The level of joy that the engagement brought Eleanor warms Jasper's heart. She too loved him as much as he. She was his. Forever. And nothing sounded more exhilarating than a lifetime with his Princess.
"I may not have had the best timing," Jasper admits gazing at her across from the table. "We already just endured a Royal Wedding.. if you want to call it that."
"After today I don't even want a god damn Royal Wedding," she absent mindedly responds. She's too focused on the sparkling beauty on her ring finger.
"So let's not."
This tears her vision from the ring exposing a suspicious expression and pursed lips. She perches her chin on her fist.
"But I'm sort of a Princess. The Princess."
"And the monarchy is sort of a disaster," he shoots back. "I mean hell, we could be in prison by the end of the night for all we know."
The displeased look on her face makes him mentally kick himself once more. He really was not good at getting his points across the correct way at times.
"Right. And at that point I'd be a common person just like you," she replies with narrowed eyes.
Jasper smirks shaking his head. "If memory serves me correctly I was recently knighted, Princess. You aren't the only one with a title at this table." Eleanor wants to smack the smug smile off his face. Or, attack him with her lips on every inch of his body. One of the two. She intensely stares at him deep in thought.
"I don't want a Royal Wedding. You certainly don't want one. Then why should we?"
Jasper tilts his head to the side. The intrigued smirk on his face encourages her to go on.
"I know that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Apparently you as well," she proves herself flaunting the engagement ring in his face. Sitting up straight in her seat she folds her arms. The determined look on her face captivates him. "I hate most of my family right now, you hate.. well, all of your family."
Jasper raises a brow. Apparently she too was not the best at getting her point across in the most delicate manner either.
"I propose we elope," Eleanor confidently states with a sinful smirk. He's unsure whether she's being serious or not. But considering the fact that the assured expression on her face hadn't changed, she may just have been crazy enough to entertain the idea. Eloping with the Princess of England wouldn't be the most absurd feat he had ever considered. Plus, aside from marrying the love his life sooner than later, they could temporarily escape the drama of the royal palace that was at this rate relentless.
It would be just him and her. Stripped of all titles and any royal company.
A normal couple. The way it should be.
Jasper lets out a chuckle before wiping his mouth deep in thought.
"I think I know of a guy in Vegas."
"You're doing what?!" James scolds Jasper through his cell. Robert watches from afar trying his best to listen in. "No, no, no. You will not, do you understand me?"
The King takes a few strides toward the head of security.
"Don't you dare hang u-" James groans dramatically rolling his eyes. Placing his cell back into his pocket he makes eye contact with Robert. His facade does a 180. "Oh, Your Majesty, I didn't see you there."
"And I haven't seen Mr. Partin." Robert gives a nod wincing his eyes skeptically. James clears his throat giving a warm smile. Now probably wasn't the time to acknowledge the fact that Robert's employed detail for the day was currently in the other room tied up and most likely still unconscious. Being at the ripe age of 62, Mr. Hill was quite impressed with himself for taking down a man twice his size and half his age with his two fists. He smirks at the thought.
"And who were you speaking with?"
This snaps James from the self pleasing memory.
"Oh it was.. it was Sarah Alice. Asking if she could have ice cream." He glances at his watch as a nervous smile traces his lips. He shakes his head. "But I told her, not at this hour. No. Not before dinner." James inwardly cringes at the terrible impromptu lie.
Robert tilts his head to the side looking down at Mr. Hill. The incredulous expression on the King's face makes his body temperature rise. James fingers the side of his collar inviting cool air to ventilate through his shirt.
Later That Evening
Eleanor's viciously types on her cell phone in contact with one of the staff. They had informed her that the after party was almost coming to a close and the family would be headed back to the palace soon.
It was time for them to slip out. She firmly shoves her fiance who had fallen asleep. He lets out a startled groan thrashing to his side. He rolls on his back rubbing his eyes with another groan. Eleanor dramatically sighs before throwing his coat on his face. "Let's go Sleeping Beauty," she hisses.
She had arranged a car to take them to one of the family's private jets. The minimal staff that would be participating along the trip were firmly advised to not speak a word of her and Jasper's departure. They knew better to not cross the strong minded Princess.
Creeping down the hall from their bedroom, they attempt to look as calm as possible in case there was a stray bypasser. They almost run face first into Cyrus who was turning the corner with a familiar brunette.
"Cyrus?" Eleanor hisses irritably. "What're you doin-" She stops in place as her brain registers the fact that the woman's hand he was holding belonged to Violet; her uncle's long lost love who had vanished a year or so ago. Violet gives her a coy smile with a noticeably guilty expression.
"I could ask you two the same," her moody uncle replies with an entertained look in his eye.
Eleanor shoots a few glances at Jasper who gives her an 'I have no idea' expression matched with a shrug. She heatedly hoists the dufflebag higher on her shoulder.
"I won't ask, and you won't ask," she informs Cyrus firmly pointing at him, her eyes darting between he and Violet.
Cyrus gives half a nod in agreement amused at his niece's frazzled demeanor.
Eleanor grabs on to Jasper's hand.
"Let's bloody get on with it."
"James is officially going to fucking kill me," Jasper mumbles to himself running his fingers through his hair. He regrettably stares down at his cell phone which now had 27 missed calls from his boss.
But there was no turning back now. They were already thousands of feet in the air well on their way to America. He finds comfort in his third glass of whiskey, draining it to calm his nerves. They had been flying for a good few hours by now. It was probably around 4 AM back in London. But he couldn't sleep as there was too much on his mind.
Eleanor lays down on a bed in the fully furnished jet. Luckily she had no trouble resting after the stressful day they had endured. Jasper closely studies his beautiful fiance, vulnerable and well asleep.
Suddenly she sits upright, locks of hair sticking to her sweaty cheeks. She grabs on to her stomach with an agonized expression. Her face was a light shade of green and her brows are furrowed. Jasper sets his glass down standing to his feet.
"Are you alright?" he asks full of concern. He strides toward her as she covers her mouth bolting past him toward the restroom.
7 Hours Prior
"Have you seen my sister?"
Robert stands with Helena in the corner of the ballroom. "It's rather rude to not attend the after party of her big brother's wedding, wouldn't you agree?" He casually takes a sip of champagne, his other hand in his pocket.
Helena gives a sympathetic smile as her eyes drop to the ground. "She wasn't feeling well. Jasper took her home." She examines her son's face, his expression impassive.
"Shame," he calmly states taking another sip. "And my bride?"
They gaze across the crowd of people dancing and mingling.
"I have not seen Willow," Helena replies. She leans in toward his ear. "You know, she had me worried for a fleeting moment. A little smile would have helped."
"I have my faith in Wilhelmina, mother. Plus, I have my ways. Not once did I doubt her."
Robert finishes his drink wiping his lips together. He glances back over to Helena before retrieving two fresh champagne flutes.
"As I never doubted you, mother." Helena uncomfortably wrings her hands together before accepting the drink. Robert tilts his glass towards hers offering a cheers. Her eyes nervously dart from the drink in her hand to her son's devilish face. "Job well done."