The Prince (Harry Styles)

Chapter 45

"It wasn't my secret to tell," Mikey said. "I promised Emerald I wouldn't reveal it."

I was thankful for having a brother like Mikey right now. Lucas didn't fully understand my situation and I think because of that, he became the back burner. Mikey only knew about it because he guessed. I was thankful he knew because he knew how to reassure me. Lucas would take my mother's side, which I was sure of. However, I knew that my mum would come around. It might possibly take her a few days, but she will.

"How about I show you your bedroom, huh? We'll get you settled in," he smiled lifting up one of my suitcases. I nodded trailing behind him a few feet back. 

The house they lived in still felt like a house that I didn't know. It didn't feel like home to me. I felt as if I was living in a stranger's home. I recognized a few things from our old house, but everything here felt as if it were a different family living here. I just hoped we would never have to go back to our old home. I never wanted to go back there. 

Mikey opened a door and stepped in flicking on the light. The inside was a light shade of pink with white furniture. It was beautiful, but I already missed the room I had been staying in the past months. Mikey placed the suitcase flat on the floor unzipping it. He opened it and I saw that it was neatly packed. He picked up a few letters that were on top and handed them to me. I furrowed my brow as I took the letters in my hand.

Emerald,

You didn't deserve to be released from the palace. You are one of the kindest girls I've seen walk through the palace doors in recent years. You brought smiles to the children's faces and I can't thank you enough for making them happy. Since they were born, it was my dream to make them happy. As their mother, it warms my heart to see smiles on my kids' faces.

Harry will miss you and I can't bear to think of what will be running through his mind when you part from the palace. It's the early hours of the morning as I write this and no one is awake. Harry and you share a love I can't even begin to describe. The thought of my husband releasing you from here breaks my heart for my baby. He has changed so much since you walked into his life. He willingly does work and it is all because of you, Emerald. Thank you for bringing him a reason to work. He works to be with you and now that you're gone, everything he has done will be for nothing. 

Gemma will miss you as well. She never had many friends her age and the fact you were kind to her rude behavior made her feel special. My daughter has always been too loud to make friends with the "normal" princesses. The fact that you became one of her best friends puts a smile on my face. You made my children happy, that's more than I can care to ask for.

When my husband told me what you and Harry had done, I was shocked. The more I thought of it, the less surprised I became. The love you two had achieved in such a short period of time was only possible by showing it. You both showed your love the only way your instincts allowed. I personally think the rule of making love before marriage is preposterous. True love brings us to do things we normally wouldn't do and I knew from the moment Harry's eyes met yours that you would marry him. 

I also know that you and Harry will find your way back to each other. I don't know how as of right now, but I do know you are each other's destiny. The love you both share is too great to let go of. It's too big for me to begin to understand.

I can't wait until you come home,

~Anne .xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Tears streamed down my face as I read Queen Anne's letter. Her words always meant the most to me and I often wondered what she truly thought of me. This letter confirms she did like me. This letter also explains why she wasn't in her husband's office this morning. She would have fought him getting rid of me. I wish she did. I could have stayed at the place my heart called home. 

"Who is it from?" Mikey asked looking up at me.

"Queen Anne," I smiled gently placing it next to me taking the next letter and looking over the neat handwriting.

My dear Emerald,

It has been the greatest honor working for you these past several months. When Queen Anne told me what happened I was saddened by this news. I considered you as one of my daughters and it broke my heart that I wouldn't be seeing you around the palace with a bright smile on your face anymore. I also want you to know it wasn't me who revealed your secret to the king. It was Priscilla. 

She had her suspicions about the both of you. Unfortunately for you, she checks the king's wing every night to see if the doors are locked. When the marriage quarters for Prince Harry were open, she allowed herself in and looked around and found the used condom in there. She knew the prince was the only one with a key to the room and immediately went to His Royal Majesty. I am so sorry about her. As we have discussed this many times, she is not my favorite person on staff. Though she is now the most trusted. 

I would love to see you again, Emerald. In or out of the palace. If you ever need someone to talk to, I will leave my address on the bottom of the page. I get home with the girls around six-thirty. Though I suspect we shall be home earlier since you're no longer there. 

I hope to see you soon Emerald,

~Trish Malik

I looked at the address and immediately decided I would go see her this afternoon. I needed some normalcy in my life and she was that. She saw girls come and go over the years, she also knew the palace me the best. My family will always be my family, but nothing ever compares to those who I shared an experience with.

"Let's unpack," I said sitting on the floor next to my brother. I slowly pulled my things out of the case one by one. At the bottom of everything were two envelopes. 

I carefully opened these envelopes one at a time. They were photos from both of the balls. I felt a tear slip from my eye as I looked at the photos from the Christmas ball. I ran my hand over the glossy photo of Harry and me sharing a kiss on the dance floor. We were in focus and no one else was. The girl in the photo looked strikingly like me, but it seems like it was ages ago since she was me. It's hard to believe that the girl in the photo was me just one night ago. The makeup was still lightly stuck to my face from lack of washing. I could feel the stickiness of the cream of the foundation. 

Mikey pulled me into a side hug and kissed the top of my head. I sniffled as I looked through the photos of Harry and me. The memories of the balls would never die. I wouldn't let them because they were in essence a part of my soul. I didn't belong anywhere else but there. 

My home was with Harry.