The Grand Exit

Maria had waited until Alexandria left before she let more tears and sobs come flowing out of her.

She cried herself to sleep, but even so, she was able to sleep surprisingly well.

Getting rejected and heartbroken, breaking the heart of the man you're actually in love with, then getting engaged against your wishes to said man, and having less than twenty-four hours to say goodbye to your family and your home was apparently more than Maria could handle; she was exhausted.

Alexandria had woken Maria up more gently than usual; she probably had sensed the distress the young princess was facing.

She got her dressed in total silence, neither of them knowing what exactly to say to the other.

The maid sent the princess off to breakfast after a long hug and understanding nod, and Maria felt the numbness set in her heart.

Breakfast with her family and the brothers was similar-- no one said anything, nor could anyone look up at her.

They were all horrible at goodbyes.

Even after breakfast was complete and everyone had eaten, they all continued to sit. No one wanted to be the first to get up and initiate the set of motions that would lead to Maria leaving Greece.

Eventually though, they did, and when they walked together to the front doors of the palace, they were greeted by the entire palace staff who were lined up to wish their loving princess farewell.

The sight of everyone was enough to bring Maria to tears, but she did her best to hold her emotions in so that she could stay strong for everyone, because she knew that they were struggling with her leaving just as much as she was struggling with it.

Maria made sure to make eye contact with each of them and show her appreciation, and as she passed them, their words filled the silent world around them.

"We love you, princess!"

"You'll be a great Queen."

"France is lucky to have you!"

"It won't be the same here without you!"

Each praise and well wish warmed Maria's heart; she loved these people so much.

When she reached the end of the line of people, two horse drawn carriages and valets waited for her and the Dubois brothers.

The first carriage was the one they had arrived in from France. It was black as the night sky and had an ornate silver trim that decorated its edges.

The second carriage was Greece's, and it looked like the first carriage's polar opposite since it was white with a simple gold trim.

Julien and Arthur bowed in front of the Greek royals and said their thanks and goodbyes.

Julien got into the French carriage, and Arthur turned to Maria so he could say, "I'll give you a minute alone. You can ride with me in the white carriage when you are ready."

Arthur gave the family one last smile and nod before he disappeared into the carriage and the valet closed the door behind him.

Maria turned back to look at her brother and parents, and realized that she had no idea what to say.

Jason was the first to break the silence when he said, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do". He let out a soft chuckle, but Maria knew him well enough to know that he was holding back his sadness in order to be strong for her sake.

She did not say anything, but instead captured him in a hug so strong that he had to take a step back to avoid them both falling onto the dirt pathway.

He squeezed her back and whispered in her ear, "I love you, Mar. You better write to us."

"I will, I promise. I love you too, Jason. Take care of mom and Alex for me, alright?"

"You know I will," he said as he pulled away and gave her a warm smile.

Maria looked to Jason's left, at her father, whose lip was trembling.

He bent down and held her close to him, also unable to form any type of verbal farewell.

He let her go but looked deeply into her eyes as if he could telepathically communicate what he needed to say to her.

His eyes were red as if he had been crying all morning, and Maria could see the sorrow sloshing around in them.

He did not need to say anything-- she knew that he was saying how proud he was of her and how much he loved her.

She gave him the best smile she could manage, told him she loved him, and then took a few steps towards her mom.

"My child, somehow this day came too fast. I remember when you used to run around out here in nothing but your diaper," the Queen said with a sad smile.

She pulled her daughter in for a hug, and rubbed her hand on Maria's back to soothe her.

"I'll miss you, mother," Maria choked out.

"I know. I love you, my baby girl."

"I love you, too."

Before they could let go of each other, the King and Jason wrapped their arms around the women, and they all held each other for a couple of extra stolen moments.

They said their final goodbyes, and Jason held Maria's hand as she took her step up into the carriage to meet Arthur.

Maria heard the door close behind her as she took a seat across from Arthur, and she felt the carriage pull as they started on their journey.

The princess stayed glued to the window and watched as her family and her home disappeared into the distance.

When she could no longer see them, she felt the onslaught of sadness and emptiness hit her, and she was no longer able to hold in the sobs that had threatened to attack her all morning.

She wept with her forehead resting on the window, and not even a minute passed before Arthur shifted himself to join her on the side of the carriage that she was sitting on.

He put one arm around her shoulders and another around her waist, and he pulled her close so that she could lean on him instead of the window.

Maria leaned into his chest and grabbed onto his coat collar as she continued to cry, and he silently stroked her hair with one hand, and held her tightly around the waist with the other.