"Oh my god,"
Camille's shocked expression reflects the gravity of our decision to go to war. I yearn to leap across the table, envelop her in a reassuring hug, and promise that everything will remain unchanged. Yet, I can't bring myself to deceive her. The truth must prevail.
"Guys, this is insane," Benedict interjects, voicing his concerns.
"It's what is needed for the kingdom," Nik tells him with a determined tone.
"Shit," Matteo adds, echoing the weight of the situation.
I nod silently and shift my gaze down to my untouched plate of food. "You're not hungry?" Nik's concern seeps through his words.
"I just feel a little sick is all," I assure him. It's true, I think the stress of all this is getting to me.
The plan is made however, we will commence war to Maypuck in two weeks, which is short notice, but enough time to get prepared.
Benedict and Matteo are to train up all the soldiers and recruit as many village folk as possible and train them as well. We need numbers to win this war.
Breakfast is mostly quiet afterwards, everyone in their own heads wondering how this war will end.
After breakfast Nik and I sit in our room, basking in the morning light, "You know, I was thinking we could go to Raeywell tomorrow, visit your parents, have dinner?" He suggests, hoping for a brief respite amidst the chaos.
My expression softens at the idea. "Yeah, that sounds nice. We shall leave early morning and should get there just before sunset," I agree, a glimmer of anticipation evident in my voice.
A sense of relief washes over me at the thought of a temporary escape from the looming tensions. The calm before the storm perhaps.
"I'm going to go and see Cam, maybe take a walk or something," I inform Nik, feeling the need to immerse myself in the calming embrace of the gardens once more.
He hums in acknowledgment, granting me the space I need. As I walk out the door, I catch a muffled 'love you,' and it warms my heart. I close the door behind me, a smile tugging at my lips.
-
"How many months are you stuck in snow here?" I inquire, noticing the gardens still blanketed despite the passing weeks.
"All of them," the young girl chuckles to herself, but I shoot her a questioning glance. "I'm serious!" she insists, a playful glint in her eyes.
"Really? That sounds miserable," I comment.
"Not really, I love the snow. It's so much better than sweating all day," she admits with genuine honesty, a smile playing on her lips. I smile as well, enjoying the moment we share.
Suddenly, I feel awful; fatigued and sick to my stomach. My hand instinctively clutched my stomach, the cold, icy ground a harsh greeting as I crumbled upon its unyielding surface.
"Bella!" Cammile's voice, laced with genuine concern, pierced through the fog of my confusion as she hurried to my side, her touch a grounding force on my shoulders.
Trying to push away the overwhelming sensation, I attempted to rise, but the sickness persisted, drowning out Cammile's worried face that seemed to fade into the distance. Her urgent cries for help grew fainter, merging with the encroaching darkness that consumed my vision, leaving me with a sense of impending nothingness.
-
The pleading plea pierced through the haze enveloping me, nudging my consciousness back into the world. With effort, my eyelids fluttered apart, assaulted by a flood of blinding light.
YOU ARE READING
Tied to the Throne
Romance"It felt as if my parents had tied me to the throne. Tied me to him." - A story of a princess forced to marry a prince. Both of them hate one another, so they think. However, they end up getting a little closer than expected. A love blooming amidst...
