HEARTBURN, young royals [R.W]

ix. WHY DID HE HAVE TO DIE?

chapter nine
"why did he have to die?"

♛

WARNING/S ~ none

Astrid walked hand in hand with Wilhelm behind the casket. It had already been a week since Erik's death but to Astrid it felt like months ago. Life was moving at a slow rate and Astrid had lost any concept of time leading up to the funeral. Astrid kept her head up and every once in a while she had to remind herself to breathe just to stop the tears that were building up in her eyes.

Why did he have to die? Astrid was angry. She was furious at Erik for driving so carelessly and she hated him for leaving her. He was the one person she could count on, he was like a best friend to her.

♛

Astrid took a seat at the table, placing her plate down in front of her. The Queen walked in clearing her throat, "I was thinking, tomorrow, if you feel like it, if it feels okay, you could join the morning meeting and see how it works."

Astrid glanced up at her mother, Astrid wished that the Queen would put her duty aside for one moment, just one moment and be a mother. For once, she wanted her mother to hold her and tell her that everything was going to be okay.

Wilhelm only mustered a small, "Sure," in reply.

"Good. We could also talk about your, uh, school situation." Astrid's father joined in, pushing his chair in closer to the table. "I thought it would be good for Wilhelm and Astrid to return to Hillerska, a familiar environment."

"Hmm? What about that?" The man turned to face his daughter, who sat quietly, staring at the empty plate in front of her. The brunette-haired girl remained mute. The last thing she needed to think about was school. For the past week, she had ignored all messages from her classmates.

"Just to think that I have-" The Queen began, regaining Astrid and Wilhelm's attention, "Ever since I was born, I knew I would inherit the crown from Dad. But I had time to prepare myself, and so did Erik." But now you're going to succeed me. You and your future children."