When it was time for a meeting with everyone including Caspian, Aurora sent Eleanor on her behalf to say that she could not make it.Her face was swollen and her bruises turning blue, Nadia definitely had a wicked hand.Eleanor came back, "I only found Nadia and the other concubines, the prince hadn't arrived yet but the princess approved your absence.""Thank you Eleanor,"Aurora had resided in waiting out the bruises from her face as it would be unacceptable to go out looking like this as a concubine.Days went by and her schedule was to stay indoors when nighttime came she would sit outside or see Elliot and tonight she was sitting next to her and he looked so much better."Your company has helped me through so much Aurora.""Don't mention it, Elliot, you would do the same for me.""Your bruises are healing too, did you decide to tell Caspian what happened?""No Elliot, he has more pressing matters and this would backfire on me as Nadia has power above us all.""She is misusing her
Aurora had packed her bags and was ready to leave, if she was being honest, she did not know when she would be back.Relief coursed through her, but at the same time, a sharp pain stabbed her heart. She didn't want to leave Caspian.Her bags were being loaded, and when she went out Nadia and the other concubines were there,"Morning My Lady.""I hear you are going for a few moons," Nadia replied taunting her."Yes My Lady.""Smart move Aurora, seems like you learned your lesson, have a safe journey.""Thank you for your kind thoughts, My Lady.""The prince has arrived."They all bowed, and Caspian came in front of her and pulled her into his arms. He pulled back and she could see Nadia and all the concubines fuming."I will miss you, My love.""So will I."Caspian didn't care and he kissed in front of everyone, when he pulled back he touched her cheek, "Don't be gone for long and don't forget me.""I would never."She climbed into the carriage and saw Nadia moving to stand beside Casp
Elliot looked at her, and she calmed a bit as she carried on walking."My Lord, My Lady it is lovely to see you two and all the other ladies."Caspian walked up to her and pulled her in his arms, he was holding her so tight that it seemed as if he would not let her go or had no plan to.After some time he finally did, he grabbed her hand, "If you could all go without me, and thank you for walking her Elliot but I will be taking over.""Yes My Lord." Elliot responded and he looked at her.Aurora smiled at Elliot,"We will be waiting for you My Lord whenever you are ready." This time it was Nadia.They started to walk to the secret garden, and they sat down by the bench. Caspian still held her hand tightly,He turned to her, "Why didn't you let me know you were coming back today?""I didn't want to bother you just for my return.""You're never a burden for me Aurora, and when you arrived why didn't you come to me immediately?""Elliot was the first person I recognized when I arrived, an
"You what Aurora? You do know that I am the princess right and you are just a whore maid that will never amount to anything, and conned the prince for a title, but that won't last mark my words, when Caspian sees you for what you are, he won't care and I will make sure you remember who I am.""Why only me?""What are you on about?" Nadia snapped."Why do you hate me so much?""You think I have not noticed how you seduced Caspian, to when you served him at the banquet, to the picnic. Those fake innocent eyes of yours I can see through them.""So why not every concubine?""Because you want to challenge me Aurora, you think we are on the same level in terms of Caspian's affection, you forget you are dirt and from dirt.""Should one be judged where they are from? I can't control that.""It does matter where you are from, I am miles away higher than you, I have met Caspian's parents which are essentially mine, has he done that for you? Or is he hiding you away like the trash you are?"Auro
They walked through the bridge to the pavilion, and she was surprised when she found a table with so much food."Are there more guests coming?"Caspian laughed at her question as he opened the chair for her and she sat down and he tucked her in. He sat next to her,"No just you and I, I want to make up all the moments that I could not see you.""You sure are doing a good job at fattening me."Caspian smiled, "I don't care how you look regardless Aurora, you have my heart."Aurora nodded, "You have mine too.""The princess arrives."Aurora saw Nadia coming up the stairs, "Sire, you don't mind if I join, I am parched.""Not at all, sit," Caspian replied.Nadia sat gracefully and she looked at her directly as she did, and Aurora knew she was doing it on purpose."I am glad you are back Aurora, I missed you and I am glad we can all sit and share meals," Nadia added."Me too My lady."Nadia looked at Caspian, "I have been a bit picky with what I eat, the physician visited me and I might be
Aurora jumps out of his arms, and the door to the prison is opened, she and Elliot are released, and the minute she is out Caspian grabs her by the hand and drags her away.He was walking fast and for every step, he took she had to take two so she could match his steps, and he was not slowing down.They walked into his villa and he did not respond to anyone that greeted him, when they got to his chambers he dragged her in and let go of her hand and he slammed the door shut.Aurora looked at the ground, she could not stand to look at him in the present moment that they were in."Tell me Aurora! Make me understand.""I don't know what you want me to say.""So you think it's fine for you to spend a night with another man?""I didn't choose to, I had no choice.""At least look at me when you say those words and that's an order!"Aurora lifted her head and looked him in the eye, she did not flinch at his words, her own anger was simmering on the surface.She could see the hurt in his eyes
Caspian became enraged when Aurora said she wanted to leave him again, he lost the little composure that had left him as her words pierced her heart.He did not know what had come over him, he grasped her chin and made her look at him, he spoke his heart, she could not leave him and Aurora could not die without his permission.He saw that he was just widening the gap between them, he held her face gently and spoke his heart, asking her what was wrong.When Caspian came to the root of the problem he realized how hurt she was, he thought he wanted to make his parents happy, he pulled her in his arms, but now when he held Aurora he forgot about them and nothing was worth it if she was not with him.He realized when she was gone that his life had no meaning without her, he could only see himself having a future only where she was in it.Her sobs tore at his heart, how had he been so oblivious to the woman he claimed to love? He pulled them to the bed when she stopped crying after a while.
Her heart was in her throat, and she wanted to refuse but before she could answer Caspian pulled out her chair and took her hand.He lead them to the dance floor and she didn’t want to look at anyone, she should be happy that he asked her to dance but now she was feeling sick to her stomach.Caspian pulled her in very close as he smiled at her, “that garland looks beautiful on you my love.” Caspian whispered in her ear.She nodded, “Thank you.”“What’s eating you up?”“Nothing My Lord.”“Don’t lie to me Aurora I could tell with the way you have been acting tonight, you barely ate and you wouldn’t look at me no matter how much I looked at you and you seemed to be close to tears.”Aurora was surprised that he was observing her so intently, “I just have a few things on my mind that is all.”“We will talk about this later.”“Have you danced with Nadia?”“No, I wanted my first dance to be with the love of my life.”Aurora nodded and relished being in Caspian’s arms, what was done was done,
“I want this journey to not end if only we could keep going until we have explored everything.”“That would take a lifetime and even a lifetime is not possible to explore every area.”“That is the whole point Caspian, for this journey to never end.”“I did not think of it that way.”“I have always wanted to go to different places from where I was raised, even our journey back to the palace was a thrill for me as I had not been anywhere besides where I grew up.”“Do you believe that your father might be on the lookout for you?”“No, not all he has never acknowledged my existence and he is not about to start now. If was searching for it would be to execute me as he would have figured out that I helped you escape. I’m probably labelled a disgrace and a traitor.”“I’m sorry that you did this all to help me.”“It wasn’t to only help you Caspian, it was a way out for me, to have the freedom I have always craved and to be away. I was desperate that I would have gone anywhere but stay there,
Caspian had heeded Douglas’s words and he had told Rurina that they would not be stopping until they were in the clear.All he had was faith, and hope that he would find her, he felt sick at the thought of her not being where he thought she was.Only time will tell when he goes to the destination if she is there or not. The day progressed bit by and when noon arrived they were searching for an area where they could eat as they were famished.They stopped by a stream, and the scenery was spectacular, now he could see why Aurora had loved being out here, one did not want to leave.He knew by now that they might be looking for him back at the palace and he hoped that they would believe Douglas.He had left them notes, explaining to them that he needed to breathe as the palace was a bit suffocating for him. He had told his mother she was in charge of making the final decisions until he came back and resumed full authority.“Are you worried about back home?” Rurina asked him.“A bit, I don
Evening came and Caspian lay on his bed, but sleep alluded him. He could not find a sweet spot on the bed. He kept on turning but he was not finding a comfortable position.He was not finding it, he got up and got dressed. He went outside and he went back to the forest path that he walked with Aurora.The moon was full tonight and it cast soft light, the breeze was warm, how he would love to walk with Aurora during this moment, he wanted to share it with her.He remembered her words, as long as they were under the same moon they would find their way back to each other.He stood in the middle of the forest, he would never forget the moment when he had turned and saw Aurora walking down to him.Caspian came to realization that he knew where Aurora might be, why had he not thought of it earlier. He went raced back to his chambers and he took out a scroll, he was going to leave soon to go find her.He prayed that she would be where he thought she was. The next morning Caspian summoned Dou
Caspian waited for Douglas to come with Aurora’s friends, he could not go himself as that would raise a lot of speculation.It might also reach his mother and Nadia’s ear, he heard the door open as Douglas led them in, when they saw him they all seemed to be frightened.“You may leave,” Caspian said to Douglas as he went out.“You all don’t have to be anxious, I did not call you all to berate nor to punish you. I wanted to ask about Aurora, and you all don’t have to keep your heads down, you may look at me.”He could see them lift their heads, and their hands were clasped in front of them,“I wanted to ask if you knew where Aurora might be?”They all shook their heads in unison,“Do you have any idea where she could have gone to?”“No, My Lord, before she left, she was ordered to not speak nor see us.”“Who ordered you to do so?”They all were silent at his question and he knew that they were probably afraid if word got out they would get punished.“You do not have to fear anything,”
Caspian turned and Nadia stood there, “I thought you had retired to your chambers.”“I was waiting for you.”“Is there something worrying you?”“I have been meaning to have a chat about a few things on my mind,” Nadia replied.“Of course.”“Can we do this at your chambers?”“I would rather we go to your chambers.”Nadia seemed to be overjoyed with his suggestion, “I will lead the way then.”They walked in her chambers and he saw that it was different but he really would not know as he spent most of the time at his chambers or at Aurora’s.He sat by the table, and she sat too, “I know we haven’t had much time to ourselves as you have urgent matters to attend to as the king but I was hoping we could bond again.”Caspian was too tired for all this, why could they not discuss it in the morning?“How so?”“We can select activities that we love and we share them with each other,” Nadia replied.“That’s a sound plan.”“Do you have any suggestions?” Caspian could see that she was hopeful, did
Nadia’s parents arrived, and he, Nadia and his mother stood in the forefront as they were being welcomed.“Caspian, we never thought we would see you again.” Nadia’s father held him at arms-length.“It is wonderful to see you again Sir.”“No need for formalities, you are my son and I will make your father proud.”Nadia’s mother came up to him and smiled, “Thank you coming back to Nadia, we do not know what would have happened if you would have not been able to return.”“Thank you, I see who Nadia takes after.”Greetings were exchanged and they all made it to the dining area that was prepared, and mead was served as everyone got comfortable.“Before we all have a drink, I would love to raise a toast to my son Caspian who was given back to us and the time when he was most needed. A toast to Caspian.”They all raised their glasses after Nadia’s father’s speech, “Cheers.”The night set off, and there was so much chatter, the room was full of guests yet he felt alone, sad and the mead was
Caspian walked side by side with Rurina during the night festival, he looked around but he was very distant. His mind and heart were on Aurora, he really needed to be reunited with her.“Look! Look!” Rurina said excitedly.She was looking at some sweets, they had them in the palace but probably did not know about them. He went over to the stall and got her some which she stuffed her mouth.“So delicious.”Caspian laughed at her excitement, then the next stall ahead of them was one with beauty accessories.Rurina was having fun in selecting one by one,“Sire.”Caspian turned, and Nadia was standing there with the concubines,“I didn’t know you were attending.” Nadia carried on.“I wasn’t but Rurina wanted to come so I came with her.”“Rurina we are having a concubine lunch for you tomorrow at noon.” Nadia said to her.Rurina nodded, “Alright.”Rurina took his hand before they carried on talking and she was dragging him away, she was very strong, no doubt about that.They bought some la
Douglas got into his room and closed the door, he had calmed down after his meeting with his mother.“You look strained.”“How can I not be Douglas, did you find anything?”Douglas sat down, “Can’t even wait for me to sit down.” He teased him, and this made him realize that he was free.“I will after I……….”“I know Caspian, find Aurora.”“Did you find anything.”Douglas put down a scroll on the table and opened it, it had a lot of writing and drawings on it.“There are seven possible areas that Aurora could have gone and it happened a while back, so they are not many witnesses. The other matter is that Aurora left wearing a cloak most probable.”Caspian nodded, he would not give up, “Anything else?”“Aurora seemed to have not taken much, and it seems as if she just disappeared without a trace.”“When did you find out when she was banished?”“After some moons had passed, I had tried to look into it but those who did would be harshly punished.”“Did you notice anything unusual to the we
"No, she just left and you weren't here to protect her." Elliot snapped."When did she leave?""Two years ago, and no-one has heard from her." Elliot replied in a hurt manner."Do her friends know?""No, she was banished from interacting from us and they turned her into a servant. The last time I saw her, she had dark circles under eyes and did not look like the same Aurora I once knew."Caspian clenched his fist, he walked back to his villa. He would not rest until he found her, he would search for her himself.He sat there in so much torment, he had wanted to surprise her of his return after he looked a bit better so that she would not have to worry but that all was for naught.As Caspian sat he tried to not think of the worst that could have happened to her, all he wanted was for to be alive even if it meant she had rewed and had a new life.He just wanted to see her once, just once was enough for him to see her doing well. That was all that he needed.There was a knock on the door