Annalise Stark, orphaned after losing her parents in the military, is desperate to find a way to pay off her sister's medical debts. She finds work at the palace, home to the infamous Prince William. Despite her efforts to ignore him, Annalise soon...
"Grief does not change you. It reveals you." ~John Greene ********************
One week later...
I smoothed out my black dress before knocking on Will's door. A quiet voice told me to come in. I entered his room and found him standing in front of the mirror, struggling with his tie.
"Here," I said, "let me."
Will sighed, dropping his hands and shoving them in his pockets. "I don't want to do this... I don't want to mourn in front of millions of people."
"I know you don't. I can't begin to imagine what you're going through."
"Yes, you do. You and Mia are the only ones I know that understand. You lost both your parents."
"Yeah, but they weren't royals. We didn't have to share our grief with the world. We could grieve in private. You don't have that luxury. I don't know if I could do what you're about to."
"Where are you going to be?" Will asked.
"On the sidelines with Mia, Mark, and James. The Griffiths, Stewarts, and Wallaces will be with us too." I straightened his black tie. "There."
"I wish you were walking with me," Will said. I looked up to see his brows were furrowed in consternation. "But if you did, the media would have a field day, and I've put you through enough with them, and-"
"Screw the media," I declared rather hotly. "What they say shouldn't dictate anything right now, and if they try to spin this into something it's not, I'll set them straight. If you want me to walk with you, I will. We all will."
"You'd really do that for me? After everything I've-"
"Exceptions are made in times of crisis. You said it yourself, I'm the only one who understands what you're going through along with Mia. Even if we hadn't spoken until today, I still would walk with you. No one should go through this alone, so if you want me to walk with you, I will."
"I do."
"Okay, then."
Will cupped my face in his hands, and for a split-second, I thought he might kiss me. He leaned forward and kissed my forehead, bracing his forehead against mine when it ended. His voice barely above a whisper, he said, "I know this is only temporary, but I'm really glad you're here right now."
"It doesn't have to be temporary," I replied, craning my head to look up at him. Our noses were a hairsbreadth apart. Now was not the time for anything romantic, but I couldn't help but think our shared grief was dredging up long-forgotten memories and feelings for him. I know it was for me.
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Pain flickered across Will's already grief-stricken face. "It has to be..."
My heart sank, and I stepped away from him. Clasping my hands in front of me, I said, "We should get going."
