The Crown Protector » h.s {Completed}

ten

Everything was bright and my eyes were taking forever to adjust to my surroundings. My head was throbbing and pain was shooting up my leg. My entire body felt worn down and weak.

I clench onto the hand that's holding mine and glance over at the tired boy sitting by my bedside. He's got stitches across his forehead and bandages on his forearm.

"Hey, Olivia."

"Hi," I mumble. "You okay?"

He nods. "Are you? They had to do surgery on your leg."

"It's hurts a lot," I whine. He nods and stands up. "No, don't leave."

"I'll be right back, love, I have to let the doctor know you're awake."

I pout but nod and let go of his hand. He returns shortly like he said, followed by the doctor.

"How do you feel?"

"I'm in a lot of pain," I tell her. She nods and checks her watch.

"Well, I would assume so. It seems it's time for more medication. Once you've taken some more, you can go back to your bedroom. I can get a nurse to assist you or Harry here can help you."

Harry nods and I watch as the doctor gets a bottle of water and a bottle of medication. I take them from her and she tells me all the instructions while I swallow two pills. Harry helps me to my room, using a wheelchair because the doctor yelled at him for trying to pick me up. I crawl into my bed and curl up into a ball. The giant cast on my leg makes it difficult, but I manage.

"You had quite the operation," Harry says as he sits down on my bed. "Doctor said you've got some nails in your leg holding the bone together so it can heal."

"What's happened to your head?"

He shrugs. "Minor concussion. No big deal."

I nod. "Will you lay down with me?"

He smiles and I scoot over slightly. He crawls into the bed next to me, allowing me to lay my head on his chest and curl my body into his. I let my eyes fall shut and I take a moment to take a deep breath. Today has been extremely long and extremely hectic. I could've been killed multiple times. I kicked ass today.

There's a knock at the door and I groan. Harry laughs and hollers that the person can enter. Chris walks in and chuckles when he sees Harry and I. He sits in the chair by the bed and sighs.

"I bring good news and bad news. Which would you like first?"

"Uh, good news I guess? I don't know. I'm too tired to care which order."

"Well, the good news is that General William has been taken down for the final time. He fell to his death in the explosion. His men have been put into custody and the prisoners have been freed. The bad news is that this means you have to give a speech first thing tomorrow morning. The country is expecting great things from you and there's already talk about your coronation."

"My coronation? I thought I wasn't allowed to become queen because, and I quote, 'a woman isn't fit for the job of running our country.'"

Christopher laughs. "Well, it seems you've proved those incredibly sexist men wrong. You two could've died out there today. And you walked out with minimal injury. I'm proud of you. You seem to make quite the team."

I look up at Harry and he's already looking down at me with admiration in his eyes. I smile and turn back to Christopher. "Thanks. Back to this speech, though. Do I have to write it or is it being prepared?"

"I think you should write this one. It's about time that you're heard."

///

"Turn to your right a little, would you?"

I turn slightly and look up at the ceiling while Julia fixes my dress for my speech in less than an hour. The entire country would be watching, either in the crowd or on TV.

She stands back right as there's a knock on the door. She goes to open it, revealing Harry standing there in a very fancy looking suit. She glances back at me and smiles. "I'll give you two a few minutes."

She steps out and Harry slowly steps in. I find myself biting my lip as his eyes rake over my body, my brain a little confused. He takes my hand and brings himself close to me.

"You look beautiful," he compliments quietly. "So incredibly beautiful."

I smile and look down at my dress. "Thanks. I kinda feel like I should be going to prom, not giving a speech."

"Have you finished your speech?"

I nod. "Yeah. M'super nervous. I'm scared that I'll like, pass out or something."

"I'll be right behind you to catch you," he smiles and lifts his hand to move my hair back behind my ear. He rests his hand on my cheek and gives me a kiss. My hands find his hips and I lean my body into his.

"I'm glad you've been on this crazy ride with me," I admit quietly.

He kisses my forehead and steps back a little. "I have something for you."

I watch silently as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a black velvet box. He flips it open, revealing a beautiful heart shaped locket. I gasp at its beauty as I look at the detail of it. There's a tree engraved in it that's got tiny diamonds on the branches.

"It was your moms," he says quietly as he pulls it out of the box. "Your dad gave it to me when I finished my training... He wanted me to give it to you before you became queen. I figured it could be a little boost of confidence, you know, like uh, having it with you during your speech and stuff."

I smile as he moves my hair to put the necklace around my neck. He kisses my cheek and wraps his arms around my waist from behind. I turn around in his arms (not smoothly at all, cause of my cast) and give him a hug. "Thank you. Thank you for protecting it for me. Thank you for everything, I guess."

"Listen..." he trails off and steps back away from me. "I need to tell you something."

Julia comes back in and my stomach drops. The way Harry is acting suddenly makes me nervous but I know that whatever he has to tell me has to wait. He frowns and steps back to leave the room. He's gone before I can form words to say.

"Come on, now. I have to get you ready the rest of the way," Julia says as she helps me over to the vanity.

///

"General William has been defeated for the very last time," I begin, glancing around at the people who's eyes were glued on me. "The only possible strategy to get out of the war was to take him down. Unfortunately we didn't know of his location until just yesterday, so we lost some very brave men out on the battle field. The kingdom and I send out prayers to the loved ones of those who lost their lives. Their bravery and determination will not go unnoticed."

I look down at my paper and all of the words seem to blend into one big jumbled mess. I take a deep breath and look out at the crowd.

"This hasn't been easy to cope with. My father was able to lead so naturally and I can only hope that one day I'll be as great as he once was. Although it will take a lot of time and learning, I believe that I am ready to step up and lead this country as your queen. My first mission as your leader is to reward those who fought for us and to reward the family's of those who we lost. This entire situation will only make us stronger. And I look forward to watching everybody grow."