Princess Iris
CHAPTER 52

TWO DAYS LATER

"You are hereby found guilty of treason and we sentence you to death by hanging," The Magistrate says.

We watch as the spy for the pirates is taken from the pulpit and escorted out of the courtroom. I turn in time to see Prince Jeffery, King Leonard and King Frederick exit the courtroom. Last night, Prince Jeffery and I had a meeting with his family about the new development in our relationship. It was indeed a long night. I can still remember Queen Fiona crying when she found out we ended our engagement. King Archer surprisingly took it well. He seemed happy that we were able to sort our feelings out. I smile when I remember Princess Catherine showing me a book on how far she has gone planning I and Prince Jeffery's wedding. Even my discussion my King Frederick went well too. FLASHBACK

"How did you know? Was I so easy to read? I ask.

"Not exactly, I am just observant. It's no news Leonard has been in love with you for a long time. While Jeffery may have given up on you ever leaving your castle, Leonard never did. He was going to wait for you no matter how long it took. You can imagine the dread on his face when he found out about your betrothal to Jeffery," King Frederick says.

"Oh no," I say.

"After you locked yourself in your castle, Leonard turned his whole castle upside down. He was like a wide animal. It took Isabelle and I almost a month to finally calm him down," King Frederick says.

I stare at King Frederick surprised and turn to Prince Jeffery.

"Why didn't anyone tell me about this?" I ask.

"I knew nothing about it, I found out about it yesterday. What I did know was that Leonard caught a terrible flu that made him act irrational. I believe the word you used was mad, Frederick. No one was allowed to see until he got better," Prince Jeffery says.

"Sorry about that Frederick, a lot was at stacked for Leonard that period. I thought Isabelle was going to tell you during Williams's engagement party Iris," King Leonard says.

Just then I remember the two time the girls stopped Isabelle from talking anytime she mentioned Leonard. I turn to King Frederick

"I still have a question. The last meeting, we had a night before my engagement party, I saw you and Leonard arguing out on the porch, what was that all about?" I ask

"Leonard wanted to tell you how he felt but I had to stop him. There were just so many things that could go wrong at that time. You may not receive it well, it could jeopardize his friendship with Jeffery, Filamonda and Divimon will not receive his intentions well. Leonard is my best friend but Jeffery is my brother, I had to do something to protect them both," King Frederick says.

"I see but I couldn't talk to him after he joined us in the forest. He seemed to be avoiding me at every turn. With all of that happening, I didn't have the strength to say anything to him," I say.

"Everything is going to be alright Iris. While you are talking to your parents' tomorrow, Frederick and I will stall him. When you are done, meet us at the library. We will be waiting for you there," Prince Jeffery says. I nod at him.

"Thank you," I say.

REALITY

"Where is Prince Jeffery and why is Prince Jeffery not by your side?"

I turn to Mother who seems to be stretching her neck in search of Prince Jeffery.

"Let the love birds be Mariah," Father says wearing his coat.

I close my eyes as I breathe in and breathe out.

"Father, Mother, there is something I will love to discuss with you both before we leave for Filamonda," I say.

"Honey, we can discuss it on our way back home. I need to see Henrietta..."

"I too need to see Archer. We need to..."

"No," I say almost firmly.

I watch the shock on their faces.

"I am sorry but this is important, please. Time is of the essence," I say.

They both nod at me and take their seats.

I start telling them about the development between I and Prince Jeffery's betrothal, how we decided to call off our engagement, and how King Archer and Queen Fiona reacted. I tell them about King Leonard, how things started and how things are now.

"I am so sorry, Mother, Father. I didn't mean to let things get out of hand, it just happened," I say with my head low.

I hear Father stand up from his seat and walk towards me. He stands there for a minute without moving or saying anything. I get curious and look up at him. He doesn't look angry. We stare at each other for a while as he takes me in his arm. I stay in his arm surprised and look at Mother smiling at us. I close my eyes and hug Father back as he tightens his arms around me. He finally releases me as Mother pecks me on my cheeks.

"We will always love you Iris, Jeffery or not, you are what is important to us," Father says.

"Whatever you decide honey, your Father and I will always support you," Mother says.

I start to cry as Mother hugs me. Just then the door of the courtroom opens.

"Iris, Iris."

We all turn to King Frederick.

"It's Leonard, we took our eyes off him for a minute and we turned he was gone, we couldn't stall him," King Frederick says.

"What? How long?" I ask.

"20 minutes," King Frederick says.

"What?!" I say walking to King Frederick.

Just then Prince Jeffery enters.

"He wouldn't have gone far. Grenade is out front," Prince Jeffery says.

I run out of the courtroom, I hear footsteps behind me but I don't stop running until I get outside. Grenade is outside waiting for me.

"My gown won't let me climb Grenade," I say to myself.

I look at the gown and without thinking I step on the gown, using my hand I rip the gown to create enough between my legs.

I pull my shoes and throw them behind me. I climb Grenade and turn to look for Prince Jeffery and my parents. They are all at the stairs, with King Frederick, King Archer, Queen Fiona, and Princess Catherine. "Go honey, go get him," Mother cheers.

At that moment, all I could see was Ri.

"Let's go Grenade, we got a coach to stop," I say as Grenade starts running.

We pass the castle gate and increased our speed.

"That's it girl, faster," I say.

Grenade neighs and gallops faster. We continue running for more than 20 minutes.

"Leonard please wait for me, just this ones," I say to myself as tears drop down my face.

We reach a bend and just then I start to hear horses in the distance.

"That has to be them, c'mon girl faster," I say.

Grenade neighs and increases her speed. When we pass the bend I spot King Leonard's chariots and coaches up ahead.

"That's it girl we are almost there," I say.

Just the Grenade lets out a loud neigh which catches the attention of the Knights escorting King Leonard.

"Stop, stop, stop him," I shout.

I notice them slowing down. I pull on Grenade to make her slow down. When they finally stop as I catch up to them. I climb down from Grenade.

"Iris."

I turn to king Leonard.

"Leonard," I say running to him.

"Are you alright? Your gown, what happened?" King Leonard asks.

I run into his arms, throwing my hands across his head and holding him there. I feel his hand tighten around my waist. Finally, I release him. King Leonard wipes the tears from my eyes.

"You are crying Iris," King Leonard says.

"Leonard I need you to listen to me. I have always felt it, it has always been there Leonard, but I never understood what it meant. I first noticed it during your coronation speech practice at Royal Academy. It made me feel confused but at the same time safe. I am so sorry it took me this to realize what it meant, I am so sorry for keeping you waiting for this long, I so sorry for the lonely nights and the pain I caused you," I say.

"What is this thing you have always felt Iris? How does it make you feel?" King Leonard asks "Warm," I say.

I watch his face change in realization.

"Warm? I make you feel warm?" King Leonard says covering the space between us. His hand goes to my face.

"I don't want to spend another night aching for you, I don't want to live another day searching for your face in an empty room. I want to be with you, I want to stay by your side forever because I am in love. For fuck sake, Leonard say some..." Leonard takes me into his arms, leans forward, and graces his lips with mine. I run my hand through his chest and around his neck as the kiss deepens. I feel my heart beating fast and the warmth in my chest starts to heat up. I feel King Leonard's hand tighten around my corset as the heat in my chest starts to flow down my stomach and reaches my lady area. We finally stop kissing as we catch our breath.

"I love you too Iris, I have always been in love with you and I will continue to love you," King Leonard says as he kisses my head.