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, she was already the black sheep.
Caspian pulled her much closer, "You are hurting my feelings Aurora."
"How?"
"I want you to focus on me and only me."
"Can we do this in private?"
"No Aurora everyone has to know you belong to me and me only. I want my parents to notice you."
Aurora stiffened, she remembered that they were watching and Nadia was probably stirring the pot.
"What is wrong?"
"I think it would be appropriate if you were dancing with Nadia."
"No...….."
"Hear me out, your parents want to keep the relations and I realized that I was being selfish and you have to do what you have to do, to succeed on the throne."
"I don't want to hurt you."
"I know that and I will be supporting you behind the scenes."
Caspian nodded, "Let's enjoy the rest of our dance."
Aurora swayed in his arms and shut everything out, she put her mindset in a world where they could be together without all these social norms.
When the song finished Caspian walked her back to her sit and she sat down and he tucked her back in.
As soon as he went back to his seat the gossip started,
"I can't believe she gets the first dance over Nadia." Hazel started.
"She must have done something for him to become like this," Lilian added.
Aurora was quiet in her own bubble, she could see from her peripheral view Caspian asking Nadia to dance and they went to the dance floor.
His parents were beaming at them, and she hid her emotions, Caspian was smiling at her and they seemed to be in love.
"I have never seen the prince smile like that." This time it was Clara.
"As it should be," Rachel added.
"The king and queen even look happy for them." Caroline chimed in.
"Why are you so silent Aurora?" Hazel asked her.
"I am enjoying the night."
"Don't they look so much in love?" Caroline asked her.
Aurora smiled, "They do."
The night went by and she could see the king, queen, Caspian and Nadia chatting and laughing. The night came to an end and she was glad.
If you wanted to carry on sitting there you could which all the concubines did, but she stood up and Eleanor came to her side.
"Let's go My Lady."
Aurora nodded, and they left.
"Aurora."
She turned and found Elliot running up to her, "Elliot, how have you been?"
"Couldn't be better thanks to you."
"Eleanor you may go and prepare my bed, I will be there soon. I need to catch up with Elliot."
Eleanor nodded, "Yes My Lady."
"Let's go to our tree." Said Elliot.
"You mean my tree that I let you borrow at times."
Elliot laughed, they walked to the tree and sat down.
"You look amazing tonight."
"Thank you Elliot even though I feel far from it."
"Did something happen?"
"I got reprimanded by the king and queen."
"Ouch, for what?"
"I was told to know my place."
Elliot frowned slightly, "That's mean, do they reprimand the prince?"
"No, I think only me, but I don't blame them."
"How is it your fault that Caspian is the one who makes all the advances in public."
"It is kind of my fault as I got upset when I could not have him to myself and that was extremely selfish and stupid of me."
"No, you are not Aurora."
"Who knew that life would be this hard in the palace, I always thought if you moved up in the rankings, the better your life is. At first, I was so happy to be chosen by Caspian as a concubine, I could be with him but now all I have known most of the time is feeling alone and trapped."
"I am here Aurora if you need a break, outlet, and someone to talk to."
"Thank you, Elliot."
Aurora wanted to go see her friends but they probably would be getting ready to sleep, after some time she got up.
"I need to go and rest, night Elliot."
"Night Aurora, remember I am here for you."
"Thanks."
She went back to her villa and got in, she lay down but sleep alluded her. She tossed and turned and when she finally fell asleep it was close to dawn.
Aurora woke up the next morning and the sun was up.
"Eleanor."
Eleanor came in, "Afternoon My Lady."
"Afternoon?"
"Yes My Lady, I will prepare a bath for you."
When she was done getting dressed, she made her way to the servant's quarters, she waved at her friends who all stood up and came outside.
"You are becoming very scarce this day." Said Evelyn.
"When there are events we have to prepare days in advance and it's hard to leave."
"We saw the king and queen called you, is everything alright?" Lucy asked.
"I was reprimanded and told that I should know my place."
"Dang, I mean I saw you danced with Caspian first, is that it?" Agnes asked.
"Yes, I even told Caspian that we should be more private."
"How does Caspian feel about you?" Ella asked.
"He told me he loves me."
All their eyes widened, "I mean it is no surprise with the way he kept trying to steal glances at you." Said Ida.
"Well his parents don't approve and Nadia tries to make my life a living hell any chance that she gets."
"You have feelings for Caspian right." Said Ella.
"You also saw and felt it when they were dancing right?" said Lucy.
"I do have feelings for him but if you become a concubine from a very low status as mine you are shunned."
"Bummer we can't help you out in any way." Said Agnes.
"You do help me a lot by seeing me on days like these, I appreciate you doing this for me."
"No matter what happens you will always be part of our family," Barbara added.
She got emotional hearing those words, she was going through so much, and the fact that her friends always comforted and cared for her so much.
The bell rang, "I guess lunch is up."
"We are here for you Aurora." Said Ida.
"Thank you, you lot go on ahead, I don't want to put you in any trouble."
Aurora walked back slowly, she missed Caspian and wanted to see him but she did not know how much trouble she would be in if she just went and saw him.
Whatever, she would go and try to hide. She went to his villa,
"Is the prince here?" she asked one of the guards.
"No My Lady he is at the court practicing archery."
"Thank you."
She went ahead to the court and when she got there she peeked from behind a pillar and she was impressed with his skills.
Wow he seemed to be majestic, he knew what he was doing and she was in awe, he was great at everything that he did.
How he was blessed with it all, she smiled when as she watched him, how lucky she was to have him love her of all the women he could get.
He was charismatic, good-looking, and great at everything that he did,
"How long are you going to stay hidden by the sun Aurora?"
Early access to chapters: www.patreon.com/taniashava