The Difference

Chapter 43

"You're not furious at me?" Troy asks, breaking up our hug.

"I am," I say, and his face instantly looks sad.

"Then why did you let me up? I thought I was cut off? I thought you didn't care-" He says, trailing off.

"You're the only person who can even remotely understand how I'm feeling right now," I explain.

"Still, I shouldn't have denied that we were going out when the press asked. I should've just come clean from the start, when I still had you," he says, sitting down on the second hotel bed where Michael slept last night.

"Oh, did Michael-" he questions, as if he's in my mind.

"Yes. The other bed is mine," I say.

"So you're not-"

"No, we aren't dating," I say uncomfortably.

"Not like it's my business anyway. God, if my dad saw me right now, he wouldn't even know the man he was looking at," Troy says, clearly devastated.

"That is not true," I say, sternly.

"It is. I lost you, I'm being forced to marry someone I hardly know, and I have to move to a different country and try to be a King and live a lie. I'm not a legitimate heir. Now that my dad isn't here and my mom is still brainwashed by Grandma, I don't even know why I'm doing this. What has Grandma done to deserve my loyalty? She decided my fate for me. Besides money, she hasn't given me anything. At this rate, I'd be better off starting all over. Ruining the family name. Getting everyone banished from Ceralita. Then, at least I could make my own decisions."

"Where is this coming from?" I ask, kneeling down in front of him.

"It doesn't matter," he says, standing up. "Are we doing this, or what?" he says, smirking.

"Doing what?" I ask, confused.

"Let's come clean. Tell everyone the truth," Troy says.

I sigh. "I think it's a little too late for that," I say, motioning to the television that Michael turned on before leaving, ever so subtly.

On it, a news anchor is starting their daily news reporting. A beautiful woman with bronzed skin and dark hair starts speaking and I decide I like her a little less afterwards.

"Future king caught in a love triangle. Soon to be King Troy who is famously known for giving his heart seems to have issues remaining faithful. While he is engaged to soon-to-be Queen Isabel, and just a month out from the wedding, inside sources claim he has been in contact with Rosemary after a recent accident, even staying at her house and taking care of her. We reached out to a spokesperson for Troy and here's what they had to say."

"You know, when you're young, it easy to get caught up in the excitement of everything. We assure you, Troy has cut off all romantic ties to Rosemary and was simply helping out as a good friend. Troy is selfless, giving, and an all-around gentleman and we can't think of a better individual to lead the country of Ceralita."

The program shows the newscaster, again, fixing a quick smile before starting. "And as for Rosemary, sources said they weren't even sure who to reach out for to get her side of the story. Spotted last night with Michael of JustFab Magazine, we presume she is taking her 30 minutes of fame and using it to her advantage," she finishes, after relaying the programming back to the weather forecaster.

I let out a deep sigh at the same time Troy does.

"Well, I guess it could've been a lot worse," Troy says, giving me a shrug. I roll my eyes.

"Easy for you to say," I fire at him.

"What does that mean?" He asks.

"You are praised as just 'enjoying your youth' while I'm called a nobody who is just sleeping around with the next random guy. Which isn't even true!" I say.

"I don't get why they said that," he scratches his head, nervously, but sincerely.

"Because I'm a woman," I offer. He nods in agreement. "So, now what?" I ask.

"Now, I take my life back," Troy says, walking over to me. He pulls a small box out of his pocket as he kneels in front of me. My hands start to shake as he takes them in his.

"Rosemary Moon, will you marry me?"