"We've received another message from Alex about the tour," Gerard said as a handful of them sat around the table eating breakfast.
"He shouldn't be sending so many," Jack commented. He was worried about them and understood the need, but he never liked the risk that came with it. A small portion of him had wanted to stay out of the rebellion; Alex had talked him out of leaving on several occasions. The feeling was always there, lurking in the back of his mind. Especially when Alex was in danger.
"He's being safe, Jack," Oli said. "Alex knows what to do and how not to get caught."
Jack nodded. "How's Josh?"
"Doctor Ramsay says he's almost done. I haven't seen him in a few days since Doctor Ramsay said he may experience some mild episodes of psychotic-like behavior. He probably didn't want me to see Josh like that. To be completely honest, I wouldn't want to see him that way," Oli replied.
Several more people had trickled into the room while the two men were talking? leaving just Doctor Ramsay, Josh, and Patrick missing.
"Mikey said you got a message from Alex?" Austin asked Gerard.
Gerard nodded. "They left at ten am today. They'll be traveling to as many places as they can to meet their loyal subjects—" Kellin snorted "—before Joseph and Astoria take the throne."
"We need more time," Vic said. "We need more people on our side."
"That's where Copeland and Milo come in," Dallon said much to Brendon's surprise.
"Dal? What're you talking about?"
"I was thinking about what we'd need to do last night. As soon as Doctor Ramsay deems the injection to be safe were going to need someone to distribute it. And while we'd rather risk our lives than theirs Copeland and Milo have the best chance at not being noticed. They're young, easy to blend into the background.
"Copeland can take the place of one of Astoria's ladies in waiting. Milo can blend right in as a guard. Alex and Alan will watch over him. The four of them can distribute the injection easily."
"Why not Astoria too?" Kellin asked. "Why just my daughter?"
"Astoria has been risking her life every day she stays there. But I asked Doctor Ramsay to create an injestible form of what he's made. Astoria will be using that to target nobles that will be accompanying them."
"Side effects can cause psychotic events. Doctor Ramsay said so," Jack pointed out, remembering what Oli had said earlier about Josh.
"That's where Doctor Beckett and Gabe come in. They'll be quick to address the illness that has overcome them as just that: an illness. And when the symptoms let up they'll be none the wiser."
No one could find anything to say. Dallon had concocted a solid plan that would take place as soon as the traveling party set foot in the closest city. For then they'd be working on slowly blending in with the people of the city, abandoning their safe haven and home for the first time in nearly eighteen years.
*
Astoria wasn't freaking out. She wasn't seated in the ladies' car, watching the scenery speed by, mentally replaying every second of breakfast with Joseph.
Her ladies in waiting had no doubt heard of what had almost transpired, but for now they had refrained from saying anything. She was thankful for that because she didn't want to address it.
People would be wanting a kiss soon. Or at least rumors of it. They were young, in love—allegedly—and hadn't made any form of public affection. People like the Harrison Family would start asking questions. Questions she didn't want asked.
"My Lady?" One of her ladies in waiting asked.
Astoria tore her gaze from the window to look at her. "Yes, Colline?"
"Is it true you and Prince Joseph were caught kissing by Prince Jakob?"
Jennifer, another lady in waiting, nudged Colline in the side. "You don't ask the future queen those questions. What she does with the crowned prince is her own business."
"It's alright," Astoria said. "Honestly." Colline gave Jennifer a look. "And yes, Jakob did come in at an inconvient moment."
Even Jennifer couldn't stop herself form squealing.
Elegant dresses and suits covered the ballroom floor in dazzling shades of every color imaginable. Women clothed in vibrant pastels danced by her. Men in equally exquisite blacks lead their ladies proudly.
Everyone was celebrating a new era, a new king, a new queen. But Astoria couldn't seem to find the ability to do anything other than stand with the royal family and thank those who wished her a long, happy marriage and dozens of beautiful, healthy children.
Hopefully they found a way to win this before she got that far. Never would she bring a child into a hell like this.
It startled her when someone touched her arm; it surprised her who it was.
"Wanna dance?" Jakob asked.
The king, queen, and Joseph were all caught up in seperate conversations, Astoria hadn't minded, but now she felt utterly bored.
"Sure."
Both of Asotria's parents weren't known for their height, so even though Jakob was a few years younger than her he was already taller than her.
Lost in the sea of people, Astoria let some of the pressure glide away. No one seemed to recognize her. No one seemed to want to stop their fun to talk to her.
They danced their way through four songs before Joseph found them. He politely cut in, and Astoria was back to her princess self.
Now people were watching, talking, waiting.
Eyes met hers as their owners passed by. Eyes with curious expressions. Eyes filled with wonder.
She couldn't put it off forever, but the gossip of ladies in waiting would only go so far. The ones that needed to be impressed were the nobles, the ones she never wanted to let see such a personal moment.
But nonetheless, she stopped dancing and much to everyone's surprise, reached up, took Jospeh's face in her hands, and kissed him like her life was depending on it.
Because in reality, it wasn't just her's. And she wasn't the only one who knew it.
