"Katherine!" Medda called going to hug her as Jack and Katherine walked into the dining hall.

Katherine happily hugged her before Medda went and kissed Jack's cheek.

"Come in we have some news for you two."

Katherine raised her eyebrows questioningly and Jack shrugged before they followed and sat down.

"Now Katherine and Jack, you need to learn to run a country."

They nodded.

"And who better to teach you than the old King and Queen?"

Katherine's eyes widened about two sizes and Jack gently put an arm around her. Katherine shrugged him off.

"I mean we need a lovely country and to make sure everyone is happy. Who could be more happy than the Pulitzers?" Medda smiled.

If she only knew.

"Katherine dear, are you feeling okay? You look a little pale."

"I-I'm fine." Katherine managed to say, "May I be excused for a moment?"

"Of course dear."

And with that Katherine wiggled out of Jack's arm and ran down the hallway and out of the palace.

***

"Is she okay?" Asked Medda.

Jack rubbed a hand over his face before saying, "Yeah she's fine. She's just been a little sick lately."

"Oh, dear, is she pregnant?"

"What? Mom! No!"

"I was just making sure honey." Medda laughed lightly.

"She's been through a lot lately."

Medda nodded solemnly.

"Why don't you go get her." She said, "She may be in the gardens."

Jack nodded and sprinted out the doors.

***

Katherine ran as fast as her feet could take her.

This was it.

She was done being queen.

Her mother had tried to teach her princess lessons when she was younger and she'd have bruises and scratches from her wedding ring by the end of the week.

This was torture.

"Katherine!" She heard in a distance.

Jack.

He was probably in the gardens looking for her.

Well she won't be there.

Katherine ran down the trail even faster until she tripped over her heels and landed with an UGH!

She had mud and dirt stains on her dress as she picked herself up and brushed herself off.

She needed time to think.

Katherine could hear footsteps behind her and she quickly began running again.

Through the trees and along the path.

That was when she came to the clearing. The one that overlooked the town and had a bench.

Katherine went and sat in the bench and put her head in her hands.

She felt a raindrop on her nose and sighed, what else could go wrong now?

Then the sky opened and the rain came down.

Katherine wrapped her arms around herself and soon couldn't tell what was rain and what was tears.

"Katherine!"

No. Go back to the palace.

"Katherine!"

I hate my life. I hate my job. I hate everything.

Katherine propped her feet onto the bench and hugged her knees, overlooking the town.

"Can't I just leave?" She whispered, "I'm done playing queen."

Katherine heard footsteps behind her and knew Jack had found her secret place.

"Katherine?" Jack said softly.

Katherine turned her head to look at him.

"Go home.  I'll be there soon."

"You have to come with me." He said standing by her and letting the umbrella he brought catch the rain away from Katherine's head.

"I don't get it!" She cried, "That woman is horrible!"

Jack sat next to her, pulling her into his lap and letting her cry against him, not caring about getting himself wet.

"Shhhhhh, it's okay.  I'm here." He whispered in her hair, weaving his hands through it.

"She's such a horrible person." Katherine sobbed, "I can't do this anymore."

Once Katherine stopped crying they decided to head home.

"When do these lessons start?" Katherine whispered.

"Medda said next week." Jack said squeezing her hand.

Katherine gulped.

This was going to be a long week.

-

Hey guys! Sorry it's been a while! I broke/dislocated my elbow and am in a brace right now 😁 Don't pretend to dance in socks on the kitchen tile ya know😅 But hey they popped it back in and it was a tiny fracture that'll fix itself in a few weeks🤕🤒 I just have a pretty shitty recovery process to go through :( But I'll try and update whenever I can! Sorry this one was crappy I just don't have much inspiration at the moment so if you guys wanna comment ideas I may take one and go with it! :) love youuuuuuu and don't forget you're amazing❤️