𝐀𝐍 𝐔𝐍𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐃 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘, 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐬

ɪɪ || ʜᴏᴍᴏꜱᴇxᴜᴀʟɪᴛʏ

"What?!" Astrid exclaimed loudly as the Queen took her departure. Astrid tried to go after her, but the guards stood in her path, forcing her to be unable to follow. "Did you know about this?" She demanded accusingly, as she turned back to face Wilhelm.

She hadn't realised it before, but Wilhelm's face had fallen when his mother explained her plans for the two of them. He looked disheartened and devastated; Astrid immediately felt guilty for thinking he had any part of this.

"We're going to fix this," She promised, moving to stand in front of him. She placed her hands on his shoulders, and Wilhelm looked up at her tearfully. "We are going to fix this," She repeated. "I won't let her do this, alright? I won't let her ruin our lives. We're going to fix this".

"How?"

Wilhelm's voice was soft, and scared. His question stumped Astrid. "I don't know," She admitted, "But what I do know this isn't going to happen, I will not let it go through. I refuse to let her ruin my life. Sorry, Will, as much as I love you, I will not marry you. You're not my type". Astrid had always used humor to cover her up real emotions, the ones she wished to not experience, like fear and the feeling of being helpless. Though, it seemed at that moment, it was actually helping.

Wilhelm smiled. "And what would your type be?" He asked curiously, as he realised he didn't actually know what her type was.

"Women," She said simply. "Sorry," She shrugged.

"Don't apologize. There's nothing wrong with liking girls," Wilhelm said sympathetically, "Though I don't think it will go down too well with mum".

"Yeah, that might be a problem. Reckon she'll call off the wedding if she finds out I'm gay?" Astrid asked hopefully. Wilhelm shook his head.

"Probably not".

"Dammit".

* * *

School started back that following Monday, so Astrid and Wilhelm spent their night packing. The Queen made herself scarce for the night, knowing both the kids would need time to come to terms about the PR stunt.

Though, instead of that, while Astrid and Wilhelm packed, the two began their scheming. There was no way either of them were going to commit to the PR stunt, no way the wedding was taking place. It would mean Astrid giving up her whole life for the Monarchy, and Wilhelm being forced to give up on Simon.

No, either of them would allow it.

However, neither Astrid or Wilhelm could think up a good enough idea to cancel the whole thing. They were shipped off to Hillerska without even the beginning of a plan in mind.

Astrid thought the media was bad when it came to a scandal, but a bunch of teenagers were much, much worse. As she walked beside Wilhelm, both trying to appear confident, Astrid heard whispers about her friend, about Simon (Whom she was still yet to meet), about the video. People stared and snickered, and by the time they had reached the safety of Wilhelm's dorm room, Astrid was ready to fight someone.

"We should go to the Headmistress, she could deal with the jokes and the whispers," Astrid suggested, as she paced the room slowly. Wilhelm was sitting on his bed, his head in his hands.

"That's a terrible idea," He replied, as the door to the dorm room opened.

August stood at the threshold.

"Fuck off," Astrid said harshly, barely looking at her adoptive second cousin. August didn't flinch at her words, just stood in the doorway, not daring to take a step inside.

"I just want to talk..." He tried, before Astrid stopped the glass vase which was sitting discarded by Wilhelm's desk. She had no idea where it had come from, but without a second thought, she hurled the vase at the door, August shielding himself from the shattered glass with his arms.

"I said, fuck off," She snarled. This time, August took the hint and took his leave.

"That was unnecessary," Wilhelm commented.

"Fuck off".

*        *        *

(677 words)