A Royal In the Making

Chapter Sixteen: The Truth

I was trying to write another chapter when I realized it is Wednesday and I'm supposed to update! I am so excited! This week has been stressful, overwhelming, and I am just feeling the college blues. Today has been better though and hopefully, the week continues to be better. I hope you all enjoy this next chapter! I had debated making it a two-part chapter last week but decided against it. Here you go!-expressionwriter

Charles's Point of View:

My parents were furious at me. They don't agree with my decision to not tell Aurora the real reason as to why I'm not accepting the throne. I just don't want her to blame herself because I know she will.

This secret is destroying her. Whether she knows it or not, it's eating her up inside. She's hurt and feels alone. I never wanted her to feel alone. 

The sad thing is I understand where Aurora is coming from. She's right. Eventually, the secrets will start piling up. She doesn't want this to divide us but it already has. I don't want her to know the truth and that's all she wants. Nothing will please her until she does.

I wanted this trip to be fun but it's a mess. I don't know how to salvage it when she won't even look at me. The only good thing that is happening is that she and my family are bonding. 

Joe was watching Aurora so I didn't have to worry too much about her. I still did of course but that's for other reasons. She's my girl and I've hurt her.

Late at night, I felt the bed shift. It was weird and woke me up. The next thing I knew there were arms wrapped around me. I turned my head around to see Aurora. Her face was puffy and she looked absolutely miserable. So why was she in my bed?

I stopped questioning her reasoning and fell back asleep. When morning came she was still laying next to me. I couldn't help but stare at her as she slept.

She stirred awake. Our eyes connected. This is what I wanted last night. To look into her bright beautiful eyes and see the different shades of brown.

"Hi," I greeted her.

"Hi back," Aurora replied. I was a little surprised that she even said that much to me.

"Why's a beautiful princess such as yourself laying in my bed?" She shrugged her shoulders and looked away from me. "Aurora, I'm not sure what else to say right now."

"Sorry." That was all she said and then walked out of the room. 

When I went to the dining room I was surprised to not see Aurora at the table with my parents. They seemed to be surprised too.

"Where's Aurora?" My mother asked.

"I-I don't know. She was just in my room like twenty minutes ago. I thought she came down here for breakfast." I answered.

"Go find her. We'll make sure they put the leftovers away for you two to eat." I nodded and searched the castle for her.

One of the first places I should have looked at was the library. I found her in a corner reading a book while crying. Joe was sitting at a chair on the opposite end reading as well.

"Aurora? Breakfast is ready? Would you like to come and eat?" I asked. She shook her head no. "My parents are asking about you. Mother wants to see how you're doing." No response. Just tears and a blank face. I thought that would get her to move but I was wrong. "Can I sit with you?" Aurora nodded her head yes. "Okay. We'll just read in silence for a while then." I pulled a random book from the shelf but I couldn't read it.

I tried seeing what book Aurora had in her hand. It looked familiar. She held it up that way I could read it better. Well, it looked familiar because it was. This book was one she gave to me as a gift that summer she was in Para. A cute little children's book she brought from the States. I kept it all this time. She even wrote a little message, "To my best friend Charlie, I'll never forget you. Love, Rory."