Jade clambered out of the magistrate’s office with a sense of relief soothing her tense shoulders. Her lips twitched with the effort to keep a smile off her face. In her gloved hand she held documents that declared her childhood home was now in her possession.

She flipped through her leather binder and her eyes eagerly scanned the magistrate’s notice. She was about to slam her binder shut when her eyes narrowed down on another note. The handwriting was extremely familiar.

Attend the hearing in room IIV at noon.

Jade pulled out her pocket watch from the fashion forward gown’s vest pocket and realised she was already late.

Jade was the only woman in the magistrate court’s corridors and she was stared at as her magenta gown swished against the flat heels of her boots. Jade held her head high and walked as swiftly as she could with her punishing limp.

The girl read the room numbers etched into the whitewashed walls, carefully. Once she found her destination she slipped into the room making little noise despite having to manoeuvre her staff over the flagstone steps. The public courts were always open to the public so there was no impediment to her entry. Full access was deemed essential for a fair trial.

The magistrate sat at the head of a long wooden desk under the King’s coat of arms hanging on the wall behind him. The entire room was wood panelled with the defendants sat on circular benches at the magistrate’s left. The benches behind the guards were set for anyone who wished to witness the proceedings.

Permelia sat at the edge of her wooden bench, wiping her quiet tears with a lace handkerchief. She wore a white, modest gown which, with the combination of her fair hair, made her look angelic. To the random bystander she looked like a woman trapped into a life of crime rather than the mastermind of it. There were two other men who sat at her side. One of them was the Lord of Marckley who had stony expression on his drowsy face. The other was Jade’s father’s former solicitor.

Jade’s brown eyes landed on the back of familiar dark hair and with a exhale decided it was high time she faced her fears.

“You’re late. The proceedings have been interesting,” Luke whispered while Jade took her seat next to him. The court bench felt uncomfortable despite the petticoats beneath her dress but she was determined to preserve.

“I wasn’t expecting anyone here. Surely you cannot find this much entertainment in my private squabbles,” Jade muttered back.

From the corner of her eyes she noticed the bodyguards shadowing the Prince. Her eyes swept onto her stepmother’s weeping figure with disgust. The criminal still hadn’t noticed her stepdaughter so involved she was in her act.

“I find it quite satisfactory when a trial comes to a just end although the trial is far from finished,” The Prince’s eyes grazed over his companion, “But yes, I’m here to meet you. You’ve been avoiding me.”

“I thought an eminent personality such as yourself wouldn’t want me taking up too much of your time. You always have a busy schedule. I should know,” The tall girl gave the Prince half a smile.

“I would always have time for you,” The Prince replied warmly.

His grey eyes darted over to her face before examining the farce Permelia was displaying. Her sobs had only gotten longer as the opposing advocate continued listing down her crimes.

The sudden mention of Jade’s father invoked a sense of hot, white fury in the girl. She wished she could jump over the pews and throttle her stepmother till her last breath. Her hands tightened on her staff as if itching to be judge, jury and executioner. Luke’s troubled gaze broke her out of the spell.

“I’m heading out to my home,” Jade cleared her throat, “Would you like to join me for a visit?”

Luke nodded though his expression remained probing. He had clearly sensed her absolute lack of control for that miniscule second. The pair stood in unison and with a clumsy movements made their way out of the benches.

Jade kept her hand lowered on her magenta hat to avoid identification but Permelia’s green eyes were always too sharp. Her eyes widened when she realised who sat in the benches across from her. She gave a pointed shriek but could not vocalise her anger. It also must have disheartened her to see her most hated stepdaughter whispering in the Royal Prince’s ears like they were bosom friends.

The judge, advocates and fellow prisoners all stared at the woman’s sudden change in composure. She leapt up from her chair but a female guard placed a quick hand on her white clad shoulders. Jade just winked at the woman and departed with her head high.

The pair found Jade’s driver snoring with his red hat perched over his face. He gasped awake and nearly keeled over in fright when Luke tapped on the man’s collar.

“We shan’t need you, driver. Take the public transport back to the Palace and await further commands,” The Prince ordered, imperiously and driver scrambled away in the direction of the tram.

“Can you even drive this contraption?” Jade allowed herself to be positioned in her assigned motor vehicle. She chose to sit the front rather than the back.

“Well enough that I could even teach you. The royal family has had access to the prototype for the past five years,” Luke explained and sat next to her where the controls lay.

“When my leg heals... I’d like that,” Jade mused and Luke favoured her with a fond smile.

“Now you don’t seem to be worried about imposing on this Prince charming’s valuable time,” The man grinned as his hands pulled at the levers.

“Oh, stuff a sock in it, your highness,” The girl schooled an expression of pure indignation at him.

“I should have you exiled for such impertinence,” Luke chattered, breezily.

The vehicle startled a horse as they began their ride. Over the muck trodden streets of the busy court road they took a roundabout. Jade grabbed onto her hat as Luke revved the motor up needlessly and gained speed the driver had been too polite to reach.

“You would be bored silly if you did.”

“Yes, I’d miss you too much to allow that,” The Prince replied solemnly, “I’ve already had a taste of what it is like for you to not be in my life.”

Jade didn’t have the words to retort. She could have made a jesting reply but instead watched the Prince driving the vehicle. His hair was tousled beyond repair despite his hat and nose reddened from the cool air. Jade was certain she was equally as ruddy but not for the same reasons.

“I missed you, I could not enjoy my days without your constant presence. It was unbearable,” The Prince added with his attention on the carriage passing next to them.

“I’m sorry to have added to your suffering. My blathering must have been good distraction from the agony of your search,” Jade replied, carefully. She bit her dry lip.

“The agony of the past was the merest inconvenience compared to what I felt after I lost you,” Luke said plainly while his eyes were on the road, “You were correct that a nameless, unknown girl couldn’t possibly evoke the correct emotions. The intensity I felt during my search for her was a passing whim leaving tasteless ash in my mouth.”

Jade decided she could not say anything on the matter. She had missed him dearly but she could not verbalise her own torment. He was like a wispy spectre her hands made the effort to clutch but her fingers could not grasp.

Jade cleared her throat to direct the Prince to her childhood home but soon had the realisation the man already knew where to go. The man swiftly manoeuvred the vehicle to the left of the roundabout from where her ivy clad home was clearly visible. The vehicle hurled to a halt in front a familiar driveway.

“How did you know the way?” Jade asked as the man dismounted to open the wrought iron gate.

“That odious woman was trying to sell off your father’s belongings barely a week after I came back. I bought everything,” Luke revealed with a shrug.

“You shouldn’t have. Your kindness... I couldn’t ever repay you,” The former secretary warbled. She felt the burden of all his favours upon her shoulders.

“I don’t want any kind of repayment. I have realised I’m a selfish person and what I do is mostly for myself. I wanted to preserve your memory and find out who you truly were,” Luke uttered as he forged the horseless vehicle forward. In daylight her house looked haggard and forgotten by time.

“So, how many of my private diaries have you read? I’m certain I burnt most of them before I left,” Jade hid her face as she adjusted her hat. That rage against Permelia had risen once again and she took a calming breath before hoping off. Her foot did not care for her carelessness and she used her staff to take her weight.

“None, I do have basic manners,” Luke raised a dark brow at her as he uncovered tools in the hatch at the back of the motor vehicle. Jade watched him make quick work with the boards on the oak door. If she hadn’t seen him performing manual labour along with his solders she would have marvelled at his strength.

“Oh, let me show you. My beautiful home. Not as fancy as a palace but it’s perfect although I worry how much that wench looted from the coffers for it was almost impossible to run out of money. If she was selling then it must mean she was running out of coin. I must contact Ambrose. He must know what she’s done to my servants,” Jade’s words were hurried as she made plans in her head. She danced up the entrance nearly forgetting all her injuries.

“You shall only have to say a word and the driver assigned to you will find him,” Luke reassured her.

“This is the drawing room. Oh it’s so shabby by now. The wallpapers are peeling off,” The tall girl twirled around the room with face full of disgust.

Jade led Luke through the main rooms making comments about all the things altered. She found her parent’s paintings stuffed in the library which looked like it hadn’t seen the light of day since Jade’s departure. She found her own likeness among the other portraits.

“I couldn’t believe it was you, at first but now that I see you next to it I feel foolish for my assumptions,” Luke uttered. He looked as if he was making comparisons.

“You didn’t believe I could look like a pretty girl,” Jade teased.

“Yes, but I was proven wrong,” The Prince replied smarmily. Jade looked confused but decided to continue the tour for her sanity. She took the Prince downstairs into the back garden and found it overrun.

“The roses are gone and so are the petunias. Oh, well. And I can’t even see the fish underneath the water lilies,” Jade sighed. Everything that foul Permelia had touched had rotted beyond repair. Luke silently followed his former secretary and patiently listened to any outbursts she couldn’t contain.

“And this is the bridge where Dimitri told me about this beautiful young girl he spied at the market with her grandmother. That’s the last time he was allowed to meet me,” The brown haired girl declared with a wave of the hand. The natural wood bridge creaked beneath their boots as they climbed to the middle underneath the shade of the oak.

“I honestly thought you would tell me it was where he professed his love for you here,” Luke muttered after a pregnant pause. Jade couldn’t tell whether he was serious or not but she was certainly serious about causing him bodily harm until she remembered he could have her executed.

“Dimtiri is like a brother and I’m sure he thinks likewise. We have never felt an attraction between us,” Jade replied stiffly. Her knuckles were white over her staff in an effort to restrain herself.

“I’m glad,” The man replied. Jade’s magenta frock reflected in his grey eyes.

“If you’re being haughty about our friendship due to our class difference-“ Jade felt she could not bear to have the Prince reveal his prejudiced side. She often felt he was free from most vices men of his stature kept and it would not do to have his image in her heart tarnished.

“I’m not. I never could say that,” Luke clasped his hands together and cleared his throat to continue, “I’d like to say something-“

Before the man could finish his sentence there was an ominous creak from above and the oak’s branch hurtled towards them.

Luke pulled her close with a viper like swiftness and they nearly tipped over into the slimy water of the pond. Jade cursed under her breath as her hands came to a rest on the Prince’s shoulders. Jade’s staff rolled at their feet.

“That was odd,” Jade whispered, not realising her voice shook, “That tree has been on this estate for a hundred years. Why would it choose to give way now?”

“Right when you were under it,” Luke looked affronted by the new development, “I hope you are not injured.”

The girl brushed her brown hair behind her ear as she realised the proximity with which she stood. The Prince’s grip on her waist had relaxed enough that his fingers only grazed her with the barest of touches.

“I’m fine. Just shaken,” Jade coughed and released the Prince from her pinching grip.

“Come, let me take you back to the palace. You must be overwhelmed by the exertion,” The Prince insisted.

“I’m not in fact I promised Emma my presence tonight. She’s expecting me for a late afternoon visit. I cannot abandon her,” The tall girl was firm.

“I shall drop you on the way back,” The Prince did not argue and presented her a solution to the dilemma of how to transverse the city.

“I could hire a public hackney. It wouldn’t be a bother. I no longer feel overwhelmed by the public transport system. I don’t care if the men stare,” Jade shrugged. She wanted to pick up her staff but felt her quivering knees would fail her.

“Why would I inconvenience you while I’m here. I’m here to be a dutiful Prince,” Luke’s face was magnificent this up close.

“You are most charming when you set your mind to it,” Jade reply could not be halted.

“For you I could be anything,” The man retorted without hesitation. He picked up the staff and handed it to her.

Their ride to Emma’s abode was quiet. They both wished they could converse freely but felt like they had a tie on their tongues preventing them from doing so. Luke had watched Jade silently as she was admitted to Emma’s home before leaving with the vehicle.

“Emma?” Jade prodded her ashen faced friend who opened the door instead of the butler. The girl’s face looked clammy despite the chilly weather. She pulled her friend into the study that was connected to the entrance hallway.

“He’s here...” Emma explained as she grabbed her friend’s hands, “The Crown Prince. I didn’t expect him today. You must assist me in this conversation. I need your courage as always.”

“No, absolutely not!” The taller girl had a puzzling expression on her face that bemused present company.

“Your reluctance is strange, indeed. You’re not afraid of him and he must know your identity by now,” The fair haired girl’s brows did a complex dance.

“I’m not afraid of him, far from it. His sister is decidedly more intimidating. I feel like it’s not my place to interfere but I know you dislike being left in the dark,” Jade placed a hand on her face. She was feeling numb from having kept the secret for so long, “I’d like to tell you something very important.”

Emma stared at her expectantly, “Yes?”

“He likes you...”Jade exhaled with her eyes closed. Emma’s shorter fingers tightened on hers and then left them completely. The former secretary placed her hands in her pockets and met Emma’s shining gaze.

“Yes, he must if he visits us regularly,” The shorter girl declared nonchalantly.

“No, yes, no, I mean he has fond feelings for you. Very fond. Practically in love if a certain witch was correct,” Jade shrugged pathetically.

Emma’s face was unchanged through her shoulders trembled as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. The girl remained mute and her unblinking blue eyes made Jade even more despondent.

“Everyone knows it. Ask Luke or even Lady Elena if you must. There was a reason you being attacked,” Jade attempted to make her point clear.

She stared in the direction of the drawing room and hoped her voice did not pass onto where the Prince presumably sat. Hopefully the two firm doors between them did their job.

“He couldn’t,” Emma’s voice was withdrawn, “What does he see in me when he has all the women at his disposal. I have no looks, no contacts, nothing.”

“You are strong, brave and absolutely adorable. Of course he wants you at his side,” Jade tried to be uplifting but her friend was unconvinced.

“That’s you, not me,” The shorter girl’s chin wobbled with excessive emotion, “I think I should have a sit down.”

“He would have my guts for garters if he knew I informed you about the matters of his heart but I cannot see both of you suffering any longer. Life is too unpredictable to waste any more time,” Jade whispered and held her friend’s hand in a calming way, “Let’s go in. Let’s slay this beast.”

Emma looked heavenwards and found the last bit of pluck within her breast and led Jade inside her drawing room where the object of her dread awaited.

“I hope we need not any introductions,” Emma asked with a pleasant mien although her voice was still deferential.

“We are already like old friends, are we not, your Highness. It is as if we had never parted,” Jade limped over the sofa and helped herself to toasted chestnuts. Her hands shook and there was slightest ting on the plate which Jade apologized for profusely.

“This is very fine china,” Edward’s voice was sharp as was his gaze.

“Thank you,” Emma said, not taking the hint that the man was chiding her friend, “This is my mother’s which I inherited. Despite the opposition to my parent’s marriage she was given her dowry.”

“Your father eloped?” Jade exclaimed in surprise, “I didn’t think for a second he had that in him. Looks can be so deceiving.”

“Yes, as we all know,” Edward’s blue eyes were still on Emma despite his taunt.

The fair haired girl looked sure of herself, “Yes, looks can hide so many things. My family history is bit tarnished here and there despite us looking ever so proper.”

“Thank you for the tea,” Edward abruptly stood, indicating the meeting was over, “I am pleased your father is mending well.”

“Yes, his health is improving due to your kind efforts,” Emma also rose from her armchair. She exuded a calm air of absolute serenity, “We will send you off, your Highness.”

“I shall only slow you down. It takes me a while to move,” Jade looked as if she had settled into her position comfortably and had no intention of moving. As soon as the pair departed from the room Jade stumbled across the length of the floor and placed her ear on the heavy door.

“Thank you very much for visiting. Father is much obliged to have such an honour,” Emma’s soft tones were hard to hear.