“The regret”

CHAPTER TEN

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Charlotte's POV

Mia clung to me tightly, her little hands trembling as tears streamed down her face. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close even though my own heart was breaking.

I didn’t want to let go either, I never did. I stroked her hair gently, whispering words of comfort, but nothing I said seemed to calm her. She was hurting, and so was I.

When I looked over at Hazel, she wasn’t crying like Mia, but the sadness in her eyes cut even deeper. She stood quietly beside our mother, her arms folded tightly across her chest as if she was trying to hold herself together.

She had always been the quiet observer, the one who understood things before anyone else did. I know deep down that she knows I would leave one day. But she never imagined it would happen like this, or so suddenly.

Then my father walked up to me and placed a firm hand on my shoulder. His touch was steady, even though I could feel the tension in his fingers.

“We have to leave now,” he said gently. “It’s getting late. The King granted us a moment, not the whole day.”

I opened my mouth to ask if I could walk them out, just to hold on for a little longer, but he shook his head.

“No,” he said. “You’ve been shown grace already. Pushing it any further would be disrespectful.”

I knew he was right. But it didn’t make it hurt any less.

I smiled slowly even though I didn’t truly want to understand. My heart wasn’t ready to accept any of this. I hugged my family again, tightly, like it would somehow make time slow down.

Then I gave a small bow to the Beta of my pack and his family who had come along for support.

One by one, I watched them leave.

I stood there, frozen, as the people who had always been my strength walked away. I felt like I was being left behind in a strange world, a world I didn’t belong to and couldn’t understand. The silence that followed their exit was unbearable.

I sat alone in the study room, and the tears just wouldn’t stop. No matter how hard I tried to be strong, they kept falling. I had never felt so lost and alone.

A few minutes passed, then the door opened gently.

A young man stepped inside. He didn’t say anything at first, just looked at me for a moment like he wasn’t sure what to say. Then finally, he spoke.

“I’m Aiden,” he said quietly. “It’s nice to meet you.”

His voice was calm and gentle. He walked over and stood beside me, then offered a neatly folded handkerchief. I hesitated at first but then I collected it with trembling fingers.

“Thank you,” I whispered, barely audible, as I wiped my face.

He didn’t rush me. He just waited. It was like he understood I needed time.

After a while, when I had calmed down a little, he said softly, “Let me show you to your room.”

I stood up and followed him through the palace, every step feeling heavier than the last. I kept my head low, trying to hold myself together.

When we reached a tall wooden door, he stopped.

“If you need anything,” Aiden said, his voice low and kind, “just ring the bell by the door. Someone will come to help.”

I gave a small nod. My throat was tight. I didn’t trust myself to speak again.

Then he opened the door to the room, guiding me into a life I never asked for. I step inside, unsure of what this new life would bring.

The room was breathtaking—large, elegant, filled with warm lighting and the kind of beauty meant for royals.

Velvet curtains framed the tall windows, and golden embroidery lined the silk bedsheets. It was everything anyone could ever dream of.

But none of it comforted me.

As soon as Aiden closed the door behind me, the weight I’d been holding in finally crashed down. I dropped to the bed and broke down. The sobs came sharp and uncontrollable, and I didn’t try to hide them.

I cried out loud—loud enough that anyone passing by could hear. But I didn’t care. Let them hear. Let them judge. What more could they do to me?

Just hours ago, I was smiling. Just hours ago, everything was normal. I was surrounded by my family, living a quiet life. I had dreams, small but precious. And now… none of it mattered.

I lay curled on the bed, still wearing the dress I was never meant to wear. My body trembled as the tears kept coming, my chest rising and falling with each breath like it hurt to even exist.

My eyes were puffy and raw, and I couldn’t remember the last time I felt this helpless.

Everything had happened so fast, too fast. I was trapped in a moment that didn’t belong to me, wrapped in silk and silence, drowning.

I hated myself for what I’d done.

For the disgrace I brought to my family. For the way my mother’s voice trembled when she spoke. For the pain in my father’s eyes. For making them leave that palace with their heads bowed in shame.

I wished I could turn back time. I wished the wedding invitation had never come. I wished I had never tried on that dress. Never stepped into that hall.

I wished I had never met the King.