Run away

Ramsey smirked and paused his footsteps. It looked like he had stopped as a soldier obeying the command of a General, but the truth was he was scared of playing too hard and losing the opportunity.

He knew that the Princess would never punish him for disobeying her, but if he did, he would lose the chance of being with her and achieving his aim. So he stopped.

"Ramsey, it is not your fault; I am the one who has failed you. Promise me that you will not do anything stupid, like taking your life," Jessica asked.

"I am sorry, your highness, I can not make such a promise," Ramsey answered. For Jessica, his words felt like a stave in her heart hearing the man suddenly say 'your highness' instead of 'my princess' like he did moments ago. But, she swallowed the unwillingness in her heart. "you have your whole life ahead of you. Ramsey, you can not throw it away because of me. I have failed you; you can't give up on your life. I don't deserve it," Jessica said.

"What do you want me to do? Your Highness, all my life is meanless without you. It's my fault that I am not born capable. Neither have I worked hard enough," Ramsey replied. He knew that he hard to guilt trap her into changing her mind.

"Don't say that; many ladies admire you, and many fathers want you to be their son-in-law. It is my fault for being born this way; if only I were not a princess, we could have been together. But, unfortunately, I have to think of my people," Jessica tried to talk him out of his resolve.

"I can't live and watch you marry another; I would rather die," Ramsey whispered in frustration. Then he turns around, taking small steps As if walking without aim. "The imperial family has taken what is most precious to me, yet I do not have the power to fight back. If only I could fight back," his voice was meagre, but the Princess could hear him. She could not help seeing him in such a state, her heartache, and it was so painful knowing she was the reason he was suffering so much.

"Let's run away from the kingdom together," Jessica suddenly suggested. Although she could not watch him like that, she could not also put her father in a difficult position. At least by running away, she would not see the disappointment that she saw in his eyes earlier that day. And maybe with her disappearance, the royal family of Gousho would not make things so complicated.

Ramsey paused his footsteps when he heard her. He was happy to break her resolve to marry the second prince for responsibility's sake, but he would never agree with her to run away. If that happened, how would he lay claim to the throne?

"No, you can't do that, my Princess; even if I want to be selfish to have you all to myself, what about his Highness the King. You are his only child. He has loved you for so many years; I can not become selfish," Ramsey shook his head.

Jessica knew he was right; she was worried sick about her father, but she loved Ramsey and was honestly unwilling to let him go. "Father would be fine, as long as he knows I am alive. But, if you can't become worthy of me, I will step down," the Princess declared.

"Stupid," Ramsey cursed her in his head, but his face seemed touched. "I can not agree to this, never. I will not become selfish. Moreover, if we fail, I would be beheaded for kidnapping the Princess. Although I have no reason to live, I would not want to die a shameful death and stain your name. Your father has worked hard for many years to ensure you become the next ruler. So many lords and generals look down on you because you are only a woman. You are just getting some recognition; I can't risk taking that away from you," Ramsey explained. Anyone who heard him would be touched by his heartfelt speech

His concerns touched Jessica. Tears rolled down her eyes; she did not expect such an obstacle at this point in her life. "What should we do then?" She asked in confusion.

"Maybe this is our fate, to love and suffer. It's not that Dumbi can not go agaist Gousho; we don't dare to. The royal family of Gousho do not put the life of the people of Dumbi in their eyes. I have seen the destruction in the broader," Ramsey said, balling his fist in anger.

"I will talk to father; there must be another way," Jessica was never convicted about marrying the second prince anyway. She was scared that if she married him, she would be unhappy. The Princess felt the man would stress her and make her life miserable. Although she had met the second prince before, she did not have any impression of him; after all, Ramsey was the only man in her eyes.

When Ramsey heard her answer, he was relieved. As long as the Princess was willing, he was sure the King would not force her. "I hope he listens to you," Ramsey walked back and hugged the Princess.

"We've been out here for so long already; I should return to my room," Jessica pulled away from the hug and walked away. Ramsey stood still and watched her leave. He knew that the Princess's words would not do so much to change the King's mind, so he needed to make a move. Unlike the stupid princess who was thinking with her emotions, the king was a fox.

He needed to come up with a plan that would stop the King from marrying the Princess to the second prince and ruining his years of plans. The weak and frustrated look disappeared into the tin air as he left in a hurry.

"My lord, you don't look well," a servant waiting for him outside the palace said when he saw him come out.

"The princess is to marry the second prince," Ramsey answered.

"What?" The servant, who is also his right-hand man, was surprised. He knew his lord was not fond of the Princess that much, but he also knew her important to Ramsey if he would ever achieve his aims.

"You heard me, send a message; we have to meet tonight," Ramsey instructed.

"I will do that immediately, my lord," the servant bowed and walked away. Ramsey took a deep breath and took another root.