Unforgiven __ °Avatrice AU°

Chapter 44:

Beatrice walked on the stage with her father and mother. She naturally got slightly overwhelmed by the crowd, their cheers and screams being louder than she had expected. She just looked around the crowd, mostly to find her friends so she could have a familiar face to look at. Her father walked up to a microphone and introduced himself.

-Good afternoon. Thank you for this warm welcome. As we all know, we are here to discuss the topic that is my daughter. So, yes, she's alive and well. We have been hiding her for the past decade with the goal of keeping her safe and protect her from the public view. My wife and I wanted our daughter to have a normal life to become a decent human being with social skills. We couldn't be prouder of the woman she's become. Now, let the questions begin., explained the father who then looked at the reporters near him.

A woman spoke.

-Will we be hearing from your daughter today?, asked the woman.

The king shook his head.

-No. This is all new for her. I want her to be ready and comfortable to talk to the public. Until then, she will keep her silence and privacy., replied the father with a nod.

Other reporters tried to get to ask their question.

-Will your daughter take over after you death?, asked a man.

The king chuckled and looked at him.

-That is nothing to be discussed just yet. I am only now approaching 50 years on this lovely planet. You won't get rid of me that quickly., said the king.

Beatrice just listened with a neutral face, not wanting to give anyone the satisfaction of getting pictures out of her that they could see to stupid magazines. Her eyes landed on someone looking really pale. She frowned a little, seeing that the woman couldn't breathe. People around her were pushing and screaming. She stepped toward her father and took the microphone.

-I apologize for interrupting but stop pushing everyone. Over to my left, can you help that young woman out of the crowd please?, asked Beatrice to security guards next to the stage.

Two men walked out and started looking for the woman.

-The pale woman with the beige hoodie. Give her some water., added Beatrice, sighing a little when she saw them help the woman out of the crowd.

She then looked at her father who was watching with a light smile. She looked at the crowd, realizing what she had done. She cleared her throat.

-Sorry again for the interruption. Go on, father., said Beatrice, handing him the microphone.

The woman was lead to the side of the crowd and handed some water. Beatrice was still scanning the crowd, looking for Ava and her friends. She then noticed someone waving. She smiled a little, seeing her girlfriend on Mary's shoulders and Cami on Shannon's shoulders, waving at her. She held a chuckle in, focusing back on her father.

-Why did she delete all her social media?, asked a reporter.

-I wasn't aware of that but if she did do that, I am sure she had a good reason to., explained the father.

-Does she have something to hide?, asked another reporter.

-She does not. But just like everyone else, some things are rather kept private. She has the right to have her secrets, just like every other young adult., replied the king with a shrug.

Beatrice kind of just zoned out after that, feeling numb to the attention she was getting from everyone. She would glance at the familiar faces in the crowd every now and then, keeping herself grounded. After what felt like an eternity, she heard her father saying his goodbyes. She nodded at him as he motioned for them to go backstage. She walked backstage quietly, not looking back at the crowd. She saw her mother looking at her with an unreadable expression.