-Meet Me In The Garden

(Caroline's POV)

As soon as I was done cleaning up, which took quite awhile, and dressed in my night gown, Celeste summoned my mother. This can't end well... I sat on my bed fiddling with everything and anything. My nerves were kicking again. I thought I was over this?

I heard the door open and my head snapped up. My mother walked in, in a different yet simple gown. It wasn't a party gown, but the type that she would wear around when she had to walk around the castle but still had to look presentable. I tried to stop my fiddling so she wouldn't think I was nervous, but failed horribly.

"Is your anxiety back?" She asked. I could hear the concern in her voice. "Do you want me to get Doctor Raymond?" She continued to ask.

"Hum?" Is all I said. Play dumb, great strategy.

"I said is your anxiety back?" She asked again.

"Oh, no. Its just, um, I was just.... bored?" I said more like a question than an answer. "You know, I was just in my own little world." I said playing it off.

"Caroline, I thought we talked about this. What did I say the last time we had this issue?" She said waiting for me to answer.

"That its serious and I should tell you instead of you finding out." I mumbled looking down at my bed again.

"Yes, so you need to tell me the truth. Is the anxiety back? You know we can't have an unstable queen if you ever have to take charge right away." She said sternly, her voice no longer calm.

"I'm not unstable!" I kinda shout defensively.

"Are you a hundred percent sure?" She questioned.

"I'm fine, its just I'm tired. I had a long day." I say in a mumble.

"I can't fight with you over this anymore. Tell me or not, either way your not ok." She said, her voice returning to its calm state.

"Can we move on from this conversation? What did you want to speak to me about?" I ask, trying to chance the subject.

"Fine, tomorrow you have to attend many meetings. In between each meeting I have called for a wardrobe change." She started.

"Ok. What meetings do I have to go to?" I ask, curiosity buzzing though me.

"After breakfast we have to attend the ceremony for Prince Michel's proposal, press meetings right after the proposal. Then we have to take an hour flight to Prince- sorry, King Gabriel's kingdom for your inauguration into the kingdom since you are becoming their queen. Press meetings after that as well. Soon after, we will fly back here were you have to attend the meeting and ceremony for the official start of the competition. Then more press meetings, you know, the usual." She said listing off everything.

"All in one day?" I ask feeling a little overwhelmed.

"Yes. We will have lunch on the plane coming back, and dinner after the competitions ceremony." She said.

"Ok..." I said a little unsure.

"Well, I'll leave you to it. And don't worry, I had Celeste pick out your outfits already." She said with a big smile, and twirled out of the room, slamming the door.

I flop backwards onto my nice soft mattress, letting out a big breath of air. I should start planning my funeral, because at this rate, I'm going to be dead after tomorrow. I was broken from my thoughts when I heard something that sounded like paper slip under my door. I got off my bed and made my way over to my door, which in fact did have a piece of paper in front of it. I pick it up and read what it says.

Meet me in the garden in twenty.

I couldn't tell who it was because no one signed it. Who could possibly want to talk me at this late hour? Nonetheless, I got dressed anyways. I ended up wearing a simple black dress that came up to my knees and black flats. I pulled my hair out of its messy bun and brushed it through quickly. I lazily putting on my crown because I have to wear it and I don't have time for 'Place Management' as Celeste calls it.

I bolt out of my room and quietly walk the eerie halls. I never realized how creepy this place looked at night until now. I walk down the stairs and out side to the garden. The only light was the moon, which luckily was full tonight. I walk cautiously through the garden trying to find the person I am suppose to be meeting.

Soon enough a see a dark silhouette further down the path. I walk towards them slowly and quietly, trying not to make any sudden movements. Once I am closer I realize their back is to me I put my hand on their shoulder, only to be flipped over, my back hitting the hard ground. Without thinking, I knock their feet from beneath them.

I stop from jumping up a beating the living daylights out of the person when I hear a familiar 'ouch'. I look over to see Gabriel on the ground next to me, rubbing where his back had hit the ground.

"Geez, when did you learn to do that?" He asked, laughing a little at the situation.

"You learn a lot of things from having to sit in on army training sessions." I said getting up and dusting off my dress.

"You actually pay attention to those?" He asked, getting up and dusting himself off.

"Ya, I always did." I said nonchalantly.

"I remember always having to try to keep myself awake during those. They were so boring." He complained.

"You poor soul." I said rolling my eyes. "So why did you want to see me?" I ask.

"What are you talk about?" He asked, furrowing his eyebrows, his green eyes filled with question.

"You know, the note you put under my bedroom door that said to meet you in the garden." I said as if he knew exactly what I was talking about.

"I never put a note under your door."