I can't say I do without you

King Lucien

"Are you alright, kid?" I collapsed to the ground, not because I was hit, but because it terrified me. Tears flowed from my eyes as my imagination created memories and scenarios that caused the tears to flow even more.

"WE HAVE NO IDEA WHY WE VOTED FOR THE WRONG PERSON IN THE HIGHEST POSITION. CRIMINALS HAVE BEEN PUT IN THIS SCHOOL. WE EVEN ALLOWED CRIMINALS TO RULE AMARILLO UNIVERSITY. WHO KNOWS, LIKE HIS FATHER, SHE STOLE THE SCHOOL'S FUNDS."

"No, Gemma, you're perfect. You are one of Amarillo's best students, and you have done a lot for our school, but..."

"You have no idea how hard she worked to reclaim the position you took back. Every night, she thinks of changing your awful system! She supported you and even her father, whom you accused of a crime. They both contributed, but instead of helping Gemma, you eliminated her! You can't even feel sorry for her! Are you concerned that this corrupt university may fail? "

"Your father is a thief! Swindler!Thief!"

"No, no, papa, don't go!" I burst out crying. "NO, I DON'T GO, I DON'T WANT YOU TO GO!

"He is not a thief, and he did nothing wrong."

"I love you, stone..."

"Papa, I love you."

Was there something I've done to deserve all of this? We lost everything, papa, including the life we had then, as well as my ambition of being school president, which I had fought so hard for. Our lives were altered as a result of their false allegations. I wish they would go through what we're going through.

I came to my senses when someone patted me on the back. "Are you hurt, kid?"

"Y-yes, sir." I took a whiff.

"Here," he said, offering his hand to me. "Let me help you." I held out my hand to him, and he helped me to get up.

I shook my skirt to remove the dust, then lifted my head, feeling myself cringe as I realized who was in front of me. "King Lucien?" I can't believe it, rubbing my eyes to make sure I'm not hallucinating. I-Is this for real? Is King Lucien standing right in front of me? If that's the case, I'm dead! Why him, why the King, of all people? What will happen to me now? I'm so unfortunate; I'm so unlucky! But I recall him reaching out his precious hand to me.

A man standing next to the king cleared his throat. He indicated that I should bow before the King, which I did not do.

"Please forgive me for being disrespectful, your Majesty." I lowered my head and apologized.

"It's fine, kid; you may now lift your head," stated King Lucien.

Why is this happening now? I can't even look the king in the eyes. How can I look if my eyes are puffy, my hair is unkempt, and my outfit is filthy?

"Mr. Osiris, send her to the nearest hospital as soon as possible." The King issued a command to the guy who accompanied him.

"Yes, your Majesty," he replied, and then the King's royal guards came.

"No," I shook my head. "I'm OK. I was not injured. So please do not take me to the hospital. It's also my fault that I almost crashed. My apologies for disrupting your trip as well." I bowed to him several times.

"But you don't seem okay."

"Your Majesty, I am fine." I attempted to grin to reassure King Lucien that I was OK.

He walked over to me and gazed at me. "You seem familiar? Are you... Edward's daughter?" The king wondered out loud.

And I was startled at first, but then I realized they all knew what happened to papa, so the king was aware of it as well. I mean, papa's name and face are in the news, so who wouldn't recognize him?