Modern Princess

Chapter 37

Chapter 37

Ren's POV

He'll be okay.

That was the phrase I kept repeating to myself.

Deep down, I knew it was over. He only had a short time left to live, but I also knew if I said it out loud, it would be all the more real.

I didn't want to lose my father. Forget having to become queen, I was the losing the man that had raised and loved me. Still loved me. He didn't deserve an early death. He had lived a great life, but he still had so much more to fulfill.

He wouldn't get to walk me down the aisle.

He wouldn't get to see his grandchildren.

So many things he would miss and there was nothing I or anyone else could do about it.

I had been fighting the tears for days now, but I felt myself losing a hold on them.

I scurried to the nearest room I could find, but saw I wasn't alone.

Alta was in there straightening up the bed sheets. When she heard my feet shuffle into the room she turned and saw me standing there.

The minute our eyes made contact, I lost all control over my emotions. It was like a dam broke in my body and every tear I'd ever held back over the years came rushing out at once. She rushed over and engulfed me in a hug while I sobbed onto her shoulder.

The hard truth of reality had been hitting me repeatedly, but I was only just now calling tap out.

****

I was able to briefly speak with Isaac when he came to help bring Beckham to Troaith. He was obviously still distraught over the whole situation, but his laid back nature made him seem okay.

I stood next to Isaac as we watched the nurses and doctor get Beckham ready to fly with all his medical machines and emergency kits.

"I wanted to thank you," Isaac said out of the blue.

"For what?" I asked, confused.

"For helping Beck." He simply answered.

"Oh. It was no big deal getting the infirmary to take care of him-"

"No. I'm talking about helping him to take some of the pressure off. He's always so serious and business minded because of his dad and how he was raised, but you've helped him to see the fun and good things in the world. That's why I'm thanking you."

"What are you talking about? Beckham was hardly ever serious around me. Mainly only when we were on a mission looking for something to do with the rebels."

"Wow. He really must have liked you then," Isaac said with a wink, then he walked away.

I was left stunned not for the first time that day.

****

Even though I didn't care to watch Beckham leave, I knew that I probably needed to as a formality.

Beckham sat in a wheelchair since he was still too hurt to walk, but even so he was wearing a suit tailored to fit him. I had only seen him in a suit a handful of times before, but this time, he seemed more regal. More kingly. If not for his wandering eyes that met mine I probably would have stared at him a while longer.

Beckham slowly wheeled his chair over to me, giving me enough time to walk away, but I didn't.

"I guess this is goodbye..." he trailed off, as if not sure what to say.