Chapter 4

Jack ogled the princess as he followed her. 'Damn, she has a perfect body', thought James. He could not avoid staring at the Princess. She was a real beauty. After walking for a few minutes, they reached a huge gate. It was the entrance to the castle hall! Julie motioned her hands and immediately the two guards opened the door. As soon as they entered the hall, Jack was dumbfounded.

It was the most luxurious building he had ever seen! The walls were huge and filled with various precious stones of different colours which sparkled. The entire hall was covered with blue tiles which were so shiny that one could almost see their reflection in it. The entire hall was lit with bright lamps hanging from the roof which added to the beauty of the hall. It was truly an amazing sight.

"Hurry up, Hurry up!", Julie said impatiently. Jack suddenly came to his senses and followed the princess. After walking for a few more minutes, the Princess suddenly said," The King wants to see you inside", as she pointed towards a huge gate. It was the King's room! Jack did not know whether to laugh or cry. The king wants to see him! Will he be punished for assaulting the Princess? Jack slowly started moving towards the room

"Hey listen!", Julie said in a low voice. Jack turned around.What does she want now? "I wanted to Th-Thank you f-for saving m-me today", Julie stuttered. Her cheeks were red from embarrassment. She was the princess of the Annville Empire! How could she thank a commoner? However she was sorry that Jack had to get arrested and beaten up because of her when he was only trying to help her. She felt she owed him an apology.

However,Jack was stunned. As far as he remembered, the Princess was a bossy lady and had put a sword at his throat at their last encounter. What has happened to her now? "My pleasure, Your Majesty", Jack managed to say as he lowered his head to salute the princess

"You can call me Julie", cried the princess and she regretted it the moment she said it. How can a commoner call her by her name? However, she felt relieved. Jack seemed like a gentleman to her. Moreover she was a mischievous young girl who craved having friends and having fun with them. Because of the royal protocol she had never been able to make any friend. Jack was a well behaved boy and it seemed like she can be good friends with him

Meanwhile Jack was astonished. Is the princess trying to get him in trouble? He will be dead if someone hears him calling the Princess by her name

"As you wish, Ju-Julie. My name is Jack", Jack managed to say and immediately ran away to the king's room before the princess could say anything else .

....

Meanwhile at the King's room, King Richard was sitting at this throne in a royal fashion, with one hand resting on his thigh and the other touching his beard. He was a wise king who was famous for his governance and sense of Justice. The princess had told him about the incident happened to her earlier that day. She greatly praised Jack's skills.

Suddenly the door opened,"My King, the prisoner is here!", cried the soldier

"Let him in", said the king in a cold voice. He had made up his mind. He knew what to do with the prisoner.

The soldier bowed his head and marched out of the room. Moments later, a tall, handsome man entered the room. It was Jack.

As soon as Jack entered, he gasped in astonishment. The room was even beautiful than the castle hall! The entire wall was covered with gold on all four sides! The room seemed as large as a tennis court. It was filled with swords and ornaments, each of which was made out of gold and rubies. It was truly a heaven on earth

"So you are the one who saved the princess from those bandits?", the King suddenly said in a majestic voice. He was irritated that Jack neither greeted him or saluted him upon entering. Normally, the prisoners are ready to kiss the feet of the king upon entering. Jack suddenly came back to his senses after hearing the question. "Finally! The king came to know the truth", he thought. He could finally be free and go back to his farm

"Yes, Your Majesty", Jack said in a timid voice.

"The princess told me how brave and skilled you are. You must be a good soldier. Therefore I have decided that you become the Commander of the Royal Regiment forces", said the King

"What?!", Jack gasped in shock