King | j.b

XXIX

Justin looked at Ariana nervously from a distance. How were they going to say this? Her parents and brother stood there in silence for a moment, confused as to what she was saying.

"Talk about what?" her mother asked puzzled. "Let's go back to the house, we can talk there." She put her hand on Ariana's back.

"No," Ariana said hesitantly as she gently shook her mother's hand off. We can't go home just yet." She glanced at Justin who looked more nervous than ever.

"What do you mean?" her father asked her.

"Is everything okay?" said her brother. She looked at the three of them who were looking at her with confusion. She sighed and slowly looked towards Justin. She nodded her head towards her family, telling him to come to them.

He bit his lip hard and ran his fingers through his hair. He held his crown in his left hand as he took his steps towards Ariana and her family. His lips were pressed into a tight, straight line. His eyes avoided her parents' gaze and instead, he looked at Ariana.

Her parents looked at him, narrowing their eyes. He sighed loudly as he stopped next to his future wife. Hopefully.

Ariana fidgeted with her ring, her legs almost shaking with anxiety. Where would she start.

Frankie must have noticed her ring because his mouth slightly fell open as he stared at her hand. His eyes widened in surprise. But he closed his mouth and gulped loudly when the king cleared his threat.

"What is it, Ariana?" her father asked, eyeing the king. "Is there a problem here?"

Justin adjusted his collar with his right hand and looked at Ariana to start. As she opened her mouth to speak, she thought her heart would pop right out of her chest. But no words escaped her lips. As much as she tried to say something, nothing would come out.

"Please, Mr. and Mrs. Grande, it will be better if we talk inside," Justin said nodding his head towards the houses. There was an uncomfortable silence that followed, making Ariana even more nervous.

Her father's hands formed fists at his sides. This was not going to be good.

"No, right here is just fine," he spoke. Ariana could hear trembling in his voice. He was afraid of what was to come.

Justin's jaw clenched, his hard, ice-like eyes glaring at her father.

"Please someone tell me what's going on?" her mother chipped in. Ariana waited a few moments before looking at Justin.

He looked at her with sympathy. She sighed before turning back to her family. And then she spoke.

Her voice. It was strong. Truthful.

"Well, my first few weeks in the castle, I hated Justin." Her parents raised their eyebrows, shocked that she would call him by his first name. Frankie stood silently, staring at the ground. He seemed to be putting the puzzle pieces together.

"He was cruel and vicious to me and all the other servants." She paused and took a deep breath. Justin locked his eyes on something invisible in the air.

"As time passed on though, I started to see some good in him. And I was right, there was good in him. All that needed to be done was for him to realize that. And with some help from me," she turned her head towards Justin, "he did."