A/N – Thanks for the comments! Glad you are enjoying it! Jason and his family are royalty and should be cautious. Yes, he was worried because she was unconscious for so long, but it wasn't like she was awake to answer any questions. He had no way of knowing her motivations, and to have her wake up and not remember who she was, threw in another mysterious caveat. That is what threw them all for a loop. Liason4220 – Welcome and Thank you!

Sunday will probably be a late post because I have an overnight work Christmas party, so won't post til the afternoon.

Chapter 4 – A Friendly Face

Jason had to fight from groaning.

"Courtney, I thought you were resting," AJ said with a hint of disappointment.

She plopped next to him. "I was but I was restless and missed you." She grabbed a piece of bread and then realize that they are not along and frowned. "Who are you?"

"I'm Ella."

"Ella is staying with us for a while," AJ said. He isn't quite sure what to make of Elizabeth. She's pretty, but the circumstances are still troubling.

"I'm Courtney." She smiled which Elizabeth returned.

"It's nice to make your acquaintance."

Alan's attention went to Jason. "I agreed to put off the party, but you only have one month."

Jason closed his eyes for a moment. "Thank you, father." He was hoping for longer, but he'll take what he can get.

"What party?" Elizabeth asked curiously.

"My parents want to arrange a marriage for me, but they settled on throwing me in a room with every available woman they can find like they are prized cattle," Jason said before taking a sip of ale.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Arranged marriages are barbaric and infringe on the free will of both parties involved. It's not even remotely romantic or fair." Elizabeth said quickly before her eyes widened. Shocked at her outburst, she briefly covered her mouth and then said, "Oops."

Jason grinned. "I couldn't have said it any better, Ella."

"My apologies, Your Majesty, I meant no disrespect."

Alan fought an urge to smile. He rather likes Ella. "No apologies necessary. I will never object to an intelligent conversation at my table. Please speak freely when you are in my presence," Alan said smiling.

Elizabeth bowed her head and smiled.

"AJ and I were brought together due to an arranged marriage and we're perfectly happy, aren't we, darling?"

Jason choked on his drink, so AJ pounded him on the back as Elizabeth tried to bury her smile with her napkin.

"Ella, there is a play later if you would like to attend with me," Courtney offered.

Jason cleared his throat. "Actually, Ella is coming with me and AJ tonight."

Courtney frowned. "Fine…" They never invite her and she's not sure if she should be offended.

Elizabeth isn't quite sure why Jason had rescued her but didn't say a word.

Monica glanced at Alan and then squeezed his hand under the table. They are thinking that maybe Ella is the best thing that has happened to them in a long time. She is like a breath of fresh air.

They finished eating and soon Jason and Elizabeth are alone at the table.

"Why didn't you want me to go with Courtney?"

"Because you would have been not only bored out of your mind, but you would have wanted to jump off a parapet to get away from her." He leaned back in his chair. Therefore, you owe me for saving your life not once, but twice."

Elizabeth smiled. "Thank you. So, where are we going tonight?"

"A friend of Johnny's is having a get-together. Are you game?"

"Surely. Where will it be held?"

"In the forest..." He waited to see what her reaction would be.

"Really?" Liz said frowning. "That sounds scandalous." She finally just shrugged her shoulders. "Okay."

Jason stood. "I will fetch you at sundown."

She nodded and tracked him until he went around a corner. Standing, she treaded aimlessly around the castle before ending up in the throne room. "Incredible," she said under her breath. There are gorgeous murals painted on the wall that she can't take her eyes off of.

"Like what you see?" AJ said walking towards her.

Her head jerked in his direction. "It's very beautiful." She moved a few steps backward.

AJ shrugged. "If you like that sort of thing..."

"And you don't?"

"I don't linger on such things." He moved closer as his stare pinned her. "I want you to know that I'm on to you." His voice is gruff on purpose, wanting to see what her reaction will be.

Elizabeth whirled around. "What?"

Jason had heard voices and stood outside the door listening.

"You heard me. I know you're faking." He is testing her.

"I have no idea what you're blathering on about. I have no reason at all to do that." She is exasperated by the lack of trust everyone has.

"If you hurt my family in any way…" AJ grabbed her arm.

"What is wrong with you? Unhand me," she said struggling to get away.

"If I find out that you're lying, I will make sure that you are severely punished." He abruptly let go of her arm making her stumble.

As his name is called, Jason retreated, deciding to talk with his brother later.

Elizabeth is done. She raced from the room and ran up the stairs, throwing herself onto the bed where she began to sob.

A voice called out to her. "You there, why are you crying?"

Liz turned over and looked at the doorway where a girl around her age stood. "Who are you?"

"I might ask the same of you. This is my palace after all." Emily strode into the room.

Liz wiped her face. "I'm Ella; at least that is what everyone is calling me."

"I'm Princess Emily. I just came back from a sojourn." Recalling it fondly, a bright smile lit up her face. "It's nice to meet you."

Liz attempted to smile but failed miserably. "Thanks."

"So, you still haven't told me who made you cry."

"Prince AJ."

Emily almost growled. "What did that neanderthal say this time?" Her hands found her hips.

"You see, I have no memory of who I am or from whence I came. Your brother, Prince Jason, found me knocked unconscious and brought me here. Prince AJ doesn't believe me. He thinks I'm lying."

"Are you?" Emily asked studying her.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Of course, I am not. I may not remember who I am, but I can soundly tell you that I am no liar."

Emily smiled. "Okay then. Come on." She held out her hand. "Let's go to my room."

Liz smiled and grabbed her hand. It is good to have another girl to talk to. They ran to another wing and went into Emily's quarters.

"Wow, it's beautiful in here," Liz said admiring her furnishings.

"Thank you. Have you met Courtney yet?"

Liz nodded. "She asked me to accompany her to a play tonight, but your brother stepped in and informed her that I was going out with him and Prince AJ."

"Did he say where?"

"He mentioned something about Johnny's friend."

Emily looked alarmed. "He can't take you there. It is no place for a lady."

Liz chuckled. "How do you know?"

Emily grinned. "Because I followed them one night. They never want me to accompany them anywhere. It's quite frustrating."

"And what happened?"

"AJ got drunk and was kissing some trollop, Jason got into a fight, and I met the man of my dreams."

Elizabeth's eyes grew wide. "Do tell."

"His name is Nikolas," Emily whispered, "but you can't tell anyone because he is not royalty."

Elizabeth nodded. "Does he live nearby?"

"The next town over, and he owns a farm."

"And your parents wouldn't approve?"

Emily's eyes grew big. "Put it this way, if my parents found out, he'd be thrown in the dungeon and left for dead."

Liz frowned. "I do not understand why people put such limits on love. The whole foundation of love is based on abandon and the deepest expression of one's soul. How can one squelch their need for it or even contain it?"

Emily smiled. "I love the way you think, Ella. I think we will be very good friends."

"I'm glad you're here. The testosterone was getting to be a bit much."

"So, what do you think of Jason?" Emily asked curiously. "You said he saved you."

Elizabeth shrugged. "He was a bit aloof at first, but he has been a little more cordial since then. He definitely is handsome."

"Jason seems to run from love. He says that he just hasn't found his true love, but honestly, he's never looking long enough to find her. It's quite perplexing actually. He has a lot to offer."

"You love your brother very much, I can tell."

"I do. He's always been there for me, and he never makes me feel foolish."

"Emily," a voice yelled out.

"Oh my, it's him—hide," she said pulling Liz off the bed and pushing her into her changing area.

Liz hid behind a panel and tried to be still. She isn't sure why Emily wanted her to hide, but she'll play along.