The Florist And The Prince (ON HOLD)

~ 16 ~

This chapter is dedicated to itlumfan who from the early stages of story has being liking the chɑpters regardless of them not being edited with many grammatical errors (ps. English is not my first language).

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Avery's POV

"Sweetie, come on. We need to pack your things, Madam Eunice said the car will be picking you up in two hours. That's not much time." Claire said, snapping Avery out of her trail of thoughts and put her back into motion.

Never in a million years did she think that she would actually get chosen. This all felt like a dream but she couldn't tell if it was a good one or a bad one, she was in a turmoil of emotions. There were so many girls there, gifted, beautiful and came from high status families so why did they chose her over them. She didn't want to leave her grandparents, she especially came back to Northden to have the summer and take a gap year off to spend time with them before attending university, and this just made it difficult. She wanted so badly to decline the offer but she didn't want to bring shame upon them. She couldn't bare that.

"Hey, are you not happy?"

"I am happy." Avery said half heartedly while she folded a blouse.

Her grandmother turned to fully face her and gave her a pointed look. "You know you can't lie to me."

"Okay, fine." Avery sighed and sat down on the edge of her bed. "It's just...I came here to spend time with you and papa, but I can't now because I've been chosen to take part in this contest."

"Yes, but you'll just be up the mountain, a few minutes away. I'm sure they'll let you visit from time to time." Claire tucked a lock of Avery's dark hair behind her ear.

"Hey." The door to Avery's bed suddenly swung open and her grandfather walked in with a large grin plastered on his face. "Is my beautiful granddaughter going to the palace?"

Claire smiled. "Yes, she is."

"Yes. My prayers have been answered." He cheered excitedly.

"Papa, you should be praying about important things, not this." Avery scowled.

"What do you mean? Your happiness is important to me and your grandma, and I know that your father would want that too."

Avery felt her throat clog up with emotions at what her grandfather said, especially because they were facing some financial trouble but still managed to hang in there and she was worried about his health. Although he says that his fine, she couldn't help but feel like there was something that he was keeping from her. But regardless of all their trails and errors, she loved her family dearly and was thankful that God blessed her with them. The loving, encouraging, kind, generous, protective and selfless people they were.

"Okay stop it, don't make me cry Joshua. She hasn't even left the house yet." Avery giggled as her grandmother playfully chased her husband out of the bedroom with one of her blouse while sniffling.

Once most of her belongs were packed into her suitcases and bags because she might more or less be spending the year at the palace, Avery went back down to the shop and began helping around, ignoring her coworkers and grandparents telling her to not do anything.

"Now you'll have to take another bath. You can't possibly go to the palace like this." One of her older coworkers stated matter-of-factly with a shake of her head in disapproval.

Looking down at her shirt and trousers that she had changed into before going downstairs, Avery saw dirt and a few dried leaves stuck onto them and lightly dust them off with her hand then used her other hand to wipe the sweat off of her forehead. She was definitely going to need another bath, but she didn't care. She just couldn't bare to sit around and not do anything, especially since she won't be here for the next how many months, she didn't know.