Royalty is Two-Faced

Chapter Fifteen: Truth for a million reasons.

Chapter Fifteen

I stare in the mirror and behind me is Devin. “It’s going to be interesting milady.” He notes, “You can’t do it... you realise that?”

I nod once more, “I can try... that counts right.” I turn to Devin and sigh, he’s being very odd since the accident.

He approaches me from behind, “I’ll notify Arctic.” He holds my hand and I stare into his green eyes since his hands are enclosed onto mine, he takes a few moments and then blinks and fits the headband onto my head and kisses my hand sweetly, “Goodbye.”

I turn around to see him leave, I turn back to the mirror and my eyes look lost in thought. I shake my head and try to think straight, ever since that conversation with Carlin I’ve been falling into more confusion.

Two hours earlier

I scurry through the halls trying to find Arctic hoping I can talk to him before I leave with Edryn... I mean Carlin. I’m panicking because Carlin could die from a terrorist! I look around and no signs of Arctic. I turn and sigh, “Azure...” I turn and Carlin stands before me, he obviously looks like he had a shower in the past hour... or day. He looks cleaner and happier in all honesty, “What are you doing?” He asks and approaches me slowly, is he going to hit me again!? I take a step back cautious of his actions, Carlin calmly walks towards me and smiles. “I’m sorry.” He quickly embraces me knocking me out of my feet from his quick movement. I widen my eyes in even more shock, is he really going to hurt me again? “I must have shaken you... Forgive me? It’s not like you had a choice to know...”  He whispers quietly. “It’s not like you had a... choice to be here... If I die today, tell Desiree that I’ve always loved her.”

I couldn’t believe it, Carlin sounds like he’s about to break down... “I will.” I close my eyes and embrace him in return, he takes a sharp breath and I pat his shoulder. “Carlin, talk to me.” I push him away from me and he takes another quick breath and looks at me drowsily.

He turns and looks around again and opens the same door when Edryn and himself revealed Arctic’s secret. “Listen.” He rubs his temples obviously tired, “Desiree and I were planning to run away but then she pulled out, now Marie has been on my back-“

“Her name is Mother to you-“

He snaps his fingers at me, “I’ll call her whatever I want.” He hisses, “Just that... I can’t do anything now... It’s not your fault!” He says the last statement quicker than lightning, “I’ve been begging for attention lately...” Arctic is right about that... now isn’t he? Wait, he’s just blabbering nonsense...

I reach my hand and caress his cheek, “Carlin calm down...”

He nods and kisses my hand, “Azure... thank you.”

~~

Two hours later

In walks Cedric, “Azure, are you ready?” He snaps me out of my thoughts, I twirl away from the mirror and bow without saying a word. Cedric nods and escorts me out of my bedroom, just as we approach the entrance of the castle. I see Desiree and Carlin who is dressed as Edryn walking along, Desiree seeming a lot angrier because she’s refusing to look ahead or at Carlin in any matter.

Carlin smiles at me and joins my side, “Carlin my son, knock them dead.” Cedric notes and walks away to the entrance and opens the humongous door. Carlin and I walk ahead, I didn’t lose eye contact with Carlin as he smiles at me.

“What happened with you and Desiree?” I whisper in his ear.

Carlin looks down and we are greeted by millions of paparazzi, flashes of white light are the only things I can see. My eyes focus on the crowd and I cling to Carlin even more, he wraps his hand around my waist and absentmindedly wraps the lock of hair behind my ear. “I might die. Isn’t that explanation enough? I can’t even have a happy life with her, it’s either be Edryn’s decoy or... just... No, I can’t even have a second choice...I can’t run away to be myself.” He whispers so silently I almost didn’t catch it.

His electric blue contacts finally snap me to realize that it really is Carlin speaking, he smiles lightly and turns back. But I didn’t move an inch, I’m still staring at his now profile of his face. He really is doomed, just to be in the shadows where no one will ever know his attempts to make Edryn seem perfect except for those who force it to happen. And here I am, the one who almost gave him that freedom but the Royalists won’t let that happen... so... he’s just worried about getting caught by the Royalists... but what... about... I turn to the large crowd and glance back at Carlin... I already lived the life everyone dreams of... Carlin hasn’t... He deserves to be out in the open, to be... recognised.

I look down and finally I reach a decision. I pull on Carlin’s tie and he looks at me even more confused, “Tell Edryn I love him.” I cry as my fingers interlace with his and my spare hand caresses his cheek, “Carlin. Please.” Tears stream down my face as I raise my hand caressing his cheek and put it on his wig. I have Nothing to Lose.

In one swift motion I rip off his wig revealing his blonde hair that shines like a beacon of hope. In a heartbeat, the camera flashes and the whispers become more prominent. Carlin stares at me in confusion but doesn’t lose eye contact with me, “Azure...” He whispers and I take a step back.

“YOU DESERVE IT!” I yell and footsteps appear behind me and several men approach me and cover my sight of Carlin. My eyes are sore from the tears as I’m apprehended, millions of voices surround me and I realize my eyesight has been blacked out...

“LET HER GO!” An angry deep voice demands.

“She broke all seven laws Arctic!” Another voice barks back at Arctic and I sniff to myself at the daring movement I just did... Carlin and the flashes all replay like a movie scene.

My feet aren’t even dragging me anymore either, someone must be carrying me... “I wonder how Marie will deal with this.” A voice comments and I feel like I recognize them.

“I bet she’ll just say Edryn got a haircut... and changed his hair colour.”

“Pfft. Like anyone will believe that, besides that means Edryn has to change his appearance too... and he’s not going to let this slide. I think he really liked this girl.” One states and I feel offended that he called me a girl.

“Like hell Marie will let her go.” No matter how hard I try, I can’t stop crying in fear.

The next minute I’m walking by myself, no more voices and footsteps... “In here...” I nod and a door... or is it a gate? Opens and I continue to walk.

Someone removes my blindfold and I stare at a very small building and I turn around and my jaw drops.

Devin?