Chapter 32: The Rescue Team

“Have I made a mistake?” Eliana whispers as she sits in the large wooden drum, washing off the grime of her travels. The water has become drastically cool, but she welcomes the cold, allowing herself to become clearer minded. “How do I know that Drake will keep his word?”
Cupping a handful of the water, Eliana splashes it over her face, rubbing her cheeks.
“He would not risk the wrath of his father for nothing, right?”
Making sure to keep her body almost completely submerged in the water, Eliana dunks her head back, wetting her hair. She glances around at her surroundings carefully. She is on the outside of camp, a large sheet blocking her view of the tents. She wonders if they all do this when they bathe.
“What if someone is watching,” she wonders to herself.
“Prince Drake has ordered all men to stay within camp, to not venture out, for the time being.” Junet explains as she appears through the small tuft of decaying trees. “He does not want your privacy impeded on.”
“That is very kind of him,” Eliana states wringing out the water in her hair.
“Princess, I know that you do not trust him, but the Prince means well. This war is exhausting, and he does not care for harming innocents. His men will follow him anywhere, even if it means that they may not be able to go home.”
“It is hard to trust anyone, especially after this war. I respect Prince Drake for what he is sacrificing for his country.”
Junet’s gaze softens, “Thank you, Princess.”
“You are welcome.”
“Prince Drake will make you happy. He is a kind and gentle man.”
Memories of Jasper fight to resurface, Eliana holds her shattered heart together. “I can see it. I am honored to soon be his wife.”
“I—”
A scream rises in Eliana’s throat as Junet is grabbed and thrown to the ground, her arms pinned behind her and her mouth covered with a rough hand.
Terror causes Eliana’s vision to blur and her chest to tighten.
She cries out once her mind clears and she recognizes the form that is holding Junet down, “Jasper!”
His body is hunched over awkwardly, trying to keep the maid from moving, “Eliana, we have to go now, before they notice,” he growls out roughly.
Olisnia, Evyn, and Alma move in from the other opposite side of the camp. She wonders for a moment how they got past the patrol.
Jasper finally notices her lack of clothing, his entire body shifting to a shade of red. “Oh, I’m sorry.”
“Uh,” Eliana cannot speak, shock and embarrassment shaking her chest and mind.
“Here,” Alma scuttles across the opening, grasping the large towel hanging next to the divider and handing it to her. She helps to hide the Princess with her own body.
“What,” she huffs as she covers herself and stands up, “Are you doing here?”
Junet muffles a scream against Evyn’s hold.
He hisses, pressing down further, before speaking, “We came to rescue you.”
“It looks as though you do not need our help,” Olisnia sighs.
“No, I, um,” she glances up at Jasper before staring at the ground.
“What is it?”
Eliana swallows roughly, her heart pounding in her head. “I. . . I have accepted Prince Drake’s proposal in marriage.”
“You, you what?” Jasper bites out, his entire body shaking. His brow is severely creased in the middle, a shadow forming across his features.
Eliana fidgets uncomfortably as she waits for Alma to bring her the clothes that hang on a nearby branch. Evyn is respectfully looking away, but the anger burning through Jasper controls his actions and he refuses to budge. His teeth are bared, his shoulders heaving with his emotions.
“For the good of my pe—family, I have made the decision of marrying the third Prince of Climont, Drake Valen.” She straightens her shoulders once she is covered by her shirt. She slowly steps out of the tub, Alma holding the towel around her to hide the bottom half of her body.
Jasper watches the movement as Eliana slides on her pants, his steam releasing all at once, his body sagging.
“Why,” is all that leaves his mouth.
“Because I have a duty to my family. To their wellbeing. Prince Drake is doing everything in his power to stop this war. If he were to marry a woman from Drein, King Krite will be more inclined to find a more diplomatic solution.”
She fights the cringe biting at her features. She glances down at Junet who’s expression is being crinkled with confusion. Eliana shakes her head softly before moving her gaze to Olisnia who gives nothing away.
It is the only way she can explain her situation without revealing who she is. It is a poor story, but she can only hope that it is believable.
Jasper’s entire demeanor trembles, his eyes enflamed, “Why, why would a Prince want to marry a commoner?”
Eliana holds her warring emotions at bay. “Because he is only the third Prince. Not much attention is given to him. He has more freedom to bend the laws. That does not mean that his father will not be furious with him. Now please, let Junet go. She will not cause problems.”
Jasper looks down at the Climont maid before slowly stepping back. He continuously blinks, trying to process the information.
Junet stands, dusting off her clothes. Her face is contorted with a scowl.
“I am sorry,” Eliana apologizes, going to her side. “Are you alright?”
“I am fine Princess, but I have to alert the Prince to our, uh, visitors.” She makes a point to look at each Pivurlion and landing especially on Olisnia. “Especially the Drulian,” she spits out.
“Please, wait. I will talk to him. I will go back with you.”
“Eliana, you aren’t going back to him,” Jasper is now at her back, towering over her thin frame.
She looks back at him, her heart thundering in her throat. “Jasper, I am going to see him. I must talk with him. He is a reasonable man.”
Although she says this, she is not quite sure what the outcome with be. She barely knows Drake, only as the man invading her homeland and killing her people. Will he allow her to just leave?
“Let her go,” Olisnia begins, “Give her time to reason with the Prince. We do not want them chasing after us the entire way to Zaline. They will just end up on her doorstep, or worse.”
Jasper bares his teeth in a snarl, but his gaze remains fixed on Eliana. Her heart refuses to calm, the warmth of his body heating her face.
“I am going,” she states simply. “You cannot convince me otherwise.”
“Why,” his brow is now knitted up, concern filling his gaze.
“This is my life. He is going to be my husband.”
“Then you don’t even need us.” Evyn grumbles. He huffs and turns away again. “We need to be getting back to our own people.”
“No,” Jasper bites out, “I promised to bring you home to Zaline, and that is exactly what I am going to do.”
Eliana holds her heart from quivering. She has to push away any feelings she may hold for Jasper, especially if she is going to marry Drake.
“Jasper,” Evyn scoffs.
“Either way, we must reach Zaline before the rebels do,” Olisnia states. “We need to make sure your family is safe.”
The Princess nods, “Yes, I will speak with Drake. Stay here until I return.”
Jasper takes a step forward but does not respond.
“Pr—” Junet begins to speak, but Eliana whips her head around, her eyes widening.
“Prince Drake is probably waiting for us, let’s go.” She says quickly before Junet can utter a word.
After a moment of hesitating, the two women disappear behind the divider, back into camp. Eliana cannot help but wonder what Jasper will do if he meets Drake in person, or if he finds out exactly why the Prince is asking for her hand in marriage.