TAKE MY HAND | A.K ✔

𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐫

Throughout rest of the day, Awsten sends Margaret smiles when he sees her. She'll smile back, her eyes trained on him. Soon, the day comes to an end. Margaret feels exhausted from keeping up her bubbly personality. She just wants to cry in her room.

"So, you and Awsten?" Lia asks, scaring Margaret half to death.

"What do you mean exactly?" Margaret questions.

"Well, you two were clearly holding hands-"

"Did you notice the way he looked at her?" Jasmine asks with a slight smirk. "I think he finds you quite beautiful."

Margaret can't help herself from feeling happy at the thought of Awsten finding her beautiful. "Well-"

"I saw them running down the hallway, too," Shilo adds.

"Oh, I- er-" Margaret feels so embarrassed.

"I have known him for a while. He has never looked at anyone the way he looks at you."

"We just met this morning. Plus, he is the prince. He was just being polite."

"Yes, polite," Lia teases. "He is in love!"

"Imagine they get married!" Jenna smiles.

"You are all too much," Margaret sighs, unable to hide her blush or smile. Everyone goes to their rooms, leaving only Margaret and Lia. "He is quite sweet. He plays the piano beautifully."

"You should have heard him when he first started playing. Absolutely horrendous," Lia says. "I have so many stories I can tell you. He has been like my older brother since I moved in."

"Yes, he told me. I am deeply sorry about your parents," Margaret says quietly.

"It is okay. I miss them greatly, yet I am glad they are with, you know, God. Frankly, I- and please do not tell anyone this- don't believe in him but the thought is nice. In a better place. I know they would be proud if they saw me now."

"I will not tell a single soul, I swear."

"Thank you. Now, we should rest. Goodnight, Anna."

"Goodnight, Lia."

The two go their separate ways. Just as Margaret is about to go into her room, she hears movement behind her. She quickly turns around, ready to fight or run. Awsten is standing there with a worried expression. He's holding onto a vase that looks like it was about to fall. Letting out a sigh of relief, he carefully places the vase back in it's spot. He steps back slowly, looking down at the ground.

"Sorry if I scared you," he frowns.

"It is fine. I do not mean to be rude, but why are you here?"

"I... I wanted to see you again." Margaret feels butterflies when he looks at her. They both take a few steps so they can meet. Awsten takes her hands in his. "I have not stopped thinking about you today. You have no idea how much I wanted to just hold your hand and run through the castle with you again."

Margaret isn't exactly sure how to respond. She keeps telling herself to stay away from him. He garners a lot of attention being the prince after all. A different part of her just wants to be around him. She smiles softly at the boy.

"If I am being completely honest, me too," she admits, unable to stop herself.

He lets out a sigh of relief, "Thank God."

Margaret looks at their intertwined hands, feeling her heart skip a beat, or maybe a few. She watches him as he quietly runs his thumb over her knuckles. Awsten brings her hand up to his lips to kiss it, like he had done earlier that morning. She forgets how to breathe when he makes eye contact with her.

"Are you sure you want to be seen with me?"

"If I did not want to be seen with you, I do not think I would have ran through the castle with you, lovely. It is getting late, though. You should sleep."

Awsten hesitantly cups the left side of her face with his hand. He places a kiss on her forehead. When he pulls away, he smiles at Margaret. They say goodnight, both of them not really wanting to leave each other. He lingers around her for a minute before stepping back.

"Goodnight, Awsten," Margaret says quietly.

"Night, Anna. Sleep well. I will see you tomorrow."

Margaret sighs once he's gone. She heads to her room with her heart beating faster than it ever has before. She lays down, falling asleep the moment her head hits the pillow.

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