Ellen blinks her eyes a couple of times to be sure how eyes were not misleading her. How could she not recognize the person standing in front of her?

This was not a Palace guard, this is the young master of the Yancey family. The heir of the family. He was known to be a talented man both in the act of war and painting. What on earth was he doing in her room disguised as a guard.

"Joe Yancey," she subconsciously mentioned his name. Joe's lips curved into I small smile. He was happy that the princess recognized him.

"What are you doing? " Ellen asked disbelief evident in her voice.

"I already told you why I am here. You don't have to sacrifice yourself, come with me," he said.

"To where? Do you think the Queen will let me escape from the Palace?" Ellen asked.

"No, she will not let you leave the place but…." He left his words hanging as he showed her the disguise he had with him.

Ellen opened her mouth to say something but no words came out when she noticed he was holding another Palace guard uniform.

She closed her mouth and compose himself. "Why are you doing this?" She asked.

"I don't just want you to sacrifice yourself like this. Besides, I made my intentions known the other day in the throne room. I want to make you the lady of Yancey household, " Joe replied confidence lace in his voice.

Ellen felt touched but who was she kidding, once she left the Palace with him she can forget her title as a princess. Besides, the king will not take it in folded hands. How could his daughter defile him and the Yancey roof her without him doing anything about it.

She shook her head at the young man standing in front of her. She felt amused by him. Joe looked at her wondering why she found his actions amusing.

"If you want to marry me, go make you intentions known to the king. He is the one that can give me to you. Moreover, Ellen tighten her head to the right, she knew what she was about to say was hateful, but she needed him to leave. She was scared she would get tempted by him.

"You can just defeat the cursed prince and I will be all yours. This is the only way you can save me from this marriage as you claim." Ellen said with mockery in her voice. She sincerely prayed that Joe did not take her words too seriously and do something stupid.

Joe felt his cheek hot, like someone just gave him a loud slap. He felt tongue tie. The princess was right, if he could defeat the curse prince, then Ellen will be his.

Ellen watches the young man before her, and she noticed his eyes fired up. AHH! 'You should control your tongue sometimes. How could she has forgotten that every genius has blank spot.' She only mean to send him away, yet he was thinking of going to war.

"You should go back home, you are the only son of the Yancey family. Think of your mother and father. What will happen to your entire household if something happens to you. As children our parents have given us all they have. In turn, we need to fulfill our responsibilities to them. Mine is to Marry the cursed prince. You can not think selfishly and forget everyone else that you owe something," Ellen said with an emotionless voice.

She was not sure why she said those things to him, but she liked lady Yancey, Joe's mother. The woman did not behave like every other noble woman licking the Queen's shoes. She clearly showed that she did not like Regina. Maybe it because they both hated the same person, Ellen is not sure. She just felt she should help the woman talk senses into her so, before he did something stupid.

Joe felt tongue-tied but his feelings for her grew more. The fact that she had a sense of responsibility and even tried to stop him from going into the cursed prince camp.

He bowed his head in shame feeling disappointed in himself. He suddenly was able to think clearly. He might be good with swords but the cursed prince is a monster.

He saw the way the man willed the sword on the battlefield knew that the rumors has not been exaggerated as he has always thought.

He turned back and left the princess chamber too ashamed to look at her. How could he say he wants her when he can not protect her? His father always asked him to work hard so that he could be worthy of the princess, but he completely failed.

If only he had known, he should have worked harder. As he walked out, he noticed someone walking towards him, so he hid himself.

Ann unaware of the person hiding knock on the door and push Ellen's chamber door open.

Ellen breathes a sigh of relief when she saw who walked in.

"Thank you, my princess, you have saved this maid of yours and her son," Ann bowed when she saw the princess.

Ellen shook her head, "I have done nothing Richard is my brother and I must protect him. Besides, you have raised him up so well for many years. I have forgiven all you did because of this," Ellen said.

"Still, I have to thank you, you came up with the perfect cover-up story. If his majesty learns I have kept his son. He might demand my head," Ann said.

"Don't think too much, the only reason why I did not tell him is because of the viper my father has as a pet. Besides, I am sure my father would not have been so cruel," Ellen replied.

Ann nodded her head in agreement, "my princess let me come with you to Avalo," Ann suggested. She felt she owe the princess her loyalty after all she did for him.

"No, you have to remain here and take care of my father and brother. The Queen must never find out about Richard, but he deserves to know the truth. So before the ceremony tomorrow, I want him to accompany me to our mother's gravestone," Ellen said.

"I will make the arrangements my princess," Ann replied.

"Good, make sure no one knows about this, Ellen instructed as she walked back to her bed.