Princess Iris
CHAPTER 50

REALITY

"That's enough you two," I say. "I know you are worried Frederick but remember the success of this plan is you having faith in us," I say.

"I know Iris. I am sorry but I just can't help it. We have put a lot on the line, I just want everyone to come back in one piece. We can't lose anyone today," King Frederick says. "I feel the same way, Frederick. But worrying about what is going to happen next will only make us anxious. We need to have faith," Prince Jeffery says.

"If the scout we sent out saw what they saw then today is the day of the invasion. Which means we are more than ready," I say.

Just then the door opens revealing King Archer and Queen Fiona.

"Oh dear, Catherine informed us you are leaving for the kingdom," Queen Fiona says.

I curtsey to them.

"Yes, Your Majesty and we are about to leave," I say.

"I believe everything is set for you to leave and I hear Duke Lukeman will be awaiting your arrival?" King Archer asks.

"Yes father, we will be coming back late so no need to wait up for us," Prince Jeffery says.

"Oh, that is fine. Besides I am so excited Iris gets to meet the people today. Don't worry honey, they will love you," Queen Fiona says taking my arm as we leave the sailor together. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I am still scared they will not accept me," I say.

"Oh, nonsense. They will love you. As long as Jeffery chose you, then they will choose you," Queen Fiona says.

When we get outside the castle, 7 coaches are waiting out front for us. Just as planned Prince Jeffery's horse and mine are tied to our coaches.

Just then Sir Arnold jumps down from the coach and walks over to us and bows.

"Your Majesties, everything is ready for your journey into the kingdom," Sir Arnold says.

Prince Jeffery walks to me and gently takes my hand and kisses it. I smile at him. we turn to everyone and curtsey.

"Your Majesties," We both say.

"Have a safe trip. We will be expecting you in two days," King Archer says.

"Huh? Two days?" I say to myself

I hug Princess Catherine goodbye and say goodbye to the King and Queen. Prince Frederick helps me into the carriage. The journey into the kingdom starts.

I turn to Prince Jeffery

"Two days?" I ask.

"Father started asking why we were going to the kingdom with 7 coaches. I had to tell him we were going to spend two nights in the kingdom. That was the only excuse I could come with and it seemed perfect at the time," Prince Jeffery says. "That makes more sense. So have you heard anything from Duke Richard?" I ask.

"Yes, he said everything is in position. He will be waiting for our signal when the battle starts," Prince Jeffery says.

As soon as we leave the castle gate we start riding off at top speed.

"We are out of the castle which means the plan has started," I say turning from the window and looking at Prince Jeffery who is staring at me.

"What? Is everything alright?" I ask.

Prince Jeffery moves closer to me and takes my hand.

"Iris, I may look brave, I may look like I have my emotions all in place but that is far from the truth. Just like Frederick, I am worried and scared. I am worried about your safety and I am scared of losing you," Prince Jeffery says. I look at him surprised

Up until now, I thought everyone was fine. I was so focused on my emotions that I forgot everyone else had their worries about coming back alive. For the first time, the reality of dying and losing the people I love comes flooding into me. I can't but remember the night I lost Ri. It took a while but I was finally able to swallow the hard lump in my throat.

"I am sorry," I say.

Prince Jeffery looks at me surprised. "For what?" he asks.

"Since we learned about the pirate's plan, I was so focused on making sure our plan is a success that I left you out of my world. I was not feeling like myself which made me self-absorbed. That was very shallow and selfish of me. I am so sorry," I say.

"You are not shallow or selfish Iris. You are brave, you are loyal, you are strong and you are kind. These few days I realized that I didn't know you as much as thought I did. Watching you take charge and take responsibility for the safety of everyone made me respect you even more," Prince Jeffery says.

"To be honest, I am not sure of anything right now," I say.

"Iris," Prince Jeffery says.

"Yes," I say.

Prince Jeffery doesn't say anything for a while. I study him and he seems lost in thought.

"Do you love Leonard?" Prince Jeffery asks.

I look at him shocked. I feel my heart raising fast.

"What?"

"I know you don't love me. I know you love Leonard. I see the way you look at him and the way he looks at you," Prince Jeffery says.

"No..."

"No?" Prince Jeffery asks.

"I mean I am getting married to you. How can I be in love with Leonard, someone I never liked growing up, someone who infuriated me, someone who had no morals?" I ask.

"How do you feel when you see him?" Prince Jeffery asks.

"I don't know. Does he make me feel safe? Yes. Does he make my heart beat fast when I see him? Yes. Do I get happy when I see him? Yes. Does he make me feel warm? Yes. But that doesn't mean I am in love with..."

Just then I stop talking. I look at Prince Jeffery as a lot starts making sense. The confusion, the frustration, the anxiety, the happiness, and finally the warmth. Just then my hand goes to my heart.

"I AM IN LOVE WITH LEONARD? King Leonard?" I ask myself.

"Oh Jeffery, I am so sorry. I didn't know when it happened. I am so sorry," I say sobbing.

Jeffery holds me in his arms as I sob.

"You know the night of your 16th birthday. It was Leonard's idea to get Grenade to you as your birthday gift. When he found out about my betrothal to Adrianna instead of you, he lost it with me. He said I didn't deserve you and I didn't love you as much as he did," Prince Jeffery says.

I release myself from Prince Jeffery's arms and look at him, remembering the fight on my 16th birthday.

"Leonard was in love with me for as long as that?" I ask.

"Yes, for more than six years," Prince Jeffery says.

"What! More than six years?" I ask.

"I was as shocked as you when Frederick told me this morning," Prince Jeffery says.

"Leonard has always felt that way about me?" I ask.

"Listen, Iris, Leonard is set to sail out a day after the war is over. Do not let him leave without telling him how you feel. I know he is leaving because he can't stand the thought of you marrying someone else. I love you both and that is what is more important to me," Prince Jeffery says.

"Oh, Jeffery I can't tell Leonard how I feel even if I wanted to. What of our parents, our people, the kingdom, and our friends? And what of the other kingdoms that are expecting..."

"Iris, they don't matter. What of your happiness, what of your future, what of what you want, what of what you need? You have been putting a lot of us before you," Prince Jeffery puts his hand under my jaw and raises my face to look at him "It's time you thought about yourself. Don't hold back Iris, you never did back then, so don't hold back now. You are The Queen, own it,"

Just then King Leonard's face comes to me.

"Your Majesties," Sir Arnold shouts.

Prince Jeffery rushes and opens the little hatch.

"Are we in the clear?" Prince Jeffery asks.

"We are almost there. But I can see the bridge from here," Sir Arnold says.

Prince Jeffery turns to the compartment in the coach and takes a map from it while I rush to his side.

"We just left the castle and we are heading here to the clear, from here we should be able to get a clear view of the sea. Over here is the bridge and here is where we marked out for the pirates to ambush us. If we are right, Frederick should be on his way over here to cut out pirates heading to the castle," Prince Jeffery says.

"Williams?" I ask.

"Knowing him, he is probably here waiting for us," Prince Jeffery says.

"We are here" Sir Arnold shouts.

I take a telescope from the compartment and rush to the window, looking through the telescope I see pirate ships on the sea, and just then my heart drops.

"Oh my God," I whisper.

Prince Jeffery joins me at the window with a telescope.

"You have got to be fucking kidding me," Prince Jeffery curses.

"Just how many are those pirates? That looks like 100 ships to me," I say with fear in my voice.

Prince Jeffery takes me from the window and holds me.

"It's fine Iris, we are ready. remember for every plan you schemed out a contingency plan. The success of this war all depends on how we play our part right now. Everyone is counting on you and I know you can do it," Prince Jeffery says. "Leonard is on the sea," I say.

"He is tough. He won't let himself lose to those pirates," Prince Jeffery says.

"Thank you, Jeffery," I say.

"We are approaching the bridge," Sir Arnold calls out.

Prince Jeffery releases me to get his sword. While he is getting ready, I ripped out my sleeves, I search for the bond on my waist and release it, and my gown falls off revealing the trousers I wore underneath it. When I turn to Prince Jeffery he is looking at me shocked.

"Long story," I say.

"As long as you don't have a sword I won't ask any questions," Prince Jeffery says.

"Those are with Grenade," I say with a wink.

"This is it," Prince Jeffery says.

"No one is dying today," I say.

I feel the coach arrive on solid ground and just then an arrow flies into the coach and gets stuck to the coach. We both turn to the arrow surprised. Prince Jeffery rushes to the window and just then I hear horses in the distance neighing and voices shouting in a distance.

"They are here," Prince Jeffery shouts.

"Arnold now," I shout.

Just then Sir Arnold shoots a flair smoke in the air. Another arrow enters throw the window.

The coaches following us behind breaks their formation to create a blockage. Two coaches in front joins my coach by the left and one coach behind joins mine by the right, leaving two coaches in front and two at the back. Just then more arrows start hitting the coach.

"Jeffery they have shooters," I say.

"Arnold take us into the forest," Prince Jeffery shouts.

"Yes Your Majesty."

Prince Jeffery pulls me in his arms due to the turn and impact of the coaches.

"Alright, that should slow the shooters. We need to get off," Prince Jeffery says.

He opens the latch on the roof. He gently carries me up as I support myself on the roof of the coach.

I turn to find Prince Jeffery climbing onto the roof. I gently crawl on the roof of the moving coach and join Sir Arnold on the boot. Just then an arrow braces the side of the boot.