Guard of my Heart ✅

4. Pain

Friday. The day I was hoping would never come but did. Today Charlie and I would announce our courtship to the entire country and next week we'd be engaged. In a month I'd be his wife. The timeline made me sick to my stomach. I hurry off to the bathroom as I hear my door open. "Morning miss" Sophie says politely. She wanders into the bathroom and sees me hunched over the toilet. "Oh no. You aren't feeling sick on your big day are you?" she asks worriedly.

"It's just nerves" I insist as I stand up. "What time is the announcement being made?"

"Noon" she replies. "You have two hours to get beautiful." I sigh but allow my maid to do her magic. My hair is pinned into a braided bun and there's a light coat of makeup covering my face. She puts me into a red, strapless gown and hands me a pair of black heels. When I'm ready there's a knock on my door and Josh lets himself in.

"It's time for me to-." He stops midsentence when he sees me.

"I'll leave you" Sophie smirks, letting on she too knows about my not so little crush on my guard. She curtsies and leaves the room.

"Maya you look stunning."

"Thank you. I feel like I'm about to pass out though" I sigh, fanning myself. "Josh I don't want to do this."

"I know" he nods, walking towards me. "Just look at me the whole time okay? You'll get through it."

"I" I begin to hyperventilate. "Josh I can't do this. It's too much. He's so awful and I love you and-." His lips cut me off allowing me to calm down. I pull back and smile.

"Breathe" he instructs. "It's going be okay" he assures me as he holds out his arm for me. We walk arm in arm down to the studio. He helps me to my seat as Charlie walks in.

"Excuse me. Hands off the queen. Have you no decency?" he snaps at Josh. "I got her." Charlie makes sure I'm seated and looks at my dress with judgement. "Red isn't your color. You won't wear it again" he says. I bite my tongue and watch Josh's face turn bright red. Josh wanders over to the other side, behind the camera and our eyes lock. He winks and I giggle. Charlie shoots me a look and I close my mouth.

"Baby girl you look beautiful" my mother compliments as she walks in with my step-father behind her.

"Absolutely stunning" my step-father adds. "So you'll both read what's on the prompt and that's it. Easy enough" he says, looking directly at me.

"Of course" I reply. They share a smile and walk towards where Josh is.

"And we're rolling." The prompter starts up and I glue a smile onto my face as Charlie begins talking.

"Welcome to a special report" he smiles. "My name is Prince Charlie of Starton. I met Maya" he begins spewing lies and I do my best to keep my fake smile on my face as he speaks. "And that's when I asked her to begin a courtship and of course she said yes" he beams. "We plan to keep you up to date on the happenings of our relationship. But as for today. That is all. Thank you."

"And we're clear." When we're done I realize I never spoke.

"Wait. Why didn't I speak?"

"Seen not heard" Charlie snips. "Come with me" he adds, grabbing my wrist and yanking me off set. I'm led up to his chambers. I curse the fact that Josh was in a sea of people and couldn't follow me fast enough. Charlie throws me into his room and locks the door. "Do you think I'm a fool?"

"Excuse me?"

"You and that guard. I see the way the two of you are with one another. I won't be played. You will become my wife."

"Whatever you think is going on-." He cuts me off with a slap across my face. I whimper, covering my cheek with my hand as tears sting in my eyes.

"Don't lie to me" he shouts. "You will be my wife. You will be faithful to me. When I want you I will have you and you will not be taking any other men." I stare at him in shock. "You will learn your place."

"I'll tell" I whisper.

"You tell and I'll make sure your parents believe that your beloved guard is the one whipping you into shape. Understand?" I nod numbly. "Words" he demands.

"Yes" I whisper as tears flow down my cheeks.

"Good" he says, straightening out his jacket. "You will stay with me tonight."

"No" I protest. "I will remain in my own bed until our vows are spoken."

"Fine" he gives with little protest. "It will just make our wedding night that much more special. When I finally take claim of you in every possible way" he says, running his hand down my cheek. I close my eyes and imagine its Josh. "You may go" he dismisses me as if I'm a servant. I quickly dash out of the room and go to my parent's chambers. The guards won't let me in. I sigh.

"Fine" I give in. "Just tell them I request a new guard" I tell them. They nod and I leave. I go to the study and find Riley where I collapse into her arms.

"What happened?" she asks worriedly as she holds me.

"Charlie hit me" I whisper and she pulls back in shock.

"You have to tell your parents" she exclaims but I shake my head.

"He says he'll pin it on Josh" I cry and her face softens in sadness. "I removed Josh from my service. I know if he sees me he'll try to help and I can't lose him. I can't let him get himself thrown out. I just can't."

"Okay" she says softly, running her hands down my arms. "You don't have to explain it to me. I'm here. Whatever you need. I'm here."

~ 👑 ~

I retire early and sit in my bedroom sketching Josh from memory when I hear a knock on my door. It's Will. "Sis. I heard you crying. Are you okay? Where's Josh?" he asks confused.

"It's a bit of a mess" I confess, wiping my tears.

"Love is messy" he replies making me chuckle.

"You know too?" I ask as he climbs up onto my bed.

"Everyone knows. I think that's why mom and dad are making you get married. They know you love him and they don't want you to marry a guard. They're lying about the tensions between the countries. The only tension there is, is about whether or not you're ready to rule. I don't know why they're so insistent on Charlie."

"I wish I knew" I sniffle. "Charlie isn't very nice to me" I admit. "I knew Josh would try to help me and I don't want anything to happen to him. I asked for a new guard."

"This isn't fair to you" Will says sadly. "You could step down" he offers.

"And leave you to take the throne?"

"I wouldn't take it until I'm eighteen" he laughs. "Just step down."

"Even if" I sigh, "the people wouldn't allow it. You're not of royal blood. Mom married into royalty and so did Shawn. I'm the only one who comes from the royal bloodline."

"I'm sorry sis" he says, bowing his head.

"It's not your fault buddy" I smile softly. "Thank you for coming to check on me."

"You're my sister" he smiles. "I know we're not super close but I love you."

"I love you too" I reply, pulling him in for a hug.

~ 👑 ~

I'm struggling to fall asleep when my bedroom door opens. I tense up, thinking it's Charlie but the person only sits on the edge of my bed and sighs. "I assume you finally realized how hard this really is to be around me all the time and still have to marry Charlie. I understand. I do. What I don't understand is why you didn't just tell me?" My eyes fill with tears. He thinks I'm asleep. "I'm not going to push. I know that would only make the situation worse but know if you ever need anything that I'm here. I love you so much Maya." With that he gets up and leaves and I burst into tears.