Forever Us

Chapter 11: Avery

"And that's the last batch," Amber said while taking the last tray out of the oven, and placing it on the table next to the others so that Avery could arrange them on the cooling racks.

"So, you're going to the Palace?" she asked.

"Yeah, Philip called me earlier and he sounded serious."

"Did something happen?"

"I don't know, he just said he needed to tell me something important."

"I'm sure everything's fine," Amber said, but Avery wasn't totally convinced.

By the time they finished at the bakery for the day, the sun was already setting and the sky was painted in pinks and purple hues, along with gray clouds scattering around, and the soft breeze bringing fresh aromas from the nearby woods.

The palace stood in the middle of a field surrounded by rolling hills, Avery could vaguely make out the endless fields and mountains stretching at the back of the palace.

Once she went in, she walked down the long corridor wallpapered in an ivory-colored brocade adorned with gold detailing, and paintings of old figures, leading the way to the royal apartments.

A soft melody traveled down the corridors from the music room, and when Avery arrived, she found Philip playing the grand piano. She smiled at the sight of him before she knocked on the door to let him know she was there.

"Hey," he came to her and gave her a kiss, "did you walk all the way here?"

"Yeah, it's been a while since I've gone on a walk by myself– is everything alright? You sounded serious on the phone."

"Yeah, I just– I need to tell you something important and it cannot wait any longer."

"You know you can tell me anything," she said, "whatever it is, I'm here for you."

She held her hand to his face, which he leaned on, worry setting deep in his eyes as he grabbed her hands in his before taking a deep breath.

"Philip?" her throat tightened and her heart pounded in her chest as she anxiously waited for what he had to say.

"When we came back from the cabin, my father called both Damien and I to let us know his plans moving forward– I had no idea what he intended to do, not that he talks to me much these days, but he made a point to remind us of our duty to Amerenia and also told us both that he intended to step down from the throne in two years."

"Wait, so that means..."

"Yeah, I will have to become King, and with that..."

"Philip, that's amazing news," she hugged him, relieved at the news.

But just when she thought things were okay between them, someone cleared their throat behind them; Loui stood in the doorway with a smug smile plastered on his face, "so, you told her the news" he said.

"Not now father, please."

"I'll leave you to it, but I'm glad you've finally come to your senses," Loui said before turning to leave.

"What was that about?" Avery asked.

"Nothing," Philip jittered.

"Philip, that was not nothing; if there's something else, you know you can tell me."

"Well, you know that traditions are almost sacred to my father, and he concocted plans to have me married before I take his place on the throne."

"Oh!"

"And that's the real reason for Sophia's arrival, he wants–"

"You to marry her," she finished the sentence, backing away from him, "as she comes from an aristocratic family."

"Avery, you know I won't marry her. It's you who I want to–"

Avery shook her head before he could continue, "It doesn't matter, if it's not her, then it will be someone else– he will find someone else."

All the missing pieces clicked, this was why he had been acting distant and changing the subject whenever she asked, there was no future for them.

How could she have contemplated the idea of having a future with a prince? Life wasn't a storybook, those things only happened in movies and books, not in real life, and her first mistake was to let herself think it could work out despite their differences.

"Avery, please let me explain."