The Other Barnes Sister ⭐️

14 - Time To Go Back

**Sophia**

I had just finished making my lunch when the front door opened 3 days later. I had planned on going back to the palace today, but I wasn't sure when. Bucky came walking into the sunroom where I was having lunch.

I looked up from the book I was reading while I ate to see him standing in the archway to the sunroom.

"You just going to stand there or are you at least going to take a seat?" I questioned. Bucky just grumbled but sat down. "I know why you're here..." I trailed off as Bucky poured himself some of the lemonade I had recently made.

"Then why don't you tell me, if you think you know." Bucky said.

"You're wanting me to go back, you're wanting me to return to the palace, you're wanting me to return to court." I listed off.

"Well look at that sister, you can read minds."

We just gave a small laugh.

"I was planning on returning today. The house staff here seem miffed I'm home anyway." I said and Bucky sighed.

"Yes well, I told them we would be at the palace and just keep up with the place. Having someone return home was not on their agenda." Bucky explained.

"Yeah, well I needed to get away."

"After punching John and smacking Sharon?" Bucky questioned.

"After they fucked around behind my back!" I snapped back at him.

Bucky held up his hands in defense, "I know, and I understand you being upset but running away Sophia? Running away is never the answer, makes it look like you have something to hide." Bucky said and I just shook my head.

"I don't have anything to hide, I just wanted to be gone until the ship launched." I said.

"It launched a few days ago and you're still here." Bucky said.

"Please Bucky I needed time to work out some feelings I was having."

"About John?" Bucky asked.

"About my life Bucky! I mean John was my everything but even before this happened, I didn't feel like I was in love with him anymore. So, I had to sit and think about what I want with my life I went to the docks that day to break up with John before he went on this trip but seeing what I saw was so much worse." I explained.

"So, do you even want to come back to court? I know some people are missing you." Bucky said and I sighed.

"Oh yeah, name one? And someone besides Rebekah." I chuckled.

"The Dowager Queen actually has been asking about you and Nat too. Well Nat has been yelling about me putting you through all of this..." Bucky trailed off then stopped himself.

"What do you mean putting me through all of this...?" I asked.

Bucky was silent but ran his hands through his hair.

"I knew you and John were together and I knew you would most likely get married but I had a deal with John's father about marrying you together. With my standing in court and everything it was going to give John a good standing in court as well. I didn't even think about him and Sharon again." Bucky explained.

I felt like I was gut punched.

"So, my marriage would have just been a steppingstone for him and his family?" I asked and Bucky nodded, "You knew this and were willing to let me marry him?!" I shrieked.

"I could tell he loved you..." Bucky tried defending himself.

"Not enough apparently since he was fucking Sharon Carter behind my back!" I said and Bucky sat back in his chair wanting to choose how he continued this conversation.

I was sitting there, fell back in my chair like I had been hit with a ton of bricks...I had been sleeping around behind John's back too. I had given myself to someone wholly with no feelings about how it would affect John when he found out, let alone my entire family. I had done exactly what John had done and I was sitting here basically condemning him when I, myself, should be condemned. I looked up at Bucky who was talking, and I hadn't noticed.

"...-When you get back however the King has asked for a meeting with you, a private meeting." Bucky finished and I just looked at him.

"Private...why?!" I panicked.

"I think he wants to explain this whole situation to you and what it could mean now. He says he needs to do it privately and he will let me know of what is said afterwards." Bucky explained.

I just sighed but nodded, "Okay, well how about we eat and then head back..." Bucky nodded as I gave him half of my food and we ate in silence.

Once we were done eating, I went outside and saw the horses tied to the fence.

"Horseback?" I asked and he nodded.

"Yeah, I was pretty confident you would be coming back but also wasn't sure, so I brought a horse, and I didn't want to bring the carriage for no reason.

"You don't have anything to pack do you?" Bucky asked and I nodded motioning to the small bag by the door that had some of my books in it.

"Okay I can put them on my horse." Bucky said and I nodded.

I cleaned up the slight mess made from lunch, but the maids assured me they would finish everything up.

We walked outside and I took a deep breath, the fresh air was nice but the knot in the pit of my stomach was not feeling good at all.

I stopped walking down the walkway and Bucky stopped a few steps ahead of me, "Soph?" Bucky asked.

"I don't know if I can go back Bucky..." I said and he just looked at me.

"What?"

"You know there are whispers and murmurs. I mean John and I made such a big deal about being together and he is now married and away with someone else...I can't be looked at or talked about behind my back." I explained.

Bucky walked up to me and wrapped me in a hug, "No one will talk about you. It's been announced around that the matter of you and John Walker to not be discussed anymore." Bucky said and I pulled away looking at them.

"Who told everyone?" I asked.

"Proclamation from the King, it went around court." Bucky smiled as he helped me wipe away the few tears that fell. "So come on, everything will be okay. Just come back, we make you presentable and you have your meeting with King Steve." Bucky said and I half nodded as we walked out to the horses, mounted them and headed back to the palace.