The Story of Udonia

Chapter Eight: Home

A month passed. Nothing exciting really happened. I stayed on the wagon. Ashley began working with her father on how to run the kingdom. Their plan was for Ashley to someday take control of the throne and Ashton would take the company. They had planned for this to happen in like ten year or more, but now this could be just around the corner.
Ashley was very persistent with her studies. She wanted to learn everything from her father. So while those two were busy, I decided to try to get closer to Ashton. Not physically, but personally.
There was in specific conversation that stood out to me.
February 5th.
I went into his room late that night after he had spent the day attempting to do some of his school work.
I knocked on the door before entering. "Hello." I smiled as I walked in. "I got your text. What do you want to talk about?"
He greeted me with a smile. "Hey." I sat down in his bed and he got up from the desk to join me.
Ashton grabbed my hand and looked into my eyes for a moment.
"I just had a realization and I needed to tell someone." He said with excitement in his voice.
"Okay, what did you realize?" I asked with a smile.
"Alright, so I was working on this business proposal assignment for a class when I realized that I didn't find any enjoyment in it at all. That's when I glanced down at my phone and saw a missed call from Ashley. I called her back. She told me that our father was retiring from the company early."
I interrupted him while still confused by the 'not finding any enjoyment' part of his realization explanation. "So you are now the C.E.O?" I smiled.
He smiled back and let out a little chuckle. "No." He replied. "My dad picked out a temp until I graduate next year. When Ashley told me that, I felt relieved." I cocked my head and continued to listen. "I don't want the job. I realized that isn't what I'm meant to do. I believe in all that fate stuff and I think that this and my mother's death was some sort of sign to tell me that this isn't my path." He still had an excited grin on his handsome face.
I nodded and smiled at him. To any other person he would sound crazy right then, but I understood it. Part of me saw my family's death as fate, like I was meant to be Queen of Udonia. That's when I had a realization moment too. I wanted to go home. I missed my castle and my bed. I missed the beach although the Hikaru castle was also located on the southern border of the island it wasn't the same. I missed Lacey and the rest of my staff. I wanted to go back and start working on how to become the ruler and Queen my kingdom deserved.
Noticing that Ashton was still waiting for a response from me I continued to smile. "I understand. If it's not what you want to do, then don't do it. Does that mean you are dropping out of Princeton?" I asked.
"I thought about that." He responded. "I'm going to finish this year. We already payed for it and the dorm room. Might as well finish the year off." He shrugged.
"You know what?" I decided to tell him about my plan to move back home. "I've decided I want to move back home."
"Really?" He asked with what sounded like doubt in his voice.
I raised an eyebrow. "What? I'm ready to go home."
"I'm sure you are...I'm just not ready for you to leave." He leaned in and kissed me once, softly on the lips.
We had kinda been doing this back and forth thing for the past month. Some days he wouldn't be able to keep his hands off of me, so we would cuddle on his bed or mine. Other days he was completely distant.
"I have to go back to America soon." He frowned.
"How soon is soon?" I asked as my thought gravitated towards what it would be like to not see him every day.
"February 20th." He answered. "I just want to spend every minute possible with you...that would be easier if you were still here."
I sighed. "But Ash, I have to go home. I miss my castle and Lacey. You remember Lacey. I need to start putting in some effort to regain control of my kingdom." I met his eyes.
He looked upset. "You're right." He flopped backwards on his bed his fingers still entangled with mine. "You need to go back, but I'm going to spend every spare moment I have by your side." He sat up and reached his hand across his body to caress my cheek.
I closed my eyes and allowed myself to feel comfort in his warm touch. I ended up falling asleep next to him in his bed.
__________________________

The next day I began packing up my things. I was leaving with more stuff than I came with. Throughout the days I had been there, Ashley and I had bought more clothes than any girl needed, but we were royalty. It was a crime for us to be seen in the same outfit twice. I called Lacey and she sent five cars to come help move the stuff. I had a bag that stayed with me that held all my essentials and then easily ten boxes of clothes, shoes, and purses. Good thing I had an even bigger closet at home.
When the cars arrived, Ashton and Ashley assisted in loading then in allow with myself and the drivers.
Once we finished, Mr. Covington emerged outside to say farewell. I hugged the man who was like a father to me. He grabbed my hand and placed a light kiss on it. He was always a gentleman.
"It was wonderful having you here, darling." He smiled.
"Thank you for everything, Mr. Covington." I hugged him one last time before making my way to Ashley.
"Thank you Ashley." I embraced my friend.
She smiled. "What are friends for? Apparently, helping with addictions." She smiled.
I laughed and moved on to Ashton. I wrapped my arms up around his tall shoulders. He held my waist and then kissed me. It was a soft kiss at first that then deepened as his hunger kicked in. We stood back from each other and I looked back at Ashley. Her jaw was dropped.
Oh yeah...they don't know we are kinda a couple.
Eric Covington made his way down the stairs.
"What the hell?!" Ashley shouted with excitement. "When did this happen?" She smiled. "No wait, better question. Why wasn't I told about this?!" This time she seemed angry.
Mr. Covington approached. "I think I prefer the first question." He said as he put an arm around his son's shoulder.
"It was..." Ashton glanced at me for help. "Probably started really around New Years." He answered.
"Yeah" I shrugged. "It's a little complicated."
Mr. Covington looked at me. "Love is not complicated. You two either feel something here or you don't. The world shouldn't get in the way."
I absorbed his words of wisdom and smiled at Ashton.
"Well, son. I approve. Claire is a wonderful woman." Mr. Covington patted Ashton's shoulder and then stepped away from him.
Ashley jumped up and down. "This is great!" She shouted, then approached me. "I'm going to need details, but not too many because, ew." She then pushed me closer to Ash.
He embraced me and kissed my forehand. I blushed remembering the audience.
Good. That was good. Don't know what I was nervous about that. If anything I should be nervous to have him miles away in America.
I got in the car and left for home.