Close to the Crown (On hold until 2021)

Chapter Eleven (REWRITTEN AND EDITED)

A/N:

THIS CHAPTER HAS BEEN REWRITTEN AND EDITED. This new version is completely different from the original, so I advise that you re-read every chapter marked 'rewritten and edited' as much of the story has changed.

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The next week past quickly, and before anyone knew it, February had began. While the weather was still cold and the days short, the country was buzzing with excitement at the recent news of a royal engagement.

William and I had made a few appearances at charity events and various openings of new buildings and monuments to make our first proper public appearances together as an engaged couple. While we had taken several steps forward in our relationship, and appeared to be deeply in love to the public, behind closed doors things between us remained strained. The things he had said to me at our engagement party, before the confrontation with Steven weighed heavily on my mind. William appeared a little miffed with my cold attitude towards him, seemingly having forgotten his very own words, but treated me as we were mere acquaintances.

True to his word, Steven had remained in England, and was staying with my father, but had stayed away from the palace, despite my father's frequent visits to see the King. Upon his arrival into England, multiple news outlets had published stories about his return, many guessing at why he had been away for so long. While none had actually correctly guessed the reason, many claimed it was due to strained relations between him and my father. This couldn't be much further from the truth.

During every visit to the palace, my father boasted about the return of his only son, claiming how thrilled he was to have his eldest child home with him once again. I never experienced his boasting first hand, and only heard about it through the gossip of the staff, or members of the royal family. My own father seemed intent on avoiding me, as he has done for most of my life.

Instead, I had been spending most of my free time with Adelaide, seeing as her own room was just down the hall from mine. When we were not studying, we would be in each other's company, finding ways to entertain ourselves inside of the palace. For the first half of the week, Harriet had spent most of her time with us, claiming that neither of her brother's were good company. On the Thursday morning however, she had called to say that her mother's brother had fallen ill, so she had to fly out to Florence with her mother to help out. While the maternal side of Harriet's family were not nobles, they did maintain a vast amount of wealth, and therefore lived a rather comfortable lifestyle.

It was three days after this, on the Sunday afternoon that my mood had decreased even further. Adelaide had revealed to me that she would be leaving England on a six week placement at a wildlife park in Northern Africa, and would be accompanied by a rather large entourage to ensure her safety. After a few arguments she had admitted that she had known about this for months, and during this time, she had been trying to convince her parents to let her go. They did agree, but only if she would agree to their demands of allowing multiple guards and adults to travel with her.

She was to leave the following Tuesday. Tuesday soon came.

Her bags had been packed, and were being deposited into a large car that would transport her to the airport, where she would meet up with the members of her travel party that were not already with her. She stood with her parents, bidding them a teary goodbye, ensuring them that she would contact them every day, twice a day. William stood nearby, giving his sister a firm hug, telling her to look after herself. Jamie was also there, and too hugged her and wished her to enjoy herself, and send us lots of pictures.

I was the last one to say goodbye.

I was standing further away from her, some distance apart from anybody. She slowly approached me, her expression told me she was nervous, yet I could see the excitement in her eyes at the thought of her upcoming adventures.