𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐓 𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒 || 𝐕𝐎𝐋𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐈

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟐𝟓 | 𝐆𝐎𝐓 𝐇𝐄𝐑

THIRD POV

It was now the next morning and Althea found herself sitting by her balcony. The sun was slowly rising and the birds chirped away as they flew around the castle. It was a gorgeous view she must admit.

Her phone sat clutched in her hand as she contemplated calling her father. He would be up right now, bustling around the house getting ready for work.

Deciding to be a big girl she dialed his number. It rang a few times before she was hit with his voicemail. "This is Charlie Swan, or Chief Swan. I am not currently available, call back another time."

She hung up and called him back, maybe he didn't hear the phone. He didn't answer, and tears started to well up in her eyes. She needed her father, her mother was no longer alive.

"Pick up. Pick up please", she sniffled as she called him again.

He answered but before she could answer he cut her off, "Hey, I can't talk right now. I'll call you later". He hung up before she could say anything.

Her hands shook a bit. Deciding to call Bella, she too didn't answer to the three missed calls. Giving up, she let the tears flow. Her hands shook as she wiped them away with her hands.

She stayed on that balcony until Jane knocked on the door, reminding her she needed to get up and get dressed. "Althea?".

________

Jane got her dressed, makeup looking as flawless as she could do it. Her queen looked as healthy as the day she arrived. Remnants of the night prior, gone.

She worked silently as she helped her get ready. She was tense, careful with what she did. Choosing a simple white flowy dress, she helped her put it on. She felt her queen needed nothing less than comfort at the moment.

"Breakfast should be ready", Jane spoke softly as she brushed her hair.

Althea simply hummed in response, "Why were you crying, earlier".

Althea shrugged as she swallowed, "Family issues, the norm", she chuckled as she thought about earlier. She felt stupid.

"Normal family issues don't make you cry and shake in an open balcony, not that early in the morning at least"

She looked at Jane with sad eyes. "It's okay. I just.. I want to get through the day. I prefer to be alone, I need to think". Jane tried to protest, but she was shushed when she stood up.

Grabbing onto her hands with warmth and a smile, "I appreciate your desire to stick by me. But please, I need space right now. Im going to the kitchen, I'll see you later."

Jane searched her eyes for any lies afraid she would do something irrational in her state. Defeated, she nodded reluctantly. She didn't want to pressure her, yet she felt a huge concern. This is all happening too soon, too fast. Alec didn't even know, she didn't think Althea wanted anyone to know. So for the time being she would keep her mouth shut.

________

ALTHEA'S POV

I sped over to the kitchen, in a hurry to eat something. Not for myself of course, but for the baby. I wouldn't make it suffer.