The Crown

Chapter Fifteen

There was something about holding Tobias in her arms that sent Beatrice's emotions spiraling. 

As a servant in the castle staff, the prince was on his knees in front of her, apologizing. She reached out her hand and rubbed his back, comforting him. 

Although he had yet to calm down and tell her what was wrong, she knew deep down exactly what had happened. She was certain his father had arranged an engagement between the prince and that princess - nothing else would send him in such a state.

Beatrice looked down and watched at how pained he was at the thought of her being unforgiving. She sighed and reached for his face, lifting it. 

Tobias sat on the floor in front of her. Slowly, Beatrice joined him on the floor, waiting for him to speak. He lifted his hand to his forehead, closing his eyes as he told her everything about the arranged marriage. 

When he had finally finished and there was nothing more to say, the two stared at the floor, unsure of what to say next. 

"We must have known this was always the finale," Beatrice had finally spoken, looking at him. "A continued relationship just doesn't make sense in this world."

Tobias rubbed his chin, remembering his best friend's similar words. "We could run away."

She furrowed her brows and looked at him. "Run away? I can't. My family and Christina are here and ... and-"

"We could be together and run away," he said again, taking her hands in his. "We could live a life of peace and start our own lives filled with our own choices. Just the two of us."

Her breath shook. "It is far too unrealistic. How could you leave your duty as the prince? How could I explain to my family that I abandoned them?"

The way he talked assured Beatrice that Tobias had thought much more of their future than she had. Not that she did not desire a future with him, but she looked at things more realistically than he did. A part of her hoped they could continue their relationship, but real life disruptions made it increasingly clearer that they could not last.

Tobias' engagement to the princess only confirmed it all. 

"I really do believe in duty, Tobias," she told him. "I promised my parents I would work and help them. I promised Tori that I would help the organization and protect my peers. I won't abandon my promises."

Tobias sighed. "A quality I admire in you," he whispered, looking back at her. 

As the night dragged on in painful silence, Tobias and Beatrice closed their eyes in a tight embrace, knowing what the morning would bring. 

The end to their barely blossomed beginning.

Tobias held her in his arms as desperately as he could, wanting to cherish every moment with her. Although he had no care in the world for continuing a relationship with Beatrice while married to Lauren, he knew this was nothing short of degradation. Beatrice did not deserve to be a mistress; she deserved to be his choice in a wife.

He glanced over at the clock and noticed that morning had risen. Beatrice grunted awake, her hands finding Tobias' as she gripped him. She sighed in his hold, resting against his arms.

"Give me time," he whispered to her. "Let me fix this. Please, do not give up on what we have, Beatrice."

Perhaps it was the fated fate every person falls into while falling in love that brought Beatrice to agree. She nodded, accepting his terms, believing somewhat that he could possibly repair the situation at hand. 

Beatrice lifted her head at the sound of a knock at her door. She left Tobias and headed to the door, watching him roll under the covers. The sight amused her slightly as she turned back and opened the door.