LOST AND FOUND

SEVENTEEN

I've gotten discharged from the hospital. Today I've checked that every single worker in this castel is alright.

I mean, I do care about them and I value them just as much as they value me.

I see Max smirk at me as I walk up to him. "Are you alright?" He chuckles, "Yes darling."

Darling.

I smile at him before going to dinner. Ryan and Melissa are staying in the castle. There is a lot of tension at the table.

My mother scans all of us individually and she gasps. We all stare at her in horror. My father asks worriedly, "What's wrong?"

She says disgustedly, "You are still wearing that engagement ring." I blink a few times before registering that she is talking to me.

"Oh, no. No. This is not Edward's engagement ring." My father asks suprisedly, "Who is that ring from then?" I smile and say confidently.

"Maxewell Hugh."

My mother practically chokes on her champagne. "I beg your pardon?" I smile, "Max, proposed to me." My mother glanced at my father helplessly. "I'm going to faint. Samuel, I am about to faint I-"

My father cuts her off, "Clarissa please! Get a grip, woman!" She gasps, "You knew?" He clenched his jaw.

Melissa smiles at me before winking. Even Ryan shot me a bit of a grin.

I clear my throat, "I want the people to know what really happened between Edward and I as I want to start a new chapter in my life."

My father nods, "Agreed." I ask slowly, "Do I have your blessing father?" He stares at me for the longest period of time, before sighing.

"You have my blessing." I smile, "Ah, thank you father!" My father nods while my mother throws a tantrum.

-Later-

I scrap all the previous wedding plans and I plan from scratch. This time with interest and excitement.

My father has also piled a whole lot of work for me to do. He has also decided to sit and stare at me as I do it.

I glance up at him, "Father, do you uhm, mind?" He cleared his throat and slanted his head into the other direction.

The rest of the day consisted of me planning my wedding day, coronation day and performing my royal duties.

Ginger walked into my room beaming. I chuckled, "Someone has had a good day." She giggled, "Congratulations on your enadgement with Sir Hugh." I smile, "Ahh, thank you Ginger."

She chuckles, "I'm so happy for you Laura." I smiled. Her eyes widened and I turned to her in horror.

"You alright Ginger?" She said shyly, "Laura, I was unaware that you have not yet made the public declaration that you and Mr Hugh are engadeged. The kitchen staff sort of told me that you two were....and that I was supposed to keep it top secret. I'm so sorry Miss Laura-I mean Laura. Please do-"

I sigh in relief, "Ginger. Relax. You are not in trouble. I promise, and I honestly do not mind that everyone in the castle knows. As I am not ashamed by it."

She smiles in relief.

-Later-

I decide to go and give Amelia a visit. I knock before entering.

I see Amelia sitting on her bed as soon as I entered. She smiled and stood up, "Miss Coraline."

I smiled, "I'm assuming that you've heard the news." She beamed, "In a tiny place like this, the news spreads like a wild  fire."

I chuckle, "Oh yes, so I've heard." She chuckled and cocked her head to the side. "You alright?"

I furrow my eyebrows, "Yes, I'm fine." She nods, "No, I am referring to what happened in the library. I came to check up on you multiple times in the hospital wing."

I falter a smile. "Amelia, that means so much to me. How grateful am I to have someone like you. I am doing alright, maybe just a bit mentally scarred and emotionally drained. But otherwise I'm really good, and looking forward to my cornoration and wedding day."

She beams, "Yes, see I told you everything will work out and fall into place. It just needed some time."

I smile, "Indeed." She chuckles, "Have you already started planning?" I nod, "Yes, of course."

She smiles, "Good, as I want to attend the wedding before I leave." I furrow my eyebrows, "Leave?"

She sighs and nods, "Miss Coraline. You do not need me anymore, I've taught you what you need to know. I will be returning home to my family as soon as your coronation is over."

I tear up at the thought of her absence. She notices and she reaches for my hand.

"Laura, you have made me so proud. I am so excited to see the phenomenal leader that you'll be. You'll be fine without me, and you have Max now. I will miss you dearly, but you will do great things. I dare to say, change the world. You do not need to live by the rules, create your own."

I am now crying in her arms and embracing her into a tight hug.

"Thank you."