The Selection: Third Generation

Ch. 12: Trouble in France

Arabella's POV

I wake up around 1 am the next morning to someone knocking on my door. I get up, still half asleep, and grab my robe. Sliding it on, I open the door.

 It's Prince Carlisle, and he pushes me back into my room, quickly closing the door behind him. As soon as we make eye contact, I'm fully awake. His hair is a mess, tie undone, suit jacket hanging open.

"Is everything okay? Ly, what's wrong?" I've never seen him look so...undone.

"Yeah... No. I just needed to... Well, I don't know. " He runs his hand through his hair and crosses the room to my balcony. 

"What's going on?" I ask, walking over to him and placing my hand on his back. He turns to face me, a worried look on his face.

"We've been having issues with France again... Father and I have to go and meet with the Queen. Tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" I ask, his worry echoing in my own voice.

"Yes. I won't be there for breakfast since we are leaving so early."

"Does anyone else know?"

"Besides family, no. You're the only one I told." For some reason, we are both whispering now.

"Please be careful," I say, stepping closer to him. I do not want him to go, but I know that he must. France and Illea were allies back about three or four generations ago, but when Maxon's other son ran off to marry the princess and caused America to have her first heart attack, things got tense. They have been rocky ever since.

"I wish I didn't even have to go... We are staying for a week with the royal family, and we can only bring about five guards with us."

"You'll be okay, Lyle. You have to be. Okay?" I whisper, closing the distance between us, and wrap my arms around his neck.

"Okay." He says, pushing a piece of hair away from my face. His hand lingers and I push my cheek into his palm. 

"I love you, Ar." He whispers, staring into my eyes. My heart stops for a second and then my entire chest feels warm. I smile.

"I love you, Lyle." The look in his eyes makes me think it won't be too long before he ends this. But I know better than to be so naive. Thoughts like this are what get girls like me hurt. And I don't want to be hurt, not again.

The look of love in his eyes shifts to concern.

"What's wrong, Ar?" He asks, knowing me well enough to know something is wrong.

"If you could end this right now, why don't you?" His eyes shift to the ground at this, making my heart drop to my stomach.

I'm not the only one he loves...

He kisses my forehead, whispers an I love you and goodnight, and leaves me standing there all alone. I sit down on the chair and stare into the garden. I don't know how much time goes by, but when the moon is almost gone from the sky, I climb back into bed, numb and heartbroken.

***

"Miss, it's time to get up," Leah says.

"I don't wanna."

"Come on, miss. You were getting better at this!"

"Five more minutes. Please." My maid sighs, knowing I won't get out of bed for now. 

It feels like only one minute before all three of my maids walk over to my bed.

"Get up, miss," Barbara says. "Or we will have to make you." This causes Anne and Leah to giggle.