I Choose All of You

Chapter Fifty-Two

I pulled away from Jeremiah's lips. Confused, I noticed Jeremiah wasn't looking at me anymore. I turned around and watched as Prince Kalum disappear down the stairway.

"Did you know he was there," I asked Jeremiah hurriedly.

The Prince shrugged and embraced me tightly, "It doesn't matter. It can be just the two of us now."

Blinking rapidly, I hugged Jeremiah back and tried to calm myself. I was angry at Kalum. Nessa and him were just about to do whatever the hell they were about to do. Then Kalum acts all innocent and chases after me. Why is he suddenly upset about Jeremiah and I? He's obviously made his choice. He chose Nessa.

Frazzled, I let Jeremiah walk me back to my bedroom. I stayed silent as he held onto me the entire way, rubbing circles into the back of my hand.

Jeremiah kissed my cheek goodnight and left me alone in my room. The second the door closed, I broke down in a sob. Falling to the floor and covering my mouth, muffling my cries.

Wiping my nose with the back of my hand, I began packing. I stuffed the suitcase with whatever I could find.

I stood up to grab the dagger Atlas gave me, which I've been keeping under my pillow, but stopped in my tracks. There on my pillow, laid a red rose. Just like the ones that mysteriously littered my room days before.

What?

Suddenly every hair on my skin stood straight up. The most blood curdling scream I've ever heard, echoed through the castle walls.

Immediately I ran out of my room and towards the sound. I let myself into Avalon's room. She was sitting up in bed, terrified.

"You alright? Who screamed," I shouted.

The frightened girl shook her head vigorously, "I-I don't know."

I opened the door to every room I passed, but still nothing. Then I slowed my jog, as I entered Nessa's bedroom. It was completely torn apart. The bed sheets had tears and holes, glass covered the floor, and clothes were scattered everywhere. My eyes couldn't tear away from the sight before me.

Slowly stepping farther into the room, I called out to Nessa.

No response.

I then noticed the blood splattered across the walls, dripping onto the floor. The blood smeared down and at the base, was a pool of blood. There laid a lifeless Nessa.

"Oh my god," I muttered.

Rushing over to her, I scooped up her head and rested it on my lap. Whoever did this, had no mercy.

"Nessa! Wake up! What happened," I tried shaking her but there was no use.

A loud shriek sounded, and Avalon backed herself into the doorframe. Her eyes were full of terror. Her entire body was trembling. She looked like she was about to pass out.

I stood up to comfort Avalon, but she then started pointing and screaming at the blood that now stained my dress.

"Avalon, please! You need to calm down," I begged the hysterical girl.

A stampede of footsteps started to approach us. Queen Clarissa, Prince Kalum and Jeremiah, Maddy, Hannah, and several more guards swarmed inside. A chorus of gasps resounded and Maddy covered Hannah's eyes.

"Guards, call a doctor immediately," the Queen spoke.

She remained incredibly calm and level-heated. Kalum was white as a ghost, and Jeremiah took a seat on the ground from shock. Avalon continued crying loudly as the guards moved around the bloody body, blocking it from our view.

I turned away from the horrid sight.

Avalon then started running her hands through her hair and hyperventilating. Kalum immediately rushed over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. It was no use though, it was like she was growing louder.

"Hush now, child," the Queen seethed. "You are the top three contestants to the crown. Well- two now, I suppose. Losing your dignity at the first sign of trouble, is the last thing you should do as a Queen!"

Avalon began hiccuping cries into her hand.

Queen Clarissa spun around to face me, and laid the fan she was holding on my shoulder. Her intense eyes drove into mine. I could feel everyone's eyes stare on me.

"Avalon," the Queen's eyes stayed on mine, addressing the girl, "It looks like you just disqualified yourself. Seems to me, we have gotten our new Princess by default. Congratulations, Sarah."

The Queen lifted her fan off of me and I felt panic overwhelm me, "Your Majesty! I-!"

"Avalon," the Queen snapped at the crying girl, "Pack your bags. You may go home."

 Jeremiah and Kalum almost simultaneously broke their necks, looking between the Queen and I.

My stomach felt like it was about to fall out my ass.

Me? Princess? Future Queen? That means I have to marry...

I turned to look at Jeremiah. He was standing now, firmly on both of his feet. He rushed over to his mother and spoke. His speech sounded hurt and pleading.

"Mother, wait. Shouldn't we not rush to decisions," Jeremiah begged.

Kalum swiftly exited the room. His expression full of anger.

I don't blame him, I am upset too. Who is she to decide? This is Kalum's future to be fair.

Soon a swarm of doctors entered Nessa's room and shooed us all away. A couple of nurses had to carry Avalon back to her room. Avalon has never really liked Nessa, but seeing a body murdered is enough to shake anyone up.

As I walked back to my bedroom, I noticed the Queen and her sons at the end of the hall. They seemed to be in a heated argument.

"I will not hear another second of this. Take a minute to compose yourselves, then meet me in my office," Clarissa angrily lectured them.

I darted into my room and closed the door.

Nessa is dead.

I know the Queen admired my composure earlier, but I'd argue it's because I've already cried all the tears I could for the night. Who would kill Nessa? I'm sure she hadenemies. Although none who would murder her. The holes in her sheets looked like knife marks.

My mind then immediately went to the dagger hidden in my room. I ran over to find it, and felt immediate relief, feeling its cold handle under my pillow.

I pulled it out to be sure, but dropped it when I noticed a small note carefully tied to the blade.

A chill ran down my spine. The rose that was on my bed only minutes ago, was now sitting in a vase full of water on my bedside table.

Reluctantly, I untied the note and read it.

My Dear,I will always protect you. May this rose bloom like our love.