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You walk back and forth in front of the wall. You take a deep breath and step closer. "Charlotte help me."
"No," she shakes her head, wanting little to no part in your escape.
You spin around to look at her, your body visible for anyone to see if they walk down this path to the garden. "Your brother married me off without my consent, you will help me."
She huffs, scratching the side of her head. Out of the two of them (her and her brother), she's always had a harder time saying no to you.
"Fine."
George watches as you call for her assistance and decides to walk further down. Neither of noticed him, not until he cleared his throat. “Hello, My Lady.”
You glance over your shoulder to find a charming man standing a few feet away.
He turns to your cousin. “My Lady.”
Her eye twitches, you know it did; you didn’t have to look at her to know. “Are you in need of assistance of some kind?”
“Uh, I am quite fine, thank you.” You return to your mission. “You can go back inside and wait with all the other gawkers.”
Charlotte whispers your name. She understands your feelings about the situation but there is a better way to address someone.
"I… will. What are you doing?"
You huff, “nothing.”
“You’re doing something.”
You internally groan, not wanting to berate some man for something he had no control over. “I am not.”
“You are.”
“I am not.”
“You are.”
“I am not.”
“You are!”
You jump down from your place and spin around to face him. "If you must know, I am being shipped off into a marriage I did not give my consent to and one I had no prior knowledge of, therefore I am leaving before it can happen."
"Oh," his brows shot up in surprise.
“Yes, so I am currently trying to find the best way to climb over this damned garden wall so that I may live my life the way I choose to.”
He mutters a few things, trying to understand this new information he’s been given. “Whatever for?”
"For the love of-" She mutters, hearing the wheels turning in your head.
"I believe he may be a beast.”
"He isn't," she assures you.
"How do you know? I mean, do you know what he looks like?"
She rolls her eyes, knowing you’ve been on edge since... well, since you were informed of your future role.
“You think he is a beast?”
“Or a troll.”
“Uh, who are we discussing.”
You furrow your brows, “no one who concerns you.” You study the wall, sighing to yourself. “The King. Only because no one will speak of him. No one. So, he can only be a beast or a troll if that’s the case.”
“Understood.”
Charlotte shakes her head, lowering it so George doesn’t see the disappointment on her face.
“If I grab there,” you point to an ideal spot. “You can assist me by lifting me up.”
“One question. You do not like beasts or trolls? What he looks like matters?”
You shrug, “I do not care what he looks like. I care about my sanity… and the not knowing. That, that is what I do not like. I do not like the not knowing. Now come here and help me.” You gesture for him to come closer. “She will not help me. You grab here,” you hold your waist, “and lift me.”
“You want me to lift you over the wall so you may escape?”
“That is what I said, is it not.”
You shake your head, mumbling to yourself, “it’s as if he isn’t listening.”
“Won’t people notice you are missing?”
“Her brother will make her take my place, I’m sure.”
“What?” Charlotte nearly screeches.
“I have little care to worry about that. Now, if you please. I just need a little assistance from a more cooperative audience. Make haste.”
“I have absolutely no intention of helping you.”
You’re baffled. You step off the wall and march towards him. “Do you not see I am a lady in distress. You refuse to help me? Again, a lady in distress.”
“I refuse when that lady in distress is trying to go over a wall so that she does not have to marry someone I think you'll find rather appealing."
You furrow your brows, "and why's that?"
"Because I am... his majesty."
You take a step back, realizing the many errors you’ve made leading up to now.
“Hello,” he says your name.
"Oh, no," your cousin mutters. She takes a step closer, pulling you towards her. "Be quiet and bow."
You start to apologize. “I am deeply s…”
And then your training (from when you were a young girl) kicks in and you bow, "My King."
"No, no. Just George."
"Your majesty."
"Not your majesty, George."
"Your-"
Your cousin rolls her eyes and sneaks away (not wanting to listen to you two anymore). She’s off to find her brother. Not to mention the fact that she needs to hide from her betrothed as well… which explains why she willingly followed you.
"George."
"You-"
"George."
"Y-"
"George."
"Your-"
"I mean, yes your majesty to you, just George… For you, I will be your George, I like that," he smiles.
“I- I need you to accept my apology. You see, if I had known-”
“You would have what? Not told me you were trying to escape?”
“Yes- wait no, I mean…” You huff, “I do apologize your majesty.”
“George… Your George. The “King” situation towers over us and I was hoping as my wife, I could be just George to you. I mean, that was of course, before I found out that you do not want to be married to me.”
You furrow your brows, “I did not say that.”
“You did.”
“No.”
“Many times, in fact.”
You purse your lips in anger, knowing he’s right. “I do not know you.”
He raises his arms, “I do not know you either… other than finding out… how terrible you are at climbing a wall.”
You scoff, “you try climbing in this,” you wave to your outfit and lift the skirts of your dress, showing him your ankles. “These garments and shoes. They’re terrible, but if I don’t want to hurt myself, I must.”
His constant stare worries you.
“What?”
“I- No one told me you’d be this beautiful. Perhaps, you’re too beautiful to marry me. People will talk… given I’m a troll.”
“I believe I said beast.”
He chuckles.
Your face twists as if you’re in pain but only thinking of your future marriage. “Your majesty.”
“George.”
“George. I- I still do not know you.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Everything.”
“Ev- fine.” He gives you information to help ease you into knowing more about him and potentially help your future marriage.
“It sounds like you’re bragging.”
He chuckles, “another to know about me is that… I am- well, nervous about marrying a girl I’m only just meeting minutes before our wedding. Only, I cannot show it and climb over a wall because I am the king of Britian and Ireland and that would, cause a scandal. But I promise you, I am neither a troll, nor a beast. Just your George.”
The corners of your lips twitch.
Charlotte’s voice interrupts you two. “My brother is on his way, so we must leave now.”
“I-”
“I have one question.”
“Yes?”
“Have you decided whether you wish to marry me? Or would you prefer to go over the wall?”
You gulp.
“As much as I would love to hear your answer, I have to go because I believe there are some anxious guards who think I’ve been kidnapped.” He grabs your hand and whispers your name as he places a kiss upon it. “I hope to see you in there.”
You watch as he walks away. “Have you decided? Because there will be a scandal one way or another.”
“I-” you take a deep breath. “Come with me, you impatient brat.”
“I am not a brat.”
“You are.”
“Am not.”