Weeks went by and Aurora understood now what Elliot meant in terms of being alone. She had no family to visit.
She hadn't seen Caspian since that fateful day and could not afford to see her friends, she would have to see them when they were free and she had to ask for permission.
The process was too long and unnecessary, and most of the time was declined. And she wondered where Elliot had gone to.
She had also not seen him in weeks, was he also avoiding her after that day? She sent a letter with one of the maids to Elliot.
The whole day passed as she sat inside her villa ready to sleep, she was wearing the white nightgown, and her hair was loose being brushed by Eleanor her maid.
"A letter for the lady."
Aurora nodded to Eleanor to get the letter,
She came back, "Here is the letter My Lady."
Aurora nodded for her to carry on brushing her hair,
My Lady
I regret to inform you that Elliot fell from his horse and broke a lot of his bones.
He has been running a fever and is fighting for his life. He is no quitter so we are nursing
Him the best we can. Please bear with him as he recovers at the west wing.
"Eleanor take this letter to one of the ladies outside to tell what it is saying."
Eleanor nodded, and when she came back with the letter she seemed to be more distraught, she handed her the letter back.
"My Lady, they say Elliot is sick and he is being nursed in the west wing."
Aurora crushed the letter and got up.
"My Lady where are you going? We can't go at such a late hour."
"I don't care, Elliot would have done the same," she budged out of her villa. She put on her shoes,
"Okay My lady I am bringing your cloak."
"Don't if you are caught you will face dire consequences, Aurora got to the west wing and she gasped when she saw Elliot in bandages.
The physician stood up and she took his place after some time she had to leave but she promised to see him every day if she could.
She got back and cried, he was all she had close to a friend, finally, she went to bed late.
"Madam you need to get ready."
Aurora opened her eyes which were heavy and she felt tired from last night, "For?"
"Tea with the prince and princess."
Aurora groaned she had forgotten all about it. She bathed got dressed and her hair was braided down her back loosely.
Some of the concubines were already getting in, Caspian and Nadia were seating in front with their tables in front of them.
The rest of the tables were facing each other. Some of the concubines were fighting over to go sit close to Caspian or Nadia.
She sat down on the first seat that was close to the door and furthest from them.
Aurora felt tired and the conversation was going through her head, she took her spoon and began eating.
Everyone was talking and all she could think about is Elliot, Aurora felt someone nudging her and it was Rachel.
"Did you say something?"
"Not her but I did, you are peculiarly quiet," Nadia responded.
"I am not feeling well My Lady."
"You should get some rest."
Aurora got up so she could leave, "She dismissed you but I didn't."
Aurora was surprised at Caspian's words and she sat back down slowly.
"You may all leave." Said Caspian.
The concubines and Nadia got up,
"Except you, Aurora come and sit beside me."
Everyone was surprised at his words, when they left she got up and sat next to him.
"I hurt you, haven't I?"
Aurora blinked back tears,
"I have not slept with anyone ever since the night of the ceremony." Caspian carried on.
When a tear drop fell from her eye, he pulled her in and placed a kiss on her head. She clasped the front of his shirt. She had missed him so much and thought he had forgotten about her.
"I thought you forgot about me."
"I would never Aurora, I was being watched as my mother and father want me to get along with Nadia as she is the future queen of the kingdom.
Caspian held her like that for a long time,
"Go get ready, I will be attending your quarters tonight. Aurora blushed heavily and she knew what he meant.
When she was seated later on during the night and everything was prepared she felt anxious,
"The prince is here."
Aurora just stood up and waited for him to enter her bed chambers,
Caspian entered, "You look beautiful."
"Thank you, My Lord."
"Tonight we are not subjects but husband and wife."
They sat down and she poured them both some fermented wine.
"Caspian took her hand and was surprised, he slipped a ring on her finger and kissed her hand,
"You and I's love is forever eternal."
"I offer myself wholeheartedly to you," Aurora responded.
Caspian started to switch off some candles and it had become dim in the room they moved to the bed on the floor.
She was nervous, the alcohol had not made it better, Caspian started to take off his clothes and she started to unbraid her hair.
Aurora tried to unbutton her gown but too jittery, no-one had seen her body in this state so he would be the first one to see it.
She felt insecure as he had slept with many beautiful women and wondered if she would compare.
Caspian was now shirtless and he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss on her shoulder which sent heat waves through her body.
He removed the top of her dress and she now had nothing left her bosoms were out in the open and she covered them with her hands.
Caspian leaned in and started to kiss her on the cleavage, he set her hands aside when she saw adoration in his eyes.
"Don't hide away from me."
Aurora nodded, but she was still shy, he leaned her back softly and carried on trailing soft kisses all over her, which had her losing control.
"You look beautiful Aurora, I want to keep you in the memory, my most sweet delight."
He lowered himself into her and she felt some pain and after some time she got used to it, when it was all done she held her in his arms.
"You have given me more pleasure than anyone else has, having my heart in it sure does a difference."
Caspian looked down and found that she had already fallen asleep, he kissed her forehead and made sure that they were both covered in blankets.
The next morning Aurora woke up feeling some pain throughout her body and was surprised when she found Caspian still sleeping next to her.
He needed to be back in his palace, she shook him a bit, he opened his eyes and smiled at her,
"I fear you are late My Lord."
Caspian nodded as they got dressed he pressed a kiss on her lips, "I will try to come and see you again."
Aurora smiled, "I would love that."
She went out with him so she could walk him out, when they got outside Aurora felt a hint of cold when she saw all the concubines and Nadia taking a stroll.
She had completely forgotten about this, they all turned to her giving her the eye. Nadia looked like a vein might pop out.
To make matters worse Caspian pulled her once more in his arms and placed an overly passionate kiss and watched him take his leave.
Nadia and the concubines came over her to her,
"Morning My Lady."
Aurora was shocked when she was met with a hard slap from her, "Do I look like a joke to you Aurora?"
"No My Lady." Her cheek stung.
Nadia slapped her other cheek, "You knew today we had to take this walk but here you are fulfilling your own agenda. You know very well that the prince has a lot on his table without you being a burden and needy."
So this was what she was angry about, that Caspian had visited her chambers before hers and he had displayed public affection.
"Forgive me, My Lady, I will learn from this."
"You better Aurora or else the next time the punishment won't be this light."
She saw the other concubines laughing at her, when they disappeared, Eleanor came next to her, "Don't mind them My Lady they are just upset that the prince prefers to visit you over them."
"At least I have you."
"Let me go get ointment, your cheeks are quite bruised, My Lady."
Aurora nodded, after a bath, she put ointment on her face and the bruises were very prominent.