Hope and Josie - A Fairytale Ending

Close the Distance

Hope POV

Words could not really comprehend what I felt in that moment. My whole world felt like it was on the point of flipping upside down and one more thing could just tip it off it's axes. I mean I knew that I was going to have to marry Landon. It was a surprise but I tried my hardest not to adapt to it but this was on another level. Marrying Landon would mean I would become Queen. He would become King just from marrying me. How is this possible?

I wanted to throw up and punch someone all at the same time. One thing was for sure was that I needed a drink fast. After the announcement died down my Father came up to me.

"Hope my beautiful daughter. I apologise that I didn't tell you beforehand but I wanted it to be a special surprise. I hope it didn't scare you off too much."

I shook my head before I answered.

"No. Not at all. It was a bit sudden but you know me, I can easily adapt. Did you speak to Mother about it?"

Dad just had his usual smirk.

"I mean not exactly the final decision but we always talk about it happening one day. I think she secretly wants to stand down. It does get a bit too much sometimes. However I know that it won't be for you. Trust me Hope. I wouldn't have made the decision if I even had a shred of thought that you won't be able to do this. I know you can do this and I have the upmost faith in you."

Despite my rambling thoughts I smiled and hugged my Father.

"Thank you Father. I promise I will try my best to live up to your expectations of me."

"There is no doubt in my mind that you will and surprise me even more. Now enjoy the rest of the party and go have fun."

"Oh I will."

After excusing myself from my Father I went to the drink table and took a glass of it and downed it before grabbing another and doing the same. I then looked around the room for Josie. She was standing near the door and currently just looking around the room. Her eyes locked with mine and if its the whole entire room stood still. Almost like Josie's eyes put me in a trance and one I was happy to be in. 

It was broken when I felt a hand on my arm. Josie looked away and walked to somewhere else in the room. I looked to who had joined me and had to fight the urge to throw up when I realised who it was.

Prince Landon. 

"Princess Hope. I just had to be the first to congratulate you on your impending coronation. I mean I know it will be the both of us who will take the titles. Me the King and of course you. My Queen."

Landon had this look about him that just gave off a really evil vibe. His eyes felt like a weight one me and I wished he would look at anything else but me. He took a sip of the drink he was holding. Then offered it out to me.

"Would you care for a drink? I know the champagne here can be okay but this is the finest mead from my home. It would be an honour of me for you to try it."

I didn't really want to try it.

"Thank you Prince Landon but I must decline. I rather treasure my own mead more."

I got Ethan's attention and he knew to get me one from my Father's collection. Prince Landon had a look of annoyance but quickly masked it again with a weird smile.

"Okay then. May I ask if we could have some more time in private? You know to discuss are soon to be wedding ceremony."

How was I going to get out of saying no to that?

Josie POV

My head was spinning. I felt sick surprisingly like I was going to faint at any given second. No one was expecting the King's announcement. All though his royal highness was rather known for leaving the kingdom on its toes, you never really knew what he was going to come up with next. I watched Hope for any of sign of a reaction to how she might be feeling in this moment. Her face was as set as ever. I think she must be used to acting as if nothing was wrong. Maybe it was better that way.