Aurelia's Diary- November 2nd, 2021
Dear Diary,
Those words echoed through my ears. 'Your father, the King, he's sick,' rang deeply within my ears and I was left captive in my own mind. Even though I despised the King, I wasn't the kind to send death wishes upon any sick person. He deserved more than that.
"What?" Harry voiced loudly, eyes widened and I swear I could see his face fall. I knew regret was beginning to take it's toll ever since he went against his father's wishes and now he was hostage within his own mind; a prisoner. "Where is he now?" He continued, waiting for the response of the staff member.
"He's in his Chamber, Prince. Hurry," he responded, trying to capture his breath once again and without hesitation, Harry pushed him aside and rushed to his father's aid. Even though they had bad blood between them, I could see Harry's deep connection tugging within his heart. He wouldn't stop until he made it right with his father. Their father and son ran deeper, a bond that couldn't be shattered until death.
"Harry!" I yelled, my breath being sucked from me and I rushed after him. Members of staff ran all over the place trying to sort out the wedding while Harry, Anastasia and I ran past everyone to reach the king. He couldn't possibly succumb to death before us making it right with him again. We all deserved a second chance of happiness without regret seeping through our roots and for the king to sleep with peace.
Harry ripped the doors open, making his way beside his fathers' bed. The kings' face was pale like snow, his eyes closed while his arms remained by his side. His wife rose from the arm chair beside him just as soon as Harry bursted through the chamber doors. Everything seemed unreal and wild.
"Mother, what's the matter?" Harry asked as he briefly looked over to her before gazing down to his sleeping father. "Wasn't he just fine?" He continued and she slightly nodded, the tears beginning to brim within her eyes. I could tell her heart was breaking slowly, shattering into a million pieces and the second her husband left this world, she would break completely.
"Your father...he was poisoned," she whispered, glancing down to her husband. As she met with Harry's irises, the tears sprung down her rosy cheeks. "I don't know what I'll do without him," she whimpered as a sob escaped her lips. Her son walked over to her, enveloping her into a hug that was much deserved. No person deserved the pain of losing a loved one, even though that was the cycle of life.
They both looked broken, completely shattering into millions of pieces that would never be glued back together. Life as they knew it would be clouded with a jet-black smoke snaking its way over their heads until their death. They both shared the pain, their bondage strengthening due to their shared experience as mother and son.
As he let go, he looked down to his father with tears beginning to pool within his eyes. "What did the doctor say?" He said, his voice low and it cracked slightly at the end. As his mother shook her head sadly, he looked away from us and stared out of the window, gazing over the cityscape with his arms crossed across his broad chest.
As I sauntered over to Harry, my mind went to all the possibilities of reactions that would happen if the king died. How it would affect everyone individually, and I could tell the worst due to their current reactions at the moment. It was maddening, and sad how death took it's took it's toll on who it pleased, leaving many mourning.
My arms wrapped around Harry's waist as I rested my head on his back. I couldn't see his expression of grief but I could tell he was about to lose it as his body shook slightly as if he was about to cry. "Harry, look at me," I whispered close to his ear and with my demand, he turned slowly to meet my eyes. His emerald irises were soaked in tears, a tear stain staining his left rosy cheek. "I'm here for you baby. No matter what, we'll all get through this. If you want to cry, cry it all out on my shoulder," I whispered as I stared into his eyes.
I didn't know the pain he felt. I was an orphan so I didn't have anyone to be attached to, only for them to pass away and for I to mourn. But all I wanted to do was to comfort my future husband in his toughest time and be the wife I'm willing to be for him. He deserved the comfort of someone who was willing to love him and I was offering all of me for him. Life was tough for him, challenging him with force and he needed someone to be there for him.
"Babe, I'm fine. He's going to be fine," he said as the tears began to cascade down his rosy cheeks. I knew how hard he was to compose himself during this period of time, for his father and mother. I also knew that he was trying to reassure himself, hoping to believe the words that fell from his mouth. "My father is a strong man, he can get through it. He won't leave the kingdom for me this soon without the full training I was supposed to go through," he said and he ran his hand through his brown hair, pushing his curls back. "I can't be king yet," he whispered to himself as if he was trying to believe it.
Without hesitation, I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him onto me. I knew he wanted to talk through touch, so with my hug, I was hoping it would help him through. His face fell in the crook of my neck, the warm feeling pressing onto me and his arms wrapped around my waist. He wanted to be unseen by everyone so with his face tucked away on my neck, I felt the wet tears fall. He shook slightly, his heavy breath fanning my neck and all he needed was the physical comfort.
My hand reached up, stroking his hair slightly as I let him cry his worries away. After all, he needed the cry. He needed to release all his emotions onto me, me being the one to take him during his highs and lows. I needed to prove that marriage binded us, lawfully and spiritually. We were one and whatever he felt, I was willing to suffer with him. After all, he was to be my husband.
"It's okay to not be okay," I whispered. "We'll get through this together," I continued and I felt him slightly nod.
Abruptly, a groan drifted throughout the room, echoing against the walls and Harry and I turned to the King. Anastasia and his mother was already by his side, both holding his hands on each side. Their eyes remained on a dying king, hope trying to spread in their hearts, however, it was hopeless.
"My queen," the king whispered shakily. I could tell he was trying to fight for his life, hold onto anything remaining to say his last few words. "I will be okay," he said, staring into her glossy eyes as if to assure her that it will be all okay. "You will be okay," he continued and tears streamed down her cheeks. We were all breaking within, the death of a loved one taking it's toll on all of us.
Turning to Harry, he blinked slowly from being so tired from fighting. "My son, I know you're scared but I believe you're ready to be King. Take your Queen by your side and rule to make me proud," he whispered, loud enough for all of us to hear. He finally accepted me. He didn't call me a maid but a queen... With that, a small smile blossomed on my lips and eyes stained with incoming tears.
Harry, on the other hand, breathed heavily as tears cascaded down his cheeks. As Anastasia released the Kings' hand, she moved aside so Harry can hold dearly onto his father. He didn't want to let go, he wanted to be close. I trailed slowly beside him, my hand placing itself on his right shoulder as I tried to indicate that I was here for him.
"Father, don't go yet," Harry pleaded. I've never seen him so distraught, showing any sign of real emotion but here he was, crying away. "I'm not ready for this, I don't know if I will ever be," he continued, staring down into his father's eyes sadly.
"You knew I would pass away some day," he said. Harry nodded, trying to accept it but it was just so hard to. Suddenly, the King made eye contact with me and my heart dropped slightly. "I am sorry for everything. Please forgive me, Aurelia. Take care of Harry and his mother for me, don't let them go," he whispered and I nodded, the tears staining my cheeks. My heart sank deeply into my stomach and the dread soaked into me all so badly.
With that, his eyes slowly closed themselves. His chest came to a halt, my heart sinking and I knew that he was gone. Harry looked side to side, alarmed and shook his father's hand. "Father!" He exclaimed. "Father!" He shouted louder, shaking his hand rough. His mother came to his side and pulled him away, the tears springing down her cheeks. She was devastated but she had to pull her son away before he hurt himself.
"Aurelia, take Harry away!" She exclaimed and I nodded. I grabbed his hand and he struggled against me. He wanted to be beside his father but his mother specifically asked to keep him away. Anastasia and his mother grabbed each side of the blanket and raised it above the King's face. They cried, but not as much as Harry did. He was soaked, yelling with force for his father to come back but it was no use.
Pulling Harry into the hall, I closed the door and looked him in the eye. I grabbed his face despite his protests and saw his true form. He was broken. "Harry, let's go back to the room. It'll be okay, I promise," I tried to reassure him.
With that, he fell to his knees. "Who poisoned him, Aurelia?" He whispered.
(Hey everyone! Hope you had a great day/night! What did you think of this chapter, pretty sad, huh? Please consider commenting and voting, please. It'll be much appreciated!)
~Love, Natalie