Imogen's POV

Chapter 2: Regret

I knew Jaron had his surprises, but nothing like this. I love him, I love him so much. I hated that they used me against him during the war, I hated it. My hair was now tangley but I didn't care, I was in love. I mean, I have been for a while, having to love without showing it. I am now engaged to Jaron, the biggest troublemaker, but the most loving and caring person I've met. I went into our room and looked at myself in the mirror. How did this happen? I don't know how it happened, all I know is that it's not a dream, it's real. I went to my closet and looked through my gowns, all were a soft pastel color. Then I looked to his side of the closet. He still has those old rag clothes from when he was Sage. Sage. I saw the rips in his clothes, from all the times he was hurt. I saw blood stains and marks. I saw him hurting and doing it to save everyone. To come here and rule. I saw him collapse after I was shot with that arrow, that was the last thing I saw before I was captured.. I started to cry, and cry hard.

"Why couldn't I have prevented this?!" I screamed. I collapsed to the floor crying harder and harder. Then someone came from behind me and held me in their lap. Jaron. I would have expected him to say something, but he just sat, with his eyes closed, tears rolling down onto his lap. I wrapped his arms around me. I pecked his cheek and put my hand on his face. We were both in pain. He held my hand there and pressed it against his face. I fell asleep eventually because when I woke up I was in bed, Jaron beside me writing in his journal. I always wondered what he wrote in there, maybe one day I'll find out.

Jaron POV

I looked beside me, Imogen was there, gracefully sleeping. She was graceful, so perfect and flawless. It felt like I had just been stabbed when I saw her in our closet. Her tears, everyone she bore was like a cut on my skin. I didn't want anything to happen to her, I just wanted to keep her safe. I have regretted not telling her how I felt back at Farthenwood, but everything is fine now, so what's to worry? I knew she was keeping something inside her when I asked her that question as Sage. Do you love me Imogen? I didn't know how she really felt, and I didn't think that she loved me at all. She caught my attention back then, but I don't know why. There are a million different princesses that I could easily marry right now, but I chose her, a servant girl. Why? That was a stupid question to ask but was it? I know I love her, more than anything in this life. I will never forgive myself for hurting her. How many times have I almost gotten her killed? How many times have I almost died trying to save her? And then there was that one time, when I couldn't save her. The time that I collapsed and gave up, when Mott told me that there was probably no way she could have survived. She did though, she survived for me, just like I live for her. Tomorrow was a big day, the day that we told everyone about last night. Tomorrow I have to go to a boring meeting with Mott, but other than that it will be a great day. The only part of it that's good is Imogen, I live for Imogen. No words can explain how much I love her, no words. I kissed her forehead before blowing out the candle.

"Good night Imogen." I whispered.

I usually got up early, but today I wanted as much time as possible with Imogen.

"Good morning sweetheart." Imogen said, she was reading in bed.

"How long have you been awake?"

"About twenty minutes. Did you sleep well?"

"Too long and not long enough." I said. She chuckled.

"You better get ready, your meeting starts in one hour, Mott will kill you if you are late." I sat on the bed and stopped.

Before she could ask if I was alright I said, "Head rush."

I forgot that I didn't have a shirt on, revealing all my scars. Her touch on them made them feel like they were never there. I can't even count how many are on my back. She stroked each one with sympathy. Then she got to Mott's one. That scar was all across my back, from when I wouldn't give up (in Conner's words) the stupid rock. I looked back at her, she was smiling with sympathy. She wrapped her arms around me and kissed my cheek.

"You better get ready, you don't have long before Mott comes in." She said, trying to change the subject. Without another word I got ready. Imogen wore a pastel red gown with her hair up. Stunning as usual. I wore a normal king's outfit, according to Conner, before he was imprisoned.

"Do I look okay?" I asked, hoping yes so I could get the meeting over with.

"Hm" She unstraightened my coat and ruffled my hair, "Yes you do." I brought her in for a kiss which she gladly accepted. Mott then knocked on the door.

"I'm up Mott, I'll be out in a second!"

"Now Jaron! You said you would be thirty minutes early!"

"I said I'll be out in a minute!"

"You said second but I'll let it slide!"

When I opened the door Mott bowed to me. When he saw Imogen he apologized. Then his eyes went to Imogen's hand. He looked at me, and then nodded, probably because I gave him one of those looks. I continued to follow Mott to the meeting room. I glanced back at Imogen who looked back at me. She smiled and blew a kiss.

"I think the meeting will be better than I thought!" I said cheerfully.

Mott stopped and looked at me, "And why would you say that?"

"Because I just got a bit of good luck!" I said with an annoyed tone. Mott just rolled his eyes.

*Merry Christmas! I am so sorry about the difficulties with these chapters. I'm learning because I am new to this so please try to be patient with me! Have a great holiday season!*