At World's End

Chapter 4

Spencer had informed her parents that they would be moving into the Campbell castle, and they were back to happy, just as she had expected. She did want to marry Andrew, but only if he became good again. She also did not want to hurt Toby. She knew the decision she had made was a bit spontaneous, and now he was bound to be upset with her if she moved in and became Andrew's lady again. He was already cold to her before she left the castle that day, and she was going to return soon, only this time, she would be moving in permanently. How was she supposed to live with Toby and Andrew? Andrew thought she was a virgin. Would she just hide this secret from her future husband forever?

She was sitting in the tavern, sipping on a glass of white wine. Someone sat next to her, so she turned around to look. A small smile emerged on her face when she saw two of her good friends sitting there. Aria Rose Montgomey, and Emily May Fields.

"Morning," she greeted warmly.

"Is it true?" Emily suddenly asked.

"What?" she asked.

"That you are no longer Andrew's lady," Emily responded.

"Partially," she answered, sighing. "I was hoping to not discuss this, but I guess I owe you the truth. We ended things, but it was my idea, and now his father wants us to not. I have not made any decisions yet, but I am moving into the castle, and I am expected to marry him at some point."

"What happened that made you end things?" Aria asked.

"When King David announced that Jasper would be the next king, he freaked out, and said he would not marry me until he becomes king," Spencer said. "He has been so obsessed with his title, and I did not want to wait around for that."

"He should be happy. Being prince is still an honor," Emily reminded. "Casey would have been thrilled to be announced prince. But then again, he is not the king's son. And he is quite poor."

"But it is different. Andrew feels as if he deserves it. He does not understand why his father thinks Jasper is the better fit for King," Spencer explained.

"He is older," Aria said.

"Not by much. Not even by a whole month," she reminded.

"Thank you for telling me," Emily said, squeezing her friend's hand, "but I must go. Casey is taking me riding this afternoon."

"Have fun, doll!" Aria exclaimed, waving at the girl.

Casey Lance was Emily's man. They were engaged, and he loved her a lot. Casey was not the richest man, but he was not poor, either. He was a farmer's son, and he worked at the stables. The reason he was not poor was because sometimes the farm made a lot of money for his family, but sometimes the food was not in demand, so he lacked money.

"Would you like to come see Wesley with me?" Aria asked.

"Of course I will, darling," Spencer agreed.

The two of them exited the wine tavern, walking down the humble street. Aria led the way, as Wesley's home was not too far from the tavern. Along the way, the tinier girl tripped on a book that was left on the street. Rushing to her aid was a much taller man, quickly picking up the book.

"I am so sorry," he apologized quickly. "Aria Rose?"

Aria glanced at Spencer before asking, "It is alright, but how do you know who I am?"

"Wesley did not do you justice," he said, reaching out to shake her hand. "I am his brother. He probably would never speak of me, but I'm Ezra Fitzgerald, his older brother."

"You do not live in the Fitzgerald household?" Aria asked, surprised. "Wesley has never mentioned a brother. Are you fooling me? Are you one of Wesley's friends?"

"No, no, I truly am his brother," he said. "But I disowned Fitzgerald. I'm Ezra Fitz instead. My history with my family is not too great, but in the end, I am now poor and jobless. I used to be a college literature professor."

"Ezra, it was nice meeting you, but—" she began.

"It is fine, I know that you think I am just a bum. Wesley is the more successful one," he admitted. "I have nothing, and he has everything. Including you."

Aria honestly felt bad for him, and quickly said, "Maybe we can arrange a meeting some time, but I am late for some prior engagements. Will you be here tomorrow?"

Ezra smiled and answered, "I always am."

As the girls walked away, Spencer asked, "Wesley has a brother? It is a bit surprising that you have been with him for so long, and he has never mentioned this 'Ezra Fitzgerald' or 'Fitz' older brother. Ezra must be dark past for him."

"I have a meeting with Ezra tomorrow, so I do not need to pry into Wesley's life and upset him," Aria told her. "I am sure that there is a good reason that Wesley has kept this brother situation from me, and in time, we will all know. Everything is going to be fine, Spencer."

"This place is lovely!" Hanna commented, clapping her hands together. "When will you and your family be moving in here? I would be dying to get in here as soon as possible. The royal Campbell castle... you are so lucky to be marrying the prince."

"I am not marrying him for sure," Spencer reminded, twirling her hair nervously. "In fact, I do not even know if I want to, after our altercation the night of the banquet. He is far too focused on his royal throne issues, and I do not want to be the wife of a power obsessed man!"

"Spencer? I thought I heard you."

Her brown eyes locked with his, and she swallowed hard. This was the first time she had spoken to him since he told her to pick Andrew, and they ended whatever they had after their intimate slip. He gazed at her for a moment, not knowing what else to say to her.

"Yes, this is my friend Hanna Marin," she introduced. "I was showing her the room I will be staying in when I move to the castle."

"Oh, right. Moving in for your damn sweet Andrew Campbell. A little funny, because I thought you were done with him, but things obviously change!" he snapped.

"Toby..." she muttered.

"Excuse me, I apologize for my outburst," he quietly said, and left.

"Who was that, Spencer?" Hanna asked curiously.

"The Campbell family's personal knight," she answered. "Just the knight."

"He seems awfully mad at you for 'just the knight'," Hanna told her. "What did you do to him?"

"Nothing," she said quickly.

"Spencer, what is going on?" Hanna demanded, closing the door. "Confess now! What problems you are encountering can be solved. You know I love you dearly, so just tell me. I can help you with this. What did the knight do, or what did you do to the knight?"

She sighed and said, "It is more of what we both did to each other."

"What are you trying to say?" Hanna asked, and sat down close to Spencer. "We can handle this. If you do not want me to tell Aria Rose or Emily, I will not."

"Fine. And do not tell them. Actually, not just them... do not tell any soul in this whole universe!" Spencer cried. "If you tell, everything is going to become hard for me. I already hate keeping this secret from people, and them knowing about it would be even worse than keeping it."

"You are rambling," Hanna told her. "Come on, tell me. We have been friends for years. You should trust me."

"I... I slept with Toby," she confessed.

"What?" Hanna asked in shock. "Spencer!"

"I do not need judgment!" she cried.

"Is this why you do not want to be with Andrew?" Hanna asked. "Because you are afraid of him finding out what you did?"

"I am afraid of that, but no," she said. "I feel something for Toby, and I fear that if I marry Andrew, it will all be gone. Toby is such a gentleman. He is sweet, funny, handsome, kind... and he is not obsessed with power like Andrew is!"

"You cannot give up your royal title and your love because of some strange man that you just recently met," Hanna told him. "Although, the knight is quite good looking..."

"You think I haven't realized that he is good looking?" Spencer said, rolling her eyes.

"Right, I forgot that you saw the man's penis," Hanna joked. "Was it nice?"

"Shut your mouth, Hanna Marin!" Spencer yelled. "What am I supposed to do?"

"Sleep with Toby again," Hanna joked.

"Leave!" Spencer snapped.