The Bastard (Darling #2) [complete]

Chapter Seventeen

" L I F E I N the world of royals is not fair," Barclay had told Louelle moments before their conversation came to an end. Those words had been ringing through her mind since he left her quarters, a crestfallen expression etched on his features.

A lot about their conversation had confused her. Primarily that the conversation had happened at all in the first place. Secondly, her father apologized to her for all of the trauma and hurt he caused. And he did so under voluntary circumstances. He appeared to be sincere with all of his regret for the role he played, but Louelle still did not know what to make of it. An apology or an acknowledgement of being disregarded by her own family was all she ever wanted from them, up until recently.

As time went on, she didn't necessarily care if her family confessed their awareness to their wrong-doings her entire life. It was first Maryann, who wanted to make amends and assist them with their plan to cease the arrangement. And then it was her father who regretted inflicting pain on her for agreeing to such an insane arrangement to begin with.

Since Louelle returned to the castle after her brief runaway situation, it seemed anyone who was once against her wished to rewrite their wrongs... It all confused her. What was it that they truly wanted from her?

Maryann had disliked her since... Always. She stole her dresses, the man she loved, and even her bestest friend in the entire world, Ruby, and all to prove a point that Maryann was capable of having it better than her little sister.

Her father (and mother, who had yet to make her condolences known; though she was the very last Louelle expected anything from) had only ever taken Maryann's side whenever Louelle "refused" to share her things. He (they) had taken Maryann's side with everything, even if it had previously been nothing.

Why was it that out of nowhere, everyone (moreso Barclay and Maryann) was apologizing for treating her so poorly?

Was it too late for them to redeem themselves?

Was it too late for Louelle to accept their apologies? Did she want to accept their apologies?

Everything happening as of late was too unfair for her. Why could she and Thatcher not choose one another in the right way? Why did they have to conspire ways behind their families' backs to be with each other? Why did the king hate her for simply being herself? What about her brought a threat unto him? So many thoughts and questions raised within her, which created a lot of self doubt. Did she deserve to be with Thatcher? If her family disliked her for so long, there had to be something obviously wrong with the person she was, wasn't there?

"Life in the world of royals is not fair," Barclay had said to her, dejectedly.

"But we are not royals," she retorted.

"We will be," he stated matter-of-factly. His eyes still held remorse. "In twenty-one days time, we will be."

He was correct on that front, but he wasn't aware of which daughter would be the sole inhabitant of the title "princess." Although he was correct, and Louelle did feel a little glorious, she also could not help but to feel... Dread.