LOST AND FOUND

SIX

Max smiles. "That's good I guess, I hope your tea is okay." I take a sip and thank him.

I smile at Max, "Tell me something interesting." He smiles, "Well, as cheesy as this may sound, your the first person that I've  brought up here." I smile, "Well I'm honoured then."

He chuckled, "Tell me something interesting." I take a moment, "Uhm, I think your an exceptional tea-maker."

He stares at me before we both burst out laughing. "Miss Laur, you clearly know how to make me blush today."

I smile.

We talk for hours and I got to know him better. Although, I could not tell him to much about myself as I still haven't revealed myself to him.

He knows me as Miss Laur, not Princess Laura Marie Coraline.

Unfortunately the worst part of it all is the fact that he actually makes me really happy. I honestly cannot remember the last time that I was really genuinely happy.

He makes me feel and he stimulates my emotions. I mean I'd chose him over Edward. Although, at this point in time, I'd chose anyone over Edward.

Max cocks his head to the side, trying to analyse me. "Everything alright, miss Laur?" I nod and smile.

He chuckles, "You know you look awfully familiar. I feel as if I've seen you somewhere." I nod my head, "I get that a lot. I have one of those faces."

He chuckles, "Yeah, you most defiantly do." I quickly change the topic. "How did you build this house?"

He shrugged, "I just found this here. It was abandoned." I furrow my eyebrows and shake my head. "Oh."

He runs his hand through  his hair. I stare at the Sun rays that creep into the house. I then realise that there's no windows.

"Max, how do you sleep at night if there's no windows. Do you not freeze in Winter?" He shrugs, "Well, I guess. I like to think that I have it much better than most people in the village. I mean I'm grateful to have a house, despite it not having any windows. Besides, I'm used to this lifestyle by now."

My heart breaks to hear how common this issue is. Here I live in a castle that I sometimes take for granted.

I feel helpless, hopeless but manage to blurt out, "I'm sorry." He stares at me and smiles, "Thank you."

I check my watch and gasp, I stumble to my feet. "Max, I need to leave. I'm late, again. I'm so sorry, I promise I'll come back tomorrow."

He nods, "No problem, and yes please do come back." I hesitate but embrace him in a hug, which was unexpected for us both.

He was stiff, but then gave in after a few nanoseconds. He whispered into my ear, "Bye, Miss Laur."

I smile before climbing down the ladder and running through the pathway and all the way back home.

After climbing over the wall again I'm almost dehydrated. My body is screaming at my reckless decision of running.

I stumble to the kitchen and before I faint Amelia catches me. "Training Miss Coraline?"

Before I can answer her, I pass out.

I wake up again in the hospital ward. This time I see Edward seated on the chair beside me.

I see him holding my hand and he smiles as soon as he sees me stare up at him.

He kisses my forehead, "I'm so glad your awake love." I sit up slowly, "What are you doing here?"

He smiles at me, "Checking if your okay." I nod. My mother comes walking in. "Oh darling, your awake. How are you feeling?"

I nod, "Alright, I guess." She nods, "That's good enough, you need to rush up to your room and change into the gown that is set out on your bed."

I furrow my eyebrows, "Oh, is their an event happening?" My mother narrows her eyes at me, "I beg your pardon. Do as I say."

I get up and make my way out of the hospital ward and then Edward rushes to my side. "Allow me to escort you."

I shake my head, "I'm alright, thanks."

After freshening up, I change into this ankle length gold ballgown dress with sophisticated red roses as decoration on the dress.

I do my hair up into a sophisticated updo. Then I place the tiara on my head.

As soon as I come downstairs I see my father beaming at me. He puts out his arm for me to interlock with mine.

"You look lovely." I smile, "As do you." He kisses my forehead, "Laura, you are needed to make a royal proclamation."

I hault in my step, "Father, I beg your pardon." He sighs, "You need to confirm your engagement to Edward."

I furrow my eyebrows, "But we're not engadeged." My father sighs, "Laura." I let go of his arm and stare at him. "You don't understand, I'm practically being forced to marry a man that I do not love."

My father stares at me and says softly, "What makes you think that I don't understand?" I stare at him, "Because you love mother."

He remains silent, and then it hit me. I gasp, "It's tradition, isn't it?" He nods.

He says slowly, "Pumpkin, please just go through with this. For me, at least."