Crowned

Chapter 7

Gracie sat in her room, and stared out the window. It was almost night, and the sun was setting. She thought about her new fiancée. Yeah Prince Timothy was alright, but she could never picture herself married. She couldn't even think of the word without freaking out. She blew so hard out of her mouth that her bangs flew up out of the way of her forehead. She rested her head on her palm and thought about her wedding day. She wondered if her mom would be there to see her then. She held back some tears. Gabby walked in, looking angry.
"I can't believe this! Getting married at 16! I can't do this!" She paced around Gracie's room. She crossed her arms and touched the locket around her neck. "Besides, I can run Crystal Valley alone." She glanced over at Gracie. "Oh sorry, I meant that if I was que-"
"I know what you meant." Gracie interrupted. Gabby stopped pacing. She sat next to Gracie on the window seat. "Don't you think this is all so sudden?" She asked. Gabby let out a little laugh. "Mom just wants what's best for us," She said. "It's a little sudden, but we won't be lonely."
"But what if it's not the best for us? What if Prince Andrew wasn't the best for me?" She exhaled loudly and looked out the window at the mountains and fields.
Gracie stared at her.
"Does mom know about Nathan?"
Gabby stared wide-eyed at her. "How did you know about him?"
"That doesn't matter." Gracie said.
Gabby stood up. "No! I want to know how you know about Nathan."
Gracie didn't answer.
"Tell me!"
"I saw you two this morning." She said.
"You were spying on me?"
"Hey look, it's not my fault you two were so loud! I went to see what was happening."
"Ugh! Gracie do not tell mom about that. I will never forgive you." She clenched her fists.
"You can't see him anymore, you know."
Gabby looked right in her eyes.
"You're wrong."
"Mom wouldn't allow you to marry a member of the staff."
"He's more than that!"
"You two are cute together, but you're marrying Prince Andrew. You can't be with Nathan."
"Stop. Stop. I love him, and I won't stop loving him. Do not mention this to anybody please. Gracie, I'm trusting you with this one." She sat back down and held Gracie's hand.
"Please."
Gracie swallowed. She bit her lip and looked right back at her.
"Okay."
Gabby thanked her and stood up. She went to the mirror in Gracie's room and examined herself. "Do I look okay?" She asked. She turned to straighten her dress. She had her gray dress on again.
"Yeah. Where are you going?"
"Just outside for a bit." Gabby started to walk out. Gracie ran after her. She grabbed her arm.
"Gabby! What're you doing you can't visit Nathan anymore! The guards will see you and tell mom!" She whispered.
"Let go of my arm! You can't tell me what to do!" She pulled away and started to walk down the stairs. Gracie followed.
"Gabby, wait. I'm trying to help you. You'll get caught!"
"You're wrong. Leave me alone, I'll be fine." She pushed open a door of the palace and guards immediately surrounded her. Gracie watched her run right to the gardens. She was about to go after her when Prince Timothy came up behind her.
"Hello." He said.
She rubbed her neck. "Hi." She curtsied.
"I got a great tour of this palace. It's very nice."
"Thank you." There was silence between them.
He cleared his throat.
"Listen, I was wondering if maybe you wanted to..." He bit his lip, which Gracie thought was cute.
"To get some dinner from the kitchen with me? You know, because we kind of just met and we're getting married."
She laughed. "Sure." She took his hand and they walked towards the kitchen. They smiled at each other.