The Forgotten Princess | Avery x Leofric x Uhtred | The Last Kingdom

A ruined Princess

The next few days after Avery had inadvertently gotten Osferth sent away, and the guilt continued to grow and fester inside of her. She had barely left her chambers, hiding in the darkness of her rooms – buried beneath a mountain of blankets.

"Princess, your brother and his armies have returned. You cannot continue to hide. The Queen was quite happy for you to disappear, but the King is already asking for you." Sara was already opening the heavy curtains, letting light in for the first time in days and when Avery still didn't make an attempt to move, she started to pull back the blankets until she could finally see the raven-haired princess. "Do not let the Queen win."

"It is not the Queen who bothers me. How do I tell Leofric I am the reason his nephew has been sent away?" No one knew how Avery had grown to care about the soldier, but knowing she would hurt him was the reason she was hiding herself away. "Can you not just bring him here?"

"A man alone in your chambers? Unquestionable. Could you imagine what the ladies of the court would say? You need to go to him." Sara had already laid out a dress for Avery to wear, a midnight blue silk dress. And after a few more minutes of hiding in her room Avery finally decided to face the music. It was now or never.

She changed into her dress and Sara helped to braid her hair before she reluctantly left the room. Her safe haven. But she walked elegantly through the halls, her head held high – she had learned to fake it since being a child born into a royal family. But she knew the second she found Leofric her whole mask would fall.

He was training some of the soldiers but almost instantly once his eyes found her, he was already abandoning his men to cross the yard and join her standing near the gardens. Her smile instantly faltering once he got closer to her. She was torn. She was happy to see him, alive and well. But now she was going to be the reason his heart was broken.

"Follow me." She resisted the urge to reach out for his arm, to lead him away from prying eyes. He was walking beside her now and she felt like she could no longer breathe. Her eyes examining their surroundings to make sure no one was watching before she pulled him under the tall trees, their bodies hidden by the leaves. "Before I start, I just want you to know that I am so sorry. I had no idea she was watching me so closely."

"What are you talking about?" Of course, he hadn't been home yet. He had no idea about the pain she inadvertently caused his sister and nephew.

"I spent some time with Osferth. I wanted to know my family. I was stupid, I brought attention to him, and the Queen has sent him away. I am trying to find out where he is. I promise." She could see the hurt on his face already, the betrayal. Her hands quickly reaching out to touch him, but he moved out of her grasp.

"I kept him hidden all of his life. Kept him safe. I let you into my life and your selfishness cost me. You do not care about anyone but yourself." He was about to walk away but stopped to look at her once more, hiding his own heartbreak as he spoke again. "I regret everything." He finally left her, all alone in the garden, tears threatening to fall as she felt her heart stop momentarily. It was official, he hated her. Her worst nightmares coming true.

It took a while for her body to be willing to move from the spot in the gardens, not really knowing where her feet were taking her until she found herself in Alfred's study. He was writing of his recent triumphs, hoping his name would be remembered in years to come. His eyes barely lifted from his parchment when he saw the far away look on her face. It must have worried him because he quickly rushed over, his hands cupping her cheeks, but she didn't feel any warmth or love in his gesture.

"Avery. What has happened?" He was concerned. But she knew she could not trust him. Or reveal what has been happening with her and Leofric for the last couple of months. He would never understand.