Jayne-

I knelled at the altar of the church, tears in my eyes, praying for anything but this to be true. It was long past midnight and there was no word. Helen had come by hours ago and took Lily back to our home, telling me to stay as long as I needed, pity in her eyes for me. Why wasn't he here? Why wasn't anyone here?

Exhaustion and heartbreak made me fall to my side with what felt to be the millionth sob I let out this night. I felt hands on my shoulder and looked up behind me to see my golden eyes staring back at me. My father crouched down next to me and I wrapped my arms around his neck letting the tears fall freely again. I felt like I could drown in these tears. I was already suffocating after all.

"He's not coming." I managed to get out before I hugged myself closer to my father and cried harder.

He rubbed my back and pulled me close, "I know, sweetheart."

He held me for a long time while I cried, until I felt there was nothing left in me. I sagged into him, my limbs exhausted from the emotions running through me.

"I'm sorry, Jayne. I'm so sorry." He whispered and I pulled back slightly to answer him.

"I loved him more than anything on heaven or earth. I would have done anything to be with him. Why is he not here?" And at that I cried again. Where is he?

"I know." My father replied brushing hair from my face, "And he must have loved you too if the Queen was willing to go out of her way to find me and send you here for safety."

I looked up at me, tears spilling down my cheeks, "But?" Even as it came out of my mouth I wasn't sure if I was ready to know.

He sighed, "But things change. They change so quickly sometimes you can't see it and you already didn't have the luxury of being able to see him for over a year." I broke down again and my father pulled me close once again, "I'm so sorry. I don't wish to be harsh with you. I wish I could take this pain for you."

Again we sat there on the floor of the church for a long while until I was able to calm down. I sighed and scooted back from him. I breathed deeply, focusing solely on inhaling and exhaling, before looking up at my father, "So what do I do now?"

He gave a small smile, "You come home." He stood up and reached out his hand for me to grab. I took it.

Lance-

"I can't do it anymore, I need to find her." I snapped my fingers at the slave that was newly assigned to my chambers and pointed to my cup, my way of asking for more ale. When I was with Jayne I wouldn't have been so rude, but in the past three months since my father told me she left I had slipped back into my former, arrogant self. I acknowledge this and knew it wasn't right, but I flat out didn't care. I didn't care about much anymore.

Zeke sighed, holding his mug up to the slave as well, "Why do you insist on continuing to torture yourself? Just let her go."

"I can't just let her go! I need her!"

Zeke shook his head again, "She left, Lance." He leaned over putting his elbows on his knees and rubbed his hands over his face and through his hair. I was frustrating him, I was frustrating everyone that came in contact with me. But like I already said, I didn't care. I couldn't care. Not with Jayne constantly in my thoughts. "Listen, I've known Jayne since we were kids. She's always been a great girl and I see how you could have fallen in love with her. But, sometimes love isn't mutual." My head shot up quickly at that, Jayne did love me. He seemed to realize the error of that statement and reeled back, "Or sometimes love isn't strong enough to give up an opportunity of a lifetime. An opportunity such as being able to leave the place you were strapped to since you were born. We'll never understand what it's like to be a slave, thank god. So we can't imagine the joy she must have felt to be granted that freedom. I can't blame her for it and neither should you. Just give her your blessing, and be done with her."

I jumped out of my chair and paced, mug still in hand. What number was I on anyways? I lost track a while ago. All I seemed to do lately was work and drink. Everything was a blur. "I can't let her go. She wanted to marry me, we had plans. I loved her and she loved me." I rubbed my hand over my eyes, "I need to find her. I need to find out what happened."

"You know what happened. Your parents granted her freedom and she left." Zeke replied.

I scoffed at that, "That's what my father says at least." Zeke sighed and leaned back in his chair. He was clearly exasperated with me, "I'm not saying that isn't true. It sounds likely enough that my mother would have pushed for her freedom and I suppose I can imagine how tempting it would have been for her to be able to leave. But I can't shake off the feeling that she wouldn't have left me. That our feelings were too strong for her to make that choice." I sat back down, "If she does want a life beyond me then I'll let her be. She deserves that respect. But I need to hear it from her. I need to find her and see what happened." I looked at Zeke pleading, "Please...will you help me find someone who can search for her?"

Zeke looked at me for a long moment before answering, "Of course."

Jayne-

My heart was heavy, causing me to throw myself back into any activities to keep me busy. I swept the house, gardened, cleaned our dishes, scrubbed every wall each day multiple times. All the while entertaining and doting on my darling daughter, the one person in this world I still opened my heart to. At night I'd stay up to do mending on the household's clothes or reading to Lily who was normally long past sleep. I rarely slept myself. Lying in bed waiting for sleep was filled with thoughts of Lance and when I slept I dreamt of him too, horrible dreams that involved him tangled in the arms of another woman.

The first week I had checked into the church just in case, hoping that something had just delayed him. But nothing, no word. Sometimes I worried that something terrible had befallen on him, but him being a Prince and heir we would have heard something, even if I was now in a different country. That kind of news travels fast.

So I had to accept that fact that I was rejected by the man I had loved with everything I had inside of me. I didn't want to let go of the idea that I was something to him, that I had mattered to him, especially when I had given him my body and bore his child. But what other explanation was there? Men lied all the time to get a woman in bed, why was I any different? After all I was only a slave, what else would a prince want from me?

But still the way he looked at me…

No, I'm not going to go there. Those thoughts were forbidden or at least that's what I told myself. My thoughts seemed to have their own personality as of late.

"Hello, Gorgeous." I heard from above me and I looked up from my place on the ground where I was planting some new seeds for fall's harvest. I gave Drake a small smile as he sat down next to me and began to help. "She's really getting some speed there." He said pointing to where seven month old Lily was crawling next to the beds.

I gave a genuine smile at that, "Yes, ever since learning to crawl she seems determined to perfect it. I have a feeling she'll be hard to keep up with soon."

"Well with the way you like to keep busy, you'll probably welcome that." He teased at me and I shot him a glare that only lasted a minute, before I smiled and shook my head.

"I don't hear anyone complaining about my need to be busy." I replied.

He laughed, "Yeah because you do all our chores. I don't think a single member of this household is opposed to this new found motivation."

I stuck my tongue out at him, "So where have you been all morning anyways? I haven't seen you around."

"Like you notice where I am." He said.

"Believe it or not I do on occasion notice where you are." I said in an almost flirtatious way. Did I really just do that?

He gave one of those large charming smiles of his before replying, "I was the neighbors put up a new fence. Their sheep have been escaping from their old pen it was so worn."

I smiled at him, "And knowing you, you put in this labor for no charge." He shrugged, "You're a good man. You're always helping others."

"What can I say? I'm just naturally charming." He flirted.

"And also so modest." I laughed.

"Why don't you ask Helen to look after Lily tomorrow. I have a place I want to show you."

I looked at him quizzically, "Where?"

"It's a surprise." He teased.

I looked away from him, "I don't know…"

"Don't deny me this request Jayne…" he begged, "You could use some fun and I think it would be good for you."

I sighed, he was right I suppose. I should start having some fun again if I want to try to move on with my life. There has to be a life beyond Lance out there, doesn't there?

"Alright, I'll go with you to your mysterious place." I agreed, even though it almost felt like I was betraying Lance. You're just spending time with a friend, I told myself, besides Lance abandoned you. You can't betray what's not yours.

Lance-

The man in front of me bowed lowly and addressed me formally, but still managed to keep an air of importance at the same time. I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes, where did Zeke find this man?

"Your Grace, I am Harold Bonnfed, how may I be of service?" the tone he used when he spoke made me want to shove him against the wall and knock him down off his obvious pedestal. But I was desperate and according to Zeke and I's research he was the best. That's probably why he thought he could be so arrogant.

"I need someone found." I replied instead.

"That is my specialty, Your Grace. What information can you give me about this person?" he asked.

I sighed, "Her name is Jayne."

"Last name?" he asked interrupting me before I could give more of a description.

"None. She is a slave." He raised his eyebrows at that and you could almost see his interest peaking tenfold. Good, interest tended to motivate a person more, "She was born and raised here as a personal slave to my mother. My father claims to have granted her freedom over a year ago and she has not been seen around the kingdom since."

His interest seemed to have climbed even higher and I could tell my story almost amused him, "You say he 'claims', do you have doubts of his story?"

I raised my eyebrows at this bold question. Most people wouldn't dare asking such a thing concerning the king. I almost could like this man, "All I know is that Jayne is gone. She was seen leaving with her bag and never heard from again. How this happened I do not care. I just wish to find her."

"Of course, Your Grace." He replied, "What is her appearance? What of her family?"

"She would be seventeen now with long, dark, curly hair; tan skin; and gold eyes." I smiled slightly thinking back on her beauty, "Her mother's name was Lilith and she died when we were children. Her father I know not much about. Only that he had left when she was a small child. Her sister is also dead. Other than them she has no other family that I know of." I realized for the thousandth time how little it is that we had to go on to find her. My heart fell to my stomach at the thought that it may never well be impossible to see her again unless she chose to come back.

Looking at Harold though he showed no signs of worry, he seemed more than ever cocky. That gave me hope. From what I heard he was good and if he didn't look worried then it just might be possible.

"I will put all my efforts into finding your young lady, Your Grace." He replied, "I have yet to be given a case that I have not been able to uncover."

I smiled then, "Good."

A/N: Two new chapters to my patient readers. Thanks for sticking it out :)