A. N. Hey guys. I'm sorry that I've been inactive with this story. Mentally and emotionally I haven't been in the best place. Writing has always help me sort out my feelings so lately I've been working on improving my writing. That's really all I have to say at the moment.
Charle's P.O.V
Journal Writing 1
It's been weeks since the last time I saw Skylar, Ethan and Lucas. In fact it's been weeks since I've left my chambers. My servants have been bringing me my meals, while my instructors come to my room to educate me. Even then, they leave halfway during the lesson due to my lack of concentration. It doesn't matter though, my mind is completly blank but somehow so full.
Journal Writing 2
My mother came to see me yesterday, yelling hysterically. But much to her dismay I simply layed there and stared into space. The only thing I could hear was her complaining that I wasn't completing any of my duties, and such. She continued to yell and scream for about two minutes, but it felt like hours.
Present Day
"Charles, get up now."
"I don't want to." I said simply
"Well I'm sorry to inform you, but I don't really care what you want. Now get up before I remove you from that bed myself."
When I finally opened my eyes Bash was standing above me with a pillow in his hands.
"Were you going to hit me with that?" I asked him with wide eyes.
"Uh, yeah. Would you have preferred the bucket of water that I brought with me?" I quickly shook my head. "That's what I thought." He said with a smirk on his face.
"Okay now let's go, you have a meeting to attend to."
"About what?"
"Well if I tell you then you won't want to go. So why don't we just say that it's a surprise."
"Or you could just tell me."
"Oh no no no, I don't think so. I'm not Francis or your mother okay? I am not going to let you stay in here and loathe."
I continued to stare at him with a disapproving look on my face, but he didn't falter. I finally gave in and he smiled triumphantly. "Good now get up, get dressed and meet me in the gardens.
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After I got dressed I followed Bash's instructions and started on my way to the gardens. It felt weird to be somewhere other than my bed, almost uncomfortable. I didn't feel as safe from people's glares or questions of concern. The one thing that I hated most was when people would ask me how I was doing, with sad sympathetic eyes. I mean it's not like I lost a family member or was diagnosed with some chronic disease.
Well I guess it did kind of feel that way.
I continued to walk down the corridor, trying to dodge the servants looks of sympathy. When I made it outside the cool air hit me like a brick. It was a lot colder than I imagined it to be, I guess being locked in my room was bound to have some effect.
"Charles! I haven't seen you in days, how are you doing little brother?"
I turn around to see Francis with a megawatt smile on his face. When he reaches me he envelopes me in a huge embrace. I don't know what it was but the longer he hugged me the harder it was for me to hold in my tears. As if he knew that I was on the brink of a breakdown he let go slowly, but not without giving me a pat on the head.
"So, what made you decide to come out of hibernation?" Francis says with a hint of playfulness in his voice.
"It was Bash, he literally stormed into my room and forced me to get up." I say while rolling my eyes.
"Well I'm glad he did, and I think everyone else is too. We've all missed you it's odd to not have you around."
We continue walking until we made it to the middle spiral in the grand garden. When we got there almost everyone was there. After a couple of minutes of going unnoticed Ethan comes up to me with a solemn look on his face. "Long time no see my friend." I don't quite know what to say to him, do I ask him how he's doing? Or do I ask him the question I've been dying to ask since I got here?
"So how have you.."
"How is she?" I interrupted him mid sentence, although it may have seemed abrupt he doesn't seem the least bit surprised.
"She's doing as well as you are, maybe a little worse." To say that I was surprised would be an understatement. All this time all I could think about was how happy she probably was compared to me. But I guess that was far from the truth.
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Skylar's P.O.V
I haven't seen Charles for weeks.
For a while it was because I was dead set on avoiding him. I had felt embarrassed about my outburst at the prospect of getting married. My first instinct was to seek out my sister.
Six Weeks Ago:
"Mary! I need to speak with you."
Normally I would think twice about interrupting a meeting. But if it wasn't already clear enough; I'm not thinking normally.
"Will you excuse me my Lords." Always the gentlewoman, Mary excused herself with grace. She quickly pulled me out of the council chamber with her hands on my shoulders.
"What's wrong? What's happened?"
"Charles... Marriage... I can't... " Is this what it feels like to choke? Why can't I feel my fingertips? Is my head going to explode?
"Guards. Tell the council men that I must attend to an emergency."
"Yes Your Grace."
I didn't hear anything after that. My head was on fire but Mary kept me grounded. We eventually made it to her chambers, she quickly played me down.
"You're alright. Just breathe Skylar." That's great advice Mary, thank you.
A couple minutes of silence passed, Mary continued to rub my forehead soothingly. When I was finally ready to speak she listened attentively. Mary never said a word, she didn't need to. I knew she was listening to every word I said.
"I'm not ready to get married." I finished my rant with a simple fact.
"I wasn't ready either. But I knew that it was my duty. I had to protect Scotland, I had to protect you."
"I'm thankful for that, I truly am." I had to tell her how thankful I am. She's done so much for me, for our country. Mary shook her head and smiled tightly. She didn't need the thanks but she deserves it.
"My duty to get married was a decision made to protect others. Your decision to get married is yours alone. Women in our position rarely get the luxury of getting this opportunity... "
"That's exactly why I don't want it!" I interrupted her mid-sentence. "Why should I get to marry for love when you didn't get that luxury? I know that you love Francis but what if he wasn't the man he is? What if you were forced to marry a wretched man, while I get to be with the man I love?"
Mary wasn't expecting that, and if I'm being completely honest; neither did I.
"If that were the case than I would have still gone through with it. As the Queen of Scotland I have duties to uphold." Mary grabbed my chin and lifted it so I was looking straight into her eyes. "As your sister, I would do absolutely anything to ensure your happiness." She had tears in her eyes, I was definitely crying.
"I don't think I give you enough credit." I said jokingly.
"No. You definitely don't." Mary sarcastically replied. "But you don't have to. Because no matter what I know that you would have done the same for me."
"I love you. Truly."
"I love you too Skylar."
______________________________
Present Day
"Skylar! We have a meeting to attend to."
"I'm coming!" I ran over to Mary's vanity, trying to properly clip a silver pin to my hair.
"Here. Let me help." Mary appeared behind me and quickly placed the pin in my hair. How she did it so quickly truly baffles me.
"Thank you."
"Now, this meeting is going to be lengthy. At least I assume it will be, Catherine is the one hosting after all." Mary says. She giggles in a way that makes her look her actual age.
"Do you know what it will be about?" I ask nervously. I have an inkling about the intention of this meeting. I hope I'm wrong.
"It's most likely going to be about your marriage to Charles. I know you're still nervous, but I want you to know that I am by your side." Mary fixes my hair until it looks presentable. She smiles to herself when she's done.
"Let's hope Charles looks better than you do." I quickly turn to look at her, my face shows my shock.
"I look just fine. Thank you very much."
"I know. Just wanted to see a smile on your beautiful little face."
"Into the lions den we go."
This will be eventful.
A.N. I hope you guys liked this chapter. I promise I'll try to update more.