Chapter One
NOT EDITED
Chapter One
The clanging of silverware against dishes echoed throughout the room. The mood was awkward. The atmosphere held tension. And yet I was smiling through it all. Because I made it awkward. I caused the tension. Throat clearing resounded in the dining room.
"What do you mean no?"
"Exactly what I said. No." I watched in amusement as my father's eyes filled with rage. The king does not get told no.
"How many times do I have to tell you Hope, you do not have an opinion."
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Running was the only thing that helped me release stress and pain. So that's what I was doing. Running. Running from my problems as always.
I was at the parks running trail. Two point eight miles of pure joy. Headphones in, world out. My feet hit the ground at a steady pace. I was starting to pant as I ran the trail a second time but still going strong.
You would think with all my stamina I would have been able to outrun him.
But I couldn't. I don't think I even tried. I just stopped and had this inevitable conversation. Pulling out my buds I turns to face him.
"Hey, I know you don't want to marry me..." Christopher trailed off here looking into my eyes with an emotion akin to disappointment. "But you could at least try and get to know me, and I you, before you judge me." I studied him for a moment.
"My father picked you Christopher so obviously you are a good choice." I said in a monotone voice. Christopher looked at me a moment before frowning.
"That's the thing. I don't want this to be like a Midsummer Night's Dream. I don't want your father's heart, I want yours Hope." His gaze was intense.
"What makes you think I haven't found my Lysander?" I whispered.
"If your Lysander really loved you then he would be here. Who would leave the fair Hermia to fend for herself against a prowler other than a fool?"
"Point made." I turned, ready to continue my run. Christopher grabbed my arm. "Yes?"
"I would prefer it if you called me Chris." Chris gave me a charming smile.
"Okay. Bye Christopher." I said smirking.
"Oh no. Your not getting rid of me that easily. Your dad would- no I would kill me if anything happened to you." He looked at me as if I was mentally challenged.
"Chill, I have like five guards with me right now." I said.
"Oh really." He replied crossing his arms over his chest.
"Yeah really." I cleared my throat. "Evert, Alec, Ettienne, Keane, Jace!" I called out.
"Yes milady." They all replied with one voice. I heard a voice chime in, I hadn't noticed that he came.
"Oh Ethan, I didn't know you were on duty."
"I told you I'm a shadow guard for a reason." He said with a lopsided grin.
I ran up and gave my best friend a hug. He was not only my best friend but my "boyfriend". Ethan and I have been through everything together. He had been my personal guard for years. We grew up together and were inseparable. My mother even had him play with me because "Having a connection with you will make him a better protector." Those were her exact words to me. Ethan was pretty awesome so I guess she was right. Christopher cleared his throat awkwardly from behind us.
I swiveled around an innocent smile in place. "So this is my Lysander. Lysander meet Christopher, Christopher this is Lysander." I said gesturing between them. Chris's face turned stony while Ethan's turned red. " I guess my Lysander was protecting me." I shot Christopher a dazzling smile. "Come on boys!" I yelled continuing my run away from my biggest problem. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
"Did you have to make him mad?" Ethan asked me.
"Of course I did. It's me we're talking about Ethan."
Ethan and I were sitting in my bedroom talking about the day's events. He started to talk about boring guard stuff but I could tell he was rushing and condensing his day. I knew he wanted to hear all about my drama filled night.
"I know very well who you are." He chuckled then looked into my eyes seriously. "No but really, what's going on between you and that guy? Your usually sweet to everyone and considerate of every living things feelings. Even ants and you don't even like those menaces! Do I have to beat him up?"
"No you won't have to beat him up." I sighed then rolled across my bed to snuggle into him. "He'smyFatherschoiceformyhusband." I mumbled into his chest.
"What was that?" Ethan asked.
"He's my Father's choice for my husband." I said sitting up and then flopping back down on him when I was finished.
"No. Fucking. Way." Ethan looked blind sided. " So I DO have to beat him up."
"None of that Ethan. I don't want you in trouble."
"So worth it." Ethan said shrugging. "Besides I could just say it was in your defense."
"What am I going to do with you Ethan?" I said exasperated.
"You could give me a kiss and call me your hero?"
I gave him a kiss on his cheek. "My hero!" I said in a maidenly voice.
"Just doing my job ma'am." Ethan said with a country accent. Giggles burst out my mouth at the sound of his voice.
A knock sounded at my door. Ethan jumped off my bed looking guilty which made me laugh even harder. Ethan shot me a look that said 'shut up crazy.' I just kept on laughing like I was truly crazy. Which I am so...
"May I come in?" My father's voice resounded through the room. That stopped my laughter. Ethan immediately turned into guard mode. I stood up, straightening my clothes and spine.
"Of course my king." I replied brushing wrinkles from my dress.
Father walked in surveying his surroundings before settling his eyes upon me. With a wave of his hand he dismissed Ethan. It was just me and him. I could tell I wouldn't like where this was going.
"Please sit and make yourself comfortable for our talk." My father gestured towards MY bed which was in MY room.
"I would be more com-" I was cut off with a look from the king.
"Sit." It was said calmly but there was an edge under it. I sat with a harumph and perfectly concealed anger. I had to choose my battles.
"Now lets talk about dinner and what you did wrong." The calm facade was still in place.
Oh I know what I did wrong. I said no. What I had gotten myself into is what he wanted to talk about.
A/N: So what did you think? Should I continue? Please...
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