The Maze

We took off walking in the maze I knew Edward was watching but he stayed far enough back to give us the illusion of privacy. I was contemplating how I was going to work this situation to my advantage. I was not delusional enough to believe this could go anywhere.

Fairytales don't always have happy endings for people of my station. Even if I fell in love and wanted to be married the King and Queen would have to approve of the marriage. As much as they may have cared for me I was not their daughter and never would be. My happiness would not be taken into account

Although, if I played along with his little game I might have the chance to escape on my own terms with the money he promised to provide. I was daydreaming of the places I might go when that happens.

We were walking in silence and I was beginning to feel uncomfortable at the number of times I caught him staring at me. I stopped walking and turned to face him. "Do I have something on my face? Why are you just staring at me?"

"Pardon me mila... Emma," He caught himself before finishing. "I can't stop admiring how beautiful you look in the moonlight."

"Seriously, am I supposed to fall for that? I am not the typical princess you are used to that would fawn all over you and gush with excitement over the slightest compliment."

The prince feigned a shocked look taking pushing his hand into his chest. Before he began laughing, "Fair enough, you got me. Are you sure that didn't work maybe just a little?" He smirked at me trying to catch the slightest reaction.

"Oh, what a sweet foolish man you are. You really don't know what to do when someone tells you no. Someone who doesn't become a blathering idiot in your presence."

I heard Edward chuckle at my statement and Christian shot him a deathly glare. "Your assessment isn't wrong. Perhaps that is one of the things that intrigues me so much about you. If a woman is aware of who I am I don't typically have to put forth any effort as they usually throw themselves at me. It gets a little pathetic. It is why it is so refreshing that you couldn't care less."

"Thanks, I think? Let's be honest, there is no reason for me to kid myself. Sorry if that deflates your ego just a touch but it is what it is. I will honor your deal but you are wasting your time when you could be looking for a woman you could actually marry."

"Indulge me then, no harm no foul. In the end, we can go our separate ways and your future will be more financially stable. I will honor my word."

"I just don't want you to get the wrong impression. I have no intention of this going anywhere. I am doing this for the money."

"Well then, how about we go back to pretending I have a chance in convincing you. Would you tell me something about yourself? Do you have any family?" His eyes looked at me as he earnestly awaited my answer.

"I don't have any family, I was found abandoned in the stables as a baby. The Queen herself took pity on me and raised me alongside Isabella. We never discovered anything about my family. The only thing I have is a small locket with a strip of fabric it has some sort of crest design with the initials E. M. It is why the Queen decided to call me Emma."

"I'm sorry, that must have been difficult for you." He tried offering comfort.

"It was hard to miss something I never knew. Especially when I was really young the Queen was quite good to me. Even now I am afforded certain luxuries others only dream of. I just have to put up with Isabella's drastic mood swings."

"She is uh, hmm, how do I say this? She is quite something." He laughed. "I hate when princesses fawn all over me just because of my title. It doesn't help that my advisors keep pushing for marriage so I can accept the crown either."

"Must be so difficult having everything handed to you. Women falling at your feet just trying to desperately get you to notice them." Sarcasm dripping from my words. "Although, knowing Isabella is likely your greatest prospect maybe I should feel sorry for you."

"Exactly, I realize the chances of me marrying a woman I love is slim but being forced to marry a woman I despise. I would rather be single, not that my advisors would ever allow that. Although, ever since the moment I met you I have felt drawn to you. I had to know you, talk to you, kiss you. And I haven't been disappointed a single moment yet."

"Except for the obvious disappointment. When you saw me I was pretending to be something I am not therefore I am not a viable prospect." I looked down sullen.

"What did I tell you? None of that matters. You realize Saldonia is the largest, wealthiest, and strongest kingdom there is and I am the sole heir to the throne. The only thing standing in the way of me claiming it is marriage."

"I feel like we have been round and round over this. I cannot be married without the Queen's permission. The Queen is never going to allow me to marry you especially when her daughter has eyes only for you."

"And I only have eyes for you." He turned and faced me with a smirk on his face. We were off in a far corner of the maze people rarely made it this far in. Giving up and turning back before they were too lost. He looked around verifying we had privacy. "Tell me you aren't attracted to me as well."

He took a step towards me and I took one back only to realize my back was up against the wall. He pressed his body against mine pinning me there. His body so close to mine caused a shiver to run up my back. He leaned in close to my ear and whispered. "Can you tell me you don't feel fireworks when we touch?"

He placed kisses along my jaw until his lips reached my own. I felt his hand caress up my body slowly before it curled around my neck. He pulled me closer as he became more frenzied. I heard the moans escape from my mouth. It caused him to pull back a smile wide across his face.

"I'll take that as a yes." There was a wicked glint to his eyes. "What if I can guarantee you are allowed to marry me. Come home with me, you no longer have to be a member of someone else's court. You can help me rule a kingdom. Have your own court."

"I would say you are living in a fantasy world. I was never meant to play the main character in my life." I turned away from him and took a few steps away. He wasn't wrong there was definitely something going on between us. The thought of Isabella coming to my coronation made me smile. What sweet revenge from every moment she let me know she was better than me.

I felt him walk about behind me. His arms snaked around me from behind as he rest his head on my shoulder. "I don't need a desperate princess trying to raise her privilege beside me. I want you, someone to challenge me, disagree with me, put me in my place."

I sighed, "I can certainly agree that I will never be the woman to blindly follow. You would never be able to control me, I have spent far too long alone and independent."

"Tomorrow night, I have already set things in motion please, just say yes. You will understand when the time comes. I'll send a message tomorrow to Isabella requesting her lady-in-waiting's presence. How my steward is falling head-over-heels for her."

He kissed my cheek and I could feel the warmth as we just stood there for a moment. Before he rushed off bidding me farewell. Calling back, "Please, just say yes."

Could this be real? Was I truly about to become the Queen of Saldonia? I tried to keep my hopes in check but I was being overwhelmed by the fairytale that was my life right now.