Into The Woods - Harry Styles

27.

We have safely made it out of the woods. We are currently walking through the town of Castle Hill. I have missed this place more than I thought. I didn't think I would miss all the little shops, small diners and the uneven stone streets. I glance over to Harry's direction to see him taking in everything my birthplace has to offer as we all make our way up the large hill that leads to the castle.

"Is it strange for you?" I ask, Harry. He turns his head to face me and says,

"Is what strange?"

"Being outside of the woods and seeing what life is like out here."

"I haven't decided yet how I feel about it." He tells me, as he takes everything in. It's strange to me that there aren't a lot of shops opened or bakeries. I feel slightly scared that my father might not be well. Normally when this happens something in the castle has happened.

I haven't spoken to Daniel since I told him about Harry and I. He must hate me, I hate me. I know what I did was wrong, but there was something about Danny that held me back. With Harry I feel strong, wild, like I can do anything. With Daniel it's like he must constantly protect me and never lets me experience anything. I just hope we can still be friends. Even though I don't think we'll ever be lovers, I would still like to be friends considering we've known each other since we were children.

"Your highness for your safety we ask that you stay behind with some of the guards while we see if everything is safe." One of the knights tells me as we are now standing at the gates of the castle. I want to say no and tell them that I can defend myself, but they are just trying to do their job so I nod my head and stay behind with Harry and Daniel.

You could honestly cut the tension with a knife as I stand between the two of them. I want to say something, but I am honestly afraid of Danny's reply. I know this is terrible for him, he loved me and I just threw it all away for a man that I barely know.

"I just want to know why." A voice besides me speaks up after many minutes of silence. I turn my head to the right to face Daniel. I know he is referring to what I had done with Harry. I have to search my brain for a valid answer, but all I can seem to find are excuses for my actions.

"I honestly don't know what came over me the first time it happened. I was just as confused as you are now." I finally admit the truth, even if it's not what he wants to hear. I turn to Harry to see him glancing over in our direction, I can tell he doesn't want to be apart of this conversation.

"So it was an accident?" Daniel assumes, taking in a long breath. I shake my head and say,

"It was done purposely, but I never meant for it to happen." I know he is just trying to make it out like this is just one big misunderstanding, but I know it isn't. "It wasn't right, but I can't take it back." I say, looking down in shame. Knowing a lot of what I've done in my life wasn't right. My mother would be so disappointed in me if she was still alive, it still doesn't feel real that she is gone.

* * *

"The castle is secure." One of the guards tells the three of us. We all quickly make our way through the gates and towards the large wooden door. The castle looks even more humongous then it did weeks ago when I had first left with my family. The grey colored stone blocks seem to be stacked higher than before, but I know they're just where they were when we left.

"I can't believe I'm actually back. " I whisper to myself. I glance over to Harry to see him staring in awe at the outside of the castle. This must be so strange for him. It never really occurred to me that Harry might have never left the woods before, this could be his first time in the real world.

The lavish castle that I so adore and have missed dearly doesn't look the same on the inside as the day we left. It appears it has been damaged, all thanks to my uncle, Jeffrey. The furniture is turned over, the rugs are ripped and splattered with blood along with the walls. I feel a great amount of sadness build up in myself the more I see of my once beautiful home.

"He destroyed it. My own blood wrecked my beloved home out of greed of power." I say out loud, announcing to no one in particular. I glance over to Harry to see him standing awkwardly off to the side.

"Where is my father? I must see him this instant." I try to hold authority in my voice, knowing I must be strong.

"This way your highness." A guard leads me down one of the main halls on the first floor. I recognize it as the infirmary. My father must not be well. I have to hold my breath at the sight my eyes may lay upon in mere seconds. I am just thankful that he is alive.

"Your father battled his brother hard, but in return he gained some pretty serious injuries. Thankfully they were treated right away and none are life threatening." Our castle doctor tells me before I enter the room. I nod my head and thank him for saving my dad.

When I enter the large, brightly lit room my eyes fall on the bed where he lay, resting in peace. I walk over to his bedside and grab his hand, squeezing it lightly. The action makes him stir and soon after his eyes open.

"Rosalie? Is that you?" His voice is rough, but I can make out every word he is saying. I nod my head and bend down, wrapping my arms around his body. He hugs me as best as he can with the injuries that he has. The longer I am in his embrace the more I begin to think about my mother and the fact that he doesn't even know she died. I begin to cry softly which turns into sobbing.

"Oh, dear. What is the matter?" He asked, pulling away from me. I look him in the eyes, wiping the tears out from under mine before muttering.

"M-mom... She didn't make it." I croak out, letting the tears fall as I watch my father's expression falter. His eyebrows crease in pain before a single tear slips down his cheek.

"I had a feeling. I felt a great pain many moons ago about her passing." He tells me, combing his hand through my hair. We stay like that for what seems like hours and I guess it was since I woke up after dark.

* * *

I make my way through the castle, in search of finding Harry. I need to speak with him to figure out what we are. If he doesn't plan to stay with me then I need to know. I can't just keep assuming he is without actually knowing.

"Rose. How is your father?" Daniel asks, walking over to me. I stop and say,

"He is getting stronger. The doctor said there is nothing life threatening, so I think we're in the clear." I tell him, looking around to see if I can spot Harry anywhere. "You haven't seen Harry, have you?"

"He headed back to the woods several minutes ago. Did he not tell you?" My mouth falls open from shock. He left? Without even telling me. Daniel seems a little too happy about him leaving without saying goodbye which angers me.

"He can't just do that. I won't allow it." Before I even realize what I am doing, I am pushing the castle's front doors open and quickly running towards the gate, ignoring Daniel's and everyone else's protest for me to come back.

"This isn't how our story ends." I say to myself, pushing my body harder, running as fast as I can manage. I will find him and I will at least get some answers.

| Authors Note |

3 chapters left!

QUESTION FOR YOU

Will Rosalie find Harry before he's too far in the woods?

I can't wait for you guys to read the ending!