I continued my nap upon return to the Palace. I slept for hours before waking for dinner but asked for a tray in my room. I, as groggy as ever, couldn't deal with Uncle Richard's antics.
I opened my messages and clicked Edward's name, typing a small message.
I won't be down for dinner. I need to talk to you. Please come talk.
I didn't need a response to know he'd show up. Edward was a kind man and, if I needed to talk to him, he would come to see me. I was grateful for it. Between then, I just continued to sleep. I was exhausted from all the standing.
The door opened and Edward's voice squeaked out, "Can I come in?" His head peered in.
"Yep." I groggily responded, pushing myself up in the bed. He walked over to me and sat at the end, looking ready to listen. "I assume you're still sending me on the Commonwealth tour."
Edward nodded, reaffirming his position on the issue. "I have a coronation to plan, Matilda, I can't go."
"Then it falls to me." I chuckled, attempting to make light of the issue. "It's three months, right?"
"Three long months." Edward emphasised, unfortunately for me. We were both rather quiet, silent. I couldn't decipher whether it originated from the beckoning of tomorrow or the events of today. Even so, the thought remained, we had to move on.
"As long as I'm back for the coronation." I grinned, "Can't miss my brother's big day, can I?"
"Never thought I'd hear you say that." Edward eyed me, "You've changed, Matilda."
"Well, I am a tamed woman." I winked.
"I wouldn't quite go that far."
"Edward!" I huffed, hitting him lightly.
"You still drink, you still party and you still get piss drunk. Where's the change?"
"I'm happy. That's the change."
I went to sleep soon after Edward left. With a lack of 'stuff to do', I slept to pass the time. I had always been a deep sleeper and managed to sleep through till the morning. It wasn't until my phone beeped, as I finished adjusting my skirts, I really began to wake up and realise what was happening. The screen had lit up with Josh's name, a cute selfie accompanying it. Happier times.
Good luck. I'll be thinking of you. I love you. J x
I knew from the get-go Josh's kind words would circle in my head all day. I was saying goodbye to my Father, that was hard enough. It was made worse by the knowledge we were being broadcast to millions of people on national television. One wrong move and tomorrow's front page papers would have it. I'd never hear the end of it.
I love you too.
I hurriedly clicked send and exited my apartments, walking down the hallway. We all met at the front steps of the Palace where the car waited. We were following the casket throughout London to the Abbey. I was merely thankful I didn't have to show my face during the mile-long journey.
"Your Majesty." I curtseyed to Edward as he approached. His face was grave and he clearly hadn't slept much. Edward's personality was a stark contrast from the previous night. He had been bubbly and seemed happy in himself but, now, he was a shadow of that man. I wasn't surprised; the same summation could be made of me.
"Shall we?" He prompted, nodding to the car. Edward got in first with Mother following and, finally, me. Uncle Richard was in the car behind with a few other relatives so we didn't need to suffer his conversation.
