Lost Royalty

Chapter 31

Chapter 31

"Have you heard?" James' friend asked him as he walked through the centre of Grea.

"Heard what?" James asked suspiciously. The girl hadn't even said hello to him, and instead had just started talking.

"There is to be another meeting with the king's representatives. Oh, I wonder what it will be. Last time it was the news of the dance!" the girl carried on, but James stayed quiet. He smiled slightly.

"Why are you smiling? You know what it is about, don't you?" She asked.

"Perhaps," was his reply.

Of course he knew what it would be about. It was his job to break the news of the princess's return to the castle.

"Oh, come on James. I simply must know!" she begged him.

"I'm afraid you will have to wait," He laughed slightly at her disappointed face.

"Fine!" she finally said.

The meeting was set to be in a few minutes, and already the village square was looking very busy.

James was nervous about talking in front of them all. But he would do it for Elle.

"Are you ready?" Oscar asked when they reached the steps up to the village hall. They would pose as a stage for James when he broke the news.

"They are going to be so shocked," James muttered quietly. "They ignored and overlooked her for so long."

"It's something that they will just have to live with."

"I suppose so. Although I am shocked that my sister and Mrs Ovens managed to keep it a secret."

It was time for James to speak, so he made his way onto the stage. He turned towards his friends and neighbours, all with curious looks on their faces.

"People of Grea," he began slightly shakily. "I have news from the royal family. I'm sure you remember that the second daughter, Princess Elizabeth disappeared around nine years ago. The story given to you was that the princess was dead. But that was not the truth. In fact, she had been missing for all of that time, completely alive."

There were shocked noises from the crowd, but James ignored them.

"The Princess has been living in this village for a long time now. She has gone by the name of Elle Winters." The gasps were clearer now, and the shocked faces of everyone in the crowd were almost comical.

"I'm sure that you will be pleased to hear that Elle has been safely returned to her family. The kidnapping was a plot against the throne, and everyone involved has, or will be locked up for life."

James could see Oscar and a guard leading away Mrs Trivilla.

"Now, I have offers for several people. To begin with, Mrs Ovens we are in need of a tailor at the castle. If you are interested in the role, we would be very grateful."

Mrs Ovens was smiling widely at the idea of visiting the castle.

"I also have a few invitations to a royal ball that is being held for the princess."

Several people looked excited at the prospect, and James was sad that only a few would receive invitations.

"The princess had decided herself who she would like to invite. The first invitation will go to Gemma Parsons. Secondly, the daughters of Mrs Ovens will receive invitations. Elizabeth would like to thank you for sharing your dresses and giving her anything that you had finished with."

The girls were beyond excited.

"And finally, to Miss Delilah Trivilla. Although you weren't the kindest to Elizabeth, she would like to thank you for all that you did in the end. We might never have found her otherwise."

James quickly finished his speech and stepped down from the stage. Delilah was waiting for him.

"She really invited me?" Delilah asked, still in slight shock.

"Yes, she did."

"Can you tell her that I am sorry? I realise that I should never have listened to my mother." Delilah seemed so sincere.

"You can tell her yourself when you come to the castle for the party," Oscar said from behind them.

With one last grin, Delilah left them.

"What now?" James asked.

"You can waste time until the morning. I have some business with the mayor. Is your mother okay to let me be a guest for the night?"

"I haven't asked, but I assume so," James said, before spotting his grandmother in the crowd.

"James dear!" She gave him a big hug when he reached her.

"Now, I want the truth. Are you in love with Princess Elizabeth?" She asked, grinning at him. James' blush said it all.

"I have something to show you," she said, and he followed her.

****

Celebrations were in full force across the entire kingdom. The excitement was clear, and it seemed that even the weather was excited about Eliza's return.

It had been a beautiful day, adding to the joy all around.

"Are you serious?" Gemma asked her brother.

"I've already told you. Yes, I am serious." He answered for the fourth time.

"Oh, I can't wait! I actually get to go to the castle." She danced around t the thought.

"Is that all you are excited about? You will be meeting royal people." James said.

"Yes, but I have already met two royals!" she said, "I have only heard about how wonderful the castle is!"

Her excitement was very funny, and James couldn't help but laugh.

"Maybe you will meet a wonderful prince and you will get married and live in a faraway land," he teased his sister.

"Will there be princes from other kingdoms?" she stopped dancing around for a moment.

"Well, I assume so," James replied.

"I'm so excited," she repeated.

"I had no idea," James teased.

As they were sat down for dinner, James' mother approached a subject that James had been dreading.

"Now James," she began, making him tense in anticipation for what was to come. "It's high time that you settled down. You need to find a wife and have children."

"Maybe one day, mother," James blushed slightly.

"There is plenty of time for that," James' father added. "I would like to know about James' job."

James sighed in relief and started telling them about working for the king. But he was soon interrupted by his mother.

"I'm serious James. I would like to have grandchildren one day."

Oscar and Gemma were in fits of laughter.

"Yes mother."

"What about that lovely Delilah?"

His mother missed the horror on his face.

"I saw her mother taken away today. What was the reason?" James' father asked.

"She helped to send Eliza away." Oscar replied instead.

"I see."

A/N- There aren't many chapters left...

I hope you enjoy this one :) Thanks for all of my lovely comments! I will go through them at the end and dedicate chapters to the best commenters Xx

:)