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lostinthe-pines-blog · 6 years ago

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Beginnings - Chris pt. 2

This is a set of stories about the past and events that brought everyones Hartfeld favorites together. Once all parts have been told I hope to incorporate them into a slightly altered storyline about the Hartfeld gang. Though I will not get to far ahead of myself. This first story brings us into Chris’s origins, how his parents met and how he came to be. Some names have been changed to fit with in my story line.

All character rights belong to PixelBerry and their Choices stories The Freshman, The Sophomore, The Junior and The Senior. TAG LIST: ( this is a tag list from all of my pervious Freshman related fics. Please let me know if you’d like to be added or removed)

@jared2612 @katurrade @annekebbphotography @emerald-bijou @jellybean-marshmellow @jollybouquetangel

Chris was a “growing boy” as his mother put it. At 9 years he’d grown into his own personality and had picked up a vocabulary far beyond most of the other 4rd graders. He’d just welcomed a new baby sister named Josephine who joined himself and his 3-year-old brother Kyle. Chris resembled his father in almost every way, his piercing icy blue eyes and defined bone structure were Powell traits without a doubt. His brother resembled neither parent but more his grandmother on Barbra’s side with dark brown hair and rounder features. And Josephine was following the following her eldest brother in showcasing those strong Powell jeans. Lately his head was always on the patch of grass in the back-yard tossing footballs back and forth with his father, and never on the studies of the page in front of him. Barbra was beginning to notice him falling behind.

Every evening after dinner his father would take him outside and they’d practice for their own personal “Super Bowl.” Tossing his worn and deflating football back and forth. Chris idolized his father, his first word was ‘Dad’, when he was old enough, he’d only pick out clothes to match his dad, and when Josephine was born he suggested the name Frankie for her instead. The events of that winter would mark the young boy for the rest of his life. As hard as his mother would try, he would completely change after this.

But something was different about this cold winter night, and Barbra had even felt different for the weeks before. She was finding her daily list of things to do longer and longer, it didn’t take her to much time to figure out Frank had stopped helping out around the house. She’d begun to notice him coming home later and later, and she feared that if she asked him about it she’d get an answer she wouldn’t like. She knew her husband inside and out, she hadn’t see disappointment like this on his face since his mother died. Something was eating at him, but he refused to talk. She hoping giving him time would let the situation cool down. She loved him still, with everything she had. But she began to believe that the changing of the years was something they wouldn’t survive.

Frank picked up Chris from the neighbors house and instead of taking him outside for their daily “superbowl” his father put on Star Wars Episode II -the movie he’d received for Christmas- on the Television in his parents large bedroom and asked him to look after his siblings. Chris had never been entrusted with his siblings before, and he wasn’t sure why he would now. But he’d always done what his father asked without question, and it wasn’t often he got to lay in his parents huge king size bed.

As Barbra cleaned the kitchen of their small home she listened to the baby monitor, detecting her daughter upstairs. The sounds of the brothers acting out the film they were watching distracted her from the sounds behind her. Frank Powell was leaving, over the earlier weeks he had been slowly packing the items he needed intending on leaving the rest behind. The self doubt he’d carried all his life had simply become to much for him. He’d decided that their lives would be better with out him, that he couldn’t continue to disappoint if he wasn’t there. He’d made the choice to leave only a few weeks after Josephine was born, knowing he was clueless when it came to raising a daughter. As he stole one last glance at the beautiful girl he’d once loved she turned, catching him in this weak moment. “Frank?” she questioned with half a smile on her face “What are the suitcases for?” she wondered as the smile wiped from her cheeks. She hoped it was not what she thought it was for, but she inevitably would be correct. “I’m sorry..” he whispered hoping he would have been able to sneak out and avoid this conversation forever. “Frank!” she yelled now dropping the wet dishrag wondering what was the correct next move to make as Frank moved toward the door. Shaking with anger and fear swelling inside her she raced infront of the door. “Do not be a coward Frank!” she screamed at him but he gave no response. Barbra was unmoving, she would not let him go not if she had a say in it. But her actions angered him and the already frustrated man bore new colors in those moments. “What do I tell Chris… My parents, Sheila and Rocky. What do I tell them! Why would you do this to us. Why!” she demanded not letting a single tear leave her body. But for the first time in her life she saw in him hatred. “Tell them whatever you want.” He snarled, he wasn’t thinking clearly and the signs she’d been ignoring for months became clear. He was drunk and he had been since the birth of their daughter. “They need you Frank, I need you.” Barbra pleaded on last time before her deepest fears became a reality. Franks firm hands grasped her shoulders tightly. “Stop!” she yelled “Ouch, Frank stop!” she tried to fight back but he held her arms tightly before tossing her to the side as if she meant nothing as if their years together were nothing. When she finally got back on her feet again he was gone and her heart was shattered. He’d never touched her like that before and it left her completely broken. She didn’t know where to go from there.

Chris fell behind in school that coming spring and while it was only third grade that’s not how his principal saw it; and he was ordered to repeat the year again. And the kids he thought were his friends mocked him endlessly. Chris began to find his new best friend after that, his mother. But being with her he was starting to grow up too fast. Being her support, and helping her with everything. But while he carried the handsome looks of his father, he held close the traits of his mother that he learned in those venerable years.

In 2006 the finances of Pennsylvania became too much and Barbra moved her small family back to her hometown. Downsizing from a house to a 3 bedroom apartment where Chris and Kyle would share a room. In what inevitably became a divorce Barbra had claimed all guardianship, and all friendships. Rocky and Sheila, now with kids of their own, assisted in their move.

“Barb” Shelia spoke her her long time friend just moments before the sent off the moving van. “I wouldn’t have anything I have now with out you, you are still an incredible force, and you don’t need a husband to see that.” Sheila wrapped her friend in a tight hug as Rocky approached.

“Have you head from him?” Barbra asked sheepishly to Rocky. Even after all these year she couldn’t find the power to fully move on.

“No” Rocky sighed “I’ve tried, I’ve been trying for years but I’ve seen and heard nothing since he signed the papers” Rocky wished he could help the woman crossed from his that he’d always remember as the vibrant 18 year old. “I’m sorry Barbra for everything you’ve been through”

“I’m not” Barbra stood tall, “I’m coming out on top of all of this, I know it.” she sighed “I can’t thank you both enough” her voice began to crack.

“We are always here for you Barbra” Rocky noted as he joined hands with Sheila who had tears forming in her eyes for her college friend. See only a year or two after Frank and Barbra has moved to Philadelphia, Rocky and Sheila joined them. After Frank was gone they knew it wouldn’t be long before Barbra would leave too.

“Please call me, weekly, daily even!” Sheila cheered with sadness in her tone.

“I will Shell, I will” Barbra offered the best smile she could as she took a deep breath and climbed into the moving van.

In 2010 Chris the now 16 year old football player would experience “love” for the first time when he began seeing the a perky blonde cheerleader named Nicole at Cherryfield High School. Barbra feared for the mental damage that could be done to her son, but she knew she needed to let him be a teenager. That she couldn’t judge his young love just because hers and turned sour. She held her tongue through his entire relationship with Nicole Patterson, ironically the daughter of the boy Barbra had attended her own Junior Prom with.

Chris gave every kindness his mother had passed on to him to the blonde girl. But she accepted none of it back, she was cruel in all the kindest ways. Chris was falling in love and she was using it to her advantage. Nicole was not Chris’s first kiss, that would forever belong to Julie Morris in Pennsylvania. But Nicole did take Chris’s virginity, though he did not take hers. Creating a stronger attachment to her after their intimate night Chris couldn’t see the error in her ways no matter how much his friends warned him that she was “evil.” She’d used him in every-way she could until the spring of their senior year as college acceptance letters filled the conversations of his friend group, the truth of who Nicole was, came out.

“Read it out loud again!” the sweet sound of Barbra’s voice flowed through the air of the same small three-bedroom apartment her family had called home since early 2006. “Welcome to Hartfeld!” Chris’s laugh flows through his voice again as he reads the news he never thought would come “It is with great enthusiasm that I write to congratulate you on your admission to Hartfeld University!” Chris continues as his mom bounces on the balls of her feet. Hartfeld was Chris’s last hope, the four other schools he’d applied to had denied his acceptance mostly for his juvenile misdemeanor from his middle school years. A mistake he regretted and was finally paying the consequences for. But it seemed that now Hartfeld was the only choice. In this moment of joy shared with his mother he began to worry. “Hartfeld is the farthest from here… it wasn’t my first choice.” Chris explained. He was worried about leaving his mother behind. He’d been helping her pay rent since the Lobster Shack hired him at 15 years old. Now he’d not only be taking that income away, he would also be adding a mountain of student debt to it as well. His fair skinned and sandy blonde mother didn’t seem to have a worry or care in her in this moment. She was merely happy for her strong but worry some son. Barbra sighed placing one hand over her oldest sons. “Christopher” she offers a comforting grin. “This is not the time to worry… this is the time to celebrate. So that’s what we are doing, dinner tonight at Lobster Shack I’ll call Old Joe see if we can have our normal booth.” She speaks while wrapping Chris into a tight hug. “Today is about you, not your mistakes, but your future. It will be a bright one I’m certain.” Chris nods pulling away from the hug, “Mom do you care if I invite Nicole?” he asks as his mother pulls out her phone to call the restaurant just down the street. “I don’t mind at all!” she chimes event though she truly despised the girl her son had taken liking too. Chris slides his phone out of his pocket looking quickly at the lock screen image of him and the vibrant blonde cheerleader at his final football game of his High School career. Moving quickly to his messages he texts the same girl in the photo as quickly as his fingers can move. After sending his invite it’s only a moment before she responds.

CHRIS: Babe! I got accepted to Hartfeld! Celebrating at the shack tonight. You down?? NICOLE: I’ll be there.

That evening Old Joe the man who’d helped the struggling Powell family all these years, and the owner of the Lobster Shack was there to serve them himself. Approaching the family first he offered a nod to Chris. “All that hard work is finally paying off!” Joe’s gravel filled yet pleasant voice exclaimed loudly. “We’ll miss you around the shack come fall, but we are all extremely proud of you.” “Thanks Joe, really… I couldn’t have made it all these years with out you” Chris nods in response while reaching his hand under the table to meet Nicole’s next to him. To his surprise her hand pulls away. Doing his best to hide the rejection on his face he places his order after the rest of his family. “Nicole” Kyle speaks up, the 14 year old with thick square glasses and the looks of his mother was very opposite from his older brother. “Are you going to Hartfeld too?” he questions innocently. “Actually!” Nicole hides a secret behind her nervous smile “I just got my letter for George Town early admission last week!” “Last week?” Chris looks to her quickly. “Congrats babe.. I, I wish I’d known” he says feeling guilty for her communication mistake. Barbra feeling the tension between them changes the subject as the dinner begins to come to a close. As Chris’s mother pays the bill and Nicole looks to Chris with harsh eyes and he knows something is wrong. “Walk me home? Please?” she asks sharply “Of course.”

The spring time breeze fills the night air in Cherryfield Maine as Chris is about to learn again how much love can hurt. “Thank You for coming tonight, I couldn’t imagine celebrating with out you.” He speaks trying again to reach for her hand, and again she pulls away. “Chris.” Nicole speaks stopping in her tracks “Look… You got into your 4th choice school I’m not sure that’s a reason to celebrate.” ��Ouch…” he says acknowledging the direct jab at his education. “I’m going off to my top choice school early admit in June. And while this head cheerleader-quarterback dynamic has been straight out of the movies. I think it’s time for the credits to roll, don’t you?” She explains Chris pauses before speaking, the only thing he is thinking is ‘is she breaking up with me, with a movie metaphor?’ but being polite as he had always been to her he nods softly. “I get it, we will be far away from each other…” “No.” she interrupts him “Chris after graduation I’m leaving this place behind. Goodbye Cherryfield forever, and I just don’t need anyone keeping me here.” “Got it.” Chris says as his mind begins to shut down. Nicole sighs deeply. “Well… I guess this is it Powell. Thanks for a good run.” Chris watches Nicole walk away so strongly as if this entire conversation meant nothing to her, as if the entire relationship meant nothing to her. From that moment forward Chris vowed no more girls, no more commitment, and not more love for anything other than his family, his academics and his sports career. Though leaving his family behind in Cherryfield would be hard, he could not wait for the fall to come.

#Chris Powell #choices #choices fan fiction #xoempine

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lostinthe-pines-blog · 6 years ago

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Olivia - Ch. 7 - A Celebration

BACK FROM A 6 MONTH HIATUS. I’m going to try to give this story its proper ending.

Catch Up by reading

CH. 6 Here

Masterlist Here

A multi-chapter story that follows Liam and MC as they spend their first year ruling as King and Queen of Cordonia. As they rule together they realize their strongest ally is the one person from the one place their people have rejected. Questioning why Liam and MC still support Olivia and Lythikos they work together to restore her reputation.

Story-lines from The Royal Romance books have been altered slightly.

NOTE: This is a fictional story based on Pixelberry’s Choices App. *The Royal Romance books. I am not affiliated with Pixelberry nor do I own the rights to their original characters.

TAGS: @katurrade @emerald-bijou @speedyoperarascalparty @captain-kingliamsqueen@purplegreyshrimp@museofbooks @blznbaby

The thick clouds of storms cleared in perfect time as the day of the celebration came around. The air was crisp and left behind the smell of fresh rain. This was an early morning for everyone. The celebration in the kingdom would begin on the palace grounds by noon but there was still so much to be done.

The article (which ended up being a well written 5 page booklet that was passed out with daily newspapers and was free to acquire at any local convenience store.) was doing exactly what Liam needed it to. Maybe his people didn’t quite trust Olivia but the whispers of her arrival stopped and it was clear the gossip of the town was far more welcoming than ever before.

The thick sheets of the bed were comforting as alarms started blaring, there was no sun peeking through the windows, for there was no sun in the sky. It was still to early but it was time to begin. As if the alarm going off was not enough only moments later the knocking at the door woke Olivia even more so.

“Duchess Nevrakis, your breakfast is ready will you be joining everyone?” a small and weak worker of the palace spoke.

Olivia did her best not to be to harsh to the girl, she was only doing her job. “Yes.” she spoke sternly holding her tongue on the topic of why she thought an alarm was not enough to wake her. Olivia could hear the girls footsteps trot away as she turn in bed hoping for only a few more moments of comfort, and there they were staring back at her. Olivia’s heart skipped a beat seeing his eyes. She did not come to the palace expecting to leave smitten, especially not by the stable boy she’d often forgotten.

“Morning.” Drake’s deep voice rumbled.

Hiding how excited she actually was Olivia nodded and responded with a soft “Good Morning.”

Drake was still unsure of the intentions of the red headed ruler in bed next to him, but he’d felt lonely for so long he didn’t question her much further. Something in him wanted to ask her who he was to her and why all of a sudden she’d been drawn to him. But he stayed quiet in fear that the answer would be similar to MC’s from those years ago.

“Drake..” Olivia began through he saddened voice.

“Yes?” he responded sweetly

“Will you accompany me today…” she trailed

Drake knew what she meant, if he stayed by her side today then he’d been documented there. Known as the man behind the mind of Lythikos. Was this truly the title he wanted? Was it not too soon? He pushed the questions of his mind aside hearing the pleading of her voice. “Yes, of course Duchess.” he mocked a bit at the end watching as a smile spread over her white teeth. She laughed with him now to make up for all the time she’d spent laughing at him.

Olivia took in his smile one last time before rising out of bed, fully nude. Olivia had no shame and she intended to let Drake get a final look at the shape of the girl who’d left him in pleasure all night, and it worked. Her long red hair trailed down stopping just shy of the small back and it seemed to dance for him with every sway in her step.

“You’re a tease” Drake yelled tossing a pillow at her from behind.

Missing the soft attack she giggled and looked back at Drake one last time before stepping into the bathroom. “I’m glad it’s working.”

In the dining hall MC sat next to Liam in silence, reading over the article published for the first time. Her fingers intertwined with Liam’s as he read over pages of documentation on how the day would run, what his speeches would say and who the notable attendees would be. MC was impressed by the article, Janessa had done a lovely job of keeping it about the basics of the friendship. Filling in the stories told with actual quotes from her private interview with Liam and Olivia. MC read the quotes over and over excited for the attitude it would bring to her people. Change was coming, she could feel it.

“Elizabeth was the mother I wish I’d been blessed with. She was a mother to all as I think anyone in the kingdom would agree. I was too young at the time to recognize how truly lucky I was to not only know that remarkable woman but to have been trusted with the betrothal of her son. Be it for alliance or be it for love; Elizabeth’s intentions were correct. She ruled nobly and it is my goal to take the lessons I learned from her in her short life, and continue to learn even after her passing, and apply them to the people of Lythikos. Elizabeth believed in every single person under her power, commoner or not; and I hope the people of Lythikos know that through these dark times I feel the same for them. In return, I also feel the same for the many surrounding lands and especially the people here, in Cordonia.”

“Olivia is a fire, she is strong willed, and she will spread her burning passion with everyone. I’m lucky to have known her as long as I have, to have trusted her and seen her through so many hardships. I trust she will stand by my side as we reunite Lythikos and Cordonia as the pair of strongest allies.”

Many things stood out to MC in this article but one quote shocked her, and warmed her spirit. A small quote placed under the photo of Olivia and MC at the Royal Wedding.

“MC has shown me nothing but absolute kindness since her arrival, even in the courting season. She is Liam’s perfect match on a level I never could have been. I see in her, and I know Liam sees in her, a piece of his mother. They are cut from the same cloth those two, and Cordonia will be the luckiest country on earth have received both remarkable woman as their Queen.” - Olivia Nevrakis

Reading the words again and again to ensure they were really true MC eventually tugged at the hand of her husband pointing to the quote.

“She said this?” MC questioned.

Liam smiled and nodded beginning to speak before being interrupted by the entrance of the duchess herself. Bold Olivia entered in nothing but a robe as her wet hair was braided down her side. Drake followed in after her. Liam was still unsure about who was following who in that new formed relationship.

“It’s true.” Olivia spoke referring to the quote that was straight from her voice. “Don't’ let it go to your head dear.” She winked adding some of her signature spite.

MC giggled to herself pushing the pages aside and looking crossed the table, the dark sky from the windows slowly lighting as the sun was only minutes away from its arrival. Her gaze broken by the entrance of Maxwell Beaumont.

“Hey everyone!” Maxwell beamed loudly, too loudly for the time of the morning. Following quickly behind him was Hanna, hiding her feelings behind her porcelain face just as she always had. The sight of them together now tugged at MC’s heart. She remembered in that moment what the day would hold for this Beaumont couple.

“Big announcement today, and we thought we’d out closes friends first” Maxwell smiled looking around.

“We’re not friends.” Olivia chiming as she sipped a cup of coffee.

Ignoring her sentiments Maxwell continued “Hanna Lee has accepted my proposal and will be the future Mrs. Beaumont.”

The groups heads turned toward him in shocked and Olivia slammed her glass down in laughter. MC was the only one of the group not staring at the couple. She felt horrible endorsing this marriage in any way.

“So it doesn’t bother you that she likes girls?” Olivia spat as Drake turned toward her.

“Liv!” he snorted asserting more dominance over her now than at all in the last 48 hours.

“What Drake? It’s weird isn’t it?” Olivia whispered to drake as the room continued in awkward silence.

“Hanna… can I speak with you?” MC said looking up to her.

The pair of girls stepped into the hallway, Hanna never letting her eyes reach MC’s as they spoke.

“Hanna, why are you doing this? I love Maxwell, adore him even and I know he’ll take care of you but he’s not what you want nor what you need.” MC explains quickly and sternly.

“My parents will abandon me, and I’m not like you. I’m not good at handling myself alone. I need them.” Hanna speaks letting tears form in her throat “This is the only way for me to be free.”

MC sighs knowing that this is truly what Hanna believes. She reached her arms out and pulls Hanna close. She’d always regretted not being able to give Hanna what she’d wanted from her. The pair of them stayed together there for a while before Hanna pulled away wiping tears from her face.

“I know you’re worried about me MC, but please don't’ be. Max and I, we have a plan. We know what we want to be, he’s helping me just like he helped you. Look around, without Bertrand or Max you wouldn’t be here. But now you don’t even need them to stay. Please just let me do this…” she trails.

MC nods holding her tongue knowing she still doesn't agree with what's actually happening.

Upon returning back to the dining hall the morning commences, the breakfast is short as everyone leaves to begin their duties before guests started arriving.

MC sits now before her gaudy vanity that so many queens before her have stared into. She lets the crew of people assigned to make her look beautiful do their work. Sitting before her on the ground reading still over his papers is her ever loving husband.

“Can I read you this?” Liam asks, “I want to make sure it sounds right, I trust you.” he smiles his eyes staring into hers seeing her visible acceptance. He begins to read from a page that is clearly half memorize.

“I thank the many leaders who have traveled far to be here today, and I am grateful to everyone who has attended as Cordonia celebrates another year. I want to share quickly the accomplishments we hope to achieve over the next 12 months. Firstly, we will strengthen our natural resources so that we can work closer with our allies, creating more jobs and less debt. Secondly, we hope to expand our borders once again by bringing Lythikos back into our walls.” Liam pauses now knowing the audience will have its own say in this moment. He looks to MC above him as the assistants around her work quickly enhancing her already striking features

“Well?” MC’s smiles “I think it will get a reaction for sure.” she nods

Liam closes the files of papers and continues to search her face. He’d done as much practicing as he could at this point, he didn’t know where to go now. His eyes on her he’s calmed by her warming smile.

“You’ve got this Liam” she offers nothing more than a smile, worrying that if she moves she’ll upset her team. “I love you” she mouths silently to him watching him rise from the marble floor.

“I love you too” he speaks audibly before heading to his own team of people assigned to make him look presentable, though MC didn’t think he needed any help.

As the afternoon began, peeking from behind a curtain on the third level of the palace Olivia let her nerves settle in. She can see thousands of people in the courtyard and fields of the palace that are now filled with tents, shops, dining areas and even a carnival for the children who came to celebrate Cordonia. Just outside the palace steps she sees Liam and MC greeting noblemen and women from all over. Olivia has even begun to admire the way MC holds herself around dignitaries. She truly encompasses a royal now, Olivia hides her smile for the friend she’s made as she closes the curtain.

“Oliver Nevrakis is more than just a name on the Treaty of Accords, he’s my namesake, a friend to the Rhys family, and he’s the reason Cordonia and Lythikos stayed in harmony for so long..” Oliva begins to whisper to herself pacing back and forth in the hallway. She knew her speech would be prompted for her, but she refused to rely on technology. Her reputation was on the line.

Pacing up and down the hallway she was easy to spot, Olivia’s hair was braided perfectly as it laid crossed her right shoulder. She wore a signature vibrant red dress with a deep neckline. It was patternless, simple and striking. She was hard to miss as Drake approached from behind her.

“Olivia” he spoke softly pulling her from her nervous speech, “Wow, you look, beautiful.” Drake wore a simple grey suit, Liam had loaned him a perfect satin red pocket square to match Olivia.

Olivia looked up from the floor and smiled at Drake, “Hi” she said with relief, “Thank you for joining me.” she took steps toward Drake. Her harshness was gone with him now, she was only curious for him.

“Olivia, I have to ask” Drake sighs, “Are you sure about me joining you, I won’t be offended if you aren’t, but it’s a big thing, you and I” he began to ramble. “I just don’t want to be something you regret tomorrow.” he finished as her hands found his.

“Drake, I’m sure.” she giggled leaning up and pressing her lips to his quickly. “Besides, being with a Cordonian can only help my case right?” she nods.

“Oh so we’re together now?” he raises an eyebrow.

“If you want to be…” Olivia trails, knowing she’d like to give these budding feelings a chance.

Drake squeezes her hand, “Why don’t we just start with today.” he offers, “We need to get out there before this event ends and the conference begins.”

Silently nodding Olivia follows him down the hall. Of course she was terrified of what would happen out there, peoples loved ones had died because of the things that her mother had done. Now she wasn’t just sneaking into Cordonia at night, she was presenting herself to everyone.

As they walked out the steps of the palace Drake moved to let go of her hand, but she insisted it stay connected to hers, and so it did. The few allowed members of the press snapped photos of Drake and Olivia together. The sounds of questions being yelled at her drowned away until the voice of one spoke up.

“My brother is dead because of you!” a woman with common clothes yelled from the back of the crowd. The sentence hit her ears like a bullet to her chest. She could not continue to smile for pictures, or even move on. She froze her eyes locked with the woman who’d spoken up. The world was moving around Olivia, but she was only watching the hate in the eyes staring back at her.

Liam stepped up grabbing Olivia’s other hand moving to help escort her but she fought back. “No!” she whispered yanking her hand back forcefully. She didn’t care if she made her King look bad in front of the press, she needed to meet this woman. Still holding on to Drake she brought him with her as she walked to the blockade keeping commoners and press back.

“You” she said, knowing the woman would know who she was speaking too. “Come here, please.” she spoke softly though her hand was squeezing Drake channelling every ounce of fear in her, to him.

Liam watched from the upper steps, MC by his side. Knowing Olivia’s short temper he feared for how this would go. No speech about history could save her from attacking a Cordonian.

The woman followed directions and stepped to the front of the crowd. The sounds around her quieting as people wondered what would happen next.

“What is your name?” Olivia questioned quickly.

“Melissa” the woman responded.

“What was your brothers name?” Olivia continued

“Aaron” Melissa answered with anger, “He worked in the Cordonian Apple fields, he wasn’t fortunate enough to escape the fire your family started.”

Olivia never broke eye contact with Melissa, but her eyes did sadden. “I can not replace what you lost” Olivia began “My heart aches for you and your family. I take responsibility for what my family made of yours. But it stops with me, the tears in Cordonia caused by my family end now. I am so sorry for the pain I brought to you, but I will spend every hour of the rest of my life showing you, and everyone here that your families mean more to me than mine ever did. Your King will be in touch with you, Melissa” Olivia nodded before quickly dragging Drake away from the press. Still in eyesight of Liam and MC, they took a few steps back to let the ceremony begin. Olivia wanted so badly to go back inside, to be alone forget everything that had and would happen next. “Liv” Drake whispered, “that was good, really good” he seemed shocked, though he hoped he could reassure her. He knew this day was only just beginning to be hard on her.

Liam looked to MC and gave her a nod, releasing her hand as she approached the crowd. “To all our guests, no matter where you are from, we welcome you” she pauses with a smile for photos. “Before your King speaks with you we want to announce some exciting news. Please join me in welcoming my dearest friends Maxwell Beaumont and Hana Lee” MC had gotten used to how fake she’s have to be with people these days. Here she was announcing to a crowd of people an engagement she wanted no part of. MC fell back inline with Liam and shot a caring glance to Olivia. Though her composure was stern, MC could almost feel the anxiety flowing off of the red head behind her. By the time she pulled her attention from Olivia she realized she was missing the announcement.

“Joining the Beaumont and Lee families will be the honor of a lifetime. We’ve remained allies for years but now we can celebrate the love, freedom and support that will come from the joining of houses” Maxwell explains to the crowd. Joining his hand in Hana’s they step aside and allow Liam to begin.

The pages and pages of drafted speeches he’d been reading were all out the window now. He’d need to be solid in what he was saying. He started with a welcome, celebrating the birthday of Cordonia and everyone who has made this land into what it is today. He delicately used this as a segway to introduce Olivia. The two of them spoke together as if their words were dancing a smooth ballet. The stories of their families history they’d practiced only a day before in the early morning were articulated with genuine amazement. The crowd began to receive Olivia in exactly the way that Liam wanted them too. He was stern with his people, making it clear that Olivia was going to play part in Cordonia’s history from here on out, regardless of peoples opinions.

When Liam finished it became time for Olivia to speak freely. She straightened her stance filling with falsified confidence.

“Elizabeth Rhys” she stammered “Elizabeth, she was the greatest Queen any country has ever seen, and that is because she ruled with only kindness. But when her family, or her boarders were threatened she stood up for them. I can only imagine how differently the past few years would have been with her around. I’d like to quickly share a story of the compassion Elizabeth gave me.” As Olivia began speaking again, her words painted and image so real, it was frightening.

“You two will be married, the Duke and Duchess of both Cordonia and Lythikos” Olivia’s mother announced to the young boy and girl.

“Married?” Liam, almost 10 years old now questioned. “To Olivia?” he added almost disgusted with the thought of it.

“Like it’s so horrible?” Olivia sneered. It was only that morning that the two of them were playing in the snow together. Now their futures seemed to complicated.

Elizabeth stood by watching the reaction of her son, “Liam, apologize” she ordered. You always knew when the Queen was commanding something because her voice was stern, and harsh. It was so different than it was normally.

“Sorry Olivia, it’s just… you’re like my sister” he shrugged.

Elizabeth lowered herself down to look her son in the eye before speaking. “Liam, Olivia is your best friend is she not?” Elizabeth smiled toward the young girl waiting for her sons nod of approval only moments later. “She is smart, kind, beautiful and she knows your heart” she continued, “who else knows your heart?” she asked her son.

“Only you and father.” Liam answered his mother

“Olivia, will protect your heart Liam, because I know that you would protect hers. No matter what happens Liam you must always protect Olivia, do you understand” Elizabeths voice turned harsh at the end.

“Of course mother” Liam nodded, though his young mind couldn’t quite grasp that his best friend would one day be, his wife.

Elizabeth turned her gaze to Olivia, “And you must promise me darling, that you’ll look after Liam” Elizabeth’s voice caught, and while they didn’t know why at the time tears filled her eyes. “When I can’t be there anymore, one day far from now when his father can’t be there either it will be up to you. Will you protect him?” she asked fighting back the water pooling in her eyelids.

“Of course” Olivia nodded.

“Thank you” Elizabeth kissed the girls forehead before sending the two children off to play.

“Elizabeth knew then that she was dying, she knew she only had so much time left and yet she took the time to speak to me with respect and love that my own mother had never shown me.” Olivia explained to the large crowd. “As I mentioned before, MC is the one and the same with Elizabeth, and while 10 year old me would have been so disappointed, MC is the queen you deserved. But please” Olivia paused looking at the listening faces of the crowd, she couldn’t get a good read on what they thought of her, so she continued hiding her fear. “Please, let me be the Duchess that Elizabeth always believed I could be.” Olivia finished and the crowd stayed silent as she walked away.

Out of the corner of her eye she caught the woman she’d spoke with earlier begin to clap. Melissa, a woman who had lost everything at the hands of a Nevrakis was now cheering for one and the entire crowd joined in.

Liam watched the joy from the crowd as Olivia found her way back to Drake’s side. And for a moment Liam thought of the three of them as children playing on this same field. As he turned to take in his surroundings he swore he could almost she his mother standing on the balcony above them.

#the royal romance #choices #choices fan fiction #king liam #liam rhys #liam x mc #drake x olivia #xoempine

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