directly at Jade. She nodded.

"It is. We thought it best not to draw the attention of anyone wishing to do me harm."

"A wise choice. Why are you accompanying the Princess Jade Zachariah?"

"I was visiting the Kingdom of Mountains on my way here for a personal errand and the King asked me to provide extra protection for the Princess on the way over."

"And what might this personal errand to my Kingdom be?"

"It is in pursuit of the sapphire I gave to your ancestors many years ago. I believe it to still be in your treasury."

"I can assure you that it is, why are you in need of it?"

"With all do respect your highness I would rather not say. A wizards work is often private and unseen by humans, even by Princes but if it provides any reassurance I shall personally return the jewel when my business has finished."

"I understand, I believe that should be fine. I'll have it arranged to be retrieved for you."

"I thank you for your generosity Princes Francis." Zachariah nodded respectfully to the young Prince as he turned his attention of Jade.

"My lady, would you care to join me in the gardens? I feel we have much to discuss." Jade glanced at Zachariah. She had half expected to leave as soon as he had got the jewel, yet she thought now that they would not be leaving so soon. Granted, it would have looked rather suspicious to do so but the more time she spent in the company of him the more chance there was of him finding out her secret. The thought of being alone with him made her nervous, she seemed to be doing a good job of convincing him but both Ethan and Zachariah were with her. They were there providing comfort that she would not have alone in the gardens with him. Zachariah had nodded ever so slightly, signaling for her to go with him.

"I would love to." She answered him with a smile. The Prince turned to his side and held his arm out for Jade to take. Jade glance back at Ethan who stood behind her still, watching her interaction with the young prince but offering no word of objection, not offering Jade the escape route she desired. Jade turned and smiled gracefully at Francis as she took his arm. He then began to lead her away out of the throne room though the right hand door. Jade's heart was becoming faster with every step she took away from the protection that both Zachariah and Ethan provided her. Jade flinched at the sound of the wooden door closing behind her, almost sealing her fate. She was alone now, alone and scarred.

"Are you alright Jade? You seem uneasy." Francis said with a concerned look on his eyes. She noticed the causal way he addressed her, up until then she had never just been Jade. She has always been called my lady or your highness. Hearing her name made her feel a little more at home, more herself.

"I am fine thank you. Just concerned for your Father." She lied.

"Yes you and rest of the Kingdom it would seem. My Father is dying, I know that and it pains me but I have done all I can and nothing has worked. He has expressed his will for me to take the throne after his passing but the council do not want that."

"Well why not?" Jade asked as Francis gently lead her round a corner of the castle.

"They believe I am not ready, that I am still too young. Too inexperienced."

"But you're their Prince, if you don't take the throne then who will?"

"A regent will be elected to rule the kingdom until I turn 18 years of age. Then I shall become a King in my own right." Francis stopped them both at a small wooden door at the end of one of the many stone corridors of the old building. "I have been preparing my whole life to take this throne. Father has taught me well, made me sit through countless hearings and trials to see how a King should govern his people. I feel I am ready but there are those that doubt me."

"Then prove them wrong."

"Excuse me?"

"Take that crown and be the King then think you can't be. Show them that you know what you're doing and that they were wrong to ever doubt you." Francis smiled.

"It's a nice thought Jade but you and I both know that it is not that simple."

"Maybe not but you are the Prince and your Father is the King. If he wishes you to take the throne then what right to a bunch of old farts have to deny you want is yours by birthright?" Francis looked taken back. She had slipped. A princess would never say something like that. Her hands began to sweat, she was done for it now. A few seconds went by that felt more like hours went by before Francis began to laugh. It grew louder as it went on, echoing of the walls of the castle.

"Oh sweet Jade, your timing for this visit could not have been better. I have been in much need of a friend as of late and there is no better friend than you." Jade let out a small sigh of relief.

"Well I am glad." Francis smiled at her and tapped twice of the wooden door before them. A few seconds later it was opened by a guard and Francis gestured for her to walk through. The door lead outside and as Jade walked out into the most beautiful garden she had ever seen. There were flowers of all shapes and sizes, organised neatly in countless wooden boxes. There was a giant stone fountain in the middle with an proud stone eagle sat in the middle. The sun shone of the top of the castle at just the right angle to glisten of the clear water's surface.

"I find this time of day is the perfect time for a walk in these gardens." Francis said appearing at her side.

"It's beautiful." Jade gasped. She saw Francis smile at her from the corner of her eyes.

"Yes and what better way to make a beautiful garden even more beautiful than with you present?" Jade looked at him and found herself blushing at his comment.

"Thank you." She replied. She had no idea what else to say. Francis was the Princess' childhood friend and not to mention only 15 yet he came out with such a flirtatious statement. Maybe he was simply being nice, maybe this was just how he was when others weren't around. She had learnt very quickly that royals had two personalities. One for the public and then the real them. Maybe she was overthinking it but it seems to be something more than a simple compliment. Francis slowly began walking, looking behind him waiting for Jade to catch up. She shook her head slightly and walked to his side. He held his hands respectfully behind his back as he walked beside her, being careful to walk at her pace instead of his own.

"It might seem like a rather strange request but do you think your Father would permit you to stay the night here?" Jade's mind went wild, what was he asking her?

"I'm not sure, why do you ask?"

"I am hosting a ball tonight. It was not my idea but the council think it would be a good. A display for the people that the monarch remains strong and productive despite the dark times we are currently in. I would like for you to join me, a displays of our Kingdoms strong alliance."

"I see." Jade's mind began to calm. She had instantly thought the worst of him when he asked her to stay the night after his comment. "I would be delighted to but it is not entirely my decision."

"Yes I completely understand that, however if you came here to show your kingdoms support for mine, to prove to our enemies that our alliance remains as strong as it has always been, do you not think that attending my ball with me would be a perfect way to do this?"

"Well yes but..." Jade trailed off. Could they really afford to spend the night?? They only had a month and although there journey had been smooth sailing she had no idea what might happen down the line.

"But what? What is it?"

"I will have to consult my party. Zachariah has been tasked with returning me to my Kingdom. He might not wish to spend another night here."

"I see. Yes the wizard can be stubborn at times. Consult him and return to me with your decision, I'm sure your Father would support this should you find yourself able to stay."

"Yes I think so too, thank you for the invitation."

"The honour is all mine." He said with a warm smile...