At An Impasse

Warnings: angst

Summary: You're taken back to your home country to continue tradition and marry someone you don't love. When objections come around, you look to the crowd in hopes someone saves you. Someone does and now you have a new choice to make.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You thought the next time you were in Yacleira, you'd have a much different life. Here you are, back in your dressing room wearing the same beautiful dress you were wearing when you left this country. The dress is a pinkish-beige color instead of the traditional white a wedding dress is supposed to be. The strapless bodice has golden swirls and diamonds are placed sporadically along the spiral lines. Extra fabric was sewn onto both sides of the dress to give it a more full and voluminous look. Those pieces of fabric start from your waist and go all the way down to the ground to meet the bottom of the dress. The fabric is curled over each other to create a sort of wavy look that looks natural. The bottom of the entire dress has fluffy ruffles and a train flows behind you.

Why did you think things would be different for you? Why did you have hope that you were going to be treated differently? Spencer has shown you things you only read about in books, and made you feel things only characters in movies get to feel. The time spent with Spencer has been the best months of your entire life but your parents don't care about any of it.

Their princess is back and they expect her to get married off to someone she doesn't love. You want to scream and cry but you don't, and Ben watches you with a careful eye knowing you want to. He hasn't said anything to you since you got back mostly because you think he feels guilty for sending you to America without checking who you're staying with. It's not his fault but he won't hear it.

Your mother enters the room and smiles when she sees you in your wedding dress.

"Look how gorgeous you are."

"Thank," you mumble.

"Don't be so sad, honey."

"You won't understand. There was something special with Spencer. I thought I really loved him."

"Everything is going to be okay. You'll see."

This time, she isn't letting you out of her sight. She is eager to walk you down the aisle knowing you'll be married to Henry in only a few hours. The tradition fulfilled, the peace treaty unbroken. Ben stands on your left while your mother stands on your right. Both of them start to walk you down the aisle where Henry is waiting for you at the altar. You keep your gaze focused on the banner right above Henry because you will break out in tears if you look at him. Maybe if you pretend he's Spencer, it'll be better.

The minister's voice drones out so you're not paying attention to anything he is saying. It's like you're locked inside your body, forced to watch this disaster play out. There is nothing you can do about it so you sit idly by and wait for the storm to pass. This is being televised to the citizens of Yacleira with the most important people in the audience.

"If anyone should object to the marriage of Y/N Richmond and Henry Harrington, speak now or forever hold your peace."

You don't look to the audience knowing there is no one there who will speak up.

"I do." Your eyes widen and you look to see Spencer standing up. "I object." You can't find the words as whispers fill the ballroom. He steps into the aisle just as everyone turns to look at him. "I know I don't hold nearly as much value as a prince but I do know that I can't stop thinking about you. You make me happy, happier than I have ever been in a long time. I have no idea where this relationship will go but if you let me, I will do everything I can to make you happy. I want to be with you. Do you want to be with me?"

Everyone turns to look at you who has a shocked look on your face.

"I have a confession," Henry says and all eyes are on him. "I can't... I'm in love with someone else." Shocked gasps go through the room, and Henry looks at you. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to hurt you."

"I think I'm in love with someone else, too," you say and look at Spencer.

Your mother and father are already storming up to the altar with not-so-pleased looks on their faces.

"Throne room, now," your mother scowls.

You look at Spencer once before leaving the room. Ben and Kylen follow you to the throne room while your parents deal with the rest of the wedding that may not happen. You're only in the throne room for five minutes before Spencer and your parents walk in.

"Mother, I'm sorry–"

"How do you feel about Spencer?" she asks.

Spencer walks over to you and you grab his hand in support. You can't believe he flew all the way out here just for you. He must have left only days after you did since the wedding happened four days after you got back to Yacleira.

"I love him, Mother."

"Then you two need to make a decision. I have misjudged you and I apologize for that. Your father and I were talking in the days before the wedding. I had hoped you would marry Henry but I realize now how unhappy you have been. I loved your father when I married him but I see now you don't love Henry. Forcing you to marry someone we want isn't going to work for you."

"Mama," you whisper tearfully.

"I love you so much, my dear. I want nothing but happiness for you, and if being with Spencer makes you happy, then I want you to be with him."

"Thank you," you smile.

"However," your father's voice booms around the throne room, "there is a choice you need to make. If you don't want to marry royalty, then we won't make you. We'll deal with Vosharia and sign a new peace treaty."

"What's the choice?" you ask.

"You can either give up royalty and live as a commoner with Spencer or you can embrace your status as Queen with Spencer by your side. You'll need to be married for that and without Vosharia, I can give you another year before you have to be married."

You look at Spencer who is already looking at you. How can you possibly ask Spencer to do this? You want nothing but to be with Spencer but does he want you enough to be in this life with you?

"We'll give you two a minute," your mother says.

Everyone leaves the throne room to pick up the pieces of the abandoned wedding.

"Y/N–"

"I could never ask you to give up your life for me." The tears fall but you make no move to wipe them away. "I could never ask you to give up all your friends and family to come here and live with me as King."

"Technically, I'd be a prince."

"That's not the point," you sigh.

"Still, I could never ask you to give up your friends and family for me."

"I don't know what to do."

"Neither do I."

This time, you have no words. Do you stay with Spencer in Virginia or does Spencer move to Yacleira and rule by your side? No one else can make this decision but you and Spencer.