Forgiveness

After a night filled with conversation and confession Brianna had planned to apologize to Adelaide the moment she appeared at her door. Yet, it was morning the sun was fully set in the west horizon but there was no Adelaide. Brianna had made sure to wake up - well to be truthful she didn't even sleep but she made sure that she would be ready for her arrival. Moments passed, when the door cracked opened only to reveal her mermaid friend.

" Morning!" Eliza glee with the vibrations of the sea.

Brianna made an pronounced sigh as she welcomed her friend." Oh Morning Eliza." She continue gazing out the window.

" Ouch, that hurt." Eliza voiced as she walked over.

Brianna bit her lip, " Sorry, just I've been waiting for Adelaide to come, and I just want to apologize as soon as I can. I don't want this to linger."

Eliza placed her hand on her arm turning to her friend. Hopefully her plan would work. Well here goes nothing. With puppy eyes she trembled, " I heard that Adelaide she actually leaving."

Brianna mouth fell agape. What? Leaving? Where? No? Because of her. No. No! She could not lose one of the most important people in her life. The person that always made her smile when the eyes of others made her cry. " What are you talking about? That's not possible, Eliza. I cannot lose her."

Eliza nodded imposing feelings of uncertainty,loss, and saddened onto her. This way she could just imagine what it would be like if Adelaide was actually leaving. " I know. I know, but I don't know if we can change her mind." She replied just as rehearsed.

Brianna ceased her forehead. Her head feeling like thunder. Her heart pounding. How many people were forbidden to have? Footsteps taunted forward, every click become incessantly haunting as if would never end. Turning her head over Eliza's shoulder.

Then the door opened revealing the pursed character. The light blonde who wore a simple plain green lace dress walked in. No jewels. No makeup. Her slightly puffy and reddened eyes lead ro what she had been doing all night.

" I leave you two alone." Eliza announced as she walked into the closet disappearing forever.

The girls set their sights back on one another. Brianna had to do this. She had to mend the elephant in the room, " Adelaide!" Brianna jumped as she went over to her.

Adelaide curtsy as she bowed officially greeting her, " Your Highness, Princess Brianna Morning."

Brianna face wrinkled like a raisin. She was being formal, too formal. Adelaide was never formal unless in front of guest. Adelaide would mock her when using her highness title but in her voice stood nothing but absolute regard. Still she had to let it not influence her.

" Morning, I hope you sleep well." Brianna said wincing at herself realizing the words that just left her mouth while Adelaide sided eyed her walking away to the bathroom.

" Stupid,Stupid, Stupid! What kind of shitty comment ! Bitch you made her feel awful and telling her if she sleep well. Just go to hell." Brianna thought as wanted to slap herself but opted to pinch her lips.

Adelaide just opted to remain as calm as possible as the cool water that tapped against her skin so turned warm. Just the perfect temperature for Brianna. Geez, how many more hours who she have to endure of this. She just wanted to sulk in bed all day. Watching as the water rose to mid level she called out, " The bathe is ready, Your Highness." Her voice came out fixed. Ew. She sounded like someone had launched a peanut in her throat. Acting all high and mighty.

Without a doubt Adelaide was from noble blood. All her ancestor had someone way in form served the previous regents loyally and undying. Taught since birth the mannerism of every single procedure. How to smile, how to address guest of different nobility, sing, dance, and everything in between the act. Her mother every night would tell her if she was chosen she would be set for life. Never thinking what she needed ever again. So every night when the stars roamed the sky illuminating the dark path Adelaide would kneel on her chesterfield sofa she would pray to the heavens to be chosen by the King and Queen. She prayed that they would have a little girl so she could be her bigger sister, she could guide and advise her. That they could get all the sweets including her favorite chocolate chip cookies stash and eat in secrecy. To be allowed to dress her up like a beautiful doll. Most of all she wished upon all the stars in the galaxy, in the universe that she would get to be best friends with the princess and never be inseparable. Waiting for one day just to be hopefully picked for her assistance.

Thankfully, she did not had to wait long only after two years over prayers, when she was a girl of six years young she came across the young lonesome princess who bore only four years young in the middle of a garden alone and reading a heft book about political power. At first she had stray away from the young girl sensing blood circulating in her veins. The pinkish color flushed her cheeks. She was different. She was different from her parents, herself, their highness es, and everyone else. At the time she thought it was just some human girl who had gotten suck in Khisfire so she feared no more and did what all normal six year old would do.

Adelaide scurried up to the little girl who clutched the book against her small frame. Her violet eyes circulated like the waves of the milky way. The girl was so much more beautiful in closer. If she was lost, her family could just adopt her, and keep her forever.

The smaller girl spoke first with concern, " Are you lost?"

Younger Adelaide shook her head. She knew exactly where is was. She had been invited to the palace multiple times before. " Come and play with me human!" She exclaimed as she grabbed the little girl making her drop the book as she yelped. Within seconds the girls were playing in the dirt Adelaide throwing more on the little girl, Technically she was bullying her. She could have been executed for that. The little girl telling her repeatedly,

" My father, my father, my father."

Adelaide thought nothing of it as she shrugged her shoulders believing she was just recalling her human parents. Minutes became an hour or so not aware of exact time but all she remembered was a gasp as her tiny head whipped up to see her mother and father next to a man dressed in a black suit covered in a red cape encrusted with many colorful jewels. King! It was the King! His eyes went all white as did her parents.

" Adelaide Vanessa Layor!" Her mother called out as she stood straight up dusting off the dust. Quickly holding her up in her arms attempting to wipe all the grime. " What were you doing?"

" Oh, I was just playing with the human girl, mama. Can we adopt her?" Adelaide questioned with beaming eyes as her mother frowned.

" Adelaide, we can't she is the-."

Interrupted by the young girl called out, " Papa! Papa!" As she ran towards the king who kneeled down and swiped her off the ground like a toy as she giggled.

" Dear what a mess you are Brianna!" He said in a disbelief yet care.

" I'm sorry, Papa. We were just playing. " She replied as she rubbed her eyes yawning.

His Majesty tucking a piece of hair behind her eye. With such delicacy, and love that it radiated off him. " Are you tired?" The baby girl nodded as he sighed, " You know you shouldn't use so much of your energy."

" I'm sorry." She repeated.

Her mother turning to her father as they debated. " Oh William we just have to hope or ask his Majesty for forgiveness for what Adelaide did."

" Hopefully that is all we have to do?" Her father sweated as they looked back at the royals as the little girl pointed to her. To Adelaide. In that moment her heart raced a thousand miles per hour. Her throat close shut. She felt weak. She wanted to cry. She felt fear for the first time ever as the King's eyes lingered on her. She clinged onto her mother fist full of her sleeve.

" Are you sure?" The king asked as the princess nodded again as his piercing dark almond eyes met hers. She was sure she was going to die or could have.

Days later proved her wrong. The King had sent in invitation to her family's manor. Her parents almost ripped it up.

Father nervously opened the letter breaking the seal as he began reading, " Your Grace, I have decided that your daughter her Grace Adelaide Vanessa Layor of the Aliodi Line will be my daughter her highness Princess Brianna Giselle Tepes Lady-in-waiting. We will take care of any expenses. Please let us know if you accept this request."

And ever since then Adelaide had been her lady, but what changed?

Flashing out of those childhood recollection, the coolness of the water she wanted to drown herself in. But atlas it was her responsibility to keep the princess clean. She repeated, " Your highness, the bath is ready?"

Hell she couldn't think about a shower now. Adelaide could drown her from rage. Brianna sighed thinking about all the words she wanted to say. But hell she just had to say them. " Yes, I heard. But first I would like to speak with you?" She spoke firmly as Adelaide scoffed getting up rubbing a towel of her wet hands as she walked to the door.

" Your Highness, please get in the tub." Adelaide instructed as Brianna breathed.

" I will after I speak with you."

Adelaide shook her head. No. No way she wanted to talk now! After everything. She could at least give her a few days to process.

" Fine, be a stink princess,I'll clean up then." Adelaide rejected the offer of any Brianna's conversation. She didn't even want to see her now, but here she was being a masochist picking up the rubbish that had fallen off the bed. It took her no time as she used her powers to just flash over each side of the bed.Cleaning was very therapeutic for her. Unwrapping all thoughts and emotions buried deep in conscious. And thanks to Brianna she had cleaned her home five times the night before because she couldn't stand the sight of dust.

It was clear to Brianna, that she was ignoring her. After all, she would ignore herself after how she acted. But she need Adelaide to listen. If she could do something that would prevent Adelaide from leaving she would. " Adelaide, can you stop that I need to talk to you?" Bri insisted.

" Well we all can afford the luxury to do that. I need to get you ready so you can look presentable for your celebration." She refused flashing around assorting and re assorting things into their original untouched place.

" Just stop." Brianna accidentally commanded locking Adelaide in her place as her violet eyes glimmered with something of disbelief and hatred. She had seen Adelaide pissed off just never at her. They had never fought, yet her emotions were clearly presented through the passages of her eyes. Brianna gulped, " I'm sorry I didn't mean that. You are free to move." Allowing Adelaide to move freely picking off where she luck off.

Adelaide didn't want any of this. She barely wanted to show up, but out of duty and a bit of compassion she came. She had already been humiliated how much more could she take?

" I'm sorry." Brianna blurted out stopping the blonde in her stride.

I'm sorry

I'm sorry

I'm sorry

The words pierced her heart like an arrow that scored ten. She turned finally meeting her gaze one that was uncertain, and doubtful. Something that commonly found in her friends gaze. She crossed her arms as she questioned, " For what?"

" For everything."

" Like."

" I'm sorry for everything. I said yesterday I didn't mean to hurt you." Brianna began.

Adelaide crossed her arms holding herself. Hurt her. Hurt her. As if it weren't too late. " That's exactly what you did Bri! You fucking hurt me?" Her voice cracked making Brianna spirit shutter. Adelaide had given her absolutely trust and loyalty yet she threw it all away, that the power an individual gives someone when being close to them. They give them precious gift hoping for two things in return. That they return it, and they never abuse it. And this sacred silent commandment Brianna had broken.

Bri didn't even dare lift her head up. Abusing someone trust is unforgivable crime within the royal family, yet she did that same. How could she have been such a hypocrite. There were times in her life Brianna felt like she hit rock bottom, although she never felt more shitty than now. Still no matter she had to apologize. " Please. Please let me explain." She plead as Adelaide huffed.

Brianna pointed out to the bed as she pled, " Please."

Adelaide closed her eyes thinking of how this could give their friendship a chance. Reluctantly she sat on the bed as Brianna sat next to her.

Waiting for an excuse. For some type of royalty justification of stress, or that she was overwhelmed by the guest who disliked her. The same old, same old.

" I'm scared. Adelaide I'm really scared and I don't know what to do?" Brianna painfully confession holding back tears if not she would never stop.

Adelaide eyes went completely white. Did the strong woman she known almost all her life say she was scared? The being most powerful in the kingdom afraid for the first time in her life. Even if it wasn't the first time it would be the first time she had seen her.

" Though I am not using it as an excuse, what I did was fucked up and sorry but I wanted to let you know you did nothing wrong but almost say the simple truth of my mate. And for that I apologize. I never meant to hurt you. Nevertheless make you worry and cry. You been to good. So kind that I can't imagine the person I would be without you." She continued as exhaled. " You have never failed me nor will you ever. But I was so scared. Because you know I expected my mate to be someone different, but his not. He's a wolf, Adelaide. A wolf."

Adelaide already had know this but she never considered the impact of it all. The one time she had mention it a month early she had swore her to secrecy, even using sacred word binding. Never once did it occur to her that it was something she had to deal with.

" Being the princess of vampires comes with many responsibilities as the next leader. And such is picking a good spouse. A good mate. But how can I chose someone that is my literally enemy over my kingdom. How can I just accept someone I learned to despise over my family, my friends? What gives me that right?" Brianna mumbled as she shook her head," I'm digressing,still I am so sorry. This was none of your fault. It was something that I need to handle, but not at your cost. I prefer to reject him fully than ever lose you. A best friend. My lady. And above all my sister."

Adelaide felt the sincerity of her words. She didn't know what Brianna actually felt but she knew their bond of sisterhood and friendship. There was nothing that break it especially not a fight over some damn wolf , " I forgive you." She accepted as Brianna gladly sighed as Adelaide held up her finger, " But I still need sometime to cope."

Brianna nodded, " Of course. Take all the time you need but please stay by my side?" She said in a meek voice.

She was never original going to leave, if she would she would just be ridiculed by her family for leaving her position. On top there was no where to leave to. Her family was her parents and brother which whom she cared for lived their own separate life never really being there for her. She had grown up in the palace where the current monarchs resided because of her bright nature they took a liking to and make her their daughter's lady in waiting. Giving her all the luxuries any being could dream of wealth, gold, jewels, freedom, her own cottage house. This walls were her home. Every memory carved like the footprints of little children running around. Her place was here. Besides the future queen. Next to her best friend. To be her right hand at all times as she would be her caretaker forever.

The blonde unexpectedly embraced her whispering into Brianna's ear,," I was never planning to leave. This is my home. You are my family after all." Brianna hugged her tighter, until she had no oxygen left to breathe.

" Oh, thank goodness I don't know if I could live without you." She said with her brows unfolding.

Adelaide internal smiled, her bond with Bri was much more than just petty sentiments. She let go slightly pushing Bri off, " Of course you wouldn't. You would die the moment the new lady couldn't find the correct water temperature for your bath." She proudly joked.

Brianna knew this was Adelaide's terms of peace. She ran her fingers through her brunette messy locks as she gave a faint smile which reciprocated on Adelaide proud lips.

As a question popped into Adelaide's mind, " By the way what made you think I was leaving? I mean I might not have shown up a few days but leave no way. I like my house."

Brianna blinked reflecting back on Eliza's words of losing her.

" So, can I come back now or y'all need another moment?" Eliza peer her head out from the other room as the girls looked at another and back at her.

" OH you!" Brianna reprimanded as she squinted her eyes, knowing what she had planned.

Eliza shrugged her shoulders," How else would I get you to see the importance of friendship." Walking all the way around the bed walking on her knees as she settled on the bed.

"I'm not heartless." Brianna defended as Adelaide chuckled.

" No, just half heartless wolf girl." She specified as Eliza put her arms around them both as Adelaide covered her mouth slipping the secret.

" I'm so-" She was cut off by Brianna's hand. There was no intense aura, no fearful eyes just tranquility.

Brianna and Eliza looked at each other as Eliza winked," Eliza knows everything now."

" What? How!" Adelaide squinted her eyes as she investigated them solely by sight.

Eliza grinned ear to ear, " Well Bri told me everything, and I told her that's its okay. I will support whatever decision she makes. "

" So when she rejects him, we'll throw a party." Adelaide assured as Eliza shook her head as she moved her entire body.

" Or when she accepts him we have a big celebration honoring both wolves and vampires!" Eliza proclaimed as both girls shushed her. " Sorry. But I know it's not Ambrose."

" What? It's not?" Brianna questioned with a furrowed brows.

Eliza eyes glowed. Although Brianna had already sense it, she just wanted to give her a boost of confidence that it wasn't definitely not a vampire despite probably wanting all circumstances to be. Oh well. " You already know the answer to that miss wolf girl." Eliza taunted as Adelaide and her giggled.

" Hey!" Adelaide paused, " Look on the bright side if you reject mr.stinker you have Ambrose. Problem solved!"

Eliza slapped her hand as Adelaide rolled her eyes, " Do not interfere with the destiny of love."

" Love, really? Well tell destiny to call me and bite my ass." Adelaide announced as she sucked her teeth.

" Do not interfere what is meant to be!" Eliza objected standing her ground as the battle commenced.

Brianna laughed this is want she wanted. Back to their regular scheduled program," There you two go again." She chimed in admiring from an observant perspective. This is want she need. All the love for here and now. She didn't need a man or mate or beloved to show her this bond. Love was just more than man and woman. But for everyone in between leaving friendships feeling like something more than the ordinary. Something like destiny intertwined them together to understand one another.