Forgotten Memories

Chapter 21

The days following the attack on the castle were chaotic and busy. Everyone was bustling about planning events, repairing the castle, and making announcements to the public.

As the king had expected, the kingdom erupted into pandemonium when they found out the princess had passed away and been replaced by Charlotte. This news was made worse with the fact that the king and queen had been killed in the attack. The rebel alliance, however, was able to calm the people of Trordon and maintain the peace.  

Carson had thought it would be best to have Charlotte be in charge of the group of rebels who would be responsible for maintaining that peace. For Charlotte, that meant finally being able to see her family again. She had never really given up hope that she would see them again, she had known it would be a long time, but she had known in her heart she would be reunited with them.

Earlier that morning Matt had handed her the new address that her family had been living in. She was relieved to see that the King had indeed moved them into the gates of central Trordon where the nobles resided, just as he had promised. This meant there were only eight measly minutes standing between Charlotte and the people she loved the most.

Now, Charlotte stood in front of the large oak door, her hand raised in a fist a few centimeters from the wood. She took a deep breath, pushing aside the thoughts that were begging for her attention. She would not listen to her brain tell her that her family wouldn’t be happy to see her, that they would blame her for what happened, that she was just a disappointment. She cleared her mind as best she could and knocked on the door before she could convince herself not to.

Her heart pounded in her ears as she waited for an answer. The seconds ticked by as slow as molasses; she wiped her hands on her dress and shifted her feet. Surely they would at least answer, right? The thought had barely crossed her mind when the door slid open revealing the whole family crowded into the entryway of their new residence.

Before she could even get a word out their faces broke into smiles and she was suddenly engulfed in a sea of arms and sweaters and laughter. Then she was in the air, lifted up by Dom who spun her around before lowering her back to the ground.

“I can’t believe you’re back.” He smiled down at her.

“Well, we aren’t technically staying here so I’m not really “back” per say, but instead here to take you guys back to the palace. I know what you mean though, and I can't believe it either.”

Sophie screamed, jumping up and down, “I can’t believe we get to see the palace!”

Charlotte laughed at her sister’s excitement. “I missed you too, soph.” she joked.

“Come, come,” her mother started dragging her toward the kitchen. “You have to tell us everything. Hallen, why don’t you grab your sister something to drink.”