When I opened my eyes the next morning, the same dreadful feeling that hung all day yesterday was stronger. I didn't want to get out of bed, and I almost got away with it. But Margaret burst in, clapping her hands and shoving the curtains open.

"It's time to get up Blu. It's a beautiful day outside, and you're wasting it in here, doing whatever you're doing."

I groaned loudly as I slammed my face on my pillow, feeling my hair go in every direction. "I don't want to get up."

"What's that?" She asked, and I groaned again. I propped my head up, feeling a slight tweak on my neck from the awkward angle, and spoke again.

"I don't want to get up."

I didn't see her reaction, but I could clearly imagine her rolling her eyes as she placed her hands on her hips. "Come on. Let's go."

Groans were all that came out of my mouth as she placed her hands underneath my armpits and pulled me up. Once on my feet, she pushed me to my bathroom, and said some commands.

"There we go," she breathed out half an hour later. "Don't you feel human?"

I shrugged as she pulled two small pieces of hair from the sides up, and felt her pinning them up with a clip. "Not professional, but your hair is done."

I sighed out a thanks, and then followed her out the doors. During my shower, as she stood outside the doors, she informed me of the news my parents had sent her to tell me. They were just guesses, but I knew they were true. She had said that my parents had informed her to get me ready, and take me to the same place I had gotten married a year ago. Nothing else, besides her thoughts and opinions.

But I knew what was happening. I was signing divorce papers today, because he had signed his. I don't know how the papers arrived so quickly, but I knew they were here, waiting for my signature on the other line.

I was a few steps away from my freedom, but why did part of me feel like I didn't want it. Why did it want to remain married to the man that walked out?

You love him... my subconscious told me as the doors opened. You've loved him for a while, but you just don't want to admit to yourself again.

"Charlotte," someone breathed my name, and I looked up, mute to see my parents and one of our many lawyers in the room. I heard Margaret leaving quietly as the other three adults looked at me with grim looks on their faces.

I sighed, stepped closer to the table, and didn't bother sitting down. I stared at the few pieces of paper that were scattered in front of me, and picked up the pen quietly. Before I could place the pen down on the page, a heavy hand went above mine, and I looked up.

"Are you sure about this?"

"He doesn't want me, so why do I want him?" I murmured as he lifted his hand. When no one else commented on what was about to happen, I quickly signed my name on all the lines that the lawyer pointed to, and then dropped the pen.

"It's all done. You are now legally divorced." No one applauded or even coughed. "Since the public doesn't know about this, I highly recommend to not mention it until a few weeks from now."

I turned my back on them and with an emotionless tone, whispered, "No worries here. It's not like I have anyone to speak to."

Before they could say anything else, I walked out the door, feeling their eyes on my back as I left with my head held high, even though on the inside I was dying. Once I was out of sight, my body swayed to the side and I found myself leaning against the wall. The few guards that were in the hallway stepped forward, ready to catch me, but hesitated. I didn't realize why until I heard the soft sobs coming from my lips and the tears rolling down my cheeks.

A heavy hand landed on my shoulder, and I turned around to bury my face against their chest. I didn't bother looking up to see who it was; I cried silently as they hugged me back, and rubbed my back in soothing motions.

"He doesn't deserve any of your tears. Don't cry Blu."

He's right. He doesn't deserve any of my tears.

I sniffed once more, stood straight up, and wiped my eyes as I took deep breaths. I looked up at the guard who had the guts to step up and comfort me, and gave him a small smile. "You're right. Thank you."

He gave me a small smile and walked back to his spot, straightening his suit as I continued breathing. A few minutes later, I turned around, and continued walking down the hallway, pretending I hadn't just been crying a few seconds ago.

I needed to forget him.

"I need to forget you," I whispered as I walked to my room to refresh myself. I need to forget.

~~~~

Forgetting is much easier said than done. Each little thing that I was doing somehow reminded me of him, and that set my mind into a whirlwind. My fingers would then reach for the closest item of food that was available, and stuff it into my mouth, making me gain weight.

I worked off the added weight, but quickly gained it back when my mind started to think of one specific thing. Or item of food I must say. My parents disapproved, especially since we were still in the spotlight over the divorce —we had announced it exactly a week after we had signed. Three months had flown by since then.

Arlene didn't mind the added weight I was putting in my stomach. She hid it with loose shirts and gowns, and since it was almost Christmas time, giant coats helped me hide my muffin tops.

When I wasn't eating or going around doing my royal duties, I was sleeping. Everything was easily exhausting me for the past two weeks. I swear, I spent more time sleeping than I was awake. On once occasion, it got to the point that I propped myself against a wall in the Hall we were visiting, and I quickly fell asleep. My mother had to jab me awake and then laugh it off as she sent me a glare.

"I swear, if the tests hadn't come out negative, I would say you were pregnant!" Margaret exclaimed as she handed me my cup of tea. She had learnt that I couldn't keep the coffee down my system, even if it was one of my favorites.

"Ha Ha," I mumbled as I sighed and closed my eyes. "It's just stress and all this bull they are having me do. It's tiring me."

"Stay awake princess. You have back to back meetings in an hour."

I groaned, but stood up and paced around, sipping on my drink as the clock counted down. I managed to get through the two meetings without yawning or complaining, and then flew back home, not bothering to say hi to anyone.

I slept through the night like a baby, and only woke up to the annoying sound of my mothers voice.

Waking up, going to meetings and events, sleeping, and repeating everything all over again was my entire routine for four months. Four months was all it took for me to explode and demand a break, which I was currently doing.

Or well, trying.

"I need a bath," I whispered as I uncurled myself from the tight ball I was currently in. "I've never felt pain like this before. Stupid cramps."

"I'll run it Blu. Try to relax." I felt the back of her hand brush against my forehead as I took deep breaths, but didn't dwell on her actions much. Before I could sit up by myself, she was already back in front of me, helping me up.

"Do you want me to go get some medicine?" She asked as I sat down in the tub. Thankfully, she had given me her back, and only turned when I gave her the all clear.

"No, I'm fine. It's gone too quickly for me to take anything for it. Thank you, Margaret."

"I'm going to go make you a nice cup of mint tea. I'll be back."

It wasn't long after she left that a scream ripped through my lips as I clutched my stomach. I was in so much pain, I didn't hear the door being busted down and voiced speaking to me.

"...Joy is not available..." I cried, clutching into the arms that were holding me and clawed at his wet suit.

"Take me to the hospital, now!" I all but screamed. I had no idea what was going on with me, but I knew Joy couldn't fix this. I felt like if something was exploding inside of me.

The next few minutes were all a blur as I screamed and cried. My mother looked absolutely horrified as I cried in her lap, clutching my abdomen as the guards rushed to the hospital.

"Shh, we are almost there. Hang on sweetie."

The car was still moving when I heard a door being pulled open. Someone tugged on my feet, and in another five seconds, I was laying in a gurney, being surrounded by people in white lab coats.

Questions after questions were being thrown at me as someone pressed on my stomach lightly. When I tried to open my mouth to say something, my mother was already answering them, and for once, I was grateful.

"This is going to be cold, princess. I am going to perform an ultrasound to see if you have anything swollen or ripped." A random doctor whispered close to me so I heard her. I nodded and she nodded back, disappearing from my line of sight as another doctor took her spot.

I didn't flinch. I took deep breaths through the oxygen mask as I felt something moving around my stomach, and then everything was silent as a loud whoosh whoosh whoosh echoed the room in fast motions.

"Princess... how far is your pregnancy?"