Guard

Chapter Twenty-Six: Reunion

ALEC

I didn't realise how unprepared I was to see her again until we rode through the streets and into the square. I thought I'd be fine.

The confidence started the moment I awoke. I remembered the events of the day before. I remembered how upset Father became. I remembered how I felt. And I remembered the choice I had made.

For their sake I was determined to live up to it.

"Won't you come with us?" Her Majesty asked Father as she prepared to enter the carriage.

He shook his head and smiled. "I must decline Your Majesty. I have been waiting for this day for years. I would like to enter Celia on my own. I have everything I need thanks to you." He said.

Her Majesty nodded once. "Very well, if you insist. We will see you there Sir Hart. Ride safely."

"I will."

As Her Majesty the Queen climbed into the carriage. I looked to Father and nodded, which he returned.

"Let's mount!" I called out to the Guards. We immediately took our helmets out from under our arms and placed them over our heads, sliding the visor down. We walked over to our respective horses and mounted the saddle.

We left the castle gates and headed for Celia.

I was on high alert as we rode through, adrenaline pumping through my veins. But I knew some of that adrenaline was for something else.

Thankfully our journey to Celia was uneventful. As we approached the town I had lived in for a year and a half, we slowed down.

Cheering and applause had already begun as Celians standing at the entrance caught a glimpse of us.

I leaned slightly toward Darcy. "Let's keep our eyes and ears open," I muttered to him, earning me a nod from him.

The horses trotted through the entrance as the people of Celia lined the streets waving, moving about side to side, up and down, trying to get a glimpse of the Queen.

Although I had only left the day before, as I looked around, I started to recall the things I had done in this town. And it brought a smile to my face.

I glanced back to see if there was anything out of the ordinary but thankfully all seemed well. I glanced at the carriage, imagining Her Majesty smiling and waving to everyone she saw.

We turned into the square where the cheering became louder as it echoed and bounced off the buildings and concrete walls around us into our helmets.

And that's when I saw her.

In the front row, standing next to William. I didn't even have to look for her, it was as if my brain was conditioned to find her.

My heart pounded even more within my chest as we rode closer and closer to the crowd. I had worn this helmet many many times, with no trouble, but this time, it felt as if it was suffocating me.

I knew the reason for it, and so I looked elsewhere. Trying to focus on anything else but what was right in front of me.

We stopped metres from the crowd. Darcy turned around and watched as Sir Timothy opened the carriage to assist Her Majesty out.

My job, on the other hand, was to scan the crowds. Something normally I wouldn't have trouble doing, but it was difficult when I could see her in the corner of my eye in any direction I looked.

I wanted to slap myself to focus.

"She's out." I heard Darcy say.

I nodded and we and the rest of the Guards dismounted. We split into two groups - Darcy, Edward, Bentley and two others went ahead of her Majesty, while Louis, Spencer and I along with two more protected the rear.