𝐀𝐍 𝐔𝐍𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐃 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘, 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐬

xxɪx || ꜰʀᴇᴇɪɴɢ ꜰʟɪɢʜᴛ

The sun was bidding the world goodbye as Astrid moved through the private air strip terminal. Her luggage (her one suitcase) had been taken from her upon arrival, and now she moved freely towards the actual airstrip. She spotted Madison by the plane as she exited through the glass sliding doors; she noticed a displeased look on Madison's face.

"What's the issue now?" She asked, Madison crossing her arms as the Princess approached. Raising an eyebrow, Astrid waited for Madison to explain her current mood.

"I understand why you haven't told our friends," Madison began, "But I can't stop thinking about you and Jasmine". Astrid heaved a sigh, Madison shaking her head in disapproval, "You left her! A whole year of commitment to one another and you just upped and left like it was nothing!"

"You don't understand," Astrid tried, but Madison wasn't hearing it.

"No, I don't need to understand. I know you're trying to protect Wilhelm, and Simon, and this country and all that from August but Jasmine was in no danger, and we both know it. August wouldn't go after her, not when he was meant to marry you..."

Madison's words began to blend together as Astrid stopped listening. A smile spread across her face with warning as the familiar American girl started across the air strip. "And you don't even care," Madison finished, in an offended tone, "I can't believe you".

"Madison," Astrid said, Madison raising an eyebrow in response, "Turn around for me, would you?" Not looking as if she trusted Astrid at the moment, Madison reluctantly turned around, only to lay eyes on Jasmine, duffle bag in hand, a smile across her face.

Madison stared, her mouth agape, as Jasmine moved past her to Astrid, wrapping her arm around the Princess's shoulders. "What...?" Madison breathed, her eyes flicking from Jasmine to Astrid, "Explain yourself. Now".

Astrid looked to Jasmine, "Should we tell her?"

"I think so," Jasmine agreed, nodding.

Astrid turned back to Madison, as she fussed with her left hand. "I told you I gave the ring back," Astrid said, "And that's true, I did. But not in that sense, more in the sense that we...exchanged it, would you say?" She asked Jasmine, as a massive smile broke out on Jasmine's face. Simultaneously, both girls held up their left hands, thin gold rings, reflecting off one another in the sunlight. "You didn't actually think I would break up with her, and get her forcibly removed from the country, did you?" Astrid asked Madison, who's mouth had fallen open in shock.

"You got married?!" She exclaimed, taking Jasmine's hand into her own to examine the wedding band, "You got married without any of us there? Wilhelm is going to be so pissed!"

"I've taken care of all that, don't worry," Astrid said, Jasmine rummaging through her duffle bag to produce a sealed envelope. In Astrid's distinct handwriting, the name Wilhelm was written neatly in the center of the envelope. "I need you to give this to him, for me. It explains everything, the adoption, the marriage situation, our marriage situation," She said, as both she and Jasmine giggled.

"I still can't believe you got married," Madison said, taking the letter, "But there's news, with the adoption situation. I completely blanked!" She exclaimed, "The story has hit the papers, the Queen released it". Astrid went quiet for a few moments; Jasmine squeezed her hand supportively.

Taking a breath, Astrid said, "it's fine. We're going to disappear, together," She added pointedly, "And it will no longer be an issue".

"Where are you going to go?" Madison asked.

"I don't know," Astrid shrugged, "It's better you don't know. Then if the cops question you about our disappearance, you actually know nothing". Madison nodded understandingly. "Well, then," she said after a moment, "We should get going. Wouldn't want to miss our flight," Jasmine chuckled.

"Wilhelm will understand," Madison said encouragingly, "And I know I haven't been very supportive with this whole thing, but for what it's worth, I think you're doing the right thing, for yourself, for Wilhelm, and for Sweden. You're the best princess this country could have asked for, Astrid".

The two girls embraced for Astrid and Jasmine really did have to get going. Madison waited at the edge of the airstrip for the plane to take off, and didn't move until it had disappeared out of sight.

She turned away from the landing strip sadly. Now she had to deliver the news to her friends. 

*            *             *

(750 words)

only one more chapter to go!