Bound To You

Chapter 12: It's Not All Glitz and Glamour

I am sure you have heard of the saying... "It's not all glitz and glamour." Well, I wholeheartedly believe that. I believe that we often like to hide behind our material things as it masks our truer self. It makes people on the outside believe that just because we have all the glitzy material things in our life that it is glamorous, that we are purely happy in our lives. It is true to a point that it brings us a certain level of joy... but that joy in our lives is replaceable.

Material things are replaceable, but the people in our life are not and those are the things in life that brings
us that irreplaceable joy.

As I sit here in this gorgeous ball gown and feel the strand of a diamond necklace being placed upon the delicate skin of my neck, these thoughts come to the forefront of my mind. I feel it trapping me in the false sense of belief that all of this matters. This State Banquet to show our kingdom's prowess matters.

But, it doesn't.

I never cared about the material things that someone could give me like this sparkling diamond necklace my father gifted me. What I care about is the time I spend with my loved ones, the smiles on their faces and the joy sparkling in their eyes, not the sparkles sitting on my chest.

What matters in life is not about the glitz and glamour.

It's about our hearts and who they beat for.

It's about the way he makes my heart beat.

-------------

Harry tightened the strands of his bow tie, pulling it securely into place. Straightening his tuxedo suit coat, his hands smoothened over the soft fabric that lined his anxious body. Edward was behind him going over last minute details of the State Banquet that would be held for the royal visit on behalf of the British Monarchy. His words faded into the background as Harry replayed a conversation he had earlier with Emilia in his mind.

Flashback*

Emilia climbed out of the back seat with haste, afraid to look the prince in the eyes. Slamming the door shut she stepped forward with purpose towards Lexington Palace.

"Emilia!" Harry's deep voice called from behind her to which she ignored and continued on her path. Hearing footsteps quicken to a run behind her, Emilia took in a deep breath knowing she would have to face him, but she surged forward.

She barely made it through the entrance before she felt his light grasp brush against her fingertips followed by the quiet whisper of her name. "Em...." His simple touch on her skin made her heart skip a beat. The way his deep voice quietly spoke her name almost made her give in to Harry in that moment, but a familiar voice cut through her thoughts.

"Ah! Harry, there you are!" Ed, Harry's private press secretary had come around the corner to greet him and was quite in a hurry to take the prince away to prepare for the state banquet that evening. Urging him that he did not have time to waste.

"Not now, Ed." Harry stepped around Edward to get to Emilia who had carried on with haste through the palace leaving Harry behind in her wake.

He watched her head turn slightly to the side and speak something to Tristan who turned immediately onto his heel and stepped in front of the prince, blocking him. Harry's jaw clenched tightly, pursing his lips into a hard line. "Emilia is not ignoring you. Go to your suite, talk to Eddie or whatever his name is. Then come speak with her." Tristan's voice was calm yet commanding.

Fury coursed through the prince after hearing those words from Tristan. Who does she think she is telling him what to do? "Fuck that. Step out of my way." Harry moved Tristan out of the way as the RPO he clenched his jaw disobeying Emilia's orders to not let him by, but knowing that it was what was best for her at the moment. To have someone who cared about her after what she bore witness to today.