The Heart finds its Way

The Separation

Weeks turned into months. Hetty and Granger tried to stay in touch with each other the best they could, but it was tricky given the harshness of the army life.

While Hetty waited around for Granger to return, she met a duke named Hollace Kilbride. They hung out for a while on the advisement of her mom's advisors, but she felt nothing towards him. And she felt he didn't feel any sincerity towards her.

When the holidays came, Granger told Hetty in 1 of his letters that it looked like he would get to come home. But he never came. Hetty was very hurt by it.

Granger apologized in a later letter, but Hetty didn't feel much sympathy.

The months went on, Granger fought bravely and with heart, and Hetty started spending more time with Duke Kilbride. While they were okay as friends, she didn't feel comfortable at how her advisors admired him. Almost like they wanted her to marry him instead of Granger.

In the midst of all this, her mother's health began declining rapidly. And Hetty knew then that her time to rule was near. The main question everyone was asking: Who would her husband be?

Then 1 day, Granger returned home, and asked to meet her at their special place at Lake Leanne.

'Well, I see you've returned safe and sound.' She flatly said.

'I thought you'd be happier to see me. I know it's been a long time, but I thought of you every day.' Granger replied.

'Happy? Do you know how many times I worried about you?! It was very challenging getting through this last year and a half!' Hetty exclaimed.

'I'm sorry that I worried you. I should've written more, but the life of a soldier is a tough one. And this enemy was a very hard one to fight!'

'While I understand that, it's been 15 months! Why didn't you come home when you said you were going to?!'

'I was offered, but I had something I had to do. I was buying you a present, and it took a while to get. And when I got it, I found out I had a prime opportunity to advance on a foe that I wasn't likely to get at another time. So I chose to stay and fight.' said Granger.

'We could've spent the holidays together and you chose to stay?!'

'Why are you making a big deal out of this?' Granger asked, wondering why Hetty was so upset.

'Because my mother hans't been feeling very well lately, and it's looking likely that I'll be taking her place sooner then I thought, and I need to know if the man I have been very good friends with for 2 years actually loves me!'

Then Granger bent down and kissed her full on the lips.

'That good enough for you?' He asked.

Hetty didn't know what to say about his impulsive romantic gesture.

'Um. Let's talk tomorrow.' She awkwardly said.

When she got back to the castle, Mark was waiting for her.

'I don't want to talk right now, Mark.' She said.

'Your Highness, I have some really bad news.' Mark started.

'What? Did my mom's stupid advisors say that Owen is still not worthy enough for me? Tell them that I do not give a living f-k at what they think, I do not love the Duke enough to marry him!'

'Your mother has died. As of right now, you are the ruler of Trentford.'

TBC