#Alfonso never even abdicated you know

[prydainroyals]

Dear Alice: Part 5 (of 5)

(Continued from here.)

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"Truth be told, Alice... I really needed to come here I think. I miss you, and Alfonso, and Carmen. I miss Horatio and Marianne. But I'm going to miss being here, away from all the stupid scheming and sitting under a microscope that I never asked for. I needed time away from all that. I needed to clear my head and this was one hell of a way to do it. I've found a lot of clarity, about myself, and our royal future, and... yeah, even El. I guess we can talk more about it when I see you this summer. Tell everyone I'm alright. (Best not to bring me up with Gwyneth or Dad though...)"

Arthur finished his email, and after a quick read-over, hit send, watched it go out, then put his laptop to sleep.

It was late.

His eyelids drifted closed more than once, and in his fuzzy haze, he decided it was long past his bedtime.

Heavy as a large stone, he turned off his desk light and shuffled to his bed.

How will she respond? Arthur wondered as he lay there, stretched out. The shadows draped over and round him, broken only by the warm splash of the glowing table lamp nearby.

How do I tell her I want to abdicate?

He stretched out, cast his gaze up at the solid concrete wall.

How can I even think of doing that, knowing what that will do to her? To Alfonso and my NIECE?

How can I do that, knowing what everyone will say?

Arthur, the Disappointment.

The epithets began to haunt him as he tossed and turned, unable to get comfortable.

Arthur, the Party Prince.

Arthur, the--

STOP.

Enough!

Enough.

He was enough. He was sufficient--more than that.

And whatever he would decide, it would be okay. It had to be.

He would make it be.

---

Arthur slipped into an uneasy sleep.

He slept, and he dreamed.

But his dreams offered him no comfort.

---

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Interlude finished! Enjoy the cliffhanger. <3

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