LOST AND FOUND

EIGHT

As soon as I arrive at the castle I rush up to my room to freshen up.

I change into my black ankle-length dress. I walk over to the library and bury myself into another novel.

"You look beautiful." I jump, but ignore the comment as soon as I see it came from Edward.

He sits next to me, I shift away. He chuckles, "You know, you just make yourself even more attractive when your stubborn."

I ignore him, he stretches his arm and caresses my face. I hit his hand away.

"What is your problem Edward?!" He blurts out of nowhere, "I love you."

I stare at him, I see him start to lean in. He was so close until I pulled away.

"Edward, I-I need to-uhm leave." He sighs and his change of voice startles me.

"Dammit Laura! I try so hard to be affectionate towards you and I try and make this process as easy as for you as possible. I had no say in this situation either! So I'm asking, that you at least try and go along with this."

I turn around and walk towards him, "You cannot pretend to love, Edward. Otherwise, it's-"

He cuts me off, as he crashes his lips to mine. His arms wrap around my waist to steady me.

After our kiss he stares into my eyes, "Tell me you don't love me." I straighten myself and I fix my dress.

I was about to answer him, but stopped when I remembered my father's words.

Pumpkin, please just go through with this. For me, at least.

I remain silent.

Edward smiles and kisses me once again.

-Later-

I was supposed to be in my bed but I found myself making my way to the garden.

I lay on the green grass and stare up at the stars.

I begin to feel my eyes drop until I see a tall figure staring down at me.

I immediately sit up, "Luke, what are you doing here?" He smirks, "What I came to do last time, princess."

I get up and run to Melissa's room, I hear her crying. I frantically run inside.

"Melissa!" I stop dead in my tracks when I see her hugging someone.

She smiles at me, "Laur, I'd like for you to meet Ryan."

I stare at them, "Melissa I thought you were hurt!" She shakes her head, "Sorry."

Ryan bows, "Princess Laura." I clutch my stomach, "How did you manage to get into the castle? Melissa are you aware that there's a rebel attack occurring right now?!"

Ryan stares at the floor, "I know. My father is Luke." I gasp. Melissa says slowly, "This would be the last attack of the rebels."

I furrow my eyebrows, "How do you know that?" Ryan says slowly, "Melissa's coming with me."

My eyes start filling with tears, "What? No! Melissa, please!" She starts tearing up, "I love him, Laura. Father will not accept him! I know that! I don't want what happened to you to happen to me."

I start sobbing. She kisses me cheek, "I love you, Laur."

With that said, she disappeared with Ryan.

I broke down into a river of tears.

-Next Day-

I woke up in my own bed. I freshened up and headed downstairs.

I see my mother crying hysterically while my father is staring outside the window with a glass of whisky in his hand.

Edward runs to me and hugs me. For a moment I am disoriented but then replay the past events that occured last night.

Melissa left.

Edward pulls away and reaches for my hand. My father asks slowly, "What happened last night Laura?"

I'm torn. Do I lie? What difference would it make. So I tell him the truth.

My mother gasped and cried even more, "She's in love with the lower class?! She's part of the rebels now! She is no longer welcomed here int-"

My father slammed his glass to the table, "Clarissa! Someone please escort this woman to her room!"

My father glances at me before walking away, "Laura. My study room, now." I nod.

Before I go Edward whispered, "Wait, you knew?" I nodded, "It's a long story. I'll explain everything later."

I knock on the large wooden doors. "Come in." I walk inside and see my dad running his hands through his hair.

"What are we going to do Laura?" I see all sorts of emotions flash through his eyes.

I then start to see the tears roll down his cheeks. "Wh-why would she just leave?"

I whisper, "Because she was in love." He glances up at me and shakes his head.

I sit down, "I have a proposition." He looks up at me surprised, "Yes?" "We should increase our guards in the castle for safety reasons."

He nods. "It'll be done."