I woke the next morning entangled by soft, fresh bedsheets. It was warm, like some serene bubble which I never wanted to leave. I let out a yawn before looking around the room, seeing it to be six. I relaxed for a while, reminiscing. It was comfortable, a sense of serenity in the air. I could've stayed there forever, without a care in the world.
"Good morning." Josh spoke, his voice low and husky. I looked up at him and smiled. I felt lighter now that we'd gotten past all the Ava business, not weighted by anger or sadness.
"Good morning." I kissed him lightly. I had forgotten all but Josh. I grabbed the remote from the bedside table and switched the television on, putting the news on.
"The wedding of the Princess Matilda and the Duke of Lancaster is happening today. Crowds have already begun to form the route of the Royal carriage, hoping to catch a glimpse of the royal couple as they make their first journey as man and wife through the Capital. The Princess-"
"Oh shit." I muttered. In all the action, I'd forgotten about the wedding. I sat up and grabbed my phone; thankfully the only messages I had were from Lily, asking where I was. That was at midnight; she was so drunk she'd asleep now. Edward rose at seven — I had an hour until he was alerted of my absence. "I need to go." I told Josh, grabbing the clothes I had discarded the night before. I picked up the hoodie he had lent me, only to find the front ripped. I glanced back at the guilty-looking Josh.
"I couldn't get it off quickly." He shrugged. I groaned and dropped it, grabbing his shirt and putting it on.
"I guess your clothes will have to do." I responded, hurriedly getting dressed.
"You look good in my clothes." He winked. "You left a pair of shorts in the wardrobe last time you were here."
I managed to find them in a few minutes and hurried them on. Albeit I didn't look like the glowing bride in my ex's button-up shirt and a pair of denim shorts.
"Are you going to marry him?" Josh asked. I gulped, unsure of what to say.
"I don't know." I admitted, sitting back down on the bed. "I had it all sorted in my mind until last night. If I go through with it.. I won't be able to get out of it, Josh."
"Don't marry him." Josh pleaded. "Just don't."
"I can't stand him up, Josh. I promised that I'd try-"
"Please."
I sighed. "Edward will probably be somewhat lenient. He said he wanted me to marry someone I loved and he knows that I don't love Julian."
"Marry me." Josh spoke up. I shook my head,
"You know full well we can't just get married, Josh. It takes time to plan a wedding. Preparation."
"Elope." He sat up, as if he was brimming with new ideas. "We could go to someplace, like Gretna Green, and marry there. It just needs to be legal."
"Josh." I shook my head. "They wouldn't do it. It's not like I'm some village girl eloping off with a man her family disapproves of. Edward doesn't disapprove of you. It's that I'd be standing up someone who I like, someone I respect. Julian doesn't deserve it."
"I can't persuade you, can I?"
"It's not just about us." I snapped. "I have a nation relying on me to make a suitable marriage. Julian is handsome, kind, and he would allow me to complete the succession. It isn't like Edward's making any headway in that department."
He sighed. "Didn't your brother tell you to find happiness?"
I thought it over. His words had sparked a motivation in me that I thought I'd lost, a motivation for us. As long as I was with Julian, I'd pine for Josh. It would only be more scandalous if I had an affair; wouldn't it be better to end it here, avoiding rumours of infidelity?
