Kingdoms

Part 4

Caden, Braden, and pope Norman stand in an exquisite ball room decorated in many different beautiful designs, ringed with columns that hold up the extravagantly painted ceiling. they stand before Braden, her eyes swelling with tears and her hand covers her mouth while pope while Norman explains the massacre at the conference. Caden reaches his hand out to Braden who grabs it and collapses to the cold tile floor bringing Caden down with her. she falls in to his shoulder as she cries. "I can't" she murmurs to Caden. He shivers at the heat of her voice warming his shoulder. Caden says nothing for a few silent moments as they sit together intertwined in the middle of the room.

"I'm sorry to see you this way" Caden whispers.

She sniffles lifting herself from Caden's shoulder. he hands her a blue handkerchief that he grabbed before he left home. she accepts it wiping away her tears revealing her now red, as a-posed to her naturally fair and pale, complexion. it surprisingly suites her. The two of them stair back at one another for awhile until Braden brings herself to stand. Once up she hands the handkerchief back to him.

"Might you consider staying with me Caden? Just for the week?" Braden begs but before He can answer pope Norman cuts in

"I'm afraid that will not be possible" he says regretfully "there will be another meeting in two days time. Unfortunately being the last to find out, you get the shortest grieving period." He pauses as if done "I am very sorry" he adds. Braden sends a confused look to pope Norman then to Caden.

"We need to be on the road by nightfall" Caden explains. he takes her gently by the hand and faces the pope "I will help her pack" he says. Pope Norman nods.

"Take your time"

They walk downs many twisting hallways turning left here and right there then finally make it to Braden's room. Caden holds the door open for Braden who begins to enter, stopping in her tracks she turns to Caden "why do you not call me Brae anymore?" She asks " it's what I've gotten used to even my parents picked up on it" her voice fades. Caden stairs back at her with eyes full of sympathy and suprise that she would be willing to talk about anything regarding her parents.

" if you want to be called Brae that's what I will call you" she smiles

"wait out here?" She asks gently. Caden nods and let's the door squeal closed after her. "I won't be long" she calls from the other side.

After about ten minutes of standing outside Caden knocks "Brae?" He calls "are you almost ready?" When he receives no answer he knocks again this time louder "Brae?" He calls again. after receiving no answer once again he opens the door only to find Brae in the corner of the room next to a packed bag and a satchel with her arms wrapped around her knees. Her arms prop up a small, pure white blanket with purple letters spelling out her name "Braden W" in purple thread across the top that was given to her at birth by her parents her face is buried in to it drowning the sound of her weeping. Caden rushes over and sits next to her, gently laying his hand on hers. "Brae" he whispers. She looks up at him with fear and discuss in her eyes.

"They will make me marry" she spouts "they will make me marry within the month and they will expect me to do so much. I'm not made for this" she says. her voice becomes agitated the more she speaks "I won't take the crown! I refuse" Caden begins to panic at her words but calms himself down quickly.

"Braden Woodard!" he says aggressively "don't you ever speak like that. You know what you would have to do to give up you crown. You know the laws" he says as he wipes her tears with his thumbs "you are my best friend. And What kind of friend would I be if I let you kill yourself all because you don't want your crown?" He argues knowing about her natural stubbornness.

"I can avoid it. I can run away. Th-"

"No" Caden chokes "the laws are reinforced by magic. There's no getting around them. If you want to resign your position as queen you must be publicly killed." Braden's expression goes blank she can't and won't handle the truth.

They sit in still agonizing silence until broken by Caden "I will help you. Just please get these horrible thoughts out of your head" Caden pleads as he picks her up "Brae" he says calmly. " You have been my best friend for the longest time" he brushes the wrinkles out of her dress "I want to help you"

Braden kneels down to pick up her bag. "let's just go" Caden watches as she walks hastily out of the room reframing from saying anything else to him out loud. She walks Almost as if the next step will make her collapse to the ground again in tears "I am strong. I am proud, I am beautiful... I am strong, I am proud, I am beautiful." She chants under her breath "I pave my own road. I build my own bridge" she says reassuring herself "take control"

Caden catches up with her holding her satchel. "You forgot this. He says swinging it over his shoulder and putting one arm around Braden "we're gunna be ok" he says reassuringly "we can do this... Togeather"