James couldn't sleep that night. Clara's words echoed in his mind, and the threat she posed to Elena was something he couldn't ignore. He knew he had to protect her, but he also had to find a way to deal with Clara and his mother's incessant matchmaking. The stakes were getting higher, and he felt the pressure mounting.
Elena woke up with a sense of foreboding. She tried to shake it off, but as she got ready for work, she couldn't help but feel something was amiss. Her thoughts drifted back to Clara and the unsettling encounter at the café. She decided to call James to check in on him.
"Good morning, James," she said when he picked up.
"Morning, Elena. How are you?"
"I'm okay. I'm just... thinking about yesterday. Is everything alright with you?"
James hesitated for a moment before answering. "Yeah, everything's fine. Let's meet for lunch again today, okay?"
"Sure, I'd love that."
They met at the same café, but this time, James seemed distracted. Elena noticed and decided to confront him about it.
"James, is something bothering you? You seem... off."
James sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's Clara. She's becoming more of a problem than I anticipated."
Elena frowned. "What do you mean?"
"She's obsessed with me. And she's made it clear she sees you as a threat."
Elena's heart skipped a beat. "What are we going to do?"
James reached across the table, taking her hand. "I won't let her hurt you. But we need to be careful."
As they left the café, James received another call from his mother. He sighed and answered.
"James, where are you? Jane, the third princess of Scotland, is still waiting to meet you."
"Mom, I'm really busy right now."
"No excuses, James. Come to the palace immediately."
James looked at Elena apologetically. "I have to go. My mother is insisting I meet someone."
Elena nodded, understanding. "It's okay. We'll talk later."
James reluctantly made his way to the palace, where he was greeted by his mother and Jane. Jane was beautiful and elegant, with a regal air about her. But James couldn't help but feel that something was off.
"James, this is Jane," his mother introduced them.
"Nice to meet you," James said politely, shaking her hand.
"The pleasure is mine," Jane replied, her eyes glinting with curiosity.
As they sat down to talk, James couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. He glanced around the room but saw nothing out of the ordinary.
Later that evening, as James tried to relax, he received another message from the unknown number. "Meet me at the old pier again. This time, I have something important to show you. -C"
James felt a chill run down his spine. He knew he couldn't ignore the message. He drove to the pier, his heart pounding with anticipation.
When he arrived, Clara was there, but this time she wasn't alone. A figure emerged from the shadows – it was Jane.
"James, we need to talk," Clara said, her voice eerily calm.
"What is she doing here?" James demanded, pointing at Jane.
Jane stepped forward, her expression serious. "There's something you need to know, James. Clara and I... we've been working together."
James's eyes widened in shock. "What are you talking about?"
Clara smiled coldly. "You see, James, you're more valuable than you think. We have plans for you, and Elena is just in the way."
James felt a surge of anger. "I won't let you hurt her."
Jane's expression softened. "James, you have to understand. This is bigger than just you and Elena. There are... political implications."
James's mind raced. "What are you saying?"
Clara stepped closer. "We need you to marry Jane. It's the only way to secure peace between our kingdoms. If you don't, Elena will be in danger."
James clenched his fists, his heart pounding with rage and fear. "This isn't fair. I won't be manipulated like this."
Jane looked at him with sad eyes. "Please, James. Think about it. For everyone's sake."
James stood there, torn between his love for Elena and his duty to his kingdom. The weight of the decision was crushing him. He knew that whatever he chose, there would be consequences.
As he drove home that night, his phone buzzed with a message from Elena. "James, I need to talk to you. It's urgent."
James's heart sank. He knew he had to protect Elena, but how could he do that when the people closest to him were plotting against them? He knew that whatever he decided, nothing would ever be the same again.