BPOV

"Hey..." Emmett said as soon as he entered the room where I was waiting.

"I'm really for your loss," I said, "I can't imagine what you all are going through. Are you doing okay?"

"I'm doing okay," he said, "It's been really tough. Have you met Edward yet?"

"No." I said, "I think he is really busy right now."

"Yes, he is." he said, "You can't even imagine what he's going through right now. He has got so many things to manage, and he is doing so well! I'm really proud of him! I think I was stupid to even think that I was capable of doing what he is doing right now. It's really tough for him. I'm glad you're here for him," he said.

"I think I should have been here earlier," I said.

Yeah, I should have.

We hardly talked during the last two weeks.

His father's health was worsening, and he said he had been really busy. He said he didn't feel like talking to anyone.

Maybe I should have been here. He might have talked to me if I was here?

We didn't get a chance to talk even after the king passed away. He just had a very brief five minutes call with me. He had asked me not to hurry. He said he was doing okay, and there was still time for the funeral, so I shouldn't rush.

I thought his father's death might break him, but he was handling it really well. He sounded very stable and strong. I was really proud of him!

I had taken the earliest flight I could get as I wanted to be with him as soon as possible. I didn't care if I got fired at my work. I just wanted to be with him!

I wanted to talk to him.

I wanted to hug him.

I wanted to say that everything was going to be okay.

It had been two hours since I had arrived at the palace, and I hadn't met him yet.

I knew he was busy. He had a lot of things to do, but I couldn't wait to see him.

"His royal highness would like to see you in his office," One of the staff said to me.

Oh!

What?

I thought he'd come here to meet me whenever he was ready.

Or he could have texted me!

"Yes, sure," I said.

"I've got just five minutes, so I wanted to see you quickly." He said when I went to his office - The office of the king.

His demeanor, his body language, the way he talked, everything was so different.

He looked extremely confident.

He seemed in total control of the situation. I had never seen him like this.

His eyes looked dead. They looked like he was on some mission, and he didn't care about anything else.

It's like he was a stranger.

I thought he was going to take me in his arms as he'd be alone with me.

I thought he'd want some comfort that only I could give him.

But... He looked like he was completely in control of the situation.

It's like he didn't need any comfort from anybody.

"I'm really sorry for your loss..." I said, "How are you coping with it?"

Why was I talking as if I was talking to the stranger!

"I'm doing okay," he said, "How was your flight?"

"It was... It was good," I said, "Are you sure you're doing okay?"

"Yes, I am," he said.

Yes, he was a stranger.