At World's End

Chapter 6

Spencer and Toby returned to the Campbell castle at a late hour. Luckily, nobody was checking for them. However, Spencer had forgotten that Andrew was going to meet her after the dinner. She walked with Toby back to their rooms, and then knocked on Andrew's door, suddenly remembering that she had to have this conversation with him. She was worried that he would not want her anymore, since she bailed on him with no notice.

Surprisingly, he was not sleeping. He glanced at the doorway, sighed, and set his glass of wine down on the bed side stand. Getting up from his bed, he shut the door so he could speak to Spencer privately.

"You're just a tad late," Andrew sarcastically said, rolling his eyes.

"I know, I am sorry," she apologized quietly. "Toby was havin familial issues, and we went to the tavern, and I lost track of time. I forgot. I'm sorry, Andrew."

"It is fine, I just cannot believe you missed your own event," he told her.

"Are we still going to talk?" she asked, changing the subject.

"Well, I want to, if you are willing to listen," he said.

"My ears are yours, and so is my heart," she told him.

Andrew smiled and spoke, "I love you, and you know that I do. I apologize deeply for the way I acted at the banquet. My father and mother have made a clear argument that made me realize that power and titles are not what I want. What I want is you, and to marry you. My conquest to beat Jasper for king was ridiculous, as well as immature. That game is over. I am fine with Jasper being King, and I will be prince. I want you to be my princess. So, are we good?"

Spencer smiled, kissing Andrew's lips with passion.

"Yes!" she exclaimed. "This is exactly what I needed to hear In order to forgive you. I love you, too, Andrew, I really do."

"We can announce our rekindling tomorrow at breakfast," Andrew told her, kissing her again. "Everyone is going to be pleased. My father and mother. Your parents. Margaret. Jasper. And the knight. We can all celebrate our loving relationship being rekindled, and our marriage in the near future!"

Yes, she did want to announce it, but not to Toby. But he was fine with it, right? He apologized, and they became friendly again. They spent the night together at the tavern, drinking wine and discussing their lives as friends. It was all perfect, and Toby was alright with her marrying Andrew. Right? Right.

Waking up in the morning, Spencer headed down to the eating hall for their breakfast after cleaning her teeth. The rest of the castle members were seated, including a new one— Daniel's new lady. And Toby was giving her an evil eye look, so he was not pleased with his father's new woman. Spencer took a seat next to Andrew. Once everyone was settled with breakfast on their plates, Andrew glanced at Spencer with a nervous smile.

"It is time," he whispered to her.

His voice raised as he announced, "Last night, I spoke to my father and mother, and they made me realize something about how immature I was acting about the throne arrangements. Spencer and I spoke after I cleared my head, and we have decided to rekindle our love, and she is my lady again. We will arrange a marriage very soon. I am proud to announce my princess!"

Everyone at the table clapped. Well, except Toby. He stared at the floor, clearly uncomfortable with the news.

"Andrew, well done!" David exclaimed. "I am so happy for you, my good son. Your lady is back."

"Excuse me, I need some fresh air," Toby announced, rapidly getting up from his seat.

"Excuse me as well, I should probably check if he is alright, in case he is sick or something. Then we can call the doctor," Spencer said, and followed him outside to the balcony.

"Why did you follow me out here?" Toby asked. "You should be with your damn future husband!"

"Toby, for what reason are you so upset with me?" Spencer asked.

"You are rekindled with that man," Toby said, rolling his eyes. "I thought it was quite clear why I was upset, Spencer."

"Yes, but we only announced it because I thought you were fine with me being with Andrew. We spoke after what happened with my friend Hanna, and I thought we were fine now," Spencer said, sighing. "I thought I had your blessing to be with him."

"You can be with him, I can't stop you from being with him," Toby told her. "But I will never be happy with that fact."

"What do you want me to do?" Spencer asked.

"Nothing!" Toby cried. "I thought I would be okay with you seeing Andrew and being his lady again, I told myself I would be fine with it, but when I heard him announcing it, and saying that you are his love and everything, I was not fine anymore. I was jealous. I have a desire for you to be my lady, but that is never going to happen."

"Toby," she muttered. "What happened that night was not a good idea," she reminded him. "I've sworn my hand at marriage to him, and I love him. I am not going to throw that all way just because of one night that I felt alive. It was the greatest night of my life, but one night cannot make up for a lifetime of love with Andrew."

"That was one night. What about what I can offer you in forever?" Toby asked sincerely. "Forget I ever asked, Spencer. I never stood a chance with the prince of Rosewood fighting for you. That night will not be spoken of by me. Best of luck in your marriage. I will try my hardest to keep my distance from meddling."

Spencer stood outside of Wesley's place, knowing that Aria Montgomery would be there. She sighed, knocking at the door several times. When Aria finally answered, the girl was all smiley. Her smile faded when she saw Spencer, which confused the brunette girl.

"Oh... hello, Spencer," she greeted quietly. "How are you?"

"I am fine, Aria," Spencer said, furrowing her eyebrows. "Is everything alright? I have heard that Wesley is back from his travels. I assumed you would be here with him, reuniting."

"No, Wesley is not here," Aria said confusedly. "I have heard nothing about him returning from his travels. He did not send me a letter. He told me that he would send me a letter, informing me of when he returned from the trip. I do not believe he is back."

"He is, he is," Spencer said. "I am sure of it."

"Oh, well I will speak to him later and find out what he has been up to on his travels and when he got back," Aria said. "Is there something you need, Spencer?"

"You know, do you not?" Spencer asked.

"I don't know what you are talking about," Aria quietly said.

"Yes, yes you do," Spencer said, raising her eyebrows. "I know that Hanna could not keep her mouth quiet about what happened between the knight, as well as myself. Toby. I know you have heard that name before, Aria. Hanna is not one to keep secrets. I was sure she would tell you at some point, but part of me believed that it would be easier if she told you, rather than myself."

"Okay, fine, she did mention it at the event at the castle with the Campbells," Aria confessed. "I could not understand why you were moving into the royal castle after breaking it off with Andrew, especially when you were having an affair with the castle's knight. It did not make sense to me, but I said nothing about it."

"The thing I had with Toby is over," Spencer promised. "I am with Andrew again, and we are getting married. I messed up and slept with Toby, but it was only once. I have sworn my love to Andrew, and will marry him as soon as we can."

"But Spencer, you are going to keep from him that your virgin self is gone, and to another man that is not him?" Aria asked, raising her eyebrows.

"Please, do not be the one to tell me about how keeping secrets is wrong, Aria," Spencer reminded. "Have we forgotten that Wesley has no clue that you have befriended his isolated older brother? He has no clue, does he?"

"I did not sleep with his brother!" Aria snapped. "That is not the only difference. Also, I am going to tell Wesley about it when he comes back. It is not some big secret. I know how to be faithful to my man. I love Wesley, and I can stay loyal to him. It is a shame that someone as intelligent as you could be such a whore."

"Aria? Are you coming back?" Ezra called.

"I am a whore, huh?" Spencer asked, raising her eyebrows. "That is truly wonderful. I do not hear another man's voice in Wesley's home, do I? It is a little upsetting that you invited Ezra over to his brother's home secretly. Now, that is a secret."

"But I am not sleeping with Ezra!" Aria yelled. "You slept with the knight! You slept with him! Andrew does not know that you slept with Toby!"

"I will take my whore self and leave," Spencer said.

"Spencer," Aria tried. "I am so sorry. I was just angry about the Ezra accusations. I did not mean a thing I said. Please don't let this ruin our friendship."

But Spencer was already gone.

"Afternoon, Toby," Andrew greeted, sitting down at the table. "How has living in the royal castle been for you, as well as your family? I hope it has been very nice for you all. The castle is a wonderful place to live in. We are all blessed to be here."

Toby raised his eyebrows and said, "It has been great. Thank you for asking."

"I feel that I have not taken the time to get to know you," Andrew told him. "The day we met, it was the dinner, and I was upset and disrespectful to everyone. That was back when I was obsessed with the crown and the King title. I am happy with everything now, and I am marrying the woman I love."

"Oh, fascinating. Like I did not already know..." Toby sarcastically mumbled.

"Spencer is a great woman," Andrew happily said. "But just between us men, may I say that I do not want to stop hunting for the crown! Jasper does not deserve to be king. What has he done that makes him a better fit for my father's crown?"

"But I thought you quit the search for Spencer," Toby said.

"Well, I told her I did," Andrew said, laughing quietly. "It is not obsessive anymore, I can promise you that. I am not fighting for it. I will still marry Spencer, and will not make her wait for my schemes. I am being mature about this. I am just trying to find a way to become king without the dramatic fighting now."

"As long as you are going to respect Spencer's wishes, I am sure it will be fine," Toby told him, trying to be supportive. "I hope that you do not hurt her, or my sword will reach your neck, Mister Campbell."

"Goodness! I am the prince of this castle, and you are just a pity knight my parents took in," Andrew reminded. "What makes you think you can threaten me like that? I was trying to be friendly with you, and then you threaten me?"

"I did not mean it literally, sir, but may I just tell you that I believe I earned this position in the castle," Toby proudly said. "I have gotten rid of a Rosewood enemy! Frederick Mason's son is dead because of me. William won't be running around with his nasty shenanigans. Also, I helped Spencer! Your lady was almost raped by William!"

"My parents only took you in because Spencer is my lady, and she recommended you to them," Andrew said, rolling his eyes. "Do you actually think they care about you? They love Spencer. They would do anything to make her happy. Your entrance to this castle was by Spencer's request. Just seeing you? They would not have invited you to live here. Sorry, but is the truth, Cavanaugh."

"Well, thank you for sharing, Andrew. I gladly appreciate all your support and help," Toby sarcastically said, and walked upstairs to his room.

Hearing the shuffling, Spencer headed over to his bedroom.

"Hello, Toby..." she quietly said. "Are you still upset with me because of this morning?"

"No, I am better now. It upsets me, but I am sorry for overreacting," he told her.

"Good, I was hoping we would be on better terms now," Spencer said with a smile. "I heard all this noise from my room. What is happening in here? Are you packing? Have the Campbells sent you out on your first quest to Ravenswood?"

"They have not asked me to do anything," Toby said, folding his arms. "I am leaving the castle permanently. It will not be my home when I leave."