Emery: A Prince's Adventure novel Chapter 8
Emma
''Dad,'' My eyes widen as soon as I see him standing at the doorway with a smile on his face—so I immediately stand up, heading straight towards his direction; wrapping my arms around his neck before feeling his arms around my waist.
''How's my girl doing?'' He asks, pecking onto my forehead.
I smile up at him, ''I'm doing alright.''
His blue eyes are looking directly at me but a reassuring smile but before he can utter a single word, I grab onto his arm and widen my smile, ''Let's go for a walk,'' I say.
We both walk side by side towards the royal garden. I'm walking in the castle with my dad but my mind is occupied with something else; the engagement, the wedding, the queen and Emery. They come in a single package that I can't seem to dismiss.
''Is everything alright, Emma?'' He asks in his British accent.
I breathe out as we sit down on the nearest bench before I place my head on his shoulder—leaning in for support. Then, he looks down at me, ''Everything's alright. It's going as planned by your grandfather,'' I mutter, loud enough for him to hear.
To my surprise, he chuckles and I lift my head up, looking at him with a smirk on my face. He continues to chuckle, glancing at my direction for a few seconds, ''He can be very demanding sometimes and even though you haven't met him, it seems like you already know him well.'' He says.
My eyes remain to stare at the fountain; somehow mesmerised by the view but I can't seem to appreciate it. Not when my mind is giving me a headache.
''By the look on your face, it shows everything.''
I hear him say, breaking me from my thoughts. Our eyes meet and I just can't help but feel tears appearing yet I manage to hold them back—preventing them from streaming down my cheeks and weaken my state.
Dad pulls me closer by the shoulder, so that mine would bump with his, ''You can tell me anything and everything. You're my little girl—my only girl, it's always you and I against the world, Emma. There's nothing to hide from me. If you want to leave all of this behind, you can because nobody is going to hold you back.'' He says, soothingly rubbing my back.
''It's much more complicated than you think,'' I say.
He sighs, ''How come?''
''In the agreement, it states that Emery is only allowed to marry me and if he disobey, he will break the royal law while I can disagree and leave but it'll give him an impact. He won't be able to marry anyone else and he won't have an heir which ends their centuries of ruling.'' I reply, sighing afterwards.
''You agreed to this?'' My dad raises an eyebrow, making me close my eyes and look down at my fingers—breathing out.
The way he looks at me shows how he does not believe the choice I have made for the sake of Emery. He's probably right, I have ruined my future and my own life for him—he gets to keep the throne while I have to stay by his side whether I'll be happy or not.
Life is always unfair. That's a fact.
''It would be selfish and heartless of me to disagree.'' I reply, gripping onto his hand; trying to gain strength.
''But Emma, a marriage with one of the royalties is not a game. Once you agree and once you've been married, there is no way back. The Van Allans don't take divorces as an option; it has been going on that way for centuries, it can't be undone. You don't want to end with someone you don't know for the rest of your life,'' He says, clearly stating the truth.
Dad and I think alike. That's why I'm much more closer to him than with mum. We spend most of our times together but it has been less due to the fact that he moved, leaving me only seeing mum whenever she wants or whenever I want. She has been busy with her life too; besides, we don't think alike.
''I know, they take marriage very seriously.'' I add.
''You still choose to continue?'' He asks, making me hesitating over my own choice.
I look straight into his eyes, seeing his concern for me. Yet, I appreciate his effort trying to let me see the right choice; it might be leaving England but at the same time, it might be staying. Maybe when I think about Emery, it makes me feel sympathy for him. That's probably why I can't find the heart to leave.
''I'll take it as my fate,'' I reply.
''It might not be your fate at all. Emma, whatever you choose, I will always support you. No matter how far or how unrasional it might be, I'll try to reason with you and I'll try to help you get through this. Your mother or even the queen, can't force you into something that you don't want. Do you understand?'' He says, caressing the side of my cheek with a sad smile on his face.
I lean closer towards him by placing my head on his shoulder, sighing deeply. I'm really glad that he's here because I can pour everything; anything that I've been holding in just for the sake of feeling some sort of released. My heart starts to beat normally, stabilising my body.
''I'm sorry to interrupt,'' I immediately turn.
My eyes landed on Emery who is currently standing a few feet away from dad and I. Both of his eyes are looking straight at me before turning to look at my father; slightly confused at his figure. With a small smile, I stand in between, ''Emery, dad. Dad, Emery.'' I say.
Emery blinks a few times, ''Sir.'' He says.
I start to roll my eyes at his manner but I stay still, waiting for my father to respond properly, ''I'll give you two some space while I earn mine.'' Dad clears his throat, exiting the garden and leaving Emery and I.
Once he's gone, I see Emery clenching his jaw; probably not realising that he just met my father. Correction, his father-in-law. I take a few steps closer towards him, slightly hitting his arm, ''You just met Mr. Parker.'' I break the silence.
1''Coincidentally,'' He replies.
''Whatever, what do you want?'' I ask, raising an eyebrow at him; waiting for his respond.
''Just come with me.'' He answers, grabbing onto my wrist before starting to pull me out of the garden—heading straight towards a black motorbike, leaving me slightly breathless but then I realise that he's a prince. For some reason, it feels like he's just a normal person. Are all princes like this?
We both stop in front of his bike and as I eye the whole body, he stands beside me; zipping up his leather jacket that I didn't come to notice earlier.
''Let me get this straight, you want me to ride this with you?'' I ask, pointing at his bike.
Emery smirks but he ignores my question as he gets up on the bike, holding onto his helmet. I roll my eyes, crossing my arms while I wait for him to say something but he doesn't even start. He throws a helmet at my direction which I luckily managed to catch.
''Get on, cupcake.'' He chuckles.
''Oh yeah? Make me.'' I challenge but he shrugs, putting on his helmet before pulling down the dark tinted visor—preventing me from seeing his face. He starts to hardly twist onto the handles; making the bike roar to life.
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