A New Life

"Crash!" I winced as the plate fell.

I sighed and knelt down to pick up the pieces. I knew in a moment the head servant would come, yell at me, then slap me across the face. I hate this life. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if my parents hadn't been killed. The only relief I have these days is seeing Prince Jake.. We have to sneak around so a prince, even as much as a second born, won't get caught hanging around with some low life servant girl like me, but it's worth it.
  ...

It was finally lunch. I stopped by the kitchen to grab my lunch and then headed to the garden. I slipped past the guards into the garden where Jake should be waiting for me. At first sight I could see that he wasn't there. So I called his name a couple times , but noone answered. I shrugged it off and sat down near a flower bed.

30 minutes later , my lunch break was over, and he still hadn't arrived. Why did he not show up? Had he forgotten about me? When I walked back into the castle whispers filled the halls.

Lelia, the closest thing I had to a friend, came up to me, "Have you heard the news?" I gave her a questioning look, "Prince Jacob's gone missing."

Next thing I know, I'm galloping out of the kingdom on the back on a stolen horse, knife at my side. I had no idea where I was going, all I knew was that I had to find Jake. In just a day's time, I had reached a small stream at the edge of the forest.

I hopped off my horse and collapsed on the ground. I think about all the good times I've had with Jake. I told him  how my parents were killed by soldiers and I was forced to work as a servant. He was the only kind person I knew at the castle. I remember walking into a room seeing him launching a journal at the wall after another fight with his brother. He told me that he was tired of being overshadowed by his brother. Just then I realized where he was.

I leaped on my horse and set off for the kingdom of Northumbria. It was sunset when I arrived at the castle. I watched the guards patrolling the gates. I waited for the guard change and dashed into the back of the castle. Once inside, I sprinted up the stairwell. Since I was in a servant uniform I blended in, so I opened up random doors looking for where Jake could be. I heard yelling from down the hall. At first I moved slowly, but as I got closer I recognized the voice. I threw open the door and came face to face with Jake. "Willow," he said confused, "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same question." I. snapped.

"Willow," he said lowering his voice. I looked around the room realizing the others in the room, "Can we step into the hallway?" I gave a little nod as we stepped out of the room.

I looked down as my feet as Jake started talking, "Willow I need you to listen to me for just a minute," I nod, "I've told you before that I want to be King. Well, this is my chance."

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"What I mean is that this kingdom is giving me the chance to lead both them and our kingdom if I help wipe out ours"

"Jake! We can't destroy our kingdom." I shout.

"But Willow think about how that kingdom killed your parents and forced you to work." I look down at my feet, "And what about me? All I want is to, to make a difference. Please Willow."

"I don't know Jake," before I could finish he presses his lips to mine.

"You can be my queen. Just please let me do this." he says in a soft tone.
I looked him in the eyes, and I knew I had my decision.
...

It was a year later, we watched as the kingdom we never loved, go up in flames. I looked at Jake.

"We did it," Jacob said. I smiled, I leaned against his side. I had Jake, I had not one, but two kingdoms, and soon I would have a child. It wasn't the happily ever after I expected, but I'm glad it happened.