Unspoken

Asking for Help

Chapter 12:

(Desmond POV)

A few days had passed since the Ball and I spent as much time as I could with Amber. We both had our jobs to do but, every free moment we had we would meet up and go for a walk or something. For the first time in my life I was allowed to be happy. I was allowed to be myself. I was allowed to care. Things were going really well, great even but, I couldn't get my mother's words out of my head.

"You are a worthless, pathetic, idiot but, you are loyal. You will do the right thing." It echoed in my mind constantly, especially at night when my other thoughts grew quiet. It was maddening how often I thought about it and I couldn't get it to stop no matter what I did. The only time that it grew quiet was when I was around Amber, but even that wasn't working as well recently. This is what my Mother did she would get in my head and never leave no matter what I did but, this time it stuck for a different reason.

She was right I had to do the right thing. I had to help them.

(Amber POV)

Des returned back to himself in most regards but, sometimes I'd catch him in the middle of a thought. A frown would spread across his face. I figured he was thinking about his family but, I never asked. I wanted him to tell me when he was ready and clearly it wasn't the time. I was beginning to trust him and his promise more and more. Maybe he would be someone that could stay. Maybe he could be someone I can trust. Maybe I can let my walls down enough for to let him in.

I was in the throne room with Mom and Daddy. Today I was going to do all of our tasks and they were going to observe and approve so that they could see themselves. We were going over some type of paperwork it might have been agricultural or economic work when Desmond walked in. He stood next to Baileywick, "Prince Desmond of Coumure requests an audience with the King, Queen and Crowned Princess." We all exchanged a glance. This was strange. He was living here he didn't need to request a meeting with us. Nevertheless Daddy nodded and Desmond approached our thrones. He went into a deep bow. "Your Majesties, I need to talk to you about Coumure."

My lips parted slightly when he said that. What was going on? "What about Coumure?" I asked. Des sighed and started, "The kingdom is in ruin. The fields are desolate, the water sources are drying up, the people are out of work, the children are starving. Things are not going well. The people are planning a revolution." My parents looked at each other shocked. I was too. I knew that there was problems and I had seen the fields but, I didn't expect it to be this bad, "What do you want us to do?" I asked. He took a shaky breath, "I am asking that you give your support to the people of Coumure and the Revolution against my parents."

The room went silent. Mom stepped in, "Prince Desmond, do you understand what you are asking?" He nodded, "Yes, I am asking that you help the people of Coumure remove my family from power. My parents don't deserve to rule and I can't do anything to help the people besides this. So any support you can offer them, military, economic, agricultural, they need all the help that they can get." We were all looking at each other and at Des. He looked desperate for the help. "We need to discuss this a little more but, we will get back to you at the end of the day," Dad said. Des nodded, "Thank you." He bowed and left the room.

(Desmond POV)

I left the room and I felt my stomach twist in knots. I had never done anything like this in my life. I had never went against my parents, I had never told anyone about the problems my kingdom face, I had never even said it out loud. I didn't know what they were going to decide but, I did know that after what I told them, they are never going to support my parents and that was my real goal going into the meeting. My Mother was right, Enchancia is a superpower and losing them as an ally would cause others to follow and give the people the fighting chance that they deserve. "Des," I turned and saw Amber leaving the throne room.

"Are you alright?" she asked. I nodded, "Yeah." I said breathing out. "I did the right thing right?" She sighed, "As a princess I don't know. As someone who knows you and knows how much you care yes you did the right thing." I smiled when she said that and she smiled as we sat down against the wall. "When my parents find out I'm dead," I laughed out although it wasn't a joke. Amber held my hand interlacing our fingers, "Well when your people find out they will be grateful. Someone in their royal family cares." "Yeah the one who will never be in charge, stupid laws." Amber just held my hand, "Still." "Do you know what Enchancia is going to do?" I asked. She shook her head, "I was too close to the situation to make the call. My parents are taking this one," I nodded, "But if it was my call I would have given you my support. From there you would need to do what is right." "You trust me that much?" I asked. She leaned her head down on my shoulder, "Yes."

We sat there quietly until Baileywick came over to us, "Prince Desmond the King and Queen have reached their decision." We walked in together and Amber stayed back as I approached the King and Queen. "Prince Desmond, we have considered your proposal and we are giving our support to the people of Coumure," I sighed in relief as they said that, "Thank you." "We do however, want you to be there with our support. We trust you and we know that you care about your people." My mouth fell open, "You want me to be there?" They both nodded, "We understand that you are still supposed to be James' alchemist here for a few more months but, I am sure that he will understand why you had to leave early." I nodded. "Can I think about this?" I asked. The looked at each other but nodded, "Let us know by the end of the day."

I turned to leave and saw Amber.