Thunderbolt of Laurels

Chapter 16-A Charming Exposition

Char and I walk towards a door leading to a separate room. I look back at my sister and Merlin before I enter. Char leans against the desk and stares at the floor for a while. I don't know how to start this, but I don't have to. "Eira," Char starts. I know it's my name, but it still feels foreign, unlike Alaura. "You know, I put it all together. After the ball a few years ago when the Fearless Seven came, you disappeared a lot. You were 'busy with royal duties.' Then a year later you weren't yourself. You were so down. You thought you covered it up well but I knew you. I know you now too. When I saw you walking and talking with Merlin on our way here—" He pauses. "I understood. You're not that hard to read." That's what my sister said.
"I had a feeling you figured it out."
"Indeed I did. You and that wizard from the F7, you both found something in just a few months that we never found our entire lives."
"Char I-"
"No wait, please, let me finish." I nod. "You asked me, if I could choose my future, what would it be? I thought about it on the way over. If everything I feel about you is genuine. If I want this marriage. If I'm doing this because I want to, or because I have to. And I know now. But I want to ask you, I mean I already know the answer but I need to know. What would you choose?"

I know that answer without hesitation. I've given him up once and I regretted it ever since. I will not do it again if it's my choice. But I can't be blunt and blurt out his name. "Char," I start. "I left for a reason. I left because I didn't feel seen here, for who I am, I mean. The only time I felt free was when I practiced archery."
"I know." He smiles. "You were always your best on the field."
"I felt like a different person. Free from all these responsibilities. Everyone thinks being royalty is amazing, and of course it has its perks, but there's no freedom. No choice."
"So our betrothal. . ."
"I never fought it because it's all I knew all my life. You and me. And Char I love you, you know I do. You and I have been through thick and thin. But Char, I am not in love with you, and that's the difference. Yes, I admit, I have fallen for Merlin, and if I had a choice, I would choose him. But I need to save my kingdom and-"
"Let me stop you there, Alaura." Alaura? He never calls me that. "I love you, but I don't want to be in a marriage where my partner doesn't feel the same way."
"I wouldn't want to do that to you either, I'm sorry Char."
"No, Alaura, do not apologize for your feelings ever. We are all only human. You have fallen for another and that is alright. I now know that I also have the freedom of choice, and I can decide what I want. I will soon rule my kingdom." He grabs my hands. "I have spoken to your father, about the betrothal. That I want to end it. He was not happy at first I'll tell you as much, but I explained a bit and he understood."
"But Char, my people-"
"All taken care of. I've pretty much lived here half my life. I've fallen in love with this kingdom and the people. And of course, I see your father as my own sometimes I will admit. Your kingdom and my kingdom are allies. If you need help, I will help you."

My eyes well up. "This can't be this simple Char."
"But it is. It's really that simple. Just promise me one thing."
"And what is that?"
"Promise you won't cut me out of your life."
"Oh Char." I pull him in for a tight hug. "I would never do that. Thank you. Thank you so much for everything."
"You don't have to thank me. We all deserve to be happy." I break away and smile at him. He really is an amazing person.
"We really do, don't we?"
"That Merlin fellow better take good care of you."
"You know I can take care of myself."
"Oh, I know, Alaura."
"Question Char, what's with the change in name? You're calling me Alaura now."
"Ah, well I know you prefer this name. I guess I was all for the formalities before. You were my betrothed, and now, well we're both free."
"Are you, are you glad you're free?" I ask.
"It's a bittersweet thing. But, I think it really is best, for the both of us."

We walk back into the throne room where the others eagerly await us. "What happened?" Bianca asks bluntly.
"Bianca, manners," my father says sternly. She snickers quietly. "Eira, I must speak with you." He comes up to me. My heart pounds so hard I feel it's gonna come out of my chest.
"Yes father?"
"Char tells me-he tells me you've fallen for another, for this Merlin fellow." I look at Char. Gentleness in his eyes. He smiles.

"Yes, I have." Father nods.
"You know Prince Charming spent a while searching for you. He loves you."
"I know." I look down, feeling a little guilty.
"I believed you both had at least developed some feelings overtime, and you have, but they're not of romantic love, are they?"
I shake my head. "I do love Char. He's been a big part of my life, but I'm just, not in love with him."
"The betrothal was put in place because our two kingdoms were at war once upon a time and we needed a tie to bring peace to our kingdoms. But now that the former king has passed, Char is going to be crowned king."
   Char's father passed away a few months ago but he got over it fairly quickly. Of course, he loved his dad but he was abusive and a tyrant. I met the man a few times in my life but my father preferred us to stay here and Char visit us. I thought he was just overprotective.

   "We didn't want to start a new generation of war. I want peace. But since Char is going to be king very soon, he gets to rule and announce the relationship with our kingdom. He tells me he doesn't want it by a union."
"He told me he spoke to you."
"So you know. He called off the betrothal."
"Yes."
"However, Char is still very much apart of this kingdom, and will always be. He promised to help us. This is an honourable prince indeed."
"Our kingdoms will be okay. Don't worry. I will establish a peace and I will give your kingdom anything it needs. You have all been such a welcoming family to me, especially being a tyrants son so I am forever grateful and indebted to you." He bows to us.

   "While we're on this topic father Eira wants go relinquish the throne!" Bianca shouts.
"Eira. This is too much for one day," he scowls.
"It was supposed to be a compromise. Bianca gets the throne. And I still think she should. She would be a much greater queen than I would."
"You would abandon your people?"
"No! Of course not. I'm doing what's best for our people. And what's best for me."
"If that's what you wish daughter, then let it be done. However, in order for this to happen I must strip you of your royal title entirely."
"That's okay. If the F7 can live with that, so can I." I turn to Merlin and take his hands.
"Wait, Merlin." My father steps in between us. "You are the one my daughter fell for."
"Yes, I am. I apologize if that has caused a mess, your majesty."
"Do not apologize, my son. Just promise me that my daughter is taken care of, for anything she ever needs."
"Father I can take care of myself."
"I know but I'm your father and I need to know you're in good hands."
"Of course ,your majesty."
"You're part of the F7. Because of that I trust you but you get into danger and I need to make sure that you'll protect her when she follows you into it. I know she can protect herself but an extra pair of eyes won't do any harm."
"Of course."

   I smile widely as my father shakes his hand. Then he turns to me. "Promise you'll visit us and not abandon us again."
"I won't father. Do not fret. I will be okay."
"You always will be. If you ever need anything your sister and I are here, okay? And if the F7 need a place to stay, the castle is open."
"Thank you, your majesty," Merlin says and bows.
I head to Char. "Thank you again. You're amazing you know that? And you deserve so much."
He smiles. "I know." Char is a friend, a good one. He cares, almost as much as he cares about himself.
"You're going to be a great king."
"Thank you. I hope so."

 I walk back to Merlin. "I'm going to go back and check up on the rest of the gang and Red Shoes. I still have to help find her father," he says.
"Oh right! I forgot!"
"But you just got here," Bianca whines.
"We'll be back. I promise. But I also promised a friend we'd help her."
"Fine. But you better return."
"Don't worry sis, we will."
"We will speak more of the matter when you return, daughter," my father says. "Go do what you must." I run and hug him.
"Thank you father." The boys and I start to head towards the exit. "I will return soon." I look back one last time at my family, and smile. I had overcomplicated so much. But it's so simple. I love them, and they love me. And we'll always have each other.