Always By Your Side | Lafayette X Reader

Chapter 12

~Your POV~

Today's the day. The day I'm going to Britain. John wouldn't let me go last night, as he insisted that he must spend as much time possible with me. Therefore, I am now stuck next to him, currently in his grasp. And trust me, he's not letting go.

"John!" I yell in his ear.

"Aagh! Wha!? I'm awake!"

"Let me go, I'm leaving soon, and so are you."

He sighs, releasing me from his tight grasp.

"Thank you!"

He grumbles a response I cannot hear.

I grab my bag, and we both run towards the docks.

"This is goodbye, John. I'll see you in probably a month or so, as long as you're not still fighting."

"Heh. I'll try not to die."

"Thanks. That's all I can ask for."

"Y/n! Ma cheri, you didn't 'zink you could leave without saying goodbye to me!?"

Laf tackles me in a hug and kisses my cheek goodbye. John glares at him for that.

"Oops, Sorry, it's a French 'zing."

We both nod.

"Y/n! We'll miss you!" I hear the Schuylers saying.

"I will, too! And Eliza, treat Alex well!"

"I will. I'll tell him that you wanted to say bye!"

"Thanks!"

I run off, onto the ship without turning around. I can't turn around. They'd see a grief-stricken face. I don't want them to see me like that. With tears all over my face. I run into my room and unpack my clothes, sobbing to myself. I'll be missing them. I try to imagine Laf's soft words "do not cry, ma cheri, it'll be all right." They don't work. Laf's not here. This is where the cold, hard truth hits me: I'm all alone.

~Week's Later (Getting to Britain)~

I walk up to the King's castle. I see his servant, Paul, open the door.

"Mistress Y/n, right this way. The king has been awaiting your arrival."

I follow Paul to King George's common room.

"Permission to enter. Mistress Y/n is here."

"Ah, Yes, come on in. Paul, get back to work. Y/n, welcome."

I walk in. Paul shuts the door behind me. I'm now just in the room with George.

"How was the trip?"

"Fine. The weather held up for the most part."

"Good to hear."

"If you don't mind me asking, why did you call me here?"

"Ah, Yes. It has come to my attention that you are now old enough for suitors and marriage."

"Sir, if you don't mind me saying this, with all respect, I'm not royalty."

"Nonsense! You are practically my own child!"

I bow my head.

"Anywhoooo, I have some possible suitors for you. They might be a bit feisty, though. I don't know your exact taste on men."

"Oh, I appreciate the effort."

"At least you're not courting any of those Americans."

I nod my head, thinking of Laf. He's not an American. No, Y/n, you're not courting. You've just slept with him before. Not in a weird way. I argue with myself.

"I would never betray the crown in that manner."

"Good to know. So, Y/n, my little doll, your first suitor is a man by the name of George. It is not my son, though. Someone else by the name of George. You will meet with him in an hour, so I recommend you get ready for him soon. He requested a meeting in your bedroom, so if he hurts you in any way, I'll have him beheaded."

I flinch at the King's ruthlessness.

"Of course, sir."

"Please, call me father. Or George. Actually, call me father, yeah. George sounds too odd."

"Of course, father. Shall I go to my room now?"

"Yes, please. I'll have Paul show you where it is. I think you'll like it."

Paul walks in and leads me down the hall to a room farther down the corridor.

"Miss Y/n, do not be hesitant to tell us if he hurts you. I know the king has already said this, but I do want to emphasize it. Your mother... Her last words were 'protect them. Protect Y/n.' She really cared about you."

"Thank you. I will tell you of any insubordination on his part, of there is any."

"And if he is to pleasure you, please do not hold back. The king wants you to enjoy your time with the suitor of your choosing. The walls are made so no one can hear through them. Now take care of yourself. I'll see you in about an hour."

I nod and tell him goodbye before walking into my room. It is massive. There is a dark red bedspread with a nice silver touch on the ends. The mattress feels much nicer than the one back in America. I get off of the mattress and start to unpack my clothes, neatly sorting everything. There are a few outfits in the drawers, that I kept because I don't know if the king wanted them in here or not. I then get out the pastel green dress and put it on. I brush my hair (or if you have no hair or too short hair, ignore that) neatly, clipping it back with a few tight pins. I forgot how uncomfortable it was to look neat. In America we barely did anything to look nice. Just pull on a good dress and we were set. Now, I have to bother with doing my hair and a bit of makeup.

"Mistress Y/n, your suitor has arrived."