Us against the world

-+<*~ Chapter 3 ~*>+-

Lottie's POV

Jamie had denied his lack of focus. He had been acting so strange over the past weeks, and I couldn't put my finger on the source. 

 It was about 4 p.m. in the evening and here we all were, watching a movie on Ellie's couch. Maya had fallen asleep on Jamie's shoulder and Ellie was on her 5th bag of crisps. It felt calming to savour the last few moments of freedom before going back to Rosewood.

A knock on the door broke my train of thought.

 I exchanged eye contact with Ellie before nodding and running over to open it. There Hannah was, looking as kind as ever with a small smile spread across her pale lips. 

"Hi Hannah!" I greeted, shooting her one of my friendly smiles as I leaned on the door frame.

"Hello Lottie," she replied, brushing a strand of hair out of her face "The king and queen wish to see you,"

 My stomach dropped. The king and queen of Maradova never call us for no reason, something was wrong and I, for one, didn't need anymore troublesome situations in my life anytime soon. Ellie seemed to have noticed my body frozen as she stood behind me with a hand on my shoulder.

"Hannah? What's happened?" she asked when I regained focus.

"Good evening, Princess Eleanor." Hannah said "Your parents would like to see you four,"

Ellie scratched the back of her neck "Uh...sure, one moment." 

 She slammed the door before running over to Maya and shaking her shoulders rapidly, causing the couple to both wake up, I didn't even know Jamie was asleep. "Hey-what? Ow! Ellie!" Maya gasped, taking hold of Ellie's wrist.

"My parents want us," Ellie gulped, studying Jamie's confused expression.

The Partizan raised a brow "What? Why?"

"If I knew I would tell you," Ellie replied, rolling her eyes "We have to go. Come on."

 The four of us made our way out of the room, constantly exchanging mortified looks. The grand hallway of past Maravish rulers stared down at us, like a lingering ghost of the past. I tried to avoid eye contact with Claude but failed as I peered into his demonic emerald eyes while we travelled towards the actual royal reality.

What are your intentions with Jamie? Why do you want him?

 The silver wolf pendant pierced into my chest like a spear --- a low growl escaping my lips before turning my head back towards the castle walls. 

You have no power against us.

 The useless line rang in my thoughts, it was a lie. He did have power, so much power. We don't even know what he's capable of.

 I gave a small nod to Ellie then swung the doors open, the bright light blinding me as I did so. There they were, the three rulers of this delicate country, all seated in velvet thrones in front of my very eyes, again.

 Maya curtsied before intertwining her fingers with Jamie's. I admired how much they trust one another and how the other can always be there for support. 

"Alex?" Queen Matilde coughed, nudging for the king to say something at least.

"Eleanor," He began, piercing his eyes into Ellie's.

"Yeah?" she tapped her foot on the marble floors.

"You may find this hard to cope with but due to your reveal, the royal court has decided we will not allow you back inside Rosewood Hall." King Alexander announced, blankly.

 Our jaws dropped the moment those few words escaped his pale lips. I especially had a hard time dealing with such a heart-break. Ellie was my best friend and roommate! I couldn't just let her go so easily. Plus, Rosewood was our home.

"What? No! I'm staying," Ellie retorted, a look of disbelief plastered onto her face.

"Eleanor-"

"No, dad. I am not leaving Rosewood Hall just because I announced my role as a dumb princess. If you-"

 Grandmother Wolfson cut her off with a loud thwack! from her cane, sending shivers up my spine. I forgot how terrifying she was. 

Should I say something? I played with the tip of my fingers before taking a deep breath.

"With all due respect, I don't think keeping Ellie back from school is the best idea."

King Alexander glares at me in fury "With all due respect, Charlotte, my daughter should've never been allowed out of my supervision. And if she and her Partizan never came up with your job as a Portman when they met you, this wouldn't ever happened. She's not the all to blame,"

 The pit in my stomach deepens, this was my fault?

"How dare you!?" Ellie fumes, her voice echoing across the room "Don't you dare pin this on Lottie. Pin it on me, fine, but DO NOT accuse her of why this whole situation is in shreds!"

 I noticed how Maya shouldn't have even stepped into this room, she had no part in this argument. All the princess could do was watch and hope. She shouldn't have to listen to this debate.

"I'm just doing what's best for your sake," The kind continued.

"So hiding me from the rest of the world is the solution?"

"Excuse me?" A melodic voice interrupted, coming out of the shadows.

Maya was now stood in front of us, fiddling with her fingers as if scared. She was going to stand up to the king?

"Your majesty, I do think allowing Ellie into Rosewood is a good decision. She'd be under pressure. If she does misbehave in any form, it will spread and I'm sure she wouldn't want to risk ruining the whole family's reputation. Besides, all of us will be there for support," 

"Princess Ashwick, I advise you not to include yourself in this family matter."

Ellie broke the tension once more "She'll include herself in whatever the hell your matter is, I'm going to Rosewood and that's final,"

 The king's eyes darted upon us one by one, pausing specifically on Ellie and Jamie. 

Jamie wasn't as contributed to this family as before, no longer was he going to take orders from the king after the shattering news about what they did to his mother. His hazel eyes ignited into an emerald ocean, similar to Claude's.

"I trust you to keep her safe, Jamie. And on behalf of all Wolfsons, I'm sorry for-"

Ellie marched her foot on the floor with a loud boom! She snatched Jamie's arm, pulling him away from Maya and dragged him out the door "You don't own Jamie, dad."

 I stared at everyone left in the room awkwardly before nagging Maya out of this very messed up situation. Shutting the door, I walked Maya back to her room with concerned look. Although I was troubled, she looked completely fine.

"Sorry about...that," I stuttered, looking into the princess's crystal blue eyes.

"Don't be sorry, silly. I'm fine,"

I blinked a couple times "Really? From that? Nothing's wrong?"

"Yes, nothing's wrong. Thank you for caring though,"

Although her words may be convincing, I knew what was wrong was the fact Maya's good at hiding these things from other people.