Reunion.
1111 Words
I laughed.
It wasn't a soft, happy laugh. It was a loud, hollow cackle, one filled with disbelief at the absurdity of the revelation unfolding in front of me. I held onto my brother for support. He was oddly quiet, as if what he had heard had stunned him into silence.
“That’s not funny,” I said at last to my mom, shaking my head, even though the movement sent sharp pain through my skull and behind my eyes. “Mom, stop. Please.”
There was a brief silence, then I heard my mom exhale slowly, a sign she usually makes when having a serious conversation. My heart sank.
“I'm not joking, Ingrid,”
I swallowed. My mouth felt dry again. I needed liquid.
“You are…married?” I struggled to piece it together. “Engaged? Whatever in the world is this?”
“I'll be married.” My mom corrected quietly. “The ceremony was supposed to be in ten days. Though, with your condition, it has to be moved,”
Ten days.
I felt pain searing through my chest. “So that’s why you were never home lately?”
My mother sighed. “Ingrid—”
“Answer me, Mom,” I curled the bedsheets around my fingers as I choked back tears.
“Yes,” she said softly. “It's why,”
“You just don't....,” my breath hitched, and I paused. “You just don't marry a King,”
“Ingrid,” Michael cut in, squeezing my palms. “Be reasonable, and be happy for Mom.”
“I'll give you time to process everything,” I said, and I felt her moving. Then she added, the finality clear in her voice. “I'll come back, and tell you everything.”
*
Three hours rapidly passed, and my mom still hadn't returned. Apart from the hum of machines around us, Michael and I sat in utter silence.
“I can't believe what is happening,” Michael started. The excitement in his voice was barely contained. I heard him turn to me. “We are rich!”
I rolled my eyes, unable to join in his enthusiasm. I couldn't. When he noticed my countenance, I heard him sigh.
“You know, this is the attitude I always wished you had in school,”
“A bit late for that,” I murmured, leaning back against the headboard.
“I know Mom went about this the wrong way,” he continued. “But think about it. All our money problems? Gone. The future Prince and Princess of Europe. That actually sounds insane in a good way. Mom must've really got god-level catfishing skills.”
Eww. “She would've catfished literally anyone else.”
Michael wasn't wrong. Under normal circumstances, this would’ve been a miracle. I would've been happy for my mom because she had changed our lives. I would be excited, thrilled even to look forward to being introduced as a princess, to imagine the horror in the faces of my schoolmates who had bullied me. But how was I supposed to explain that the best s*x of my life had been with my all-of-a-sudden-about-to-be stepbrother??
A soft knock broke through my thoughts, and the door opened. The familiar floral scent told me it was Mom, but the way Michael shifted, and the sound of extra footsteps told me that she was accompanied by someone.
My bed dipped slightly. “Mom?”
“Yes dear?” She answered sweetly. “There's someone here to meet you.”
“Good evening Ms. Ingrid Meyers,” a deep male voice spoke to me as he took my hand in his. I hesitated slightly, but my brother patted my shoulder reassuringly, calming my nerves. The man released my hand, and I could hear him shake my brother's hand as he acknowledged him.
“Welcome,” He said formally. “The future members of the Danish royal family, despite the unfortunate circumstances. I'm Sir Ulrik, spokesperson for the Crown.”
“Cool,” My brother said with a shrug, and I could feel the excitement practically vibrating off him.
“Following protocol,” Sir Ulrik continued, his tone firm. “your new life begins now. You will soon be introduced to the public. Before that, we must eliminate any trace of your past, your social media included. You will each be assigned legal representation to assist with this. Although I assume neither of you has anything scandalous in your history?”
My stomach dropped in fear. My life wasn't scandal-free, if we were going to count working in Hidden Roses. Even worse, they could find out about Prince Aaron and me.
“Is that not a bit too controlling?” I mumbled.
Sir Ulrik's voice was serious. “I'm not sure you've realised, but your life is now connected to the Crown. Your safety, your movements, your associations, your history, all of that matters to His Majesty. And so we protect it. ”
I shrank back, chewing on my lower lip. I was screwed.
“I trust my children,” my mom said softly.
I heard Sir Ulrik rise to his feet. “The lawyers will arrive in two weeks. Your recovery will be closely monitored. For now, you’ll remain here, until you’re cleared to come to the palace.”
Palace. The word numbed me further.
My mom and my brother exchanged pleasantries with Sir Ulrik, and then I heard him walk out the door.
*
I was almost certain it was midnight when I woke up, my head still throbbing faintly. My mom and brother had been moved to a private suite, and now I was alone, although I was assigned a personal nurse. Physical Therapy had come right after Sir Ulrik left, and after an intense two-hour session, I dozed off immediately. As a result, I wasn't able to ask my mom the important questions that swarmed in my mind. How had they met? How long did they date?
My throat was dry. I needed water.
I pressed a button on a remote I was given earlier after Mom and Michael had left. Minutes later, I felt a strong presence beside me, and a cup of water was placed gently in my hands. I knew immediately it was not the nurse, because whoever it was brushed back strands of hair from my face, a simple gesture that sent my heart racing with a memory I was supposed to forget, but couldn’t.
“Aa..ron?” I croaked.
“Yes, Ingrid,” He whispered, his familiar smooth voice soothing me all over, filling me with emotion. “It's me.”
- Writer
