The Kingdoms Arrangement [H.S]

VII

Artemis

I wake up the next morning after talking to Harry, feeling better. After the apology, the day was a blur with the duties I had been slacking on since the men arrived. I am to have lunch with Hyacinthus today and hopefully figure out my feelings for him. Last night I met with Leah for the first time for training, I was quite scared walking alone at that late hour. She seemed tired, she had bags under her eyes, her hair wasn't kept like it usually is, and she was noticeably nodding off like she never would before. I decided to finally get up and get ready to meet Hyacinthus which I am actually excited for, I had so much fun with him last time.

Louise comes in after I have bathed, I am not sure how she times things so perfectly.

"Finally awake, sleepy head?" She seems much more chipper then she was last night, I nod brushing my hair myself this morning.

"I don't know how I am supposed to tell my father my opinion if he is just going to choose himself anyways Louise," I look at her with sad eyes, "I feel like I should just ignore my feelings and let him choose who he thinks will be a great husband and king."

"Do you want my honest opinion?" Louise walks over with my new riding attire, I nod wanting someone to tell me what they're honestly thinking. "As much as I didn't like finding him in your room last night, I believe Prince Harry would be the best fit for you," I try to interrupt but she keeps talking, "he's smart, funny, and has a backbone which will work perfectly with your attitude."

"I don't have an attitude!" I bark, Louise rolls her eyes at my obvious lie.

"What I am saying is that, he seems to be the one who will be able to be a friend rather than just a husband." Louise shrugs, helping me get into my tight fitted clothing. I nod, thinking about what she said. Knowing my fathers decision is coming closer and closer. Once I am finally dressed and my hair is done it is finally time to go meet Hyacinthus for our picnic.

      Hyacinthus and I had an amazing ride, with our horses Dahlia and Luce, and a picnic afterwards. "This has been fun." I smile at Hy, looking over at our horses nuzzling each other like they always do. "It's the most freedom I've been getting since Leah left." I put my head down knowing I'm lying.

"I know that's been hard on your Artemis, are you guys close?" Hyacinthus holds my hand, looking at me with his intense blue eyes, his sandy blonde hair blowing over them with the wind. I chuckle moving the hair out of his eyes, he moves his face into my hand kissing it.

"We are, she was one of the only people that reminded me of my mother. Other than Josephine of course." I sigh, getting an upset look on my face.

"Hey, it's okay. I'm sure she'll be back soon." Hyacinthus is the one caressing my face now, a single tear rolling down my cheek. I wasn't lying about my feelings, I was genuinely worried about Leah. Tonight will be my first night meeting her in the woods, which I still consider dangerous. Hy leans in and puts his lips onto mine, I lean into him expecting to feel something more. I don't. He holds the back of my head and I gently put my hand on his face, this feels more friendly then anything I have felt with Percy or Harry. We pull away, I smile at him and his eyebrows furrowed together in concern.

"You don't like me...do you?" he asks, hurt in his eyes.

"Hyacinthus, that's the problem. I do like you, but our relationship only feels like a friendship...nothing more. And that hurts me, you seem to be one of the greater men here." I look into his eyes sincerely. "I'm sorry."

"No, I get it," Hyacinthus stands up, pulling me up with him being the gentleman he is, "I'll see you at dinner." He walks to Luce and rides away, leaving with a hurt look on his face. I feel hurt also, knowing that I just broke his heart. But it has to be done, Kit already knows that nothing will happen to us so that'll be easy, the other two I need to figure out soon, my father wants my opinion in the next couple weeks.