Arrival at the palace 2

The King's composed exterior showed signs of wear as he moved closer to Jane, his shoulders slightly slumped. The powerful gaze he usually held now glimmered with unshed tears. "Miss Woods," he murmured softly, almost like a whisper, "I'm not speaking as a king right now, but as a father. My son… my Dubois… he's all I have left."

Jane's heart ached at the pain in his voice. She couldn't help but notice the King's fingers tracing the intricate pattern of his royal signet ring, a nervous habit that made him seem more relatable and less like the formidable figure she'd initially encountered.

"Our kingdom needs him," the King continued, his voice gaining a bit of strength. "But more than anything, I need my boy back. You might be our only hope."

Jane's thoughts were a chaotic whirlwind of emotions. Compassion tugged at her to help this grieving father and the troubled kingdom, but fear tangled around her stomach like a vice. Marriage? To a prince she had never even seen? The weight of such a choice loomed over her.

When she finally opened her mouth to speak, the words escaped her. Her gaze drifted from the King's pleading expression to the opulent marble floor and back again. The luxurious grandeur of the throne room felt stifling, a stark contrast to her simple life back home.

"I…" Jane started, her voice barely audible. After clearing her throat, she pushed on. "Your Majesty, I'm genuinely moved by your situation. I really am. But this... it's just a lot to take in."

The King nodded, a flicker of understanding igniting in his eyes. "I get it, my dear. I realize the weight of what I'm asking."

Jane nervously played with the end of her braid. "Could I… could I have some time to think this over? It's not something that should be rushed."

"Of course," the King replied, straightening slightly, his regal demeanor returning. "Take all the time you require. But remember, every moment counts for my son."

As Jane curtsied, her mind raced with the impossible choice ahead of her, and she couldn't shake the thought: how had fate brought her—a simple farm girl—into this moment of destiny?

Lord Edmund's footsteps echoed through the dimly lit corridor as he led Jane to Prince Dubois' chambers. The flickering torchlight cast dancing shadows on the stone walls, amplifying Jane's growing unease.

"My lady," Lord Edmund said in a calm, steady voice, "I must prepare you. Meeting His Highness may be… overwhelming."

Jane swallowed hard, fidgeting with her sleeve. "I appreciate your concern, Lord Edmund, but I've cared for the sick before. I'll manage."

A faint smile appeared on Edmund's face. "Your strength is commendable, Miss Woods. It's just what our kingdom needs in these difficult times."

They stopped in front of a sturdy oak door. Edmund placed his hand on the ornate handle, looking into Jane's eyes. "Are you ready?"

Jane took a deep breath, steeling herself. "As ready as I'll ever be."

The door creaked open, revealing a chamber heavy with shadows. Thick velvet curtains blocked much of the light, allowing only a few beams to penetrate the gloom. Candles flickered in their holders, their soft glow barely illuminating the lavish decorations.

Almost instantly, Jane's focus was drawn to the imposing four-poster bed that dominated the space. There lay Prince Dubois, still and silent beneath silken sheets.

"Oh," Jane whispered, her heart tightening at the sight.

She approached cautiously, her footsteps muffled by the thick carpet. As she got closer, the prince's features came into sharper focus. His skin was pale, almost ethereal, contrasting with the dark hair that fell across his forehead. Only the shallow rise and fall of his chest indicated he was still alive.

"He looks so... young," Jane breathed, her voice trembling.

Lord Edmund nodded somberly. "Eighteen years old. A life barely begun."

Jane's hand trembled as she reached out, hovering just above the prince's still fingers. "May I?"

At Edmund's nod, she gently placed her hand over his. His skin felt cool, a wave of sorrow crashing over her for this stranger she didn't truly know.

"What was he like?" she asked, her eyes fixed on the prince's face. "Before the accident, I mean."

Edmund's voice softened, heavy with affection. "He was spirited. Always seeking adventure, much to the frustration of his tutors. But he had a good heart beneath all that mischief."

Jane absentmindedly stroked the back of the prince's hand. "It's not fair," she whispered, more to herself than to Edmund. "So much potential, so many dreams… just waiting to be realized."

As she looked at Prince Dubois, the hopes of the kingdom felt like a burden weighing heavily on her shoulders. Here she stood, a simple farm girl, at the bedside of a comatose prince. It felt like a fairy tale, but far more daunting than she'd ever imagined.

Her mind raced, and she took a shaky breath, her voice barely audible. "I... I don't know if I can do this."

Lord Edmund moved a step closer, offering a reassuring presence. "Your Highness, no one expects you to have all the answers. This situation is… unprecedented."

Jane locked eyes with him, searching for comfort. "But what if I fail? What if I can't wake him?" She glanced back at the prince's still form. "I'm just a farm girl. Until today, I'd never even left my village."

"Maybe that's precisely why you're here," Edmund suggested softly. "A fresh perspective, unclouded by politics and expectations."

Jane furrowed her brow, contemplating his words. Her fingers instinctively tightened around the prince's hand. "I've spent my entire life feeling trapped," she admitted. "Always longing for something… more. But this? It's so overwhelming."

"Change often is," Edmund replied. "But remember, you're not alone. The entire kingdom stands with you."

Closing her eyes, Jane drew upon the quiet strength that had seen her through many hardships. When she opened them, a spark of determination flickered in her chest amid her swirling fears.

"I… I'll try," she declared, her voice finding its strength. "I can't promise miracles, but I'll do everything I can to help him."

Lord Edmund nodded gratefully. "That's all anyone can ask, Your Highness."

Taking a deep breath, Jane braced herself for what lay ahead. "Then… I accept the proposal. I will marry Prince Dubois."

The weight of her declaration settled in the air, heavy with destiny. As Jane looked at the prince, she felt a mix of apprehension and hope fluttering in her chest, pondering the secrets hidden behind those closed eyes.

"What happens now?" she asked softly, yet resolutely.

As Jane walked through the royal corridors after leaving the prince's chambers, the echoes of her footsteps mingled with her racing thoughts. The grandeur that had once awed her now seemed to taunt her with its opulence. Gilded frames and elaborate tapestries blurred before her eyes, her mind consumed by the enormity of her decision.

"Am I truly ready for this?" she whispered to herself, her voice almost swallowed by the expansive space. The strength that had carried her through years of challenges now felt delicate, like a frayed thread beneath the demands of a kingdom's hopes.

Turning a corner, a servant hurried past with a quick bow. "Your Highness," he greeted, a title that still felt foreign to Jane.

She managed a nod, her brow furrowed with uncertainty. "I'm sorry, but I'm not very sure where I'm going," she admitted, her humility shining through despite her new royal status.

The servant's eyes widened slightly. "Of course, my lady. The royal apartments are just down this hall and to the left. Would you like me to show you the way?"

Jane shook her head, managing a small smile. "No, thank you. I think I… I need a moment to myself."

As the servant bowed and slipped away, Jane found herself drawn to a large window overlooking the palace grounds. She stopped, resting her hands on the cool stone sill as she gazed at the sprawling gardens below.

The meticulously groomed hedges and vibrant flowerbeds stretched out before her, a striking contrast to the wildflowers she cared for back home. A gentle breeze wafted in, carrying the sweet scent of roses mixed with the earthy aroma of freshly cut grass.

"It's beautiful," she whispered, her eyes misting over. "But will it ever truly feel like home?"

Watching a pair of butterflies dance among the blossoms, Jane's thoughts turned to Prince Dubois. She pictured him before the accident—full of life, curious, maybe even a little rebellious. Her heart ached for the freedom he had lost, a feeling she knew all too well.

"We're both trapped now, aren't we?" she mused aloud, tracing patterns on the windowsill. "But perhaps… together we can discover a way to find freedom."

A quiet resolve began to fill her as she straightened her posture, squaring her shoulders. The path ahead was uncertain, riddled with challenges she could hardly comprehend. Yet as she took one last look at the gardens, Jane felt a flicker of hope kindling within her.

"I might not belong here yet," she murmured, her voice gaining strength, "but I will find my purpose. For you, Prince Dubois, and for myself."

With a deep breath, Jane turned from the window, ready to face whatever awaited her. The corridor stretched out before her, leading toward a future interwoven with a prince she had yet to truly know and a kingdom now looking to her for salvation.