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phoenixrising0308 · 2 years

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The Promise: In Pieces - (Part 1)

Books: The Royal Romance

Rating: M (Mature content and implied sexual activities)

Pairing: Liam & Jessica (MC)

The Promise - Series premise: Two signet rings, one engagement ring, and a pearl tell a story of love and responsibility, and ask the question: what does it mean to choose duty over love. Catch up here and check out the story inspiration here.

The Promise is based on my Agent Phoenix A/U is a story in-between. This series was written before the disclosure of Liam’s mother’s name. I have named her Lily.

Detailed disclaimer

Triggers: Mention of sexual assault

A/N: Jessica is forced to leave the palace.

Word count: 2,400 *As always, forgive my typos and grammatical errors.*

Reading time: 7 minutes.

*timeline* This is my version of book 2 opening-up

“Keep moving!”

She glared over her shoulder as she was nudged down the hall by the guard. Jessica walked into the halls of the East wing barefoot with her hands handcuffed behind her back and her dress torn. Two hours ago, her appearance was flawless and she was well on her way to becoming the wife of Liam Rys and the future Queen of Cordonia.

As a cruel trick, Constantine held her in a holding cell block within earshot of the ball where she could hear all the music and wishes to the happy couple while the guards made sexually inappropriate remarks at her after passing the pictures used to disqualify her. To Cordonia she was a harlot, but in reality, they were pictures of a sexual assault in progress and she barely escaped more serious injury.

A guard named Thaddeus took it more further than others with his comments.

“You really are a whore. I wonder how many you had?” He mumbled with a smirk as she forced herself not to look at him, trying hard to keep a straight face. She couldn't think of Liam right now, it made her want to sob.

'Don't give them the fucken satisfaction, Jessica.' She told herself as Thaddeus leered at her.

He adjusted his bottoms near his groin on purpose and Jessica felt a tinge of fear she refused to show.

“You look good without your clothes on. I bet you can put it all in your mouth.”

She refused to look at him, even when he got into her face. Thaddeus barked out, “Hey! I'm talking to you!”

She was tight-lipped, clenching her jaw and refusing to spare him a glance.

“Well, let's see if I can find out what that tongue feels like. Might use it later.” He grabbed her wrist hard enough to leave a bruise as she winced and he grabbed her face and held it tightly. Forcibly kissing her.

He released her, yelping in pain as she bit his lip hard enough to draw blood. When he held up his hand to smack her, another guard intervened.

“Thaddeus, the Crown Prince will have all of our heads!”

Thaddeus sneered at the fact before glaring at Jessica, wiping the blood from his lip with his thumb.

“Fucken bitch.” He pushed her into the cell and locked the door.

Jessica closed her eyes as the guards talked amongst each other. The sound of the ballroom music, the laughing, the cheers. All while she was being held in a cold dungeon cell. This wasn't the fairy tale ending she had hoped for; it was the ugly things nightmares were made of.

After some time passed, she was led to the quarters where her luggage was and finally able to change.

Thaddeus waited at the door.

Jessica glared, “Leave.”

He huffed, “I know you aren't giving me orders. I just want to see if it looks as good in person as it did under Lord Tariq."

She stood there, trying not to tremble as she firmly said, “I...I won't change if you don't leave.”

Someone cleared their throat and she was relieved it was a female guard named Mara who glared at Thaddeus. “ She may be disqualified but she is still Lady Jessica of House Beaumont; show some respect.”

Thaddeus faltered as he grumbled and walked away.

“I will wait out here when you're done, Lady Jessica. I apologize that this is how it ends.”

Jessica said nothing as she shut the door.

She was finally alone. In more ways than one. She stopped to look at herself in the mirror, her eyes puffy, tears streaming down her face with ruined makeup. Her hair was undone and her dress was torn beyond repair.

A part of her wanted to trash the room. If she was to be banned from a foreign country, she had nothing to lose. One last fuck you to the people that ruined what was supposed to be the best night of her life.

On the table, she saw a floral arrangement of white and pink roses; her favorite. Surely, Liam arranged them to be placed in her room before she gave herself to him in the hedge maze with a promise that it would only be him for the rest of her life. Before he ignored her pleas of innocence. Before their eyes met as she was carried out of the Grand Hall. Her eyes filled with tears while his eyes were devoid of emotion as he uttered his final choice: 'I choose Madeleine'.

'Did you love me at all, Liam? How could you go through with this? How could you watch them drag me away? Drake was more upset than you! No matter what you thought I did, didn't your love for me outweigh any false accusations?!' Tears filled her eyes once more, her heart shattered.

Jessica picked up a heavy crystal vase and held it in her hand, feeling the grooves and curves of its intricate design and looked at the wall for a target to throw it at. She wanted to shatter it into a million pieces like her heart was at the moment.

'You hate me right now, don't you Liam? I hate myself more than anything right now for thinking this would work. For thinking I could be accepted into your world. For putting my heart through this!'

A picture is worth a thousand words but none of those words told the story she wanted him to know...She never betrayed him and she fought as hard as she could. Drake saved her, and although it wasn't her fault; she was embarrassed, ashamed, and scared. Scared that he wouldn't see her as anything but someone that was violated. That all the parts of her that were meant only for him were compromised by someone he trusted. That she somehow asked for it or didn't fight hard enough. That doubt of his love and respect for her tore her to shreds.

6 months ago...

Liam looked at the view of the New York City Skyline with Jessica as she stood on the railing of a boat.

Jessica smiled and said, “There she is.” as she pointed to the mint green statue.

“Jessica, you are making me nervous standing on the railing like that.” Liam moved closer and wrapped an arm around her waist. “For your safety, of course.”

“Sorry.” Jessica melted into his arms and she put her hands over his as she took a deep sigh. “No… It’s okay no point in falling into the water to be rescued by Harbor Patrol.”

“I'd jump right in to save you myself.”

Jessica smiled and said, “Okay, let’s find out.”

“Absolutely not.” Liam lifted Jessica up and carried her to a nearby bench then sat next to her. “You are a handful.” Liam let his hand fall to his side, his left hand brushed up against hers and his right hand brushed up against an engraving on the bench even between the thick layers of lacquer and he read the carving “Jon was here...I wonder why Jon did this?"

“I suppose to give New York a memory of him.” Jessica took out her keys and said, “Let’s give New York a memory of you.”

“Jess-”

“Hey, break a rule on your last night of freedom. New York deserves to know the Crown Prince of Cordonia sat on this bench.”

Tears flowed freely as she remembered all their times together and all the love they shared.

Jessica once again stood in front of the mirror, this time, she took a deep breath and put her father’s baseball cap on. She put her lipstick on the dresser after writing a message on the mirror. 'Fuck Cordonia' she thought to herself as she placed her brother’s Marine Corps issued top-loading duffle on her shoulder and with her held high. She opened the door.

Bastien led the way as two guards walked beside her and Mara walked behind her. They led her to the outside of the palace and to the front exit where a Black tinted SUV waited to take her to the airport. She looked behind her just hoping to catch one more glance of him but Liam wasn’t there. ‘Goodbye Liam’ She silently thought as she opened the door to the SUV.

Bastien attempted to take her bag as a gesture of kindness. Jessica calmly responded “Don’t touch me or my things. You can’t treat me like a common criminal and think holding my bag makes you some kind of gentleman. The way you manhandled me tonight and the way you allowed your guards to behave is disgusting and something you're gonna have to live with. You’re a sorry excuse for a man... And a human being. So cut the shit and let me be on my way.”

Bastien's eyes got wide as he watched Jessica slam the passenger door to the SUV in his face.

Jessica was driven to the airport, grateful her attire may provide no paparazzi her way.

'Stop. They are too busy documenting Madeleine and Liam's engagement. You're old news and bad news at that. Liam is too busy to even look at you one last time.'

She was dropped off with the guards surrounding her. She scowled at them. “Is this necessary?”

“Yes, you must be deported immediately.”

Jessica frowned. “Believe me, I'm leaving.” The guards said nothing as she waited for her flight. Sitting in the airport, staring at the ground as all the memories she made in Cordonia would be forever tarnished. She felt hopeless, bitter, ashamed, and couldn't wait to get home and put her dreams of traveling and love away forever. It was ruined for her now.

Her flight was announced and she sighed, digging into her pocket for her passport.

“JESSICA!”

Jessica blinked. 'There is no fucken way.' She turned to see Maxwell and Bertrand rushing up to her.

Maxwell urgently waved at her as he ran. “Blossom! Wait!”

Jessica's eyes were wide, a tad bit of hope bubbling up in her. The guards intercepted, going to grab both brothers.

Bertrand gave them a death glare and growled, “You WILL keep your hands to yourselves! I am the Duke of Ramsford !”

Both guards faltered before backing down at the title. He verbally scared them off easily, leaving Jessica and the Beaumont's alone.

Jessica frowned as Maxwell went to hug her. “Blossom! Oh, Jessica, we thought we were too late.”

Jessica swallowed hard. “You are. It's over and I'm being kicked out of Cordonia. He chose Madeleine. The man didn’t even shed a tear. He didn’t even ask me any questions, he believes it.”

Maxwell gasped, “Jessica, you don't know that! I've known Liam my entire life, I know he doesn't think that of you.”

“It doesn't matter. All of Cordonia does." She looked at them sadly. “Do you?”

Bertrand came forward with sad eyes, grabbing her hand. “Lady Jessica, I don't think you would break Liam's heart. I hate to ask but I have to know from your own lips; are you having an affair with Tariq or with anyone for that matter?"

Her eyes watered and she furiously shook her head. Bertrand squeezed her hand and said, “Then you were set up and House Beaumont will handle this.” His brows furrowed. “You handled yourself with grace and made your House proud. Please know that.”

She choked back a sob and Maxwell rushed forward to hug her while she still held Bertrand's hand. “Blossom, come home.”

"Home?" She asked as Maxwell nodded.

He replied, “Yes silly, home. At Ramsford.”

Both brothers smiled at her. Bertrand said, “You are found family, Lady Jessica. Our home is your home. You are a Beaumont and I will not stop fighting until your name is cleared.”

"Even if I do; he is still marrying Madeleine."

Bertrand corrected her, “The Crown Prince is supposed to marry his selection. However, there is a constitutional provision that states he can change his selection of a bride before marriage in certain cases for the good of the nation. It hasn't been invoked in 100 years but I feel your case could be the first in a century."

Maxwell had tears in his eyes but smiled at her. “See? You have a chance, Blossom! We have your back and so does Leo, Drake, and Hana. Please don't go.”

She shook her head. “But what will it matter if Liam doesn't want anything to do with me?”

Bertrand gave her a soft glare. “So, you are giving up?”

Jessica exclaimed, “What choice do I have?!”

He continued as he pointed to the screen that listed her flight, “Jessica, in life, sometimes all you have is a name. Your name is an honor whether it is your surname or our name but clear your name. At least attempt it. Be the woman your parents raised you to be. Hold your head high with dignity and grace, don't let these vicious lies defeat you. Reclaim your honor, not for us but for you. Of course, you are free to board that plane, prove Cordonia right, ally your name to be slandered as a disgraced suitor. Or you can slam the tabloids, prove it's a lie, but if you board that plane; you will never know."

His gaze softened, "Please, Lady Jessica. Come back to Ramsford and we can try and make this right. House Beaumont will stand by your side till the end. The Court is to blame, the culprit is to blame, and the media is to blame; not you. They will pay for what they have done." Bertrand gave.

Maxwell said, "Or the happily ever after and beyond. When Liam and you prove this to be a lie and you become Queen."

Bertrand sighed, "The only unfortunate issue is the Engagement Tour."

"The what?"

He hesitated but said, "...The Engagement Tour. Liam and Madeleine will travel to multiple destinations to invite allies as well as signify their proposal. It buys us time but you will have to watch Madeleine parade around as future Queen."

Jessica thought for a moment, her tears slowly drying. She finally said, "But can we prove my innocence and bring Tariq and the people that did this to justice?"

Bertrand nodded, "To the full extent of the law."

She glared, her mind made up and determination in her. "Alright, let's go home and prepare to clear my name."

Continue reading.... Part 2

#the royal romance #the promise #liam x mc #Liam x Jessica #liam rys #king liam

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