Chapter 12: Surprise Visit

James nervously grabbed his grandmother's arm, nudging her into the corner and asking, "What do you mean, my fiancé?"

Queen Angeline looked at him, a smile never leaving her face. "You know what I mean." She outstretched her hand towards Princess Elizabeth, who immediately stepped forward and placed one of her hands in hers. The queen then grabbed James' hand with the other, "Your marriage will be the final symbol of our alliance with Kingdom Macula."

James pulled his hand out of Angeline's and turned his attention back to Emelia. The shock on her face was clear as day; it was written across her face like a book. He wanted to assure her, but how could he? Regret washed over him as his heart seemed to rip into a trillion pieces in his chest.

Servants entered the room, and Angeline gave them a nod to head over to Elizabeth. "Please show Princess Elizabeth to her room." The servants agreed and cleared the way for Elizabeth. Angeline turned her attention then to Emelia. "Emelia, be a dear and help Elizabeth get settled in."

Emelia finally coaxed a smile from one corner of her mouth, and she looked up with tears in her eyes. "Of course," she said weakly.

Elizabeth took one step forward. She firmly stood her ground toward James, whose gaze never left hers; at that moment, all of the throes and desires of Elizabeth's heart were laid bare for him to see. "I'm glad to see you again, James," she stated as her heart was beating wildly within and her words choked up inside her throat only to trickle out barely. "I look forward to being your queen." she continued with a solemn bow before leaving the room.

Emelia gave one last meaningful glance at James; his eyes told her not to go, but Emelia could not bring herself to stay. She only replied with a loving smile and reluctantly followed Elizabeth out of the room.

As soon as they left the room, James turned back to his grandmother, "Leon said he was fighting for another way for the alliance to be secure, and dad was on board." He said, his voice trailing off in frustration.

Queen Angeline fanned her left hand out to look at her nail polish, "Well, your dad wasn't there. I was."

James looked at her with realization, "You pushed for this?" James asked incredulously.

"Of course, darling. Everyone knows a marriage between kingdoms is the best route for an alliance." Angeline replied with her lips curled up in a smug smirk.

James's stared with wonder. He shook his head back and forth, "How could you do that?" He said almost angrily, not wanting to accept this decision.

A smile emerged on Angeline's face, and she put her hand on James' shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze before walking to the door. She paused with her back towards her grandson, "You will thank me someday. The whole kingdom will," she said, exiting the room and leaving James alone.

* * *

After Emelia helped Elizabeth get settled. Emelia returned to her room. She picked up her brush and brushed her hair in front of the mirror. While staring at herself, she repeatedly heard those haunting words with each brush stroke, "Your fiancé." The gentle tapping at her door knocked her out of this trance and pulled her back to reality. After brushing through all the tangles, Emelia put the brush down on her vanity, stood up, and opened the door to reveal James waiting behind it. Before Emelia could ask him what he was doing there, James barged into the room, moving swiftly, almost without breaking his stride.

"I-" James's jaw dropped to the ground when he turned around and saw Emelia. Her hair was down, a rare sight for her usually reserved hairstyles, and it was enough to reveal the details of her elegant nightwear indirectly. She wore a silk and lace nightgown that gently blew in the breeze from the open window behind her. "You look-" the words wouldn't come. All he could do was stare.

He was entranced by her beauty that radiated from head to toe. James stepped closer and reached out his hand, resting his palm upon her cheek; she abruptly retreated from his touch. "Please don't," she whispered.

His hands found hers in the dimly lit room. He kissed her fingertips tenderly and then caught a glimpse of a mark on her wrist. He pulled her wrist more closely to examine it for a better look. "Why do you have a tattoo?"

Emelia’s hand recoiled from his grasp like a frightened animal. She quickly drew her sleeve down over the small black ink on her otherwise smooth cocoa skin as if it was something to be ashamed of. “It’s nothing,” she muttered. But for Emelia, the tattoo was everything - a reminder of a past she desperately wanted to remember but couldn’t.

He studied her, confused. He had grown up with her, known her for years, and never knew about the tattoo she was hiding on her wrist. The intricate design creeping along her skin seemed to suggest a life he didn’t know about – a life hidden behind closed doors. His brows furrowed as he realized how little he actually knew about her. “Not many people have tattoos, Emelia. Especially women. They are usually reserved for criminals and soldiers,” he said, concerned.

"I've had it since I was a child. Your mother knew of it and told me to hide it at all times," she said, walking to the window to gaze into the distance. The moon shone brightly amongst the darkness. At that moment, the grief of losing Lily hit her all over again. She pulled in the window and latched it shut. Emelia turned to James, "Please don't tell anyone," she proclaimed as he began to walk towards her.

He stopped and stared at her, his gaze lingering on the way her deep brown eyes pleaded with him. Despite his urge to demand an explanation, he held back, knowing that whatever she was keeping from him must have been significant. He had faith in her and trusted her judgment, "Of course, I won't." James gently grabbed her by the waist and pulled her to him. Their eyes locked for a moment before he cupped her cheek in his other hand and placed a soft kiss upon her cheek. "Everything will be alright," he assured her, the warmth of his breath caressing the skin below her ear. Overwhelmed, Emelia attempted to pull away but stopped when James held fast to her waist with a firm grip. Although she did not want him to leave, she felt too weak at that moment to fight against her affection for him. He tilted his head down to place another kiss on her forehead while reassuring her, "I'll fix this. I promise."