Regal // h.s. AU

one

A/n heyyy I just wanna apologise for any cringiness in this book. This is my first time writing in this style so it's totally new to me. Please feel free to correct any mistakes or give me tips on how to improve :)))
                                                      _________________________

The waves lapped the seashore gently, sending a soft breeze through her hair. Elena's chest rose as she breathed deeply, capturing every moment in hopes that it will stay in her mind forever. She dug her toes in the damp sand, listening to the gentle song of a whale in the distance.

"Your Grace" a voice disrupted the stillness of the scenery. She must leave soon.

Elena sighed as a heavy weight set on her heart. she scanned the beach one more time, memorising the details of the clouds and the motion of the waves before turning her back to it.

I'll be back she promised.

She sauntered towards the coach that would take her far from home, to Tharer. Attempts on her life have been made by some, undoubtedly by the guerrillas. Poor Helen, Elena felt undeniable remorse for not knowing that the young girl, who she had grown close with over the years, was her designated taster- a sacrifice made for a juvenile heir to a frail throne.

Her mind began to wonder about others who bore any sort of linkage to her growing up and if they were all just dummies who have pledged to sacrifice their hearts to keep hers beating.

The journey to Tharer was made out to be long but certainly not dull, as Elena grew restless about the thought of seeing Harry for the first time in 14 years. Her time spent at Tharer court had allowed them to become good friends before they were to be man and wife. As children, they were playmates, best friends, as they need not worry about marriage for a long time- not until she was 18 or so.

The sound of the wheels grinding along what seemed to be gravel, alerts her that they have arrived. Fanfare plays as she peers out the window to be greeted by an abundance of nobles and common people alike, men and women whispered amongst themselves as two white horses pulling the red and gold encrusted carriage approached the palace grounds.

As Elena's carriage came to a stop, another pulls up moments later. Four young ladies, around Elena's age, step out in such wonderful delight, clinging onto each other's arms.

"There's Elena!" the youngest, Lillian exclaimed pointing to the carriage in front of them. They watch as Elena accepts a gentleman's hand to aid her out of the carriage before the four ladies rushed to engulf her in an embrace, laughing happily as they did so.

"I can't believe it!" Vera shouted excitedly, holding Elena's hands in hers, smiling widely.

"Lillian, Vera, Aimee, Camille!" a sense of content laced Elena's voice "I'm so glad you're here with me"

"And we will be till the end" Aimee assured. Her long and dark curly hair is a contrast to her pink tinted cheeks and bright eyes.

"Oh! here they come!" Lillian proclaimed, grabbing the attention of the girls.

The fanfare plays and they announce the arrival of the King, accompanied by a woman with soft blonde tresses and kind eyes. People kneel as the King and his companion walk past, like a wave in the horizon approaching the shore.

"Is that Queen Ann?" Lillian questions, her blonde hair falling to one side as she tilts her head to study the woman next to the King. "No, that's Azade Ravena, the King's mistress" Camille whispers.

"So the rumours are true" Vera whispered back.

Aimee felt her heart sink, and her slumping posture betrayed a growing despondency.

Camille noticed this sudden change of mood in her friend "What's the matter? Oh don't tell me. Its that boy from back home isn't it?" She surmised. 

Aimee sighed in response "Gus said he'd wait for me"  she tried to convince herself more than the others.

"For how long? Lord knows, we might never be back on Vaelian soil- not if it all works out and El ends up reigning here" Vera, the most sophisticated yet the least wealthy of all four, remarked

"What do you mean if ?" Lillian asked

Vera looked at each of the girls faces before turning to look at Elena, her back turned to her ladies "We are here to get our young queen in the game. Alliances can shift and before they do, El needs to win over the prince's heart"

The fanfare plays once again announcing the arrival of the Queen as Ann joins the King and Azade. Behind them a tall figure emerges, his features looked familiarly foreign to Elena. She studies the man who is now walking towards her, his long legs taking potent strides along the green grass. Elena's eyes travel up to his emerald eyes and she found herself she feeling an overwhelming sense of apprehension and excitement about this reunion.

"Your Grace" he greets, bowing his head

Elena returns the gesture "No, call me Elena- or El, please" she nervously introduced herself

He looked down at his shoes chuckling briefly "Harry" he smiled, his face creating small indentations on his cheek. Elena felt a sense of nostalgia and comfort as she noticed Harry's dimples, the same smile from when they were little.

She gaped at the sight of the structure behind Harry "The castle seems bigger. Is that possible?" she commented

"A-and you of course" stuttering she looked down to shield her from being any more awkward. Behind them, the four ladies snickered at her.

"You seem surprised?" Harry questioned playfully, grinning at her

"No, since your legs were always longer than mine. I despised that when we were younger, I was always chasing after you" Elena pauses, swallowing hard as she caught herself rambling again "But-uh, now it suits you" she finishes.

Harry shakes his head as he laughed quietly before making a slight gesture towards her.

"Shall we?"

Smiling she replied "We shall"