Alex was done.
After numerous events with Lavinia, Cecilia and Alice, he was just completely done. He couldn't stand it anymore. If he had to fake one more smile or make more small talk, he'd explode. Alex could take it most of the time. After all, he was a prince and diplomacy was his thing.
This was different. One of these women was expected to be his wife. He'd choose between lifelong boredom (Lavinia), being underwhelmed (Alice) or complete and utter misery (Cecilia). Alex knew that his father was pushing for Cecilia. He just couldn't marry that woman. She was everything he hated in a person. He couldn't have her as a mother to his children.
The deadline was looming and Alex had made a decision. It was Eliza or nothing. He just hoped that his parent would agree. Heck, he just hoped that Eliza would want to be his bride. If his parents consented then surely Eliza would. Such a blessing from the King and Queen would surely soothe Eliza's worried mind.
He'd shirked his duties for the day. No fencing with Gabriel. No archery practice. Today was the day that Alex would finally speak his mind.
Having affirmed that his parents were in their shared study, Alex was ready to roll. He hasn't got a clue as to what he was going to say. He supposed he'd just say what he was thinking. All he wanted was the chance to be with sweet Eliza.
It made him chuckle slightly. Alex had mocked Eliza for liking romance stories yet he felt as though he was in one when he was with her.
He was in love with her.
Alex threw the doors open to the study. The King and Queen both jumped in shock as Alex strode in, his face determined.
"I have made my decision."
The King had been about to scold Alex for walking in without knocking, but this news made him bite his tongue. He'd had enough of Alex's wavering. That boy needed to choose his bride and continue the line. There'd be no putting it off any longer.
"I want to marry Eliza."
"Who?" the King thundered.
"Lady Elizabeth Greystone. She's my choice."
"She is not a choice, boy."
"I don't care. I want to marry her."
"You are to be wed to one of the women selected for you. I don't care about whatever girl you have taken a fancy to."
"Eliza means the world to me. I...love her, father."
"You may think that, but you'll learn to love one of the others."
"I don't think it, I know it goddamit! Eliza is everything right with this world. She is pure and kind and warm. I'm happy whenever we are together."
"I'm sure she's lovely, but I still don't care. She's not one of the three."
"So what? It's not like she's a peasant, her family is noble. Eliza...Eliza is amazing father, you will love her as much as I do. She's so kind and selfless- she loves the people and they'd love her right back. I mean she's so intelligent too and well-educated in social graces. Her family is wonderful. You'd never have a problem with them. Eliza just has this thing about her. She would be the finest and most honest counsel that I could ask for. Oh and she loves children dearly. You should see her with her sister. I have no doubt that Eliza would be an excellent mother. If anyone was the mother of my children, it'd be her. Please father, you must understand the depths of my feelings for her."
"Your Majesty, she is a wonderful girl," the Queen addressed her husband in a plea, "I know her to be the very best of the young women of court. Like our son, I know she'd be a perfect candidate for future Queen. If anyone is to follow me then I'd want it to be her. She makes our son happy, dear. The deal with the other families is not set in stone. Let our boy be happy."
Alex thanked God for his sane mother.
"No."
"You chose mother over more appropriate candidates!"
"Your mother was a candidate herself."
"So you wouldn't have picked her if she weren't?"
"Well she was, so it doesn't matter."
"I want to marry Eliza."
"You are a prince. Sometimes you must do things that you don't want to do in order to do your duty. It'll be the Countess, Lady Alice or Lady Lavinia. Deal with it. The Lady Elizabeth will surely flee your mind."
"She will not. Eliza is the girl I love."
"You'll just have to learn to love your wife."
"I won't."
"You will."
"If I can't marry Eliza, I'll abdicate."
The King and Queen froze in shock.
"You will do no such thing!"
"I will. I'll abdicate and you can find yourself a new heir to the throne."
"You are our only child."
"Well you should have thought of that then."
"Our family has ruled Lyle Hill for hundreds of years. I am not having you break that rule. You will be King and your future son will be King after you. I will not have anyone else."
"Let me marry Eliza and I will be king."
"You won't dare abdicate."
"I will if it means I get to be with Eliza."
"I cannot let this happen."
"Well then my mind is made up. If I'm not allowed to be with Eliza, then I'm walking away from all of this."
With that, Alex walked out.
His heart was beating far too rapidly but he felt all the better for it. He didn't care what his father said. Eliza was the only woman he wanted to be with. He frankly wasn't too bothered if he angered the old families. It wasn't a legal requirement anyway and besides, the girls wouldn't be spinsters.
There was only one thing he could do right now.
Alex rushed to the Greystone house. He was sweating by the time he approached a servant.
"Is Lady Elizabeth home?"
"She's out walking on the back paths."
"Thank you."
He was lucky that the back paths were close to the Greystone place. Eliza was soon within sight after some more jogging.
"Eliza!"
She turned around and curtsied.
"Your Highness."
Thank goodness she was alone, that made things easier.
"I want to marry you," Alex blurred out as soon as he was close enough.
Eliza's eyes widened.
"Your Highness, we discussed this."
"I don't care. Eliza, I want you to be my wife. It was never just a crush. I mean every word I said about wanting to be with you. The other girls were never for me in the way you are. I just told my parents."
"What did they say?"
"No."
"As I'm sure you would expect."
"I told them I'd abdicate if I couldn't with you."
"What?" Eliza managed to get out, "You cannot be serous."
"I am. Deadly serious."
"You cannot abdicate. You are the heir- the only heir I may add!"
"It'll be fine. I cannot pretend it would be easy at first but I'd still get an allowance and we have your family's money too. I don't care about being a prince. The only thing I care about is you."
"I cannot be the reason why you break your parents' hearts."
"Like I said, it'll be fine."
"Your destiny is this kingdom. The people love you. Remember the fire? That was you proving why you're the right person for this. You are going to be the best king Lyle Hill has ever seen. There is no way you can give it up for me. I won't be your wife if it means you abdicate."
"Would I not make you happy?"
Eliza sighed, "My happiness is not important here. You are the future king. I couldn't, in good conscience, deprive you, your parents and the kingdom of what it meant to be."
"What if I abdicate anyway?"
"Then I wouldn't marry you," Eliza primly replied.
"Eliza please..."
Alex was interrupted by the sound of clattering hooves and a wild neigh. There was a shout of warning but it all happened too fast. Before Alex could understand what was happening, he saw Eliza lunge forward and push him aside.
With his bottom firmly on the ground there was nothing he could do. The horse hit Eliza and she immediately went flying through the air.
She landed with a crack, unmoving.
Ooh, cliffhanger.
Next Time: Alex anxiously waits for Eliza to wake up as guilt consumes him.
Thanks again and don't forget to like/comment. We're in the final home stretch now xxx