#ch: river mathews

[queenscharacters]

"I said I love you, River!" Flora to River (giving out ily goodbyes to the kids one morn and yes you are included my guy)

River had absolutely heard the older woman. After all, it wasn’t like he really was told that often. He was still getting used to hearing Poppy say it, but she was his girlfriend and he was expecting a baby with her. It made sense that she loved him, even if he was still trying to process that it was real and not obligatory. Other people, though? Oh god, he knew he wasn’t lovable to them. His own parents quite literally proved that.

He just thought Mrs. Nash had said the words on accident, or maybe she was just being kind since he’d be the only kid out the door without hearing it. He didn’t know. River just thought it was better not to call attention to it. Not out of disrespect, but just to shield his own heart. He didn’t want to learn he heard wrong, or know the she’d only said that she loved him because it was the right thing to do or whatever.

His girlfriend gave him an encouraging smile as she made her way to his car, clearly giving him some space to talk to her mother. It was insane how much more comfortable he was with her than the woman who’d given birth to him. The entire Nash family made him feel more at home than any other physical place he lived with either of his birth parents.

“I love you too.” He told her sincerely, his voice clearly choked. He could feel the tears in his eyes. “I know I say it a lot, but thank you so much for taking me in and letting me be part of Poppy’s life. I - it feels really, really good to be part of your family, ma’am.”

River was awkward, he knew. He was definitely looking for Mrs. Nash for cues right now, because even as she said she loved him, he was sure he could do the wrong thing and upset her in an instant. But maybe she thought he had more to say, or maybe he realized he did, because he continued, “Thanks for being the mom I never had.” Before he gave her a chance to respond, he gave her a quick hug and dashed out the door before she could let him down gently.

[lostinthe-pines-blog]

Olivia. Ch. 3 - A Final Ride

LIAM x MC, LIAM x OLIVIA, DRAKE x OLIVIA

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

Ebony’s stride was much slower than it used to be, but she was still fast in her age. There is something truly freeing about the wind in your hair. Some people find this freedom in a car, or on a run but Oliva and Liam today found it on the back of a horse. They must have gone almost a mile through the forest before making it to the clearing. Liam leading Ebony over to the rivers edge.

“Dismount.” Liam says looking over his shoulder at Olivia as Ebony comes to a stop.

“Wait, what?” she’s confused, she thought they were going for a ride, she didn’t expect to stop in the middle of nowhere.

“Liv, dismount.” his voice chimes as he watches her hop down from off the aging black horse.

Looking around Olivia now recognizes the clearing, the river pooling into a small lake a cross a field of tall grass and weeds. She’d been here once before. The storm clouds above break letting light sprinkles fall as the air fills with the scent of rain. She closes her eyes remembering a similar experience from years before.

“Olivia!?” Liam yells riding into the clearing. “Olivia! The storms coming in, your mother is waiting for you back at the palace. We’re all worried about you! Olivia where are you!?”

The return of Olivia’s mother brought devastating news. Olivia’s father Mathew Nevrakis reigning Duke of Lythikos had succumb to his illnesses. In normal Nevrakis fashion her parents had kept his illness a secret to even her. He suffered from stage four cancer for 6 months hiding his pain from his daughter. He couldn’t bare to tell her, she was his light and he couldn’t see her light go dim. Her mother had sent her on a trip to Cordonia to “bond” with her betrothal. It was an unexpected and unusual time of year for her to visit. She couldn’t believe how stupid she truly was not to guess that something was wrong.

Olivia emerges from the trees along the side of the river her tears colliding with the rain falling. Ebony by her side she she’s Liam approaching her on foot now. He doesn’t speak he just wraps his arms around her. Their friend group seemed to be cursed, Liam had lost his mother, Maxwell both of his parents and now Olivia’s father.

“If I go back it’s all real, I can’t face my mother.” she cries into his shoulder. The prickly personality that was Olivia had been set aside. She was nothing but entirely vulnerable to him now.  She couldn’t keep track of time but she knew they’d stood there for a while as her long red hair was now dripping from the rain. She imagined the clouds crying for her father just as she was.

“Liam why am I here!” she yells angry with the place he’d taken her. Triggered emotionally by every sight around her. She lets the frustrations of the past years fully take over her body.

“Because, when your father died you became the strongest version of you there is, and I need that Olivia now.” he respond tethering Ebony to a tree. “After you mourned you came out on top.” Olivia looks down toward the blades of grass feeling raindrops hit her harshly. She knows he’s right. “He would be proud of what you’ve accomplished. Of the ways you stood up to enemies and fought for your country.” Liam continues “But your fight isn’t over.”

“Cordonia turned on us!” she spits, “Our friend and ally, the people want a war they want to riot. But all the while my best friend sits on the throne. How can two civil leaders respect each other so deeply and yet defy what their people want. When I look at you I don’t know if I can trust that you wont turn on me too. If your people demand it, will you deny it? Will you wage a war between your neighboring lands for the sake of respect!” Olivia rambles angrily, she speaks out of fear and loss now. She’s had to rule a country that had been fed lies since the death of her father. Lythikos was a cold and harsh land now being tasked with the restoration alone was killing her. But now she lived in fear that the man she once loved would come for her lands and people.

“Because Cordonia will not survive the loss of Lythikos” Liam explains “Sure we’ll find a new way to import steel, but the fresh water from your mountains and constant snow is irreplaceable. I would never wage a war against you. Not even if it threatened my position. Olivia you have all the potential and fire to be the greatest leader. And you don't need me to do it. You don’t need any man. Lythikos has never been lead by a woman of birthright. Step up Olivia” he demands, Liam is certain she is the only person who could fill this position and take on this task. She was the strongest woman he knew. “This is your time! You have my support, MC’s support, Maxwell, Hanna, Penelope.. We aren’t kids anymore. In the next 10 years we will all stand in positions of leadership. We will make the choices that form our nation. And I want Lythikos to be there for it.”

“If we lose our connection with you we lose almost all of our major farming.” Olivia responds her tone and emotion softer now. Thinking through his words she breaks into laughter. “It’s funny isn't it, 25 years ago we were just kids riding on horseback, playing tag at Applewood Manor, Ice Skating behind my duchy. Your kind mother and my passionate father there to catch us when we fell. No one can catch us now. We have to catch our lands and ourselves. But I don’t even know where to begin.” As the rain begins to fall harsher now the two of them take shelter under the trees.

“We have options” Liam smiles taking Olivia’s hand in his own. “Do you trust me?” he asks boldly.

“Liam, you’re the only person on this earth I trust.” she nods in response.

“You will address the people, you will tell them the truth. You don’t have to reveal your mother as the enemy if you do not want too. But you will tell them of your innocence in the attacks and your intentions moving forward.” He explains, “I will support this, and I will speak about the imports and the friendship our lands have always shared. That these last few years cannot make enemies of us. But then there is one memory you must share.”

Olivia looks to him shocked she knew exactly what he’s talking about. A memory she holds dear to her. A memory she wasn’t even sure Liam had told MC. “What?” she asks baffled. “Are you sure?”

“We have to prove that we will always stand together, that my bloodline and yours will never betray each other. That will be the only way.” Liam assures her softly.

“What if it doesn’t work?” Olivia asks worried.

“Then we explore plan B?” Liam's’ voice harsh, clear that plan B is not a good option.

“And what would that be?” Olivia inquires

“You will marry a Cordonian.. Your people will have to respect its new reigning Duke.” Liam was her King and he could command this of her, be he never wanted to. He never wanted dictate a her love life the way his had been dictated for years.

Olivia looks to the ground angrily. “Please… don't make me do that.” she knows he has the power and she knows it’s a foolproof way of uniting these arguments and riots.

Their harsh tone and conversation is interrupted as Ebony whinnies at the lighting and thunder from around them. The old horse begins to collapse. Liam and Olivia share a moment of worried eye contact before running to the horse that had meant so much to them.

Olivia kneels in the mud beside the calm beast, she was dying; peacefully, but still dying. Olivia runs her hand gently down the horse as it rumbles and cries. Liam sits opposite of Olivia calming Ebony with his touch. They knew they’d have to walk back to the stables, Ebony would never make it. Olivia lays her face against the long neck of her old friend. Gently she sings to her a song of her childhood;

“Somewhere over the rainbow; way up high,

there’s a land that I heard of once in a lullaby…”

Liam looks to her as her kind voice sings the simple lyrics from The Wizard of Oz. A movie the pair of them had watched together far to many times in their childhood. There were pictures somewhere of Olivia dressed as Dorothy and Liam as the scarecrow. He knows these lyrics comfort her, she’d sung them at her fathers funeral just as she sung them now. Liam reaches crossed Ebony and takes Olivia’s hand as their old friends breathing slows

“Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue,

And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.” 

Liam continues the song as her breathing stops. Olivia buries her face in the thick coat of the horse squeezing Liam’s hand tight she cries for her friend. But her tears also harbor stress and worry for her people, they represent betrayal and lies piled on to her over the years. She cries now for the hope that she can do right by her father and bring light back to Lythikos.

-----

MC sits with Drake in the dining hall discussing his memories of past Cordonian birthdays. Helping MC see the event from the eyes of a commoner.

“It’s always a time of year for the people to see their rulers face to face. People who never leave there homes come out for this event. Because they want to see how their leaders truly act. This is a chance for them to either believe or ignore the stories printed in the press.” Drake explains. “Everyone must put their best food forward on this day. No matter what their emotions.”

MC takes note quickly continuing to listen. She trusted Drakes opinions because he knew both sides of life in Cordonia. He’d been fortunate enough to be a member of Liam’s court but also live as a commoner. He was wiser than anyone she could think of. He was her key to uniting their kingdom in tradition. As Drake continues to recite stories of birthdays past they are inturrupted by the sound of loud thunder. It was mid day but the sky was almost completely dark.

“I hope they are alright…” MC trails wondering if Liam and Olivia had been caught in the storm. It was in this moment that her King entered the dining hall. Covered in mud, dripping wet and his face holding a sad demeanor.

“Drake, I’m sorry to interrupt. May I borrow my wife for a moment.” Liam asks gently.

Drake nods in response reading his emotion. He knew immediately Ebony had died. Drake stood to leave the room and as he passed Liam he offered his condolences.

“She was a good horse, a good friend.” He pauses.

“Drake.” Liam catches his arm. “Olivia is still out there…By the clearing. She won’t leave her.”

Drake nods knowing what Liam is asking of him. He exists heading toward the stables quickly.

As Drake exits the room falls quiet. MC stands to meet her husband, she ignores the mud covering his clothes and pulls him into a clearly needed embrace. Something had happened out in the rain and she wasn’t sure what.

“Talk to me..” she says pulling her face to his. “What can I do?”

“Ebony died out there, and I know she’s just a horse but she was the last horse my mother knew. She was the horse at my side during coronation. She’s been so much apart of my life…” He sighs. “Olivia refused to leave her out there but with the storm I need her back here.”

MC stands on her toes and kisses his forehead. “Is that where you sent Drake?” she asks watching his head nod in response. “You need to clean up, and I’ll cancel the press meeting for this evening. She wasn’t just a horse Liam, she was your family. Tonight is a night for family, for friends. Lets face this weekend together, let's start it off right.” MC suggests.

Liam looks into her hazel eyes searching for some sort of imperfection, he’d yet to find one in her. “I love you.” he responds softly. Even Kings have weaknesses and she made him strong through all of them. No one is more powerful the a Queen who stands for and by her King. A woman in power should never be questioned, for she is the bravest and strongest and kindest of all.

“Let's get you cleaned up…” MC trails walking hand in hand with him back to their chambers.

-----

“Olivia!” Drake yells. The rain is thick making it hard to see. He’s left behind a horse and decided to find the duchess on the back of his motorcycle. Machine wasn’t as easily scared of thunder as beast and he couldn’t risk being left in the rain. “Olivia!” he yells again spotting her red hair leaning over Ebony. Liam knew Drake was the only person who could get Olivia to leave. Their personalities both so stubborn he might actually be able to convince her to go.

“Leave me alone!” she yells in return as Drake pulls up beside her.

“Olivia this storm is not letting up, we have to go.” Drake insists.

“I’m not leaving her.” Olivia spits looking up directly to Drake.

“We will come back for her as soon as the storm clears I promise! But it’s not safe out here.” Drake says climbing of the old bike and heading to Olivia’s side. “Now get on the bike, or so help me Nevrakis I will force you onto it.” Drake’s tone strong. He wasn’t scared of her, he wasn’t afraid of her power. He respected it, joked about it yes but still harbored nothing but respect for the lone ruler from the north.

Olivia rolls her eyes at the commoner looking back to the dark coat of her friend. “I’ll die out here too.” she scoffs. “I’m already dying.” she whispers softly.

“You’re not dying Olivia.” Drake says grabbing her arm harshly.

“Let me go!” she screams fighting his tight grip, but he is far stronger than her especially in her moment of weakness. She fights his grip until his strong arms go from wrestling her to protecting her. He feels her scream into his chest. Something more was going on in her head. He wasn’t sure what. But she needed a friend now more than ever.

“Come on Nevrakis” he says lifting her onto the bike as she lays her head against his back watching Ebony fade in the rain as they drive away.  

[queenscharacters]

"You're going to be a way better dad than he was... no doubt about it." Poppy to River

Way before River met Poppy, he had promised himself that he was going to spite his sperm donor and be the best father possible to his future children. He knew that long before he even understood the responsibility of being a dad. And when he promised to be the dad to his girlfriend’s unborn child, he wasn’t just saying it to say it. He took that vow just as seriously, if not more so, than their relationship.

Seeing his father earlier didn’t shake his confidence, but it did leave him rattled. It always did. River couldn’t understand what it was about him that was so undesirable to his parents. Why they literally couldn’t be bothered to care for him - why they even had him in the first place. It was like they despised his existence from the get-go. A small, horrible part of River wondered if that was just how things went. If becoming a parent made you resentful of the life you created. Then he remembered his dad loved all his half siblings, just not him.

He didn’t think there was a chance of him ever hating Hazel and any of the other future kids he wished for with Poppy. He did wonder, though, if the issue wasn’t a parent/child thing, but merely an issue with himself. Would his daughter resent him in the future? Especially since he wasn’t biologically her dad, but some guy who stepped up at 16? Would she think that was honorable, or just plain stupid? Would he even be enough for her? He couldn’t provide her with loving grandparents like Poppy could, nor was he worth much at all, but he would try…he would try so hard. Unfortunately, though, trying just wasn’t enough sometimes.

“I just hope that’s enough.” River murmured, frowning. Poppy had found him going through a bag of Hazel things, trying his best not to cry, but she hadn’t confronted him. She was just letting him do his thing. He knew she could see his tear rimmed eyes, but she was nothing but patient as he worked out his feelings.

“I love her so, so much, Poppy. You and her are my everything.” His tone, grip on her, everything was just weak. He felt a little defeated still even if he shouldn’t. “I usually ruin things, so I hope I won’t with her…” His laugh was strained. “Or you either. I feel like that’s my MO in life and hopefully I can turn things around for you girls.”

[queenscharacters]

"Pick whatever you like, hon. I promise it's okay!" Flora to River (idk like shoes, clothes, getting them all some random thing at the mall ya know ya know)

To say River was overwhelmed would be an understatement. He wasn’t sure there was a word invented for how he was feeling right now. His mother had provided for him up until a certain point, but he never really had much from her either. So many people at school thought his leather jacket was some statement or whatever, but it was the only sturdy outerwear he had for the longest time. Honestly, if it was still winter, he might’ve asked for a jacket.

Well, he would’ve if he could find words. He wasn’t even sure he could breathe. Even when his mom supported him, he never had really a say in the matter of what he got. Things had always just shown up. Initially, he had been excited to be in control of his everything, but then he realized how expensive everything was. He really hasn’t been able to get much lately, either, with how much he had been putting aside for Poppy and Hazel.

River chewed on his lip, fighting the urge to panic. He heard Mrs. Nash loud and clear, but he was still a little nervous. He didn’t want to just assume he could get whatever. “Would it be okay if I get a new backpack, maybe?” He asked shyly. He’d been using the same rusty JanSport since he was in middle school. The straps were well past the point of fraying, but the bag still worked, so he never could convince himself to replace it.

“Oh, and a pair of headphones, too? Any £20 set should do the trick…one ear hasn’t been working well since I started dating Poppy.” He smiled sheepishly. He didn’t mention how some of the times when they were “sharing” his headphones, he made sure she got the side that worked. Surely, if he thought harder, he could think of things he actually needed before those, but the idea of both items being replaced really excited him. He didn’t even care if they were secondhand - Mrs. Nash probably didn’t realize how special of an afternoon this was for him already.

[queenscharacters]

"We're not going to let him hurt you again, okay? Trust me." Poppy to River (we're being all the Nash's ofc)

River was absolutely mortified. It was one thing to explain his relationship with his father to the Nashs, but something completely else for them to run into the man while grocery shopping. Luckily, Poppy was already in the car due to her swollen ankles, but Mr. Nash had witnessed it all. He was the first person in his life to stand up for him.

While that should've thrilled him (and once he processed everything, it surely would), River just felt sick. He felt lousy and embarrassed and pathetic...He helped unload the groceries when they got back, his mind on autopilot, but once he was done, he made a quick beeline for his now-bedroom. River knew it was only a matter of time before someone came for him, but he didn't care. He couldn't cry in the store, or in the car, or in the kitchen, but for the moment? He could into his pillow.

Luckily, it was just his girlfriend who found him. He loved her parents, he really did, but he didn't feel nearly as comfortable or safe around them as he did Poppy. River didn't even bother trying to act like he wasn't just sobbing seconds ago. He leaned into her touch, rolling around so he could face her. "I just don't understand why he hates me so much." His voice shaking when he found it.

River didn't even know why it mattered to him anymore. He considered the Nashs his family and they made him feel far more wanted than he, or his mother for that matter, ever had. He knew he would never have the man's validation and he had accepted that a while ago. It just sucked, he supposed, to be reminded...

When Poppy pulled his head into her lap, he didn't fight her. Instead, he just burrowed in closer to her. "It's stupid to get this upset, especially now, I guess he'll always just have that effect on me." River tried to laugh, but the sound just sounded pathetic. The smile he found himself giving her was genuine, albeit weak. "I'm really grateful I have you guys."

[queenscharacters]

"You're here! I missed you yesterday. I hate working with anyone else." Poppy to River

It was honestly so rare that River called out of work. While most people probably dreaded clocking in, he looked forward to his shifts daily. It was the only excuse he had to be away from home; the only place he felt like he wasn't a complete nuisance to everyone else. He might've been one of the lowest positions at the club, but his presence was at least valued. No one sneered at him here the way he was at school or his parent's.

Yesterday he had no choice but to ask for time off. If was one of his dad's few days of custody of the year (as it was the man's birthday) and no matter how hard he tried to object, he just made his dad hate him more. He ultimately stopped fighting and pretended to be a good older brother to his gaggle of half siblings. The kids his dad loved more.

He knew his presence was valued at the club, but he never thought it was missed. Knowing that Poppy of all people had missed him, though? God, it was one of best, most validating feelings ever. He immediately reciprocated her hug; if anything, he was returning the gesture with more enthusiasm. "Trust me, I definitely would've preferred being with you yesterday." He mused, feeling giddy at her revelation. He didn't want to come on too strong, but he wanted Poppy to know he felt the same. If anything, he felt stronger.

"We should swap numbers!" River suggested suddenly, praying his tone didn't sound too hopeful. He had only been wanting her number for ages now, but he never wanted to come off as weird and ask for it. Now, though, they were friends...at least, he thought they were. He wouldn't know. River had no idea what was normal.

"You know," He continued on, albeit nervously, "Just in case something happens last minute again! So I can let you know that I won't be here...or we can compare schedules, or..." River's voice trailed off, eventually falling silent, a faint blush rising up his cheeks. "I hate working with other people, too...so I guess I want a heads up too."

[queenscharacters]

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you first..." Poppy to River (maybe about telling the bio dad shes pregnant)

River tried to smile at Poppy to show her that he was okay, he wasn't mad, but he failed. He couldn't pretend he wasn't upset. He understood where Poppy was coming from, nor did he blame her for doing what she had to, but the situation sucked. He was already attached to the idea of a family with her; he didn't even realize how quickly it all could've been snatched from him.

"Please don't apologize, Poppy." He frowned, lowering his gaze. In their short time together, they really hadn't had any uncomfortable moments like this. "After all, he is the real father...it makes sense. I wouldn't want to get in the way if he was here, if you wanted him to be..."

Just the idea of that being the reality made his stomach churn, but he tried to keep his expression neutral. He didn't want to potentially embarrass himself more than he needed to. Even if the situation wasn't the most ideal, he was the happiest he had ever been. River didn't have a family, at least not in spirit, and he had been so miserable the past 17 years. The idea of starting his own family with the girl he'd been in love with for months seemed like fate coming together for him.

"Thank you for telling me, anyways." He murmured, reaching for her hand to give it a squeeze. Just because he had suddenly gone silent didn't mean he didn't want to be beside her. In fact, River had never wanted to be closer to her. He didn't know how there was another man out there to be as stupid as he was clearly being, but he was grateful the dude was a moron. He would gladly take his place. "You know, I really won't blame you for doing what's best, okay? I trust you, and I really won't get mad..."

[queenscharacters]

"Don't worry, they're going to love you!" Poppy to River

“Parents don’t love me.” River scoffed, his voice way harsher than he intended it to be.

Immediately, he felt like shit. He knew Poppy was just trying to ease his nerves and that she wasn’t doing anything wrong, but he couldn’t stop himself from snapping. River probably should’ve spoken to her more about how he’d been feeling recently, but he was so embarrassingly nervous that it bordered on the feeing of complete insecurity. He was mortified of the idea of meeting the Nash’s.

After all, his own parents hated him. What was to say that her family wouldn’t as well? He had so little going for him; it was genuinely a miracle that Poppy had given him the time of day. He still didn’t even understand why. He’d blame her pregnancy, but she had been nicer to him than anyone else had. It was as confusing as it was exhilarating to him to have her attention in this way.

“Sorry…” River murmured, his frown deepening. The last thing he wanted to do was argue with Poppy, or make her upset in some way. Especially when she was only trying to be nice with him. “I just don’t have the cleanest track record with family, you know?” He sighed, wishing he hadn’t been so defensive initially. His girlfriend never had nothing but grace with him, but he wanted to be better for her.

“I really do want to meet everyone, I promise.” He assured her, not wanting Poppy to think otherwise. Honestly, if it wasn’t clear by now, River was obviously the problem here. He allowed his nerves to get the best of him, but given what he was used to, he didn’t think that was so weird. His sigh this time around was extra deep. “Just please have them go easy on me, okay?” He chuckled. While it probably went without saying that he was freaking out on the inside, he knew he could trust his girlfriend to help him through everything.