between us | klaroline (book 1)

Chapter 14: Heartbreak

It happened in the middle of the night. I slept soundly in my bed, dreaming of the beautiful ocean and beach when one of my maids woke me up by shaking me. "Princess." She whispered urgently. I fluttered my eyes open and looked at her with a shocked expression. "What is it?" I muttered, slightly annoyed that I was being woken up.

"Something happened at the castle, we need to fly you and the two prince's home immediately. Come on, let's pack." She instructed me. I got up, grabbing my skirt and shirt, placing them on quickly and fixing my hair. I asked my maid to apply my makeup and then take my bags to the guards. I could here heels clicking along the flooring of the hotel while I placed on my black flats.

I gave a worried look down the hallway when I saw both prince's talking to guards, probably asking what this was all about. They seemed worried as well. "We must leave now." I heard a guard say loudly at the front door, making me and my maids walk hurriedly toward the car outside.

The plane ride felt so agonizingly long because the whole time I stared out the window in worry, thinking of the possible reasons why we had to return home. Was there an attack at the castle? Was war returning? The prince's didn't talk the whole entire flight, most likely because I didn't give them a look the entire time. I was too scared. I hoped that one of them would hold me but they never did.

Before I knew it, I fell asleep and was being woken up my the same maid again, informing me that we were here. The prince's were asleep soundly next to me as well, maids were trying to wake them as well. I dozily followed everybody out the plane and to a large security limousine that waited for us outside the jet. Guards helped me inside and I sat next to Charlie, who was next to Damien.

Talk about awkwardness. We were all still silent, I gave a gentle smile to Charlie, assuring him I was okay. He squeezed my hand, then let go. Damien looked at us, letting out a breath and looking away. I couldn't think about comforting him at the moment, I was much too focused on what the issue was and why we had to return from paradise.

We drove all the way to the castle, passing by many farms in silence. When we got out, I quickly ran inside, hearing chatter amongst many of the maids down the hall. "Where is my mother?" I asked urgently to one of the guards. "Princess," He bowed. "She is upstairs in the grand bedroom with the king."

I nodded, walking quickly up the stairs all the way to the floor where my parent's room was. I ran down the corridor and opened the bedroom doors swiftly and I gasped when I saw my father lying in bed, eyes closed. My mother sat next to him, facing him so I couldn't see her face. I looked at the maids who stared at the floor quietly.

"What happened?!" I mouthed, tears welling up in my eyes. I walked to my mother, her tears came pooling down her face with sniffs at her nose. "Mum." I said, placing my hand on her shoulder. She hugged me, standing up.

"Darling, he's okay. He had a heart attack. I was so scared." She cried out.

I stepped back when I heard that. Looking at my mother, my eyes wide and hand on my heart. "A heart attack?!"

"Yes love, he's been under so much stress lately and it just happened. The doctors helped him though and he's taking medicine. Right now he's asleep."

"I'm so glad he's okay." I wiped my tears, looking down at my father, the king, sleeping soundly in his gigantic bed. A smile rose upon my face. "He'll be okay mum."

-
"Oh my god...he's okay though right?" Charlie rushed over to me, holding both my hands. Damien watched him carefully and I gave him a nod. "Yes, he's okay. I just wanted to tell you both. I'm sorry we had to cut the vacation short.." I frowned, looking at their expressions.

They both shook their heads, Charlie backing up from me and allowing Damien to hug me. He looked away, giving the wall a jealous look.

"That's fine princess, we're glad he's okay." Damien spoke up, rubbing my back whilst hugging me tightly. I sighed in his arms.

"Sorry to cut the night short as well, I'm super exhausted though." I looked at Charlie, he gave me a smile.

"Of course, it's okay." Charlie answered.

"Good. Well, goodnight to both of you." I gave them both a curtsy and turned, leaving the room. My heart was still aching from the pain when I saw my father laying there. It was heartbreaking. I thought for a second he had passed...

-
As soon as I returned to my bedroom, I had my maids and guards clear the whole hallway, leaving me alone. I could leave my door open for once. My lights were off in my room, making it dark since it was nighttime now.

I leant against the wall, running my hands through my hair, inhaling sharply. Before I realized, tears started streaming out of my eyes. It felt like they wouldn't ever stop. I held my hands on my thighs, breathing out cries loudly.

"Princess." I heard Charlie's familiar voice call from the door. He ran toward me, grabbing me and pulling me into a huge hug. Stroking my hair softly, he whispered words I could barely hear because of my cries.

"It's okay." He said loudly, I could hear the hurt in his voice.

I stopped my loud cries, looking up at him with tears streaming down my face still. He gave me a gentle look, wiping my tears with his thumb and pulling me back into an embrace. I felt so comforted by Charlie at this moment, it was like he was somebody I could truly count on. I never cried in front of people..only my mother and now Charlie.