Royale: Infanta Sofia

Chapter 14: Sorrowful Goodbyes

Third Person's POV

As the day of graduation arrived, the atmosphere at UWC Atlantic College was electric with excitement and anticipation.

Students clad in caps and gowns filed into the grand hall, their faces alight with smiles and laughter as they prepared to bid farewell to their beloved alma mater.

But for Lucas and Sofia, the joyous occasion was tinged with an undercurrent of sorrow and regret.

As they sat side by side among their classmates, their hearts heavy with the weight of unspoken words and unresolved emotions, they exchanged fleeting glances, their eyes betraying the pain and longing that simmered beneath the surface.

As the ceremony progressed, the students cheered and applauded, their voices mingling in a cacophony of celebration and farewell.

But for Lucas and Sofia, the cheers fell on deaf ears, their minds consumed by thoughts of what could have been, of the friendship they had lost and the love they had let slip away.

Prince William and Princess Kate observed the proceedings from their vantage point at the front of the hall, their hearts heavy with concern as they watched their son, Lucas, sitting among his classmates with a forced smile plastered on his face.

They exchanged a worried glance, silently noting the emptiness that lingered in his eyes, the shadow of sadness that clouded his features.

Meanwhile, King Felipe of Spain and Queen Letizia greeted Lucas warmly as they made their way through the crowd, unaware of the turmoil that raged within his heart.

As Lucas stood before King Felipe and Queen Letizia, he couldn't help but feel a sense of apprehension mingled with a flicker of hope. He had heard so much about them from Sofia, their names and faces familiar to him despite their status as royalty.

King Felipe approached Lucas, Queen Letizia and Sofia followed behind him, "Ah, Lucas, it's a pleasure to finally meet you. Sofia speaks very highly of you."

Queen Letizia smiled at the Prince, "Yes, she's mentioned you on several occasions. It's clear that you've made quite an impression on her."

Lucas's heart skipped a beat at their words, a pang of guilt tugging at his conscience as he exchanged polite pleasantries with the Spanish monarchs.

He knew that Sofia had spoken fondly of him to her parents, her affection for him evident in every word she uttered.

Lucas thanked them, "Thank you, Your Majesties. It's an honor to meet you both."

He forced a smile, his mind racing with thoughts of Sofia and the complicated nature of their relationship.

Despite their strained interactions in recent months, he couldn't deny the warmth that bloomed within him at the mention of her name.

As he exchanged pleasantries with King Felipe and Queen Letizia, Lucas couldn't help but wonder if they had any inkling of the turmoil brewing beneath the surface, if they could sense the tension that lingered between him and their daughter.

But if they did, they made no mention of it, their smiles warm and welcoming as they extended their hand in friendship.

And so, Lucas found himself caught between two worlds, his heart torn between his feelings for Sofia and the weight of his past mistakes.

As he bid farewell to the Spanish monarchs, a sense of longing gnawed at him from within, the knowledge that he had yet to reconcile his feelings for Sofia weighing heavily on his mind.

They exchanged pleasantries and well wishes, their smiles masking the tension that simmered beneath the surface.

Lucas walked across the stage to receive his diploma, a wave of pride washed over him, his heart swelling with a sense of accomplishment.

The applause of the crowd echoed in his ears, a testament to the years of hard work and dedication that had brought him to this moment.

Waiting for him at the edge of the stage were his family, their smiles beaming with pride as they congratulated him on his achievement.

Prince William and Princess Kate stood side by side, their hands clasped together in a show of support for their eldest son.

Prince William congratulated his son, "Congratulations, Lucas! We're so proud of you."

"Yes, well done, darling. You've worked so hard for this moment." Princess Kate gave Lucas a hug

Lucas's siblings, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, stood nearby, their faces alight with excitement as they cheered for their big brother.

Prince George greeted, "Congratulations, Lucas! You did it!"

"We knew you could do it, Lucas!" Princess Charlotte happily said

"Yay, Lucas!" Prince Louis beamed

Lucas's heart swelled with gratitude at the sight of his family, their unwavering support filling him with a sense of warmth and belonging.

He knew that he couldn't have made it to this moment without their love and encouragement, and he was grateful for each and every one of them.

Lucas appreciated his family's support, "Thank you, everyone. I couldn't have done it without you."

With a smile, he embraced each member of his family in turn, savoring the moment of togetherness before they stepped back to allow him to bask in the spotlight of his achievement.

As he looked out into the crowd, Lucas knew that no matter what the future held, he would always have the love and support of his family by his side.

As the ceremony drew to a close and the students prepared to embark on the next chapter of their lives, Lucas and Sofia rose from their seats, their eyes meeting in a silent exchange of farewell and regret.

They parted ways, Lucas and Sofia forced smiles onto their faces, their hearts heavy with the weight of what could have been.

For them, graduation was not a time of celebration, but rather a painful reminder of the love they had lost and the wounds that would never fully heal.