𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧 | 𝐋𝐇

XVII

a/n: I am so sorry, enjoy your read.

Ninth of August, 2021

Amelia was off on royal duty again having a meeting with the King of Spain. She had been enjoying her time in Spain despite being  on work duty. She couldn't wait to go back until she realised her world had crashed.

That morning , she woke up in a good mood. She had been in Spain for a week now much to her liking and she was just rounding up.

"Thank you so much for having me over and sorting out the issues with me."

"Of course, it was lovely having you over Amelia. I hope you'll attend Leonor's 18th."

"I will do my best to, I will try and clear up my schedule for the week so that we can spend time together."

"When do you leave?" Asked King Felipe

"In a few days, I want to enjoy myself for a few more days."

"Enjoy your stay then, the palace is always open for you."

"Thank you so much Your Majesty." Amelia curtsied lightly before making her way back to the hotel she was staying at.

The sky was getting gloomy and Amelia had the sudden urge to drink a strong cocktail. She reached for her bag to get her iPad out when she realised she hadn't heard from her grandfather today.

Usually on work trips he'd call at least once a day, in fact, none of her family members have called even once today.

She decides to wait until she's at the hotel to call them seeing as the WiFi was much stronger than her network connection outside.

She had arrived to the hotel and the moment she stepped into the lobby all her messages started coming in making her phone buzz erratically then she looked up. Alice had been looking at her with a solemn expression, when did she get here.

"Is everything okay?" Amelia asked but she is only escorted to her hotel room by the two undercover guards beside Alice.

Once in the elevator, she turns to look at Alice once more.

"Can I know what happened?"

"You need to return to London immediately."

"Why is something wrong?"

"William is on the phone waiting in your room. Answer it the moment you walk in." So she does as she is told and sees another woman, she recalled her name had been Vanessa holding a phone for her.

"Hello?"

"Amelia, I need you to sit down."

"You never call me Amelia, can I know what is going on?" She tried to joke

"It's grandpa."

"Sorry?"

"He umm, he's gone."

Her whole world had crumbled around her. Suddenly, it became apparent why everyone was wearing black. Her head began to spin and her body had quickly slipped into a state of shock.

"I- I do not follow. What do you mean? Did he get lost in the garden again? Have you guys checked?"

"Amelia."

"Stop."

"I'm so sorry."

Nothing made sense in this moment. Her heart felt like it had stopped, her lungs bare of all air, the world around her was spinning.

Amelia dropped to the floor from her seat and stayed slumped there ignoring William's calls over the phone.

"I'll be back home in a few hours." Was all she could muster before ending the call.