Sorry I hadn't updated. I will explain later. Read this first. It's a big one to make it up to you. Thanks to keelykelly and Tilly006 for helping with the story. Enjoy!
Chapter-2 It's All Because of Her
Sandra had been staring at Zacharius, unconscious of what she was doing. He is so handsome. I wonder if he will like me. I can't believe they are willing to help me. Everyone is so kind here. She was interrupted from her thoughts when Zacharius spoke up.
"From the stories I have heard from Her Majesty, I am certain you can handle a sword quite well, Princess," Zacharius said.
"Thanks," she replied. She was blushing slightly, and trying to hide that.
"Zach, I will go and prepare something for Princess Sandra to eat. While I am away, please don't doze off," she smiled.
Zacharius frowned. "You know I won't," he said sarcastically.
Jade laughed and walked away. Her main point of that was to give the two of them some privacy.
"Lord Zacharius, do you and your friends combat each other or hold games like sword fighting, archery and all?" Princess Sandra asked.
"Well, we don't hold games for that but Steven and I do it sometimes. James doesn't really participate in our combats but he is the best swordsman in the whole of Swan Lake," he replied.
"My lord, would you mind if I challenged you to a combat?" she asked.
"Of course not!" He was a bit surprised at her request but nevertheless agreed. "And please, call me Zacharius or Zach, anything but 'My Lord'."
Sandra chuckled, "Whatever you wish … Zach." He smiled.
"So, Sandra, when do you wish to fight me?" he asked eagerly.
"I would love to do it now," she whispered in her breath but Zacharius heard it. "But you must rest now. You are injured."
"Then, whenever you wish," she said.
"Well, I would prefer after we defeat the wizard," he said.
She frowned. We don't even know if we will defeat him or not. "I am really becoming bored sitting here in this room."
"We could take a walk in the garden, if you will," he said trying to cheer her up.
"Of course, but wouldn't Princess Jade be angry with you if I were to go out?" she asked.
"No, I wouldn't," a voice came from the door.
Both of them turned round to see Jade standing at the door. Sandra turned away a bit embarrassed at what she had said. She didn't mean it in that way.
Jade smiled. "If it makes you feel better, you should go. And you would get to know each other better."
"Thank you, Your Highness," Sandra said.
Jade frowned. "Sandra, you are part of our family now, our family of friends. Please."
Sandra understood what she meant and finally gave in. "Alright Jade, but won't the others mind if I do so?"
"No. They would be happy," Jade replied. Sandra smiled in return.
"May I?" Zacharius offered his hand to Sandra.
"Of course," she took his hand and both of them exited the room.
Zach led Sandra to his favorite garden on Swan Lake. When they reached the spot, he noticed her face light up with pleasure.
"It's beautiful." She breathed.
"I'm glad you think so." Zach said.
They were quiet for a few moments as they walked. One thing that he couldn't help but notice was that the flowers seemed to bow towards them as they passed.
"The fresh air is so refreshing." Sandra said and the breeze whipped her hair around her face.
"Yes. I've always thought so." Zach said. He was trying to think of something to say. Anything! But his mind was drawing a complete blank. What do you say to a beautiful princess? "So… uh… you like gardens?"
"I was raised in a garden." Sandra answered "It was so beautiful until…" she sighed "That wizard attacked."
Zach watched her intently.
"He came in and destroyed everything." The princess continued "I tried to stop him. I tried everything, but…" she shook her head "He was too strong for me."
Zach smiled at her reassuringly "You tried your best. That's what counts."
"I suppose." Sandra shrugged "But now, he's coming here." She turned to face him
"But, I heard how y'all defeated Rothbart. So I was hoping you might have a bigger chance together than me alone."
Zach nodded "All we can do is try."
They were quiet for a few more seconds before Sandra turned and continued walking.
Zach watched her walk over to a rose that hadn't opened yet and touch it. Almost immediately, the rose's petals unfolded.
He was about to ask how she did that, when she turned to him and smiled "How about a duel?"
Zach laughed as he reached for his sword "As you wish, Your Highness."
"So, let me get this straight, you plan to walk all the way to the Dark Tower and then attack it by surprise? Lu, are you crazy? Do you actually think after walking all the way you will have the energy to battle that guy? And who knows, it might not be a surprise. Come on, he's a wizard!" Steven said.
"So, I suppose you have a better option," Lucille said annoyed.
"I didn't say so. I just said that you can't just go on attacking someone like that. And why do we even have to take up all this trouble? I mean it's her realm, not ours. It was her responsibility to stop him and to defend her realm, but she failed. What can we do about it?" he said impatiently.
"How dare you?" Lucille shouted.
"What do you mean "how dare I"? She is nothing but trouble. Can't you see? It's because of her and her stupid realm that we are arguing now," Steven said. "In other words, I simply don't trust her."
"She is our friend. It is our duty," Lucille replied trying to stay calm.
"Since when did you care about friendships and duties?" Steven said.
"What? So, that's what you think?" Lucille said. "You know what, I don't care about you. All you have ever done is bring sadness… to everyone! I am out of here!"
"Fine!" he said.
"Fine!" Lucille shouted and both of them stormed out of the room in different directions.
James shook his head in disbelief. This wasn't going as planned.
"What happened here?" a voice asked.
James turned around to see Jade and smiled. "Guess!"
"Okay, Steven and Lucille," she replied.
James nodded. "They just argued like anything. This time I have a feeling it is going to last for long."
"Well, then I guess I have a good thing in mind. I was planning to throw a ball tomorrow night as to take off our stress. What do you think?" Jade replied.
"But we have to do a lot of things," James protested.
"I have taken care of that," she said, smirking.
"You are amazing," James said and pulled her into a hug.
"So, you are saying you can't come, Your Majesty? Why?" Jade asked.
"I am sorry Jade. I have some work to do. But I am sure the ball will be helpful. If you need any help, feel free to tell me," Liliana said.
"Okay, Your Majesty," she curtsied and went into the palace.
"What's wrong Jade?" James asked.
"Her Majesty said that she won't come to the ball tonight," Jade said. "I wonder why."
"Don't worry. I am sure Her Majesty has a reason for it. Now you better get dressed. The ball is in two hours," James said.
"Did Steven agree to escort Lucille?" she asked hopefully.
"Unfortunately, the answer is no. I don't understand that guy sometimes. But there's good news too. Zacharius is escorting Princess Sandra and I am escorting a girl I met. She is really beautiful and talented and perfect."
At the sound of that Jade's smile faded. What are you saying? You met a girl and you are choosing her over me? "Who is this Lady who has won the great Prince James' heart, may I ask?" she said.
James chuckled. She could be so crazy sometimes. "Her name is Odette Jardin. I am sure you haven't met her before, have you?"
Jade smacked him on the back playfully. "No, Your Majesty, I haven't," Jade replied laughing. "Alright, enough of this, I better get going."
"I present you Lord Zacharius Yori of Swan Lake, escorting Princess Sandra Adeline," the announcer said.
"And now I present you Prince James Allen Dan Robert, escorting Princess Odette Jardin." The crowd applauded and cheered for them.
"James, where is Steven?" Jade asked.
"He is in the garden," James replied.
"Look, I will go and try to make Steven understand and I want you to do the same with Lucille," she said.
"But…" he tried to protest.
"No. You will do what I tell you. Now go!" James sighed and went away.
Jade walked towards the garden and saw Steven sitting there. "Steve, I need to talk to you."
"I know why you want to talk, so just go away. I don't want to talk about it," his voice was cracking.
"Please, Steve. I know how it feels. Let me talk to you at least," Jade said.
Steve turned around. "Thanks Jade," he said.
"Anytime," she replied.
"So, are you planning to join the party anytime soon?"
"No, I thought I'd stay out of her way. She said that she didn't care about me. She said that I only brought her sadness. Does she really feel that way about me?" he asked.
"I am sure she does not. She said it because she was angry. And you know how she behaves when she is angry," she replied.
"I won't go there Jade. I have decided to stay out of her way forever," he said.
Jade was shocked. "You can't. Please," she pleaded.
"I am sorry Jade, but my decision is final and nothing can make me reconsider."
"Okay. Do you mind if I stay here and talk to you?" she asked.
"Not at all," he replied. "Let's take a walk."
"Sure!"
"Lucille!" James said.
"Hey! How's everything going?" she asked.
"Awful!" he said.
"Why?"
"Because you two are not together!"
"James, you are ridiculous. But this time I won't reconsider. My decision is final James. I won't interfere in his life anymore. Please don't try to reason with me," she said.
"Alright," he said and left to see if Jade had any success. He looked for her in the garden but didn't find her. So, he decided, as Sandra was new in the palace, to dance with her.
He found her and walked up to her. "Princess Sandra, will you do me the honour of my first dance?"
"Of course," she smiled and both of them started dancing. Zacharius who had gone to bring a glass of wine became a bit upset when he saw her dancing with his friend. He went to the corner of the hall and sat there alone.
"Steve, I think I should go back. James must be waiting. He promised me the first dance," she said. "Are you sure you don't want to come with me?"
"Well, perhaps I can come, as long as you don't take me to her," he said.
"Okay I promise."
James was having fun dancing with Sandra. She was an amazing dancer, very light on her foot.
Jade went in and began looking for James. But she couldn't find him. After looking for what seemed an eternity, she spotted him talking and… was he? No way…dancing? Her boyfriend was dancing with a princess, called Sandra, when he had promised her the first dance. And he didn't even seem to bother. He was enjoying it.
"Steven, I want to go from here now," she said.
"Why Jade?" he asked, clearly confused.
"Please," she pleaded.
"Okay!" With that both of them left the hall.
"What happened, Jade?" he said once they were out of the hall.
"He broke his promise just to dance with a stupid Princess. He chose her over me!" she began crying.
Steven didn't know what to say. That girl was causing too much trouble and pain.
Sorry I didn't update for such a long time. I had my final exams and finally it's over. I am bit sad, oh well. I hope you liked this chapter.
Now, I don't know what to say. I didn't get any reviews apart from keelykelly whom I thank greatly. Review, or I will abandon this story.
OJSZ
