" Everything will be fine my dear",the soft endearing voice of a woman echoed in Aurelia's ears as she regained her consciousness. Still oblivious to what had happened, she stared at her surroundings half consciously only to realize that she was in a cell.
With a gasp, she immediately sat up staring at the cell bars wide eyed. Just, what was she doing here? Her green eyes were looking lost and worried as she immediately stood up and grabbed the bars and that was when it all came rushing to her.
A single tear drop fell from the corner of her eyes and soon others followed, she was actually in a cell. They must have locked her up after she fainted.
What would she do now? How will she leave this place, how will she find her mother? Feeling confused and hopeless, she let her hand slip from the bars as she fell on the floor with a soft thud and her tears increased.
She really could not stay here, staying was not an option. She would tell this people about her identity as crown princess and she would leave this place, they will believe her once somebody from the royal family comes to prove her claim.
But no one would come because no one knew she was all the way here. She continued crying until she heard a voice behind her speak causing her to gasp and stand up abruptly.
" It's of no use crying continuously, your brother has promised to get you out of this place", the voice came emotionless and Aurelia stared at the person with a blank expression.
" Brother?",she called out unsure of what the voice was saying. Suddenly the person rose his head up and she saw he was a man bound in shackles, his black hair very long and messy and his body filled of dirt.
"Do not make me say too much, he has brown hair, brown eyes and he is muscular", the man repeated and she nodded immediately. This time the voice he used was one of fury and she couldn't help but feel scared. Somebody had to get her out of there now.
Aurelia ran the description he had given her through her head. The only male figure she knew here that matched that description was Madam Louis grandson Harlow but he could never be here, he was in the bushes hunting, she thought confidently.
" Now that you know I really do not wish to hear that stupid noise you call crying. I don't know why they brought you to my cell but they might as well quickly take you away", the man said hopelessly as he bent his head downwards letting his long unkempt hair cover his face.
Aurelia became wary and refused to sit down. Could this strange man be right? Was Harlow here for her? That simply meant good and she was open for any opportunity of leaving here.
She turned to stare at the man and at the same time his eyes met hers. He glared fiercely at her through his hair and she retracted back into the bars as if they would protect her from him.
It seemed as though she heard him scoff afterwards as he bent his head not minding her mild fear for him.
Soon afterwards, multiple footsteps could be heard approaching and she turned to stare ahead only to be met with dark hallways. The footsteps got closer and louder and so she had to move away from the cell bars so she could get a clear view of who was coming.
A soldier suddenly appeared with a set of keys jingling in his hand, accompanying him was Harlow, madam Louis grandson who was staring at her with an expression of worry on his face and that was rarely seen.
"You are free to go",the soldier announced coldly as he unlocked the prison doors and she stepped out immediately running to Harlow for comfort.
" Finally some peace of mind, you may all leave", the unkempt man said raising his head and Aurelia could have sworn she saw him smirk at her but before she could comprehend what it meant, Harlow was already dragging her out.
" What were you thinking letting yourself get accused like that?", was the first question that left his lips. He appeared furious but he was always furious with her.
"I never knew the crowd could be easily influenced, to think that all I did was stare and I was still treated so wrongly. Harlow believe me I was wronged", she explained in a soft and calm voice and he turned away from her as if sick of her explanation.
" It is alright dear, what matters is that you are out of that god forsaken place, come on climb into the carriage", an old woman exclaimed out of nowhere and they both stared ahead to see Madam Louis poking her head out of a carriage window. The carriage was parked at the side of the road.
" Madam Louis I am really sorry", stated Aurelia as she approached the carriage and was helped into it by the coachman while
Harlow chose to sit in front next to the man.
This carriage was small in comparison to the royal carriage which she rode on different occasions to different gatherings. The life of a princess was really endearing but it had its ups and down.
" Worry no more Elsa, we will soon be home and you should get rest alright", Madam Louis said smiling softly making Aurelia feel all the more guilty. She actually hid her identity from this woman and her mistake had caused the woman to lose a week worth of groceries.
It was actually time she left, perhaps once she was gone, this woman would not have to worry about her and she would be back on her journey. With that thought in mind she focused her gaze on the carriage's window as they rode through the town.
****
Rosamund approached her brother Colin with a determined look on her face. He was busy caressing his horse getting ready to leave for hunting. He swiftly turned around on hearing footsteps behind him and she smiled at him the moment their eyes met.
" I believe my answer is No", he said straightforwardly before she could even utter a word and she glared at him almost immediately.
" Colin you are refusing your sister like this. You know how I have always loved to go hunting with you and Ash, please do not say no", she said with a pleading tone as she made to stand in front of him so he could see how badly she wanted to accompany him.
She had been looking for him when his personal guard had told her that he was down in the stables getting ready to go hunting with the crown prince. Just immediately, she had hurried towards the stables hoping to meet with them and also be able to accompany them.
" You do not know how to hunt for animals and all you do is whine when we still haven't caught one. Trust me it will be best you stay away from the forest today and do what you ladies know how to do best, gossip", he said once again causing her to frown at him hard.
" Let her come with us if she wishes to", exclaimed Ash from behind them as Colin swiftly turned to stare at him while Rosamund's face immediately lit up.
" Thank you so much Ash, I am truly grateful", she said with enthusiasm failing to notice Ash's face which looked bitter, and that never happened because Ashton never once revealed an emotion after Liya left him but today he looked bitter.
" Why must she come with us Ash, you do know how annoying Rosamund can be?", inquired Colin much to the detest of Rosamund who frowned at him once again. This twin brother of hers was nothing like her, how could he be so annoying to his own sister?
" If you can so boldly invite Aurelia without my consent then I do not need your consent to invite Rosamund", snapped Ashton and Rosamund's face paled immediately, that princess was also coming, why?
" She is coming", Colin exclaimed as if not hearing anything other than the fact that Aurelia honored his invite. He happily turned around and truly there she was, clothed in a red riding suit which matched her skin color very well.
Marcy smiled meaningfully at Ashton. She made it here anyway and she was going to show him that hunting wasn't meant to be a man's activity only but a woman can also partake in such activities.
***
Dear Readers, I am quite sorry for the delay but I'm in the middle of writing an exam and so therefore the time to update has not been there but I do promise to drop chapters once in a while, please wish me all the best for my upcoming exams.