Crown Jewel

2 // big plans

"So what are we gonna do about the line-up?" I asked.

Despite all we discussed, Archer was still very adamant about remaining private about our relationship.

"Well, why don't you just go?" Archer suggested.

If I could describe my face, it would be one of pure horror. "What? I can't be chosen! I have you!"

Archer sighed. "Look, there are going to be millions of women going there. What are the odds that you'll be chosen. I'm not saying you're not worthy of being queen, I'm just saying that the odds are in our favor."

It did sound clever. It would be practically impossible that I'd be the one chosen for queen, and so I agreed.

------

"Nicki! Eli! It's so nice to see you two again!" I squealed as two girls ran into my arms. "I missed you guys! It's been so long."

The two girls beamed at me. The twins had red hair and brown eyes. Absolutely identical to one another but Nicki had a hair cut to avoid being mistaken for her twin. It's the only reason why people can tell the difference.

"I missed you too, Isa!" Nicki said.

"I missed her more!" Eli said in protest. I laughed as the two girls argued on who missed me more.

"I think I can say that I missed her the most." I looked up from the twins to see Archer standing at the doorway. I grinned like an idiot and hugged him.

"Meet me at the cliff tonight. I have something to tell you." he whispered into my ear.

"I'll be there." I smiled before noticing the truck behind him. "Are you working another shift?"

I frowned noticing how tired he looked. "Yeah. I'll see you soon though. Don't worry about me."

I nodded and he left.

"He's been working more now." Nicki piped up.

I frowned. "He's doing his best to make sure you get everything you need."

"No, that's not it." Nicki said as if it was obvious.

"Really? So what is it about?" I asked.

"Should we tell her?" Nicki said looking at her twin.

Eli looked at me seriously. "Can you keep a secret?"

"Ofcourse! What is it." The twins smiled at each other deviously.

Nicki motioned for me to come closer and whispered into my ear. "There's a girl."

I grinned, knowing it was probably me. "Oh, do tell."

"He's been saving up his money. I think he might propose to her."

My heart fluttered at this. "You think he's saving up for a ring?"

"I'm not sure but he said he had big plans for the future. What could be bigger than a wife."

At that, I became speechless. That must be his surprise tonight. All I knew in that moment was that I loved him and that I would say yes.

------

"What's all this about?" Archer looked confused by the picnic I set up for us. We had a range of things from sandwiches to a roast chicken. I wanted the proposal to be perfect.

I shrugged as my heart beat madly. "I wanted to prepare something for us."

"Two nights in a row huh. I must be special." Archer joked.

"Well you are a special guy." I said gesturing to the spot beside me. He sat beside me and we both dug in.

The food was finished almost immediately and it wasn't surprising given how much Archer worked that day.

"So what did you want to tell me?" I asked, excited about his proposal.

"Right, that." Archer seemed nervous. "I - I'm planning on moving."

With those four words, I felt my mood go down. Not only was he not proposing but he'd be going away. I suppose it was stupid of me to think that he'd be proposing.

"That's amazing!" I plastered a smile onto my face. "Where will you be going?"

"Not too far. It's a small town in Gorjoun." The smile that I was so desperately trying to keep on my face fell. Gorjoun was at least three days worth of travel. "I have enough money to buy a small house, bigger than the one we have now, and to start a business."

I could tell he was excited but I wasn't. "What about us?" I whispered.

I know I was being selfish, but that was the only thing I was thinking when he said those words. What about us.

Archer looked as broken as me in that moment. "I actually called you here to break up with you."

An awkward silence fell on us. He looked at me, begging me to say something, but I couldn't.

"Izzie, please say something. Shout at me, cry! Please just give me a reaction." Archer looked so broken as if it wasn't his dedication to break up with me.

"I'm not mad, Archer." I whispered. "I'm so proud of you. You're finally going to get the life you and your family deserves. How could I be mad? What I don't understand is why you're so quick to give up on us."

"Isabe-"

"No! Archer, I don't care if you're moving away! I want to be with you. We can write to each other. I can visit you. We ca-"

"Isabela! Please. That's only going to cause us pain. I don't want to hold you back from your future."

"When you called me up here, I thought you were going to propose. I was planning on saying yes."

"Izzie-"

"Just leave. You're going to be doing it soon anyway."

With that, he left and I sat there on the cliff with a broken heart. It was only when he was out of sight that I let myself cry.

949 words!!! yesss hahahaha this is actually 2 chapters which I combined into one so if it seems to move pretty fast... thats why. Also theres the fact that I dont know how to drag out a plot. If I want it to happen, it shall be done..... the moment I think of it.