The call came in only minutes after midnight. The day–Hannah's day–was over. Looking back on it I'm sure it was no coincidence, I'm sure it was Ella's doing.

Kit had left the family hours before to be with one of the selected. Sage went to the bathroom moments after and never came back. Jules escorted Sydney out before she could throw a punch at her mother. After a long family dinner Hannah and her parents said they'd better head out. Margo had an early flight the next day. Jules came back to fetch Ren, Agnes called it a night, and I spent the rest of the evening alone with my parents.

They sent the call to Mom and Dad's bedroom, where we'd been for the hour previous. While my mom went to pick it up my dad made some remark on how it was probably Ella. I can't remember his exact words. My memories leading up to the call are all a blur, but I do remember my mom's reaction.

Tears sprang up in her eyes and her hand shot to her mouth. My dad was there to catch her the moment before she fell. When the phone slipped from her fingers I knew the call was over.

The words tumbled out of her mouth moments later. "They're gone. Christopher and Peter."

I lost a piece of myself in that moment, and I never got it back.

Two days later I was in England. I wanted more than anything to be there on good terms. For the hug that I shared with Princess Léonie of France to be because of excitement in seeing each other, not because of grief.

I sat with my mother and Kit during the funeral, but my eyes never left Ella. She looked sickly and scared, but mainly, she was devastated. She and Christopher had been best friends, and she loved Peter more than anyone else in the world. They were a part of her and they always would be.

"Liv," I looked up at the sound of my name. The funeral was long over but I was still sat in the church. Agnes stood looking down at me, her mother standing by her side. "We're going back to Swendway."

I nodded, not really fully processing her words in the moment. I got up and hugged Agnes and then Queen Kristina. "It would have meant a lot to them that you came."

"Andrew's staying to watch over Jane," Kristina spoke in my ear. "I have little doubt her other brothers will do the same."

I wiped a tear from my eye as we pulled apart. "Christopher and Peter would have done the same for Ella."

"She's still got Oliver," Agnes said the words even though we all knew Ella didn't really have Oliver. They'd never gotten along, even as kids. In that moment though, in seeing how much Jane's brothers cared, we needed to believe that Ella and Oliver's relationship could change.

I was finally ready to leave the church so I tried to manage a smile. "I'll be seeing you," I shrugged not knowing the circumstances of our next reunion, "one day."

They no doubt deserved more than that from me, but I couldn't give it. I couldn't tell someone I loved them when it would make no difference. When my words could disappear leaving no mark on the world. There was no point.

Back at the English Palace royalty from across the globe were gathered to remember the lives of two boys who many of them had never met.

It took every ounce of strength I had not to slap Hadley Schreave when she approached me. Her hair looked like it had taken hours to style, and her jewelry was far too flashy for a funeral. She was clearly only in attendance in hopes of making it into the tabloids.

"Livee," she said with a small egotistical smile on her face. "I'm so happy to see you here, we haven't spoken in so long."

I took a deep breath, "well Hadley the circumstances aren't exactly happy."

"No," she placed a hand on my shoulder as if to comfort me. "I'd say they're rather tragic." Hadley looked pityingly across the room at Queen Jane. "It's quite a shame, that boy would have made an amazing king."

That's when it hit me. England was going to have another Queen.

Ella wasn't prepared for it; she could be an amazing leader, but she wasn't raised to be. Christopher, like Kit, and like Agnes, was raised to be a monarch. Whereas Ella, like me, and like Agnes' brother Elias, was raised to be a public figure.

That's not to say we were stupid, or that we were not capable of what are older siblings could do. If need be, we could be their equals, but the need was never there. Instead we were needed to look lesser, to solidify the people's support in our older sibling.

I had come to accept that. Ella had come to accept it. We told ourselves that we had the better end of the deal. Now though, Ella would be thrust into a role that she had made herself despise.

"Anyway, I best continue making the rounds. Do say hi to your father for me."

I paid Hadley's last comment no heed as I made my way deeper into the crowd of people; nearly all of them regal in status.

I saw Princess Louise of France with Ren. Not as unlikely a pairing as you would assume. Hannah was sticking close by her father's side. Her face was wet with tears. Kit and Jules were having a polite conversation with Illéa's ambassador to England. Neither took notice of me.

Finally I saw him. Oliver. He looked better than Ella; good enough to be overlooked. I knew better.

Ella's middle brother was guarded. He was exuberant but serious. He had a special talent for clashing with his sister. I knew him to care more than most, even if he would never admit it.

When I reached Oliver I wrapped my arms around him and he pulled me tight to his chest. A few tears seeped out of my eyes as I lost the fight against my emotions.

"Will the pain ever stop?" His words were soft and I could tell he'd been holding them in all day.

I knew why he chose to ask me, but I didn't have the answer that he wanted; the answer that he deserved.

Oliver and I had an unspoken code of honesty so with tears streaming down my face, I shook my head. "It will always be there, but I know you," I looked into his wide eyes, filled with sorrow. "You're strong enough to live with it."

"I'm scared," Oliver locked eyes with his sister, halfway across the crowded room, "that Ella will let it destroy her."

A/N

Hey guys. I've been having a really rough September. There's a lot going on in my life, and I just haven't been able to devote time to this story. Although I was able to take an evening to finish this chapter, I sadly do not think I'll have the time to write another chapter anytime soon. I'm really sorry to all of you, I wish I could give you new chapters every day.

This chapter was definitely rushed, but I have to admit that the scene between Oliver and Liv was probably my favourite so far. Although Liv talks about him very positively, it is important to note that he is equally to blame for his relationship with Ella. A big part of it is resentment on both parts. Also I just want to say that I love Ren and Louise, I'm so excited for you to one day learn more about them.

My plan for the next chapter is to take a look at what's happening back in Illéa while everyone was at the funeral. Along with the selected, Callum, Sage, and Jamie Gibbs (who you haven't met yet) are at the castle.

Have a great day

Shaelynn