Caught in a Lie ~ h.s.

♕ XX ♕

"Gwen, please stay with mother and Violet. I'll try to come back as soon as I can." Niall was kind enough to give me five minutes to see my family before I had to be whisked away to more pressing matters.

The rest of the day was a complete and utter blur.

At six o'clock in the evening on that Monday, I was declared Queen of Weybridge and took the Royal Oath before family, staff, and several media outlets. My voice had wavered as I spoke and my hands shock, but other than that I was emotionless. It wasn't until I was released back to my chambers did the breakdown occur.

We mourned for ten days and during those ten days my duties as queen had only just begun. Instead of rising at a reasonable hour to then sit with many people of importance in our nation, I had adapted a new daily schedule. There were letters to read, documents to approve and sign, ambassadors from foreign nations and people of importance in the UK to see, and not to forget about the visits around the country I was to attend. Though the king had died not long ago, there were still important meetings and visits I had to attend, not all duties were pulled to a stand still. During the day I did my best to be the best queen that I possibly could, but at night... night was when I was granted privacy.

The nights were reserved for crying whereas during the day I was forced to be emotionless, even at the funeral of my own father. I see now why my father acted the way that we did.

His funeral was the hardest and most emotionally draining day of my entire life. The funeral was broadcast nationwide forcing me, as the new queen, to keep it together in front of millions. Whilst my mother and sisters wept, I shed a singular tear that was quickly wiped away before it drew attention from others. Media outlets applauded my brave face in the times of harsh reality whilst others thought I was acting like a cold-hearted bìtch; thus was the day I was coined the title of the Stoic Queen.

Since my ascend to the throne, I met with more dignitaries than imagined and even met with the Prime Minister and with Queen Elizabeth II, receiving nothing but apologies on behalf of my father's death before it was straight down to business. My father's assistants were proud of the job I was doing, though personally I felt I wasn't doing the man justice. There would be days where I'd rack my brain for the answers needed but I'd only end up shooing everyone away and screaming in frustration. It wasn't until the Sunday nearly two weeks since the news of my father's death did I finally get a much needed break.

I had read and signed any documents the staff had for me and I didn't have any meetings or visits scheduled, thus allowing me to take a breath. It was go, go, go, from the moment of my father's passing and I was quite glad to have a moment to myself without assistants and secretaries barging in and asking me so many questions my brain felt like jelly.

"Has he called?"

My eyes don't leave the window behind my desk, watching as the gardeners do their best to maintain the pristine look of shrubs. Ever since I can remember there have been dedicated individuals creating masterpieces out of plants behind the palace. I'm not a person who loves the outdoors, but the garden has a special place in my heart. My father ordered tulips to be planted there, when in season, on my tenth birthday to remind me of his love, so here I stand, admiring the flowers in full bloom sixteen years later.

"No, your majesty." My eyes instinctively close at the title, despising it every time; more so when it comes from the mouths of those closest to me.

"Charlotte." I warn, my voice low as I speak to my assistant over my shoulder.

She's been a real hero through all of this. My father's assistants were set to step in as mine main assistants but I practically, no I did, order that Charlotte remain with me. She's been with me through a lot and I know I couldn't do this without her. The other assistants help me with my duties as queen, aiding me through the new processes and rules, but Charlotte is still my number one.