Betrothed (The Selection series and Red Queen Fanfic)

Chapter 59 - Loyalty

A clear of a throat pulled me from my nature loving trance. Then followed by arms around me. I turned around and my eyes widen in shock.

Cal

The guy we all thought was ambushed or abducted and even dead is here standing in front of me with his arms wrapped around me.

"Cal... I... We... What are you doing here?" Words stuttered out.

"Well, we really planned this"

"Why?" Curiosity kills the cat.

"I want to talk to you," His eyes looked deeply at me. "Alone"

"Okay"

Cal led us to the fountain, his didn't keep his distance just like before. But I can feel his hesitation to tell what was this all about. It all started with a question I just answered a while ago. Well, somewhat like that.

"Did you even love me?"

He looked at me, his eyes searching mine. Cal's eyes were burning with something I can't describe. I looked away for me to say what ever it was honestly.

"Yes, Cal. I did loved you," I answered. "How about you?"

"I love you. And still love you until now" He said.

His fingers slowly made its way to where my engagement ring sat. Slowly, he pulled it out of my finger. All I could was gasped and freeze in place.

"What are you doing?" I asked, totally scared of everything.

Cal reached for his pocket and took out a red velvet box where a gorgeous ring sat. Gold vines crawled up that made the crown of the ring, two gems sat on it, one was colored red-gold like fire of his  and blue-green like my eyes and surrounded with little diamonds looking like starlight.

I know should be flattered and glad that he still love after all those times I hurt and left him. 

This can't be!

Horror crept inside me instead of awe. The princess in me kicked-in, I snatched Maxon's ring from his grasps and ran away from him. I heard my name being called but I didn't budge. So many betrayals has happened and I don't want to be involve with it.

I saw Maxon with my siblings in the open garden. Clearly, they were happy with their conversation.

"Del! We were just talking about you" Maxon called out.

I ignored his talking and quickly dropped on my knees, my right hand covering the left.

"I'm so sorry! I'm sorry. please forgive me" I cried but no tears this time.

"For what? C'mon darling what is this all about?" He asked.

Maxon pulled me to his lap then dusting my gown clean. My fingers fidget with Cal's ring and my eyes stayed on the ground. 

"Maxon, I want you to do something"

"What is it, my dear?"

"kindly take this off and put your ring back on its place" I whispered.

I showed him my fingers and the ring and his eyes widen. I know he knew what happened but he just kept his mouth shut. Slowly, he pulled Cal's ring and replaced it with his.

"Thank you for your loyalty" He whispered in my ear.

"That's the right thing to do," I shrugged. "And princesses always does the right thing to do even if it hurts them"

A moment of silence. One by one, our comrades exited the scene to give us some privacy.

"That's why I'm fixing it for you not to get hurt" Maxon whispered.

"Excuse me? What do you mean by it?" I asked.

"What happened a while ago was something we all planned for you and America"

"So you're saying is that, you were finding a way to marry America? And finding me for Cal?" I exaggerate. "Does your father knows about this?"

"He doesn't have a clue. That's why he's caning me for not finding you and... The rest of it" He smiled.

Oh

"But... Why?"

"I've seen the way you look at Cal. I know you would never look at me that way" He rubbed my fingers.

"Maxon, I.... We can always work things out. Right?"

"We can work things out of you really love me"

Oh My Goodness! I wish this was just a dream.

"I can learn to love you!"

"You cannot learn everything, dear. Not everything. Especially. Love"

That hit me! HARD! Really Hard!

"I'm sorry for putting you in this situation. I should've pursued Cal to marry me in the first place," I shrugged. "Maybe. Just Maybe, we weren't in this situation right now"

Maxon pulled my face upward. I look straight into his eyes and him into mines. We heard someone coming but we're too busy to notice. Not until he called his attention.

"I'm sorry to interrupt Your Highnesses," A sentinel bowed to us.

I turned my attention to the sentinel, still sitting on Maxon's lap.

"It's fine, officer. What is it?" Maxon spoke.

Delancy, you love him right? Not Cal!

Darn this feelings!

"Princess Delancy is expected to be in the conference room right away"

Before Maxon could say anything, I blurted something a princess would never say.

"Oh c'mon! I'm tired of this teenage drama! Tell Cal to go here and say whatever he wants to say!" I scoffed.

"Actually-" Maxon cut the sentinel off. 

"I'm coming with her," Maxon turned to me. "I'm coming with you. I'm not leaving your side"

I smiled. A blush appeared on my face. I was lucky Maxon didn't saw it. Or else he will tease me.

The sentinel led the way, Maxon's hand was firmly wrapped around my waist. Telling everyone that we will stay together.

We entered the conference room and what I saw shocked me. My parents and everyone in the Gardenian council was there, sat around a huge dark wood table. Papers, folders and pens were scattered on the table, secretaries were busy jotting down the words that they've discussed earlier. One by one they rise and lowered into deep curtsy. 

My eyes scanned the room for my siblings, Amielle and Wendy were there. 

Except for one...