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, and I decided to talk to him as he was always my good friend."
Caspian seemed to be taking in everything, "How good friends are you?"
"I met him when I was still a maid and he would sit with me at times and keep me company."
"Is that why you refused my advances Aurora?"
"No, I have never thought of Elliot in that manner."
Caspian nodded, "I don't want us to have a bad or uncomfortable reunion."
"Me too."
"You look beautiful Aurora, your hair is longer and you are radiant."
"Thank you, My Lord." But Aurora could hear the sadness in his voice as he said it.
"What's wrong?"
"You seem to be much happier when you are away from me, you are more radiant and seem to be at peace. Is that why you didn't want me to send you letters?"
"No My Lord, it is not that. I just needed to clear my mind but I missed you dearly, it was hard to live without you."
"Me too, every day has been torture." Caspian raked his hand through her hair and pulled her in for a kiss.
Aurora closed her eyes and savored the moment, she returned the kiss as she too had missed him and his touch.
"I need to go My Lord."
"Where? You are not leaving me again?"
"No My Lord I need to go see my friends they must be worried sick."
Caspian nodded, "I will let you go for now."
"Thank you, My Lord."
Caspian kissed her once more and he let her go,
Aurora went to the servant's quarters and she could see when her friends noticed they all stood up and hugged her.
Lucy started to cry, "Aurora you are too cruel, you left without a trace and I missed you so much."
"I was worried sick," Evelyn added.
"The rumors were spreading like a wildfire," Ella added.
"Let's go outside and I will explain everything."
They were all seated outside, and Aurora explained everything from Nadia's altercation to her abrupt leaving.
"That wench!" Agnes let out frustration.
"I wish we could pay her back in spades!" this time it was Barbara.
"How evil of her." Said Ida.
"I am back now and I won't let it happen again."
"I wish we had a way to help you." This time it was Lucy who said as tears poured down her face.
Aurora pulled Lucy in her arms, "I won't leave again I promise."
"You better not," Lucy replied and all of them joined the hug.
When she had caught up with her friends it was late, she prepared a bath and got dressed for the dinner that the prince, princess, and concubines had to have.
What a sour day to arrive she thought, what were the odds that she would arrive to face them again, but she needed this, she could not hide forever.
She could hear chattering, and she got in the room and took a seat at the end. Some of the concubines were already there seated next to Caspian and Nadia's seats.
"I wish we all could be privileged to run away when things go wrong." This was Hazel and Aurora knew she was taking a jab at her.
The other concubines laughed, and she ignored them. Caspian and Nadia entered and they all stood up.
Aurora was taken aback when Caspian took her hand and went with her, everyone was watching. He got to the front,
"Move one down," Caspian ordered.
Hazel did and Aurora could tell that she was seething with rage, They all seated and Nadia was smiling at her,
"It's good to have you back Aurora."
"Thank you, My Lady."
As she was seated next to Caspian on the other side, Caspian would not let go of her hand. He kept on looking at her,
When the food arrived Caspian kept on filling her plate, she kept on eating and could not eat anymore.
Caspian nudged for her to eat and she shook her head, there was no way she could eat anymore she felt too stuffed.
When the dinner finished she went to her villa and sat outside.
"It's cold My Lady." Said Eleanor.
"I don't mind, it makes me remember."
"The prince is here."
Aurora stood up when she saw Caspian make his way to her,
"Why are you sitting outside Aurora?"
"I needed some air."
He touched her face, "Your face is ice cold, you will get sick at this point."
Aurora nodded, and he took her hand, "Come."
Aurora was led to Caspian's villa and she remembered when she used to clean for him. They got to his chambers and he closed the door.
He pulled her along and sat on the bed, and she was on his lap. He was holding her tightly once again,
"I feel as if this is a dream and you will disappear from me."
"I won't My Lord, I really am here."
"Never leave me Aurora, promise me that."
"I won't leave you, My Lord."
He leaned back fully and pulled her along. He put the covers over her and went to sleep with her in his arms.
The next morning he insisted he walks her to her villa, when they got there Nadia was standing outside.
"Morning Sire, and Aurora, I'm glad you are back and wanted to have some tea with you," Nadia said it so perfectly but she got chills.
"Of course, I will leave you two to it." Caspian placed a light kiss on her lips and he left,
"I see you are back and already causing trouble." Said Nadia.
Aurora looked at her directly, she knew she could not live in fear forever, "What trouble have I caused My Lady?"
"I warned you the last time Aurora."
"Then let's go the prince and sort it out."
Nadia seemed to be surprised by her response, "I see you grew a bit of bravery and forgot who I am Aurora."
"No, I didn't I just learned how to protect myself."
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