Realm (on hold)

Chapter Two: Charlotte

I stared after Avy in silence only to be jolted out of my thoughts by a warm hand and a kind voice.

"Where have you gone, Princess Charlotte?" The prince laughed good-heartily, his hand resting lightly on my arm.

I smiled an honest, princess smile and laughed with him, "Nowhere! For I am right here silly!" But yet, I was not. Not really anyway. Though in body I was present, my mind still drifted to Avyanna, thinking about where she could be. Worrying for her and turning my heart over and over in my mental hands, wishing I could hand it over to her.

Perhaps on a silver platter, I would give it to her.

Prince Johan graciously seated me on the bench by the Great Stairway and we talked of petty things that I paid no heed to. My mouth kept with the conversation, as did my smile, but all the while I worried and worried.

I took the first break in the conversation as an escape, "I must go freshen up," I insisted with my trademark smile, "For I am not a proper princess if I am not at my best!"

His eyebrows lifted, "Oh but of course! Do as you will, Princess Charlotte, we shall continue this conversation later."

I curtsied to him and strutted away with confidence, only to slump my shoulders and sigh when I was out of sight. He was kind, certainly, but not who I wished to be with at the moment.

"Avy?" I whispered, immediately glancing back to see if I was being followed. No one snuck about behind me secretly and for that, I was relieved.

"Avy?" I whispered, louder this time, "Come on, where are you?"

I heard a muffled breath, quick, but enough for me to just catch it, "Avy! Come on, open up." I said a little softer, as though I was coaxing a frightened animal. By this time, I was beside the kitchen and I knew where she was.

"I told you to stop calling me Avy!" She mumbled behind the suspected hiding place.

I pit-patted over to the door hidden behind the counter and squeeze in next to her. Our dresses crumpled between us and I heard a hiss sound from Avyanna, "Leave me be Charlotte, we are too old for this childish nonsense!"

I ignored her complaint and closed the door behind me. I could feel every shuddering breath that Avyanna made. My heart went out to her, as I sat there surrounded by darkness with my sister. Avyanna was always so strong, always so careful about not letting her feelings show. Seeing her like this was painful.

"Now you've wrinkled my dress," She continued in an aggravated tone, "Now look, you better not be coated in dirt from laying on the floor again. It takes forever to get the infernal stuff out of your dress. I don't need it on mine!"

She fell silent and I sat next to her in silence until my hand lightly touched hers, "You know I understand right?" Her hand gave a little twitch under mine, as if she went to hold my hand, but stopped herself.

"You try." She replied softly, her previous attempt at distracting me abandoned.

I sighed but said nothing. She pushed open the door and stepped out as gracefully as possible. I studied her face as the light hit it. Regal and cold as ever, you would not be able to tell she had cried.

I followed her and tried to keep up with her fast steps, "Avy--"

She immediately turned on her heels to give me a withering look, "Stop that. I do not need you following me around like I'm a delicate little damsel that needs looking after! Its a nuisance."

A frown found it's way to my unwelcoming face, but before I could say anything she walked off again.

I found the Prince right where I'd left him, fidgeting with his clothes until he saw me and a huge smile lifted on his face.