As we push open the grand castle doors, the clamor of chaos and commotion immediately assaults my ears. Amidst the deafening noise, I instantly spot Camille, standing at the center of the foyer. Her cheeks are stained with a vivid shade of crimson, and her eyes are bloodshot from crying. She's still wearing her soft, flimsy pajamas, which look oddly out of place amidst the chaos. Her gaze darts around the room in a frenzy, desperately searching for someone, anyone.
But what tears at my heartstrings is the pitiful state in which she finds herself. She resembles a lost, helpless puppy, whimpering and wailing uncontrollably as tears stream down her face. It's clear that she's in utter despair and agony, her world turned upside down by whatever tragedy has befallen her.
As she turns towards me, her eyes widen with a glimmer of recognition and hope, cutting through the tears that still stream down her face.
"Bella!" she gasps, her voice choked with emotion.
With a sudden burst of energy, she sprints towards me, her feet pounding the ground with an urgency that belies the heavy weight of her grief. As she reaches me, she throws her arms around me in a tight embrace, holding me so fiercely that it takes my breath away.
As she clings to me, the full weight of the tragedy that has befallen her hits me, and I too begin to sob uncontrollably. The sorrow and despair that we both feel merge into a single, heart-wrenching cry that echoes through the cavernous halls of the castle. In that moment, we are two souls bound together by a shared sorrow, seeking solace in each other's embrace.
"Oh, hunny I'm so sorry," my voice cracks and breaks, but I have to try and be there for her.
As Cam holds me tightly in her embrace, I catch a glimpse over her shoulder of Benedict and Matteo. They stand a few paces away, their expressions grave and solemn, a clear reflection of the weight of the situation.
Their normally carefree and playful demeanors have been replaced by a somber gravity, their faces etched with lines of concern and worry. The atmosphere around them is thick with an unspoken sadness, a palpable sense of grief that hangs heavy in the air.
Even from a distance, I can sense the depth of their emotions.
"Cam, I wish I could stay like this forever, but your brother has run off, and you and I both know he cannot afford to be alone," I hate to leave her like this after what has just happened, she's 14. But I need to
find him.
"I love you, and I will always be right here if you need anything," She mumbles out an 'I love you too' in response, and thanks me as best as she's able to.
As the embrace with Cam comes to an end, I turn my attention back to Benedict and Matteo, their expressions still grim and solemn. Without saying a word, Benedict subtly nods his head towards the stairs, indicating that Nikolai had gone up there.
There is a tense silence in the air as we all stand there, unsure of what to do next. The weight of the tragedy that has befallen us all hangs heavy in the air, casting a shadow over everything. It's clear that we are all struggling to process what has just happened, searching for some glimmer of hope amidst the darkness.
As I take in the solemn expressions on Benedict and Matteo's faces, I can't help but feel a sense of confusion and unease. They may be just knights, with limited power and resources to change the course of events, but they are also Nikolai's closest friends.
It strikes me as odd that they are standing apart from him, seemingly unable to offer any words of comfort or solace to their grieving friend just upstairs. The weight of the tragedy that has been revealed hangs heavy in the air, casting a pall over the entire scene.
YOU ARE READING
Tied to the Throne
Romance"This marriage is nothing but an alliance to me. Don't expect anything else, because you won't get it. I will never love you." "It felt as if my parents had tied me to the throne. Tied me to him." - A princess and a prince, forced into a marriage th...
