Grace

Chapter 42.2

I sighed because I knew at least some of what he was feeling and wouldn't wish it on anyone. I sat next to him and pulled him into my arms. I knew that the material of the dress couldn't be the most comfortable thing in the world with all the sparkly bits on it, but he rested his head on my chest anyway and cried his eyes out. His shoulders shook and tears flowed from his eyes so quickly I almost couldn't believe it.

"I know, mate," I soothed and carded a hand through his hair not caring all that much that my hand got a little sticky with styling wax. "I know."

That only made him cry harder, so I held him a little tighter. I wanted to cry too, but I figured that was the last thing he needed so I sucked it up and played the parent figure of soothing and comforting. He cried for about forty minutes before he sat up and wiped his nose on the heel of his hand.

"I wish Mum had come to find me."

"She's probably looking after William and Elizabeth," I said softly. "We can go find her if you want."

He shook his head and then tipped it back on the wall. I really wanted to cross my legs, but my dress was too tight. Instead I brought my knees up to my chest and rested my arms on them.

"I don't see how you could know what this feels like though."

I smiled a little. "Don't watch the show, huh?" I sighed. "It was never that my parents assumed I was always making trouble... It's that they never paid me any attention. They paid for me to do things – lots of things and lots of money too. But they were never there for me. They never talked to me, never came to see me when I was doing performances, never came to anything that I was involved in. They were always too busy. Always working. But then sometimes it was like they were normal people. They'd ask me how school was going or spend more time with me one evening after dinner. Little things. And I always loved those moments. Cherished them because I never knew when they were going to happen again. But then the next day they'd be back to ignoring me.

"I know it's not the same at all. But I know what it's like to feel worthless and not good enough. I know that it's like to be ignored.

"But then I went to Eton and eventually burst into tears all over Ben about it. The team recorded it and sent it to Mum for her to watch. Dad watched it too. And they finally saw how they made me feel. So they changed. They left their jobs and now we live in the middle of nowhere and I talk to them a lot and things are great."

"Dad can't exactly stop being a prince," he muttered.

"No. But that wasn't the point. The point is, it's after my parents knew how I felt that things changed. You need to talk to them. It's the only way things will get better."

"They won't listen."

"You can't know that for sure unless you try."

"They never listen."

"Ben's probably talking to your dad not telling him what happened in the car. I'm pretty sure they'll listen to you after that. You might not see it, but they're not unreasonable people."

He huffed. "If you say so."

"You need to talk to them, Edward. If you want Ben will help you. Or I will."

"Ed," he said softly and looked directly in front of me. "People I like get to call me Ed."

I smiled. "Thank you." I got up. "Come on, we should probably get back. Everyone will be wondering where you are."

"Do I have to?"

"I also drank too much and really need the loo."

He got up and began walking back the way we'd come. Pretty quickly though he took a right into a corridor we hadn't come down and by chance we stumbled upon Alfred, Victoria and Ben talking in hushed tones. Ed froze for a minute, but I gently nudged him forward. He tugged the collar of his shirt and loosened his tie. I walked at his pace, nervous and a little slower than normal. His right hand twitched a little.