A Royal In the Making

Chapter Nine: The Town Outing

Guys, these weeks are going by so fast! I can't believe it's time for another update! As of now, I have 25 completed chapters! So this book will be a lot of fun! For the first time in a while, I had to be up early and my brain decided to wake up an extra half hour early on top of that, not fun!  I hope you enjoy this new chapter!-expressionwriter

Another day was upon us. The birds chirped outside, the sun was bright, and it felt like a strange new day. The only difference was that I stayed in bed instead of going on my run. After not eating yesterday I didn't want an incident to occur.

Breakfast was quiche which I happily enjoyed. My body needed the food placed before me if I was meant to get through the day.

"Are you feeling better today, Aurora?" Grandmother asked. I nodded. "Good, I'm glad. When you are done eating Frederik is outside in the garden."

"Interesting. Thank you for informing me, grandmother. Today's breakfast was spot on. Just what I needed to start my day." I quickly finished my breakfast so I could meet Frederik. "You waste no time, huh?"

"What happened, Aurora?"

"Can you elaborate more on that?"

"Why did you cancel the date?"

"I needed a day to myself. Anything wrong with that?"

"No, nothing is wrong with that. It was just unexpected for us. Is there anything I can do?" I shook my head. Whatever I was going through I wanted to do it alone. "We're worried about you, Aurora."

"I'm fine, Frederik. Feel free to tell the others that as well."

"Why don't I believe you?"

"That's on you, not me. Would you like to start our date now and if so what will we do?"

"Hmm, start it earlier, huh? Well, the Queen has granted me permission to do one thing you have not been allowed to do for weeks. Take you outside of the castle and to meet your people." My eyes lit up.

"Really?"

"We'll go to the market, walk around town, and eat out. You've been cooped up here long enough Aurora." I was a little giddy now. "Someone is very excited."

"I haven't left the premises since I got here. Of course, I am excited!"

I changed into different attire for my date. This was something I've been longing for. Maybe I'll get out of this rut I've been stuck in.

We walked past the gate that has been trapping me inside this beautiful prison. Everything beyond was now possible. There were so many wonders before me.

Taking our stroll through my country was perfect. Frederik showed me off. It was special. I greeted my people with enthusiasm. They were just as excited as I am.

The market was very popular. Frederik kept me close by never letting go of me. Anything I wanted he bought me. One thing I didn't have on me was money. He was good about taking care of me though.

After walking through the market we stopped at a local pastry shop. I found a delicious-looking scone to munch on. It was really good. Frederik couldn't help but laugh at my reaction. I lightly pushed him in retaliation.

Some people came up to me with flowers. They were smiling brightly but their words threw me off more than I could have imagined.

"Dear Princess, please take these flowers as a gift. We're sorry for the loss of your father. He was a great man." I took their hand and thanked them for their gift.

At this moment, I saw my father everywhere. He was on statues, paintings, murals, and the like. For a little while, I forgot about his death. I had forgotten why I was here. But it was all brought back to me.

Suddenly this outing turned out to become my greatest nightmare. I wasn't worthy to walk the streets my father ever so graciously took care of. He was a great man and I haven't done a single thing for his people.

How could I be great like him? They worshipped him and me? I'm nothing. There isn't anything I could do that would equal what he has done for Para.

I abandoned him and gave up on him. He reached out to me and I treated him as if he was already dead to me. What person does that? What kind of daughter am I to treat him like he was nothing when he was supposed to be my everything. They say fathers are their daughter's first love but I never knew mine. How could I love somebody I didn't know?

"Everything okay, Aurora?" Frederik asked showing concern. I had been really quiet since the condolences started. My people became a herd of sheep giving me their condolences for the loss of my father. It never stopped until we made it back to the gate.

"Um yeah. This was a lot of fun. Thank you." He took my hand.

"Anything for you my dear. Are you sure you're okay?" I nodded not able to lie with words twice.

"I-I have to go. Bye Frederik." I rushed inside the castle past my grandmother and Joe who called after me. They were right. I wasn't ready to go out of the castle.

The darkness was overwhelming. The light I felt was gone now. It was horrible. Today was so perfect and then everything was ruined. My guilt for turning away someone who only wanted to show me the world only grew from here.

I couldn't push it down anymore. I was gone. The happiness I had vanished. Tears poured out and I couldn't stop them like I couldn't stop the horrible feelings I had.

My dates were canceled again because I am not okay. I wished I could talk to the one person on my mind. Robert. I called him but no answer so I left a message hoping and praying he would speak to me at least one more time.

I stayed in my room for three days with very little interaction with others, including Joe. He tried helping me but I couldn't open to him. That was my biggest flaw. The inability to share my problems and open up to those who only want to help me and let me grow.

Soon, I would get a voicemail that would change everything for me. What I had prayed for became my downfall.

This chapter is short but I am going to change the point of view and felt like it transitioned better with a new chapter instead of the middle of this one.-expressionwriter