Crossroads
By Misha
Author’s Notes- This fic combines a prompt request (“I never meant to hurt you”) and the prompt for this week’s Choices Creates (“what if”). When I got the prompt request, I immediately came up with the idea of a parallel futures, which also fit well with this week’s Choices Creates prompt.
Pairing- Liam/MC
Rating- PG
Summary- At the Coronation Ball, Eleanor finds herself at a crossroads wondering how to respond to the prince’s proposal.
Words- 694
After talking to Drake, Eleanor escapes to the patio. She needs a breath of fresh air.
It’s not Drake, that she can handle. It’s Liam. She know he wants to talk to her and she’s pretty sure she knows what he’s going to say, what she doesn’t know is how she’s going to answer.
She’s standing at a crossroads and she can see path, but has no idea which one to take. Does she marry Liam or does she return to her ‘real’ life?
It seemed so simple all those months ago, when she’d first arrived in Cordonia. Back then she’d thought it sounded like an adventure and a chance to spend some time with a hot guy. She never expected to fall in love, never actually expected to be chosen.
She sighs as she looks up at the night sky and ponders her choice and the two ways this night can end…
What if she says yes?
Soon Liam will come and find her. He will look deep into her eyes and she will see the love and devotion in his. He will tell her that he’s gotten approval from the council and his parents and that he can finally ask her to be his wife.
“Is this what you want?” He’ll ask, though she knows that he doesn’t actually doubt her answer. What else could it be after all? The whole reason she was in Cordonia was for a chance to be his bride.
“Yes,” she’ll assure him with a wide smile, pushing aside her fear and doubt because she really does love this man with all her heart.
His eyes will light up and he will pull her into his arms, kissing her just deep enough to leave her long for more.
“Later,” he’ll promise, his eyes twinkling. She can to feel the joy radiating out of him now that he knows he can make her promises.
He’ll steal one last kiss before slipping back inside and she’ll watch him go, torn between happiness and overwhelming fear, desperately wishing that she could have the man without the crown. Still she want to be Liam’s wife more than anything, even if it means becoming queen to do it.
What if she says no?
Liam will start looking for and will find her on the patio. He will be smiling as he approached her. “Lady Eleanor, there you are, I’ve been hoping to catch you alone.”
She will turn to look at him, trying to keep the heartbreak out of her eyes, but she won’t fully succeeded and his expression will falter. However, he’ll still reach for her hand, looking at her with so much love that it breaks her heart.
He’ll tell her that he’s made his decision and then he’ll ask, “will you be my queen, Eleanor?”
It’ll take all her strength to whisper, “no.” The pain in his eyes is almost her undoing, but she’ll hurry on, “I thought I could do it, but I can’t. I can’t be Queen. I’m sorry Liam, I never meant to hurt you.”
But it doesn’t matter what she intended. Because her words will hurt him. In an instant, he’ll go from jubilant to heartbroken and it’ll be her fault.
“Do you love me?”
“Yes.” But they’ll be able to hear the added “just not enough” linger in the air unspoken.
“I… I need to think,” he’ll say after a moment, making her feel even worse, realizing the position she put him in. He’ll still have to pick a queen and a wife, without much time to think about it.
“I’m sorry…” She’ll whisper, knowing it’s not enough. Nothing can ever be enough to make up for breaking his heart.
He’ll just nod, too much of a gentleman to tell her off, and then turn and walk away.
She’ll watch him go, fighting back tears and wondering how what was supposed to be a fun adventure ended with people getting their hearts broken.
What if, what if…
“Lady Eleanor?”
She turns and sees Liam standing behind her and knows that the moment for what ifs has passed. It’s time to make her choice.
“Liam…”
- End
