Unspoken

Family Ties

Chapter 9:

(Desmond POV)

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. She was actually giving me a chance, after everything that had happened she was going to give me a chance. Amber was now protecting herself but I also knew this was a step forward for both of us. It was beginning to get awkward between us and I decided to ask, "What do we do now?" She shrugged as she faced me as she started laughing, "I don't really know. I never got this far with other suitors to the point that we were actually courting." I started laughing too. She titled her head back thinking for a moment, "Oh, I'm going to a Ball next Friday, would you do me the honor of escorting me?" She asked. "I would be delighted" I said. Amber and I both know that I am not the biggest fan of Balls but, I would do it for Amber.

We walked back inside and a maid approached us, "Prince Desmond I have another letter from your mother." I closed my eyes and inwardly groaned at my mother's interruption before thanking the maid. I took the envelope with no intention of opening it. Amber however stopped walking and turned to me, "You can open it now, I don't mind." I just tried to shrug it off not wanting to talk about it, "It's not important." "How do you know that if you don't open it?" She asked. I really didn't want to open this letter right now, "Seriously Amber, it's fine." Amber just crossed her arms, "Des just open the letter." I sighed wondering why she wasn't letting this go. I opened the letter and quickly scanned it. I'm a worthless idiot... waist of space... do something useful and help them... peasants threatening to declare war. Nothing new. I put the letter down and smiled at Amber, "Happy?" She nodded and we started walking again. "Yes now, what did your mother want?" I shrugged, "Nothing important." I was becoming more tense as she tried to continue talking about my family.

(Amber POV)

It was strange to me how Desmond didn't want to open the letter from his mother. I knew how it felt to send letters to a family member and wonder if they ever opened them, which is why I kept pushing for him to open it. I watched as he read the letter and his face was unchanging. After he finished he looked up at me and smiled, "Happy?" I nodded my head as we walked again. "Yes now what did your mother want?" He just shrugged and stiffened as I asked about her, "Nothing important." Clearly this was making him uncomfortable and I didn't want to push it any further. I decided to let it go... for now.

"So where are you going to go?" I asked. He looked at me confused and honestly I couldn't believe that I had brought it up but, I couldn't stop thinking about it. "Go where?" He asked. "Where are you going to go after this year?"

(Desmond POV)

I hadn't thought much about that but, clearly Amber had. "I don't know. You're not kicking me out, right?" I asked jokingly and that got a laugh out of her but, I could tell that it still bothered her. I pulled on her hand to stop, "Amber, why are you so worried?" She sighed, "I don't want to get hurt again when you want to leave and I will be left behind. Everyone leaves..." I then thought about it. James had left to Chivalry Hall, a school that required him to live there, I hadn't seen or heard anyone talk about Sofia since I got here and I had originally said that I would be leaving in a few months. "Amber, I am going to be here as long as you want me to be." I'm not sure if Amber completely believed me but, she smiled at me and I walked her back to her room.

I went back to my room and decided to read this letter that my mother had written me. It clearly meant a lot to Amber that I actually read it.

Dear Desmond,

I thought that maybe you had a use but, you are clearly still the useless idiot you always have been. How can you continue to ignore my letter asking for help you waist of space? Honestly I don't know what to expect from you, you were never loyal to this kingdom and you only care about yourself you selfish moron. You need to do something useful and help me and this kingdom, the peasants are threatening to declare war. If nothing else do it to protect that kingdom you love so much Enchancia because, a member of their royal family is going to be coming to the Ball next Friday. If you won't do it for us, maybe you will do it for them.

Sincerely,

Queen Lola

I rolled my eyes at this but, part of the letter stuck with me. Who in this kingdom was going to my Mother's Ball? They had never attended any events in Comure before and I figured she was just bluffing. I was about to throw the letter in the fire like I had done with all the others but, something stopped me with this one. I put the letter down on the table next to my bed and tried not to think about it.

(Amber POV)

Des walked me to my room and I know what he said about not leaving but, I have heard that before and have been let down before. I will believe that he is going to stay when he actually does. I began reading some papers I had on my bed going over some of the financial work for the kingdom but, my head wasn't in it. I decided to go up to the observatory and try out my new sextant.

I brought the papers with me. I began using the sextant and looking in the telescope. It reminded me that there were somethings that I could count on still being there. I then looked at the sextant, maybe Des could be something that I can count on. Time will tell.