Inspired

the lakes

The carriage ride to the secret cottage was a long one. The nearly 4 hour ride lent Leandra time to think about so much. For starters, her goodbye to her future king, husband, and lover. She worried he would miss her departure and not say goodbye. Just as Zayn took her hand to help her into the carriage, a strong hand took hold of her grey cloak and spun her around. As her and Kael's eyes met, a smile began to spread across her face, and then fade back down when she realized tears forming in his eyes. "Lea, I am so so sorry. How could I have failed you like that?"
She felt his guilt break through her rib cage and stab her in the heart. "Kael, please please do not think this is your fault! I will see you again in less than a year when I turn 18! Then we shall be married!" In her eyes, marriage meant time forever with her best friend, but she could tell it was somehow different for Kael. Her reassurance was only enough for a sniffle and a chuckle from Kael. "Lea look at me. I am the future king of Calpris and I am standing here crying like a waterfall in-front of my queen. And here you are telling me that it is ok for us to be apart for 11 months! I don't belong, and my beloved... neither do you." Tears began to well in Leandra's eyes. My beloved? She had no idea he felt this way, if it's what she thought it was. She couldn't believe he would just give up on himself, and her. "Kael.. I- I don't.. please do not put yourself down. I promise I- I'll write every day.. a- and-"
Before she could finish, Kael took his strong, gentle arms and pulled her down off the carriage step to his chest. Before either could realize what was happening, he attached her lips to his. A kiss full of sadness, guilt, longing, and regret. When they released, Zayn helped her back into the carriage, looking slightly less composed than before. As the carriage rode away, Leandra looked back at her fiancé. Looking at her like a sad puppy, falling to his knees as his father stood behind him with a hand on his shoulder.
Leandra's ladies watched the whole thing unravel. They were her best friends, the only people she ever spent time with. To her right was Adeline, her strongest confidant. Adeline's curly, dark chocolate colored hair shone slightly lighter in the golden hour sunset. The same lighting causing her deep blue eyes to almost change shades entirely. Adeline was always the " tall princess" only standing about 5 foot 7. Not very tall at all, but compared to the 5'2 princess, a noticeable difference. " Lea..that was the most romantic thing I think I've ever seen. I mean, we all knew he was in love with you, but did you really not? Because I could tell by your face that.." her words were cut short by Penelope's deep calm voice. "Addie, I think we should drop this topic for a while. It's obviously upsetting Lea." She turned her deep brown eyes towards Lea's and placed a perfect deep tan hand with purple shimmering polish onto her knee. "My dear Lea, if there is anything we can do to help, please let us know. We are here for you."
Penelope was the most reasonable of the group. If Leandra could give her title to anyone it would be her, Penn was clever, wise, smooth, graceful, beautiful, charming...... Lea could go on and on about how much better Penn was than her. Penn should have dozens of men at her feet, but her intelligence and wit turned the insecure noble men away. This was quite the opposite for Emelyn who , like Leandra, had said nothing since the ride began. She sat shoved against the carriage wall, her legs up in a sort of fetal position. She was just as if not more upset than Leandra about leaving the palace. Her bright blue eyes and blonde hair and excellent body brought her many suitors that she was forced to leave behind.
After a few hours they arrived at the cottage. It was truly a beautiful area. A large lake the same color as the current sky. A massive insulated cottage that might as well have been a winter castle. And a beautiful garden full of all the fruits vegetables the kingdom had to offer.
The view led Leandra to think...Maybe it won't be so bad after all?