The next day the Princess woke up in a bad mood; she kept making mistakes during her training. Finally, her teacher could not stand her behaviour anymore. "What is the problem, my princess?"
"I am fine," Jessica said, picking up her sword and ready for another fight, but her teacher did not respond. "You fight to protect your life and that of your people; you can not act absent-minded; in such a situation, you must focus. A good warrior does not just rely on their skills or their ability to fight, but also the ability to control their mind and emotions. Your father has so much faith in you; you can not let him down," her teacher encourage her patiently.
Jessica should have felt touched by his words, but they only made her feel more pressured. She had promised Ramsey last night to talk to her father; hearing her teacher's words only reminded her that her father would be disappointed. He had done so much for her; in all honesty, this was the first time he was making a decision without seeking her opinion.
"I will give you two hours to sort out your emotions. Then, when you return, I want to see a leader ready to lead her people to victory, A soldier that would not let emotions get them killed," her teacher said before walking away.
Jessica sighed and walked out of the training area to rest. Usually, when her master gave her a break, she went in for breakfast. But the break came before breakfast; even if it was breakfast time, she had no interest in food. So Jessica continued to stare into space for a long time.
An hour later.
"My Princess, it is time for breakfast. Would you join the King, or shall I have your table set here?" her maid asked.
"it's fine; I would pass," Jessica replied. She could tell her break was almost over, yet she could not sort out her emotions. The maid nodded her head and walked away. Once the princess does not want to eat, no one can change her mind.
"There you are," Benedict's cheerful voice was heard moments later.
"cousin," Jessica tried to hide her emotion.
"What is the matter?" Benedict stopped smiling and asked.
"What do you mean?" Jessica acted ignorantly. Yesterday she did not want to talk about it, but today she felt too disappointed in herself to share her worries.
"I thought we were friends now. You would even hide your trouble from me?" Benedict acted hurt.
"it's not that; you will soon know why I am sad. I guess father will make the announcement during the meeting today," Jessica replied.
Benedict looked at her, confused; she was happy to see for once that the Princess could not have her way but remembering her discussion with her mother, she decided to act on it.
"Is this about your marriage to the second prince?" Benedict asked with concern. She could never allow Jessica to see through her thought.
Jessica was surprised; she wanted to ask how she found out, but remembering her father was the King's brother, she swallowed the question.
"Dad mentioned it yesterday; this is part of the reason I came to seek you so early; I wanted to know how you are taking the news; after all, I know how much you love Ramsey," Benedict picked her words carefully.
"angry, frustrated and sad. Ramsey is not doing any better. I don't want to marry the second prince, I love Ramsey, but I am scared this time. Father would not listen to me," Jessica stated. "my dear cousin," Benedict pulled her into a hug to comfort her.
"I don't know what to do? On the one hand, is my father; I can not disappoint him, but what about Ramsey? He threatened to take his life. How can I bear to watch him do that or live miserably," Jessica complained. "I might be wrong, but I think you should go with your heart. You can not afford to throw away your happiness just like that," Benedict said. But, she knew her words might not be enough to convince Jessica; she wanted to be careful.
"happiness, where would I find happiness without my father's blessing," Jessica shook her head. Benedict cursed the Princess simply mindfully, but her face continued to show concern.
"Talk to uncle; I am sure he will listen to you. It is a known fact that your father loved and adored your late mother; surely he would not deprive you of that feeling, right?" Benedict said. Jessica thought of her father and shook her head; she knew the King very well, although he had done everything for her all these years and fulfilled most of her requests. However, she knew things were different at this point.
Her father had told her about responsibility, so she knew that this was not something her father would change his mind about, so when she heard Benedict, she shook her head. "unless I can be divided into two, one part for the second prince and the other for Ramsey, Father would never listen."
The two ladies looked at each other and fell quiet for a long time. They were both deep in thought. "this is a marriage between the two families, right?" Benedict suddenly asked after the long pause. Jessica did not understand why she would suddenly ask the question, but she replied. "I think so; the problem with Gousho royal family is that they don't trust us,"
"Then I will marry the second prince. In Your stead then," Benedict declared like a hero that has served a damsel in distress.
"What nonsense are you saying?" the Princess was taken aback.
"I am not talking nonsense; I am much of a Tait as you are; since they offer the second prince, how can they dare to ask for the crown princess?" Benedict stated as a matter of fact.
"Benedict, remember your root; the Tait are under the Spurs. This is the oath our ancestors have taken," the Princess reminded her.
"so? I am still a Tait; even if the King is just my uncle, I am still related by blood," Benedict said confidently.
"What are you saying? The imperial family may think we dare to deceive them," although Jessica was tempted, she did not dare think it.
"then uncle can adopt and name me a princess. I know how much you love Ramsey; I can not bear to see you two apart," Benedict insists on helping.
"no, no matter what, I can not treat you like this; this is my cup; I must drink of it. You don't need to throw yourself to shield an arrow for me. It is enough that you are here to listen to me complain, " The Princess rejected. She loved her cousin, so she did not dare take advantage of their friendship.