Romeo and Romeo

SÏX

"Good. Now," he returned his attention to a still-frozen Amelia. "We have arranged for you to stay in Elizabeth for the next month so that you can get to know Charles a bit better. Understood?"

Amelia nodded stiffly. She was biting so hard on her bottom lip I was afraid she would start bleeding. It was obvious that she was trying not to cry, although my parents didn't seem to notice. Somehow, that didn't surprise me.

"What does any of this have to do with me?" I asked bitterly after a minute of silence.

"Ah, yes. Amelia, you are dismissed," my father said. He was still stiff, but he faked a smile to my sister, who practically ran out of the office, her head down. The moment she was gone, his gaze hardened. I glared right back.

"Alright, I don't want a word of protest from you, understood?" My father said seriously.

"No promises," I muttered. My father looked like he would blow up on me at any moment, but my mother butted in.

"Levi," she spoke slowly as if I were in kindergarten, "We need you to go with her."

"What? No! Why?"

"I know this is sudden for your sister, so we need you to go and, well, clear the air. We know that you are friends with the Elizabeth boy—"

"No I'm not!" I shook my head frantically as I felt myself begin to panic. There was no way I could go back.

"We need someone to be there to make sure that we're giving Amelia to a good lad with a secure family. Also, you're friends with Charles, so we need you to go and make sure that things aren't awkward," my mother continued, ignoring me completely. "They'll both be more comfortable around you. Charles and Amelia will get along, but they may need a few pushes in the right direction..."

"I am not spending a month in Elizabeth to play matchmaker for this hellish wedding!"

"You don't have a choice!" My father bellowed. "I am tired of you acting as if you have the power to make these decisions! It is time you start acting like a prince! That means doing things that you sometimes don't want to do!"

"You don't understand," my voice was quiet. "I can't go back to Elizabeth."

"Why?" My father was livid. "Why are you so against going? First you refused to go to the ball, and now this? What's wrong with you?"

"I... I can't tell you." My eyes were trained on the floor. If I told him... I don't think I'd ever be allowed back into the palace.

"So you expect me to excuse you without giving a valid reason?" My father asked rhetorically. "Do you think that after your behavior recently I would let you off the hook so easily? You are going on this trip, Levi. That is final."

"But—"

"No. Buts."

I'd never felt more drained. I knew I'd lost the battle. There was no getting out of this. Still, just the thought of staying in Elizabeth, with Charles, for a month, made me want to throw up.

Seriously, I felt sick. My stomach was churning, my hands were shaking. Suddenly I wished that I'd never eaten breakfast.

"F-fine," I attempt to sound strong despite my shaking voice. "But only on one condition."

"You are—"

"Let me bring my guitar."

My father looked ready to argue, but my mother put her hand on his arm. "Fine, that's fair," she said. "You are dismissed."

I went up to my room quicker than I ever have before and fell straight into my bed. Burying my face into a pillow, I let my tears soak the soft fabric.