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chapter eleven, not easy to control.
TODAY WAS THE FIRST DAY THAT THE TEN GIRLS WOULD BE ABLE TO SEE THEIR FAMILIES, so Francesca was forced into her family home, awaiting the insults to be thrown her way.
Francesca stepped out of the carriage, her yellow dress flowing in the wind behind her. She took a second to collect herself before she knocked on the door. She was escorted to her family drawling room, announced by her previous butler.
"Francesca!" Amouri squealed, jumping up and running to hug Francesca. Francesca rocked backwards, catching the older girl in her arms, balancing herself with her girl in her arms.
"Hey, Fran." Lissette greeted, her voice cold and unwelcoming. Francesca glared at the girl, hatred filling her eyes. She had grown used to being cherished and welcomed, well, with Aaron at least, and for that all to change within one single sentence was altering for Francesca.
"I told you to stop calling me that," Francesca said, pulling away from Amouri. Lissette raised her eyebrow, not liking the tone her youngest sibling took with her.
"Francesca, do not speak to her like that." Garett said harshly, once again, trying to take control over Francesca. Francesca narrowed her eyes at Garett, who was he to tell her what to do?
"Garett, do not speak to me at all," Francesca mocked, rolling her eyes. Her parents scoffed, also rolling their eyes. Garett stood up, only being held back by Lissette who held his hand. Maxwell shot up, walking over to stand in front of Francesca in case Garett got any ideas. Francesca was silently thankful for her brother, who knows what Garett would do. After all, Lissette would often come home with bruises and would flinch at loud noises. It was a clear sign of domestic abuse.
"Garett, learn your place," Maxwell sneered. He held his hand in the air, a silent warning to his brother in-law.
"You know, Francesca, I don't know how you made it. You are so unbelievably improper, I'm surprised the royal family puts up with you." Her father said, continuing to read his book, not even daring to look up at his youngest child.
"Excuse me?"
"See, there it is again. So unladylike, honestly, I don't know what the Prince sees in you," Loring spoke, her eyes inspecting her daughter.
"I've heard rumors that he's even favored Francesca, picking her to spend his time with above all else," Sorietta said, her voice plain and boring as she really had no interest in her sisters affairs. Elijah Dence sat next to her, he was her fiancé. Elijah offered a polite smile to Francesca, to which she returned. Francesca didn't mind him, he was quite sweet and the two were in love with one another.
Melissa, Maxwells wife, wasn't much of a bother either. She made it clear that Francesca could always come to her when she needed someone she could trust, and Francesca often took her up on that offer.
Jean Vexin, otherwise known as the Duke of Yorkshire, was Amouris husband. The two weren't really showing signs of being in love, nor were they showing signs of hate. They simply existed. So, Francesca made no effort to speak to Jean, she didn't care too much. Neither did he, he rather appreciated it.
The only person she truly had a problem out of her siblings spouses was Garett. He was controlling and rude, he often tried to control Francesca as if she was his wife or daughter. While everyone else thought of this as charming, Francesca, Maxwell, Melissa and Amouri all hated the man for it. If it was up to them, Garett would be thrown out of the streets of Paris.
Now, Francesca thought she could get through the two hours it would be before the royal guards came and got her, she was wrong. She went over to hug the siblings she liked, bidding them a goodbye.
"It was lovely to see you all," Francesca said through gritted teeth, she turned around quickly and walked out of the room. Her heels clicked and her dress flowed as she walked with purpose. Surly, Aaron wouldn't mind if she showed up at his bedroom door.
So, Francesca walked all the way back to the castle. She walked through the halls and finally, she broke. Tears welled up in her eyes, she needed Aaron and she needed him right now.
Francesca knocked on his bedroom door and when she heard a muffled "come in" she walked in. She instantly found Aaron and before he could finish his sentence of asking why she was here, she threw herself into his arms.
"Francesca, hey, what's wrong?" Aaron said, his voice soothing and his hand cupping the back of her head. Francesca finally let the tears fall, dampening his shirt but he didn't care.
"Do I have to go see them?"
"Who?"
"My family, I- I can't keep going to see them," Francesca cried, god, she felt so pathetic but she didn't care anymore. Aaron's heart swelled with sadness that Francesca's own family could make her react like this.
"You don't have to, not at all. If you want you can stay here with me," Aaron spoke gently, cradling the girl in his arms. Francesca tightened her hold on him, like he was her lifeline.
"Thank you," Francesca's voice cracked with emotion. She began to pull away only to be hugged even tighter. Confusion wracked through her brain, but when Aaron gave her a small squeeze it all vanished. He wanted her there, in his arms. Francesca wasn't complaining, she liked being in his arms.
This was where they wanted to be, wether they realized it or not. They belonged in each others warm embrace, comforted and loved, cherished and happy. There was a point in time that Francesca thought she would never feel this way. Thank god she met Aaron, it became apparent that Francesca wouldn't know what to do if she didn't have him.
