Jayden pov

As I left her room confident and excited, I happily went down to the foyer of the castle where I knew both gentlemen would be.

"Gentlemen, I have great news!"
I smiled widely while I saw them both jump up in a hurry.

"What is it?" Nate asked.

Jack just stood there quiet, with a look of anticipation on his face.

"The princess has made her decision, she shall marry me.
You are both free to leave back to your homeland."

Nate simply nodded and smiled.
"She chose a fine man, treat her with honor and respect. She deserves at least that much."

He walked back to his room.
Jack just stood there with the oddest look on his face.
It was pain?
Hurt?
Confusion?
I'm not exactly sure.

"Jack, are you alright?"
I said, completely and honestly wondering if he was.

"Y-yeah. I guess.
I mean yeah, it's just, well, I thought, never mind... Umm, congratulations on winning."

He gave a soft smile, one I saw trying to stop tears.
He ran to his room and didn't come out again for hours.
I sat in the foyer on a golden and royal blue throne looking chair, writing on a piece of parchment to send to my father the great news.

Jack's pov

I ran into my room, crying.
I had never cared about something or someone so much until her.
I knew it.
There's no way she'd ever love me. I'm just not perfect like Jayden is.
He's got the looks, the charm, the title, the princess.
What do I have?
Well, the title actually.
I'm my father's only son.
I'll become king regardless of whom I marry, but I'd give up the title if it meant I could take care of Rose.
I knew I should've walked her to her room no matter how much pain I was in from my stupid clumsiness with the knife.
Well, as long as she's happy, I'm happy.
I'm sure she'll be much more happy with Jayden, he'll make a fine ruler. Plus I heard her father talking about the marriage being a way to have their two kingdoms collide into one.
I guess I'll just pack and go home.
I'm sure she doesn't want to see me anyhow.
I started to pack up my things when I look and see a vase of roses in my room.
The princess loved them so much that she had every room in the palace showered with roses.
That's when I made up my mind.
I was going out to the garden and getting her the most beautiful rose
I could find.
I needed to thank her for everything. So I got into some casual clothes and went out of my room.
The tear stains have left my eyes and I'm now in a much brighter mood.
So I didn't win, I'm not upset as long as she's happy.
I smiled as I walked out into the foyer to go to the entrance of the castle.

Jayden's pov

"Hey Jack! Where are you going?"
I quickly said as I saw him practically running to get outside.

"I'm going outside."
He simply stated.

That was so not the answer I was looking for.

"Why are you going outside?"
I said curiously.

I wondered why.
What was he thinking and why wasn't he packing up to leave?

He just looked at me and said,
"Why do you want to know?"

I was a little upset now.

"Because, I'm curious.
You aren't packing up and leaving the palace?"

Jack's pov

"You aren't packing up and leaving the palace?"
He asked me with a firm tone.

I thought about it a while.
"No, actually. I plan on coming to your wedding, as well as making sure the princess gets back onto her feet okay.
I am going out to the garden at the moment.
I need to think and also, the princess loves roses.
So I thought I might bring her one."

I then walked out of the foyer and outside.
I headed straight for the garden when I saw a little girl on the way who happened to look a lot like Rose.
She wasn't as old, maybe nine or ten years old.
She ran up to me with her arms open wide.

"Help me find my sister!
Please!
I saw you walk out of the castle!"

Quickly I went down onto my knees. She was quite short compared to my height even though she wasn't that young looking.

"Your sister?
Well does she live in the castle?"
I asked.

She went up to my ear and whispered,
"My sister is the princess.
Can you help me find her?
I have to tell her that her mother, my mommy is still alive, but won't be if you don't help me!"

I looked at her with a shocked look on my face.

"Her mother is alive?!
You're her sister?!
Come on, I'll bring you right to her!"