Jade walked as close to Ethan as she dared. She felt a little awkward, she had made a fool of herself last night. She had been a mess and opened up to him about how lonely she felt. Yet he hadn't made fun of her, he had told her he understood.

"How are you really?" Ethan asked gently. Jade looked at him but quickly looked away when they made eye contact. Her cheeks were becoming flushed.

"My head's killing me...and I threw up everywhere..." Jade trailed off. Ethan smiled, that charming smile that made Jade's heart pang a little.

"Well you did drink an awful lot."

"Why didn't you stop me before?"

"It's not my place to tell you what you can and can not drink. Besides I was under the impression you needed it. You were tense ever since the night began and even more so after you appeared again after your private talk with Prince Francis." Jade sighed, she had forgot about that.

"He proposed." She whispered, just loud enough for him to hear. Ethan frowned a little.

"I see. Why would he do that?"

"Something about joining our Kingdoms in an alliance that was unbreakable and with being married to me he wouldn't need to rule with a regent until he turned 18."

"Seems logical but not something I see King Philip agreeing too. It's not practical for the Kingdom."

"Practical? This is marriage we are talking about." Jade said in a raised voice.

"I understand that but due to the royal blood running through the Princess' Jade veins she does not have the luxury of marry for love as I might. Her life is dedicated to the well being of the Kingdom, her fate and the Kingdoms fate are one and the same."

"That's sad."

"Perhaps but we all have a duty. Some more restrictive than others but duties that we must perform nonetheless...duties that prevent us from acting on emotions that we might like too." His last words were much quieter, almost inaudible but it did not go unnoticed by Jade. She glance at him, his eyes were glossed over. He was clearly thinking about something that he didn't dare say out loud. She wanted to know more, wanted to know what he meant. Hoping that somehow he was talking about her but she didn't ask. Afraid that the answer would be one that took that small hope she had away. She didn't say anything the rest of the way and neither did Ethan, consumed by whatever thoughts were running through his mind. They arrived at the large wooden doors that would lead them into the room where to see Prince Francis. The two guards stood at the door saw them approaching and bowed, Ethan dropped back a few feet and the door were pulled open. She sighed, this was not something she was looking forward too. Jade stood up straight and strode into the room. Ethan followed silently behind, his hand on the hilt of his sword and ready for a fight as always. The doors shut behind them with an echoing thud and the young blonde haired Prince looked up from the large piece of paper in front of him. He clearly his throat and stood up as she approached the table, smoothing his red velvet jacket as he did. Jade nodded to him and looked to the only other place set on the long wooden table, it seemed ridiculous to her that they would use such a massive table and sit at either end of it when there were only two of them eating.

"Good morning Jade, how did you sleep?"

"I slept very well thank you." She replied as cheerily as her thumping headache would allow her.

"I'm glad, I have already taken the liberty of making sure that you have enough provisions for your journey home. Zachariah tells me you shall be leaving soon after breakfast." Jade frowned a little. He hadn't told her that, in fact she hadn't see the dark haired wizard since before the ball the previous evening.

"Right...yes of course. Thank you, I do not think it a good idea to stay for too long. The King would want me back as soon as possible."

"Of course. Please join me for breakfast." He said gesturing towards the lonely chair at the other end of the table. She smiled, nodded and went to sit down. Before she got to her place she saw Ethan, he had moved from behind her to pull her chair out for her. She smiled at thank you to him and sat down. She watched at Ethan then silently retreated a few feet back. Prince Francis clapped his hand twice, an action that echoed throughout the stone halls and caused the two side door at in the corners of the room to enter. Maids seemed to flood into the room, all carrying silver trays covered with silver domes. Jade watched at the surrounded the table, gently placing down the plates, covering them and left without a word. They seemed to all move in perfect harmony, like clock work doing the same dance they did everyday. The arrange of food on the table was beautiful but to Jade to seemed over the top. There was too much food on the table for two people, there looked to be enough for feed at least 20. Jade assumed that most of it would be thrown out after they had finished eating. Jade looked down at the empty silver plate in front of her. There were 3 different sized forks to her left and 3 different sides knives to her right. Which ones was she supposed to use for breakfast? She looked around at Ethan. He stood near the back of the room with his back to the wall but she found him looking at her. The two made eye contact for a second but Jade quickly turned back around when she felt her face becoming redder. Where exactly did she stand with him? He had agreed to be her friend when they were in private but what exactly did that mean? As far as she knew nothing had seemed to change between them. The maid turned and silently surried out of the room. Jade watched as the Prince began to serve himself some meat from a nearby plate and grabbed a handful of perfectly grown purple grapes. She watched him carefully, observing his mannerisms so that she could convincingly copy them. She waited until she saw him pick up the set of knife and for furthest from his plate before she made her move on the array of food before her.

"How is the King this morning?" Jade's questions seem to echo of the cold stone halls of the room.

"He is unchanged. The doctors are however with him night and day, attending to his every needs in hopes that his condition will improve."

"Do you believe it will?"

"I could not say. My Mother fell ill much like this, the doctors and nurses could not do anything for her. I suppose that only time will tell. I have however spoken to him about the subject which I spoke to you about last night." He was talking about the proposal, Jade thought. She shuffled in her seat, she was already uncomfortable.

"And what did he say?" Jade asked nervously as she got her knife and fork and dug into the soft cheese she had placed on her plate.

"He said that he understands where the council are coming from and that it is a good idea however he also understands your concerns with the arrangement. He does not wish for you to feel that this is something you have to accept in order to continue receiving our Kingdoms support."

"It is not my place to accept or deny it, that power lies with my Father alone." Jade saud trying to keep the bitterness from her voice. She still hated the idea of having no power of this kind of thing.

"Yes I understand. I have tried to persuade my Father against the idea but I believe he plans to go ahead with it regardless. The benefits to our Kingdom are too great to not give the idea a chance."

"And what about the benefits to my Kingdom?"

"I will admit there does not appear to be many. In my eyes it will only complicate things. You and I are both sole heirs to our thrones. If we were to marry we would spend all our time apart in our separate Kingdoms, it would leave little chances to produce heirs. Even when we did there would be questions about which Kingdom the child would rule over."

"That's why I was to be married to the second Prince of the Kingdom of Grass and not the first. That way he would still gain a Kingdom of his own whilst securing an alliance between out Kingdoms."

"Exactly. It would, in my eyes at least, be illogical for our Kingdoms to be joined in marriage. There would be too many complications with it. Although it has been done before."

"Well then let us pray that my Father see the issues with it and chooses to reject the propose."

"Yes let us hope." Francis agreed. Jade picked up the silver goblet in front of her place. She didn't look what was in it but as soon as the strong ale smell invade her nose she felt herself gag. She quickly pressed her fingers to her mouth. Throwing up at the breakfast table in front of a Prince would not have been a good way to start the day. She waited for the feeling to pass before placing her goblet back down. She was thankful to see that the Prince was too busy in his own world of chicken and cheese to notice what had happen. Jade looked down at her plate but unable to bring herself to eat anymore she very gently places her knife and fork together and placed her hands on her lap.

"Have you seen Zachariah this morning?" She asked the young Prince opposite her in hopes that making conversation would take her mind of the fact that her stomach was unsettled. Francis looked up and nodded slightly.

"Yes I saw him this morning. I last saw him being escorted to the family treasure to retrieve that jewel he came for. There are so many precious gems down there that the guards did not want to run the risk of getting the wrong one." Francis picked up on of the handkerchiefs near him and wipes his mouth. He took a small swig of ale and then stood up. "Are you finished with you meal?"

"I am thank you."

"You did not eat much, was it not too your liking?"

"Oh no it was lovely, I'm just not feeling too great this morning." She confessed. The Prince gave her an understanding nod as she slowly stood up herself.

"Well I hope the feeling passes but if you feel you are too unwell to travel feel free to stay here as long as you need."

"Thank you but I'm quite alright." The Prince gave her another nod before clapping his hands. The room was filled with maids in a matter of seconds, all beginning to clear the table. France began to walk towards Jade, the maids weaving around him, being careful not to get in the way. He gestured for Jade to follow him and the two began to walk out of the room. Jade was very aware of Ethan as he slowly began to follow them out keeping his distance still. He was like her personal guard dog.

"My Father does send his deepest apologies for not being able to see you on your visit. He worries you might think him rude."

"No not at all. If he is unwell I would prefer he rest and recover." Francis smiled at her answer.

"Thank you for your understanding. My Father has always been the kind of man to put on a strong front, he worries that being seen in his somewhat weakened form will have others doubt him. For now he has locked himself in his room and only allows the doctors and I to come and go as we see fit."

"That makes sense. Let us pray then that he makes a speedy recovery."

"Indeed." Francis agreed he stooped and waited for the doors to be opened. The two stepped through the stone archway when they had and nodded to the two knights bowing to them as they passed. "The horses that the three of you came here on have been well taken care of in the small farming village we have on the ground." Jade had completely forgotten about the three horses they had left by the waters edge the morning before.

"Thank you."

"It was my pleasure. I have arranged for the villagers to bring them to the drop off point for when you arrive back on the ground. I fear I have kept you long enough already, I do not wish for your Father to worry."

"No of course not but we shall be home by nightfall I imagine."

"I do hope so." Francis stopped walking suddenly, Jade stopped a few paces ahead of him and turned to see what the problem was. "I am in need to attend to some business this morning. I shall be sure to come and bid you farewell before you leave however in the meantime please feel free to roam the gardens and castle as you please." He smiled at her and bowed. Jade returned both the smile and curtsied to him in the most elegant way she could manage.

"Thank you very much for your great hospitality." She said softly. The Prince stood up and shot her one more smile before turning on his heels and walking away. Jade stood and watched as he steered around the corner before letting out a deep sigh.

"Are you alright my Lady?" Ethan asked cautiously coming to her side. Jade nodded.

"Yeah I'm fine. Let's go and find Zachariah..."