Chapter twenty seven : Let me go
Jamie was sad to leave her castle but King Jared made a valid point that if she wants to be a warrior then she had to leave public eye and stay in the little cabin in the king's forest not far from home. Moreover, she was welcome to come and visit anytime of the day.
At the king's forest she could practice fighting without being under scrutiny and without bringing shame to the throne for acting in a none princess and unladylike manner.
She could discard the corset and uncomfortable gowns and exchange them with male tunics and comfortable clothes.
Annabelle and Edith packed the essential for her life outside the Castle. They weren't too sad to see the princess go. At least, the chances of getting in trouble with the king were a bare minimum in the foreseeable future.
King Jared stood outside on the royal balcony, hands akimbo. He watched his kingdom from up there. Namura was the biggest kingdom in the Eastern hemisphere and she was flourishing under his rule.
The sound of the bell made King Jared realize it was time to say good bye to his youngest daughter as she has to journey to the forest before nightfall.
He heard footsteps approaching him and he turned around to see Arabella approach him.
"Your majesty" Arabella bowed before her father before she approached him.
"At the moment Bella, I am just your father not the king. Do you think I did the right thing?" King Jared went back to starring at his kingdom.
"You did what a king was supposed to do. What you did, you do for Namura, Father" Arabella answered meekly as she stood beside her father.
"I know that as a king I did right by my kingdom but as a father, I can't help but feel like I failed Jamie. I do feel bad about what happened, Arabella"
"Do you, father? The council voted leniency but you overruled them with your kingly power and now, Jamie has to live in exile in a small forest. Worst, you made me lie to my sister about the whole outcome of the council's meeting. And now, Jamie thinks going to live in a forest was your way of looking out for her" Arabella was furious.
"Arabella, do you know what would have happened if I the king, consented to leniency over the abominable act your sister committed?" Jared questioned.
"Jamie will still be living in the comfort and safety of the castle, your majesty"
"Wrong, the lead knight would have no other options than to challenge me to a duel to the death and sir Zadok, won't stand a chance against me. Do you know what would happen if I killed my lead knight? Other knights' loyalty would be shaken and the kingdom would be in jeopardy and vulnerable for attack. More importantly, I will be the weak king that chose his daughter over his kingdom. I am your father Arabella but my duty is to my people" King Jared hoped his daughter might understand why he did what he did.
Arabella's countenance was unreadable. She just stood there with her hands clasped as her father explained.
"And your word is law, your majesty. May I be excused?"
"You are angry, Bella"
"Yes, I am angry father and sad too. Up until today, I thought you the kind of father that could go to war if need be for the sake of your offspring not advocate for punishment" Arabella knew she shouldn't speak to her father in that manner but she couldn't help herself.
"I did what I did for Jamie too. She would be happier in the forest and I would go to war for my children, Bella. But I can't go to war with Namura over something that could be prevented" King Jared told his daughter.
"Of course my king" Arabella made to leave but she stopped to ask a question.
"Father, I still have your blessing to wed Noel, right"
"Yes, you will wed the duke in four years time, when you turn twenty years of age"
"Thank you father"
Jamie watched both sadly and joyfully as her belongings was gathered in boxes. After she ordered the maids to carry them to her carriage, she stayed behind to collect the only item she had of her mother.
A painting of Queen Lisabeth of Namura now Banished. Jamie loved watching her mother's portrait in secret. Her father dare not catch her doing it. King Jared ordered for all of Lisabeth portraits and belongings to be discarded after she was banished a few days before Jamie turned two. She doesn't remember her mother much, just flashes.
Jamie doesn't remember how she came into possession of the portrait but she valued it. She liked watching her mother's features. She was a beautiful woman with fire colored hair. Jamie ran her hand through her black hair without realizing it.
After she hid the portrait among her belongings, she ventured outside to say goodbye to her family, for now, of course. She was coming back tomorrow for a visit.
King Jared, princess Arabella and Prince Elliott stood beside the carriage as Jamie approached them.
"Do you have everything you need?" Elliott asked her.
"Yes, I do. Do not act like you are not happy I am leaving, Elle?"
"I am over the moon, Jamie but...I will visit all the time...to annoy you of course and teach you some fighting moves"
Without warning, Elliott hugged her. Jamie was surprised.
"It's not like father is sending me on an exile. I am going for my own good. To be a better warrior and finally be able to defeat you"
"In your dreams, kid"
"Stop hugging me, Elliott!" Jamie said and pushed her brother away with an annoyed look. Why was he looking so sad?
"Be good. Remember to wear your corset, it good for your lady waist and brush your hair..." Arabella was cut off by Jamie.
"Stop fussing. You are not going to hug me like Elliott, are you?" Jamie asked with a frown.
"No" Arabella answered.
"Beautiful! Let's move this goodbye along, papa found someone to teach me archery"
Her siblings were acting like they weren't glad she was finally leaving the castle after years of suggesting to their father to sell her. Yes, Jamie knew of their banter.
Jamie went to her father and hugged him.
"Are you sure you want this? I could send you to your mother's village"
"Papa, I want to be a knight. And I can't be that if I don't train in all types of fighting. Please let me go. Please"
"Be safe, child"
Her father kissed her cheek and she entered her carriage. The king had earlier assigned four knights to patrol the king's forest and a slave girl, he specially picked for Jamie to be waiting for her when she get there.