26

                                    

                                          
THE GUARD
• Bridger's pov •
Whiskey is the only thing that can save me from going off the deep end. Sitting at a local bar alone because I cannot hear Jaxson tell me one more time to fight for Serena when all it does is make her hate me more. 
Half of my heart felt gone. Destroyed. Crumbled to pieces to be nonexistent. She took it without a doubt, locking it somewhere in her palace away from my being. I would never have it back because it belonged to her. 
I would not have it any other way. 
"You look like a man who needs a drink." That voice. Where have I heard it? 
Looking up to catch onto the gentleman who speaks, I am met with the familiar face of Lord Timothy Hampton a couple of seats down at the bar from me. He has two fine drinks in front of him and slides the other over to me. 
I've finished my second drink of the evening, but I was feeling rather parched so I took the drink, nodding as a way of sending my gratitude. 
"Shouldn't you be guarding the Princess?" He tilts his head in question. 
"It is not my duty to look after the Princess any longer. Her new husband will have to do so," I say with boredom, downing my third drink of the evening. 
He takes slow sips from his drink, nodding at my words. His lips lift in a smirk. "Husband? She has found a suitor?"
"Not quite, she is on the lookout for the perfect one."
"Ah, I see." He eyes me, and I grow rather irritated by the feeling. 
"Did you need something, Lord Hampton?" 
With the shake of his head, he replies. "I am in the same boat as you are."
"How so?" I lick my lips, already feeling a slight buzz coming along. 
"I lost the one whom I love dearly too," he shares and my eyes shift open a bit. 
Excuse me? 
"I am not the perfect man, but if I could turn back time and rewind it all, I would take back every damned mistake I made with her." I grew intrigued by whom this lady could be. Is she still walking amongst us? Has she fled the country, perhaps? 
"You did not fight for her," I hum, observing. 
He shakes his head. "No, no I did not. More like, I did not give her what she wished for."
"And what was that?" I tilt my head, growing weary. 
His eyes relive all the haunted memories from his time with her. I can tell by the way his pupils grow little, he has grown silent over time and he is thinking of his lady. 
"Marriage," he simply answers. 
"She wished to marry you and you did not take her hand? Are you mad? Did you not love her at the time?" I had so many questions. Though, I needed to stay in my own corner to figure out my own problems. 
"Oh, I love her. I always knew. Marriage is the scariest thing in life to go through. You give your whole soul to one being- I could not understand that at that time because I was so young, but now looking back-" He stops himself, gulping down the emotions wishing to escape him. 
He downs the rest of his drink, lifting his hand up to order another. He faces me with a pitiful look. "I broke her. Ripped her heart to shreds, and I cannot take back what I have done. She has moved on, she married another, and it is over now. Your Serena has not married yet, you have not lost her."
***
• Serena's pov •
The library is silent. The door has been locked to keep the outside world from creeping inside. A few knocks have been heard, and voices shout for me to at least let someone know I was alright, but I could not speak. 
Arabella has come to my presence, but I continue to ignore everyone around me. 
I sit in the burgundy chair that is sat in front of the fireplace. I have lit a fire to warm the room, but that is all the movement I have made. A book is in my hand, but I do not bother reading between the lines of escaping reality. 
Not when my head was elsewhere. 
Bridger Cunningham. 
I felt numb, like I had just lost a limb. Half of my being feels like it has escaped from me, walking freely somewhere I was not. 
In days I would be engaged to someone whom I didn't wish for. Whom I was being forced to be with because of my title as Princess. 
My younger self would be disappointed. I thought being Princess would be the dream everyone wishes to come true, but all it was, was a void I could not escape. 
I did not feel like playing Princess any longer. 
A simple knock fades my thoughts and someone calls for me. 
"Your highness, someone has requested to see you. Her name is Ruth Myers."  
My ears pick up, and I am led towards the door of the library, letting the maid inside. She fixes her dress, and lifts her chin. 
"Madam, your guest awaits you." She leads me to the front of the palace where Ruth stands with a cloak over her shoulders to escape from the cold, she uncovers her head, letting a bit of snow fall to the floor. 
Ruth turns, facing me and smiles when noticing my presence near. She bows, being respectful. "Princess Serena, I apologize if it is a bad time."
"Not at all." My voice cracks from the ache I am in, but I continue to speak to her. "I hate that you had to come here in the cold weather. Let my maids fetch you a cup of warm tea, yes?"
"Sure." She nods, rubbing her hands together. I take her hand, leading her to the kitchen to prepare a cup of tea just for her. Her eyes wander around the luxurious kitchen that I find too big for my liking, but am grateful for the opportunity to have it. 
"What do I owe the pleasure of seeing you?" I ask aloud. 
"I wished to formally apologize for not accompanying your balls. I do regret my absence." I hand over the steamy cup of tea, pouring myself a drink as well. 
"All is well. Hopefully someday you'll join us?" I smile. 
Her nervousness seems to creep away when sipping on her tea, and she sends a smile. "Of course. I happen to have a new dress that I have not worn yet."
"It really does look splendid," I compliment. 
She nods, setting her cup down and fiddling with her fingers. "I came here to ask you something..."
"What is it?"
She sighs. "I cannot help but feel like I shall give something back to you for helping me with building a home for me. I wish to give something back to you with meaning."
"You do not have to do that, Ruth. I did that out of the kindness of my heart, I wish to help you out of your marriage and give you happiness. I do not wish for anything in return," I explain. Her face does not change. She came here with determination to return the kindness back. I hum. "I did like that pie you baked for me. How about you come to bake every week for me? I am sure the maids will love to know the recipe for your delicious treats."
"Really?" She beams at the idea. 
I nod. "Of course. The palace gets a bit lonely, so I do not mind seeing a familiar face once in a while."
"A friend," she hums, holding her glass cup to me. 
I hold my cup of tea, clinking her glass with mine. "A friend."