Chapter 15

"Bella, can I come in?" Scarlett opened the door to the Princess room to peek in. She could hear Bella weeping from the hallway.

"Yyyy... yes." She tried to dry her eyes as she sat up.

"I'm sorry if I got you into trouble. I brought you some food. I thought you might be hungry," Scarlett said as she sat the tray on the bedside table.

"It's not your fault, Scarlett. The king saw Jett and I together in the king's hall. I guess I just need to come to terms that this is my life now. I have to accept that I may just end up loveless and alone. Scarlett, I care for him, you know. I don't know why, but I feel connected to Jett. I know we just met, but I've had a crush on him for years. Now I know him he's so much more than I could have ever imagined."

"I know. As much as I hate to admit it, Jett's a great guy. I can tell he likes you too, and I've never known him to just sleep around. He only dates people he cares for. He's never bowed down to authority for anyone before. You must be pretty special for him to agree to the king's terms." Scarlett reached over to hug Bella, stroking her hair. "I'm so sorry. I want to help. You're my friend and I hate seeing you upset. I could get the guys to help me help you get time together. We will be gone, come Sunday morning. Your time together is short now. Friday is the coronation. People will be too busy or drunk to notice if you both sneak out after the ballroom later in the evening."

"Why are you helping us now? You've been against this from day one. Jett told me."

"For romance. Love. Everyone deserves to know what that feels like to have a special someone in their lives. Even if it is just a short time. I didn't know what actual love was like until I met Noah. Everyone thinks my boyfriend is annoying, but he cares about me deeply. He listens to me and we have a lot in common. The thing is, I've known Jett for years. He must like you if he is going this far to be with you. He's one of my best friends and I've never seen him like this. I need to make it up to Jett for throwing him under the bus with my dad."

"Thanks, Scarlett. If we can come up with a plan, I'd love to see him."

"No problem. I got this. Now... eat up. The chef made fajitas to cheer you up. We can watch a movie later or something. I think you could use an old fashion girl night."

"I'll bring the ice cream." Bella leaned her head on Scarlett's shoulder with a sigh. "Why does this have to hurt so much?"

"If it didn't hurt, they wouldn't have called them crushes."

***

The next day Bella passed by the ballroom and heard voices from within. Peeking in, she saw William and Jett talking. Jett was taking notes and paying close attention to everything that the security officer said and asking questions.

"So... When I enter the ballroom, I have to bow to the king and..."

"He's really doing this," Bella thought.

Bella felt like her heart was going to pound out of her chest from the sweet gesture. No one had ever fought to be with her. Here was Jett, a famous wrestler, doing everything he could to have just a moment alone with her. Jett heard a noise at the door and looked up. A slow, sexy smile tweaked the corner of his lips. That same smile that always drove her wild when seeing him on TV.

She mouthed the words 'thank you', with a curt smile and a brief wave. He nodded and went back to work.

Bella closed the door, and Duchess Cora was standing behind her. "Poor Jett has been at it all morning. He took books and resource material to his room last night. Mr. Archer said he was up almost all night studying. Arabella, don't make the same mistake I did. There is only one thing in this world that truly is worth fighting for. Love. Jett is a fighter. You should too."

Bella knew she was right. If she wanted to have freedom of choice of who she married, she would have to fight.

Cora looked like she was thinking as she stated, "You know? I just remembered something. I'm going to be working on the sound system tonight in the ballroom with the event coordinator. I'm sure the king will sleep right through it. He always does. The music is going to be filling this side of the castle. If someone decided to roam about the castle, not even the guards would hear." Cora winked, folded her hands together, and walked away.

Bella knew what she was saying. A moment alone with Jett. Bella shook her head in understanding and rushed away to find Scarlett. This was her chance.

***

"So. Will you help me? I just need to see him. An hour at most. I'll go right in and right back out," Bella begged.

"I'm on it. I'll get the guys to keep the guards distracted if they get close. Jett will probably be in the library. He was in there most of the day The guest quarters are too risky."

"Thanks, Scarlett. Let's go to tea. I want to show you the music list they're letting me play at the ball."

"This is going to work, Bella. I just know it. Love always wins."

Bella giggled at her starry-eyed friend. "You're hopeless. I don't know who is more excited about this. Me or you."