James Becomes A Young Man - Chapter Fifty Three

James met up with Amelia at the cottage. "May I stay here for the night? That is if you and your sister approve," James asked Amelia. "I'm sure my sister will allow it as long as we sleep in separate rooms," she replied.

"I don't intend to sleep tonight. I want to spend every moment with you," James said as he scooped Amelia up and carried her outside.

"I'm the happiest when I'm with you. I wish my parents would annul my marriage to Julia. I want you to be by my side always," he says as he places his hand over hers. "I wish we could be together, too," Amelia replies with a smile.

"I'm the happiest when I'm with you. I wish my parents would annul my marriage to Julia. I want you to be by my side always," he says as he places his hand over hers. "I wish we could be together, too," Amelia replies with a smile.

James leaned over to Amelia and whispered, "I know what my wish is; I just hope it comes true very soon."

"I really enjoyed spending the night with you. I have to head back before someone notices that I'm gone," he told her regretfully. James leaned over in hopes that she would allow him to kiss her. Amelia fell right into his arms and kissed him back. She realized she didn't care anymore that he was married to Julia. She was in love with him. She knew she had his heart. She would wait as long as it took for James to get his marriage annulled.

Meanwhile, Julia was busy as well. She knew that James was out, and nobody would notice that she, too, slipped out for a bit. She met up with Derick at his cottage. She ran into his arms and kissed him passionately. "I have missed you so much. I hate that we have to meet like this," Julia told Derick. "Be careful not to get caught; it could be our heads," he replied nervously. "I will. Besides, no one will even notice I'm gone," she replied.

"Then we must make the best of our time," Derick said as he embraced her on the bed.

James arrived in his room just in time. Kristen came to talk to him about his birthday celebration that evening.

"Are you excited for today?" Kristen asked her son. "Yes, I have many plans I would like to discuss with you later," James replied. "Yes, after the celebration, then we will talk. Get ready, and I will see you in a bit. I must go and finish the preparations," Kristen told James and then left the room.

Kristen headed by the nursery to see Daniel. Deep down, she knew he was not James' son and was determined to find out who his father truly was. She felt pity for Daniel as she picked him up.

Daniel was an adorable toddler, and Kristen had grown fond of him. She looked at all his features to see if she recognized who he resembled, studying every curve of his face. However, no one popped into her head. She put him down and headed to finish the last bit of preparations for James' birthday.

Everyone was gathered, and James arrived to see that his mom had gone all out for him. The food was elegant, and many guests had come from far away to see him enter the next phase of his life.

Everyone cheered as he blew out his candles and made a wish.

James was now a handsome young man. Julia was shocked at how gorgeous he looked. She found herself drawn to him like never before.

Julia walked over to congratulate James and to talk to him as much as she could. "Congratulations on your birthday today, James. Do you want to spend some time together later?" she asked. James was not interested in what Julia had to say. He just wanted her to go away as soon as possible. "I have plans later, maybe some other time," he replied coldly. He did wonder why Julia, all of a sudden, wanted his attention. When he had a free moment, he approached his mom to talk to her, leaving Julia behind and standing alone.

"Oh, there you are, mother. I wanted to ask you....now that I have celebrated my birthday. I wish to discuss moving out on my own. I know of this castle that I would love to start remodeling, to make it my new home for, he hesitated, my family and me. Will you let me do this?" he asked. "Oh, my son, I would love to do this for you. Which castle do you have in mind?" she asked him. "It's Louvre castle," he replied. "I know that castle very well. You have made a very wonderful choice," she said.

 

James was so excited that he went to tell his dad about his plans for the castle. He had so many ideas and couldn't wait to get started. "And you talked to your mother about this?" he asked James. "Yes, just now. She's actually excited about it. I can't wait to get it set up so I can live there with my family," James told his dad. "Oh?!" William replied with a strange look on his face. "Not THAT family.... she's not mine nor that child. I have plans to make this an elegant home for my future bride," he told his dad. "That's a wonderful idea, son. I can't wait to see what you have planned. I just want you to be happy and be with the one you truly love. Do be careful until you have your mother's approval. You don't want anything to happen to the one that holds your heart," he told him.

After the celebration ended, James headed off for one of his rides. He made sure no one was following him as he headed for Amelia's cottage. She was already waiting outside as he dismounted his horse. As he walked up to her, her eyes grew wide. "Is that really you, James?" Amelia said as he stopped in front of her. "Yes, it's me," he said, then stroked her cheek gently. "I hardly recognized you. You're so handsome," she replied as she blushed.

He smiled down at her. "I have been given permission to remodel a castle for my own home. I'm getting started on it tomorrow, and as soon as it's done, I'm going to send for you and your family to come live with me there," he told her.

"But your mom and Julia would never allow it. I will be thrown back into the dungeon for sure!" she told him with worry. "I would never allow it! It's just a matter of time before my marriage is annulled. When that happens, my mother will see that my heart belongs to you and will not fight against me to be with you. I will not let anything happen to you. I will die first if that is what I have to do, then I will do it. They don't need you for their experiments anymore. They have the cure. Daniel doesn't have the curse, which I already knew he wouldn't. So her need for you should be over. Somewhere deep inside her heart, she has to remember those years you were with us. She just needs to see the truth. I have to get back for now, but I will see you very soon. remember that I love you." He bent down and kissed her, then got on his horse and rode off.

James returned to the castle and headed to his room, where Julia was waiting for him. "What are you doing here?!" James asked her, annoyed by her presence. "Well, I missed my husband," she replied.

Julia walked up to James and tried to kiss him. "What are you doing, Julia?" he said as he pushed her back. "Why are you doing this?! We're married and have a son together. I'm your wife!" she exclaimed, hurt that she was being refused. "Oh no, I'm not falling for your tricks! You're up to something, and I don't want anything to do with it. It's been years, and I have never been with you, and that's certainly not going to change now. I thought I made myself clear time and time again. You have the father of your child. Go annoy him. Leave me alone," James replied sternly.

"I would have never been with him if you would have given me your heart or a little bit of affection," Julia shouted. "Why would I ever do that? You have been deceptive since we were little. You knew I didn't like you. You knew who I loved, but yet you forced this marriage upon me. You could have refused this marriage, but you made sure that you got your way by going against me by going to my mother. You put a wedge between me and my mother by your actions alone. Do you know how many years I have suffered?" James shouted back at Julia. "I will never leave you. No matter how much you hate me or how cruel you treat me. You can't prove anything, and we ARE married. As far as anyone is concerned, Daniel is your son and the heir. No one else can sit by your side on the throne but your wife, nor be in your bed," Julia reminded him.

"Why don't you hurry back to the guy that we both KNOW is the father of Daniel and be with him as HIS wife! I would love to annul this marriage. I never wanted to be married to you! I don't even like you! One day, the truth will come out, and Daniel will no longer be recognized as the heir OR my son. Now, get out of my room!" he shouted back at her.

Julia left the room, then ran into Kristen on her way back to her quarters. "James is leaving tomorrow to this new castle. Should Daniel and I go with him?" she asked Kristen, thinking that she would insist she travel with him. "No, you should remain here while he fixes it up. They will need to clean it and put all the furniture and drapery in. It's going to take some time to finish. It's no place for a child or for you to be right now. He will be back and forth anyhow." Kristen replied. Kristen knew this would be the perfect opportunity for her to find out who Daniel's father was, and she didn't want Julia around James until she could find out the truth. This at the very least, she owed her son for how she treated him when he needed her the most.

James arrived at the castle the next day. As planned, Walter was waiting for him. Walter was helping James remodel and decorate the castle for his family, which he was going to start with Amelia."The dining hall has been finished. What do you think?" Walter asked James. "I love it. You have done a great job here. Now, let's get the bedrooms started," he replied.

Walter headed out to meet with the builders and decorators to begin the bedrooms. James looked around in the dining hall. He was excited and loved what had already accomplished. "This is going to be the most elegant castle anyone has ever seen," James thought. 

Daniel's First Birthday - Chapter Fifty Two

"My grandson's birthday is almost here, and you still haven't found that girl. You better find her and soon, for your sake!" she yelled at the wizard.

"We are searching everywhere. It's like she disappeared into thin air! I don't see how she got far in her condition; someone is obviously helping her," he told Kristen."You're running out of time, wizard. You better find her," she warned him. 

Everyone gathered to celebrate Daniel's Birthday. They were not sure if he was even going to see his first birthday because of how sick he had been as a baby. Today, they would be able to see if he truly had the curse or if he had managed to escape it. 

When he aged, his hair was a pretty golden blonde color, his eyes were light brown, and his cheeks were a pretty pink color. Everyone gasped to see he indeed didn't have the curse. He was a perfectly healthy little boy. Many thought that he took after her instead of James because his mom was without the curse. This was a big relief to Kristen. However, William now had even more doubts about his grandson being his son's child. Deep down, he knew his son would not lie to him, but he wanted to be wrong. 

After discovering that he didn't have the curse, they adjusted his food to normal instead of supplementing it with blood. Within a week, Daniel was thriving and seemed to get stronger each day. 

Isabel found Julia alone with Daniel in her room. "I hate to say this, but he looks like you and the stable boy. Is Derick the father of this child?" Isabel asked. Julia looked shocked when she mentioned Derick. 

 "Yes, he is, but I will claim that he looks like me. We will have to keep them from being close together so no one will see the resemblance," she told her mom."I think we have gotten lucky so far with him, but I still fear that we will be discovered for this," she told Julia.

Daniel seemed to be a happy little toddler. The ladies began to teach him to walk and talk. He loved to keep them on their toes.

"I was wondering how Amelia was doing?" he asked James. "She's doing much better. I think she might actually recover from this," James replied. "Your mother was really mad when she found out that she was missing and was determined to find out who had betrayed her. I don't think she suspects us, but we must not let anyone know. I think you have been wronged, and I don't believe that this child is yours. He is without the curse, and he looks nothing like you. I see some of Julia in the child, but he does not look completely like her.  If this is true, and your mother finds out, Julia will be in so much trouble. I know the queen will not show her mercy," he told James.

After the day grew to a close, William and Kristen enjoyed some time dancing in the banquet hall.

"I was wondering, who you think Daniel looks like?" he asked Kristen cautiously as he guided her across the floor. "Well, I think mainly like Julia. Why do you ask?" she replied. "I was just curious. I don't see James in Daniel at all. I wondered where he got the brown eyes from?" he asked her. "I didn't notice until now. Julia's is a purplish-blue color, and James's is a blue, golden color. I must admit, I did find it strange that he did not have the curse or any resemblance of James," she replied.  

Kristen stopped dancing and stared at William with curious eyes.

"Do you think that Daniel isn't James' son?" she asked. "I was just wondering. He doesn't like her; he's claimed that he's never been with her, and now the child looks nothing like James. I don't want to jump to conclusions just yet, but I think we should keep our eyes open and see if anything suspicious pops up?" he told Kristen. "It better not be true or someone will pay for this injustice," Kristen replied.

Sarah Takes Amelia to Safety - Chapter Fifty-One

Sarah knew she only had a few hours before the sun would be at its strongest. She knew her sister could not withstand that much sun, so she pushed the horse until she saw the cottage James described. Her husband, John, was waiting for her. "Did you make sure no one followed you?" he asked. "Yes, I made sure," she told him as she helped lower Amelia down to him.

John followed Sarah into the cottage with Amelia who was still out of it, limp in John's arms.

John placed Amelia on a bed in a prepared room and followed Sarak back outside so they wouldn't disturb her.

John was so happy to see Sarah. "I have missed you. I was so worried when you went to the castle. I thought for sure your plan wouldn't work," he told her as he embraced her.

"These are for you," John said, handing her some red roses that he had picked earlier. "Oh, you're so sweet," Sarah replied, smiling at him.

Sarah went in and got Amelia settled into bed. She was still not responding to her. Sarah worried that Amelia wasn't going to make it through the night. The days passed, and still, there was no change.

"I'm so worried about Amelia. I'm not sure what they did to her, but her condition is still the same. I just don't know why they would do such a horrible thing to her!" she told John. "You're a wonderful big sister to her. I think there is still hope; just give her some more time," he replied calmly, trying to soothe her worries.

In the middle of the night, Amelia finally woke up. She tried to sit up but was too weak and fell back down on the bed. She looked around and noticed she wasn't in the dungeon anymore. "Hello!" Amelia cried out, alarmed that she had no idea where she was or how she got there.

Sarah heard Amelia cry out and jumped out of bed. She ran into the room and saw that Amelia was finally awake. "Sarah.... is that really you?" Amelia called out to her sister, afraid that she might be dreaming. "Yes, it's me," she replied as relief filled her. "Where am I?" Amelia asked. "You are safe now. We have hidden you from everyone," she replied, taking Amelia's hand in her own.

Sarah helped Amelia out of bed. After getting Amelia steady on her feet, Amelia hugged her sister. "I have missed you and the rest of our family so much," she told Sarah.

"What happened to you in that dungeon?" she asked Amelia. "The only thing I recall is that the wizard gave me something to drink, and that's the last thing I remember," she replied. Amelia looked around the room. "How did I get here?" she asked her sister. "James and his father unlocked the dungeon and arranged this place to hide you. I brought you here by horse," she replied. "James!? Did this for me?" she asked, shocked to hear James' name. "Yes, he did. He really must care about you to commit treason," she replied, smiling at her sister.

"Here, lay down and relax while we get you something to eat," Sarah told Amelia as she helped her back to the bed. Sarah headed into the next room, leaving Amelia to ponder her thoughts. "I can't believe James found me down in that awful place. He risked everything for me," she thought to herself. 

Sarah helped Amelia get dressed and to the kitchen, where they had prepared food. 

After a week, Amelia was doing better and began to settle in the cottage. She began to enjoy reading again and spending time with her sister and John.

After Amelia disappeared, James waited to see if his mother would reveal her disappearance to the court. The only talk was among the guards sent out to find her. A few weeks passed, and no one seemed to catch on that it was his plan. When night came, he found his opportunity to go and check on Amelia without raising any suspicions of his involvement.

James arrived at the cottage he had sent them to. It was very secluded, and not many people knew of its existence. 

Sarah heard someone ride up. She looked out the window to find it was James. She headed outside to greet him. "I see that you made it ok. How is Amelia?" James asked Sarah. "She's still recovering, but she's awake and doing better," she replied.

Amelia came outside to see James standing there. "I'll leave you two alone," Sarah told them, returning to the cottage. "You're alive! I was so worried that the wizard had killed you," James told Amelia as he went to pull her into his arms.

Amelia stepped back. "I want to thank you for your kindness. You didn't have to do this. I'm a nobody, and no one else would have risked so much to save my life," she told him. "I would risk my life and everything I have to save you. I still love you even though you don't want to be with me anymore. I just ask one thing. Please don't hate me anymore," James pleaded.

Amelia's heart shattered once again with all the feelings she still had for him. No matter how much she wanted to hate him, she couldn't. "I never hated you. I just couldn't bear to be around you and not have you as mine," Amelia said. "I have always been yours. You have my heart," James replied as he pulled her into his arms. He sighed and finally let her go. "I promise we will be together one day, and no one will stop me from making you my wife. Until then, I need you to stay hidden to keep you safe. I have to get back before someone misses me. I'll be back as soon as possible, I promise," James told her before he rode off in the darkness.