Falling For The Crown

Chapter 3: Meeting Him

It's been three long days since the duke and duchess received word from the king and my god has it been a long three days! I have barely slept in the last three days, half it being because of the duchess and the other half has been because I've had nothing but nightmares about this is all going to end badly.

"Aurora make a move! Your ride to the castle has arrived."

I can feel my footsteps getting heavier and heavier with each step, I feel like I am walking to my death. The duke and duchess look like they couldn't be happier to be rid of me. It's not like I wanted to be here either, I tried to leave and make it on my own. Not only was I brought back by the authorities for apparently loitering outside other people's homes.

Not only were they mad that they brought me back to them but they were more upset that it made them look bad. Everyone knows that I am the poor 'orphan' girl they took in as a child and when word got out that I supposedly ran away it made people talk. One of their only rules is to only make the family look good otherwise you get a pretty good beating from the duke. I remember after that night I was black and blue for a month and wasn't allowed to leave the house until I looked presentable.

I made my way out of my closet like room and head downstairs, everyone was there waiting for me. The duke and duchess, plus the girls. All this time I don't recall ever really having a conversation with them. Whenever I tried the duke would stop me saying things like my stupidity etc would rub off onto them. Never really bothered me too much, I don't think I have much in common with them anyway. Can't imagine we would have a very meaningful conversation.

"Would you stop procrastinating and get your ass over before you make mad!"

"Come now Aurora no need to make the duke madder than he already is. Is there?"

I simply nodded my head no and hurried to the door. Just as I am about to open it the duke grabs my arm and pulls me so close to his face I could smell the booze on his breath.

"I am only warning you once girl! If any word comes out that you are not one of the twins, then I will personally see to it that you never see the light of day again. That is if the king doesn't get to it first."

"I understand duke. However, I don't think there is a way either to keep this a secret forever. Is there? What if he asks to see the whole family at the wedding? I look nothing like the girls or you."

"By then it won't matter."

"What do you mean?"

"None of your goddamn business. Now girls off with you so they don't see you."

"Yes, father."

The girls hurried out of the room and most likely retreated to their rooms. Their rooms are like ten of mine in one. The duchess always says the girls deserve nothing but the finer things in life so that when they marry someone of importance they are already used to the lifestyle.

"They are here. Come on out you go."

The duke all but physically pushed me out the door. I tripped over my feet and fell straight on my face, right in front of the king's court. Embarrassed to the brim I can feel the duke staring at me with rage. I'm sure his face has gone beat red. For now, I am his and the duchess's daughter so anything I do reflects on him tenfold.

"Come on. On your feet. You are embarrassing yourself.

I'm surprised he managed to get that out between clenched teeth he is so mad. I got up to my feet as quickly as I could, but I seem to have scraped up my knee pretty good. Normally I don't care about hurting myself now and then because it happens but this makes me a little upset. This is the first time in as long as I can remember that I finally have new clothes. The duchess gave me some of the girl's old clothes, it would have been a dead giveaway in my normal clothes.

They are a little bit baggy but you can't tell unless you are close to me.

"Shall we go miss? They are waiting for us."

"Oh right. Of course."

The duchess comes up to give me a small hug and to whisper in my ear to behave myself. I give her a small smile and nod as I turn to the duke. He was busy handing the man my luggage. It's just a small bag with a few dresses in it.

As soon as he was done with that he gives me a small grunt and heads back in the house with the duchess.

The man hurries me so we can be on our way, I take one last look back as I brace myself for what is to come next.

******************

The man came to a screeching stop as it woke me up out of the sleep I have been longing to have. I take a look around and it seems we have finally arrived. The man has already started getting my bags ready to go inside and that's when I notice him. Standing there looking like I feel, he looks like he doesn't want this any more than I do. I can only imagine how disappointed he will be when he realizes how cheated he was.

I am the furthest thing from a high-class lady, I can't help but feel like I would only be a disappointment. I don't know what I am meant to be doing next, do I wait here? Do I exit the carriage and walk up on my own? The duchess never mentioned what I should be doing once I arrived.

I feel like I am hyperventilating, I start taking deep breathes with my head in my hands. What have I gotten myself into? I should have escaped while I had the chance but I remember the last time and how it ended. Just when I feel my breath catching in my throat the door fly's open and there he was.