Problem

The phone rang in the morning. It must have been something urgent, because no one would have called me so early. I looked at the phone and it was Lucy. I answered it immediately.

Me: Lucy, what happened? Why are you calling me so early? I hope everything is okay.

Lucy: "Relax. Calm down and I'll tell you everything. Nothing happened. You just need to come to the palace."

Me: It's impossible, I won't come back, especially after what happened last time. Is that why you're calling me at this time?

Lucy: "Please, you have to come back. Remember the project we were working on?! A representative is coming to the palace today and wants to meet with you."

Me: Let Michael meet him. I've been doing everything for him, now it's time for him to take care of things.

Lucy: "We'll have a lot of problems if you don't come. The king has spoken to him, but he still wants to meet with you because it was your idea."

I don't want to go to the palace, but I can't let them get into trouble because of me, and I've worked so hard for all of this.

Me: Okay, I'll come this time. What did they say when she wanted to meet me?

Lucy: "There was tension in the palace. There was a fight about it in the evening, but the king and Nicholas were on your side. I don't understand why Sofia is still here."

I don't want to meet her much, but I'm not going to hide it because of that. I don't understand why she's still in the palace either. It's up to her to decide and she can do whatever she wants.

Me: Okay, I'll get ready and leave early. What time should I be there?

Lucy: "You have to be at the palace by 9, we have to go through some things before then, and the meeting will be at 10."

Me: Then I'll have breakfast now, let my family know, and try to leave soon.

Lucy: "Okay, we'll wait for you."

I immediately started to get ready. I went into the bathroom and washed my face. I haven't been sleeping at all lately, but that's not surprising. Washing my face didn't help, so I went into the kitchen to make coffee. I tried not to make a sound because I didn't want to wake anyone up, but it didn't seem to work.

Vincent: "Daughter, what are you doing here at this hour?"

Me: Don't get angry, okay?

I know they won't let me into the palace and I'll have to get their approval. I have no choice, I have to go.

Vincent: "It's about journalists again, what did they write now?"

Me: No, Lucy called, I have to go to the palace.

Hearing this, his face changed. I know it will be difficult for him to agree.

Vincent: "No, no way. Have you forgotten how they treated you?"

Me: Dad, I don't want to go either, but there is no other way. If I don't go, there will be big problems.

He was silent for a while, thinking.

Me: I haven't forgotten anything. I remember well how they treated me. I'm not doing this because of them.

Vincent: "Okay, go, but I or Leonard will follow you. I won't leave you here alone."

I didn't think it would be so easy for him to agree

Me: Okay, whatever you say. Shall I cook you something? Let's have breakfast together.

Vincent: "Cook whatever you want, dear, I'll eat everything you make."

Me: Okay, I'll cook it right now.

While I was preparing dinner, Leonard came into the kitchen.

Leonard: "What's going on here? Did you decide to cook without me?"

Vincent: "Join us, son, let's make breakfast together."

I was very happy at that moment, my father, my brother and I were making breakfast together. Now I can cross it off my wish list.

We had a delicious breakfast, I haven't been this happy in a long time. A message came on my phone.

Lucy: "I've prepared everything, we're waiting for you."

I immediately started typing a reply.

Me: "We'll be there at 9. They didn't let me out alone. I understand them, because they're very worried about me. Please tell the others."

They couldn't refuse me, because they knew very well how unpleasant it would be for me to be there. They couldn't refuse me, because I wouldn't go there without my brother. I turned out to be right.

Lucy: "Okay, we'll wait for you."

Since there's still a lot of time left until evening, Leonard and I went for a walk in the garden. It was nice to walk with him.

Leonard: "Have you decided when you're going?"

Me: As soon as I've sorted everything out. I won't be there long and I'll be back soon.

Leonard: "We're used to being with you. We haven't been this happy in a long time. We've always missed you, and now that you're back, we don't want to lose you again."

I understand him, but I have to go and find out the secret about the Rentons.

After the walk, we returned home and rested.

In the evening, I went up to my room and started getting ready. It seems like a century has passed since I attended such meetings. I quickly got ready and went down the stairs. Leonard was waiting for me at the door.

Leonard: "Shall we go?"

Me: Yes, I'm ready.

Leonard: "If anything happens, tell me and we'll leave immediately. I don't care what happens. All that matters to me is your well-being, nothing else."

Me: Okay, brother.

The driver opened the doors for us and we got into the car. I was very nervous. The whole way I was thinking about the events that happened at the palace. I wish I hadn't gone there now, but I have no other choice. I didn't even notice when we arrived at the palace. The driver opened the doors for me and helped me get out of the car. The palace door opened and we went inside. Nicholas and Natalie were waiting for us. They were very happy to see us.

Natalie: "How are you? I know you didn't want to come here. We tried everything, but he just wants to see you."

Me: I'm fine. It's okay, the main thing is that you're here with me. I'm sure everything will be fine.

Nicholas: "Leonard, we're glad to see you here. It's good that you came."

Leonard: "I couldn't leave my sister alone."

Nicholas: "I'm glad you didn't let her go here alone. We're here too, but having you by her side will encourage her more. Let's go to the living room and leave the girls alone."

Leonard looked at me and indicated that I would be fine. Natalie and Lucy would be with me, after all. Nicholas agreed and disappeared into the next room. Lucy joined us later and brought the documents.

Lucy: "Everything is here, you can look at it."

Me: Thank you Lucy. Are you okay? We haven't been able to talk.

I haven't spoken to her in a long time.

Lucy: "I miss you so much, but what can I do? I'm doing my job."

Me: Call me anytime if you need anything. You know how important you are to me.

Lucy: "Thank you."

She tried to hold back her tears. Lucy was not only my assistant but also my friend. It must have been very difficult for her to work here now. We went through the documents and everything was ready. The time passed very quickly. They informed us about the representative's arrival.

Everything went perfectly. I told him goodbye and that from now on, Michael would be in charge. He wasn't happy, but then he agreed. Since I'm no longer a member of the royal family, I don't have the right to attend such meetings. His heart was very broken. When we saw him off, I was going to leave, but Natalie and Nicholas wouldn't let me go. Of course, they told me they wouldn't let me go without seeing Lucas. I missed him so much and I really couldn't leave without seeing him.

I wanted to talk to Natalie and Nicholas before I left. I think this is a good opportunity and I'll see Lucas too. I went with them to see him. He's grown even more since I saw him. As soon as he saw me, he ran to me and hugged me. He's so cute. I miss playing with him. 

Me: I missed playing with him in the morning and walking in the garden.

Natalie: "Come visit us and play as much as you want."

Me: You know I can't do that.

Nicholas: "We live here too and you can come over anytime."

Natalie: "Nicholas is right. We understand you don't want to see Michael, but that doesn't mean you'll forget about us."

Me: "I'll never forget you."

They're right, I can't lose everyone because of Michael. I won't let him tear me apart. I had a great time with them.