In the end Arya was barely able to sleep that night. She kept thinking about Cedric. His lips, his hands on her body. Her cheeks flushed and body heated up in desire. She was embarassed by these shameful thoughts however she couldn't help it. Where had Cedric learned to kiss like that?
But what she couldn't stop thinking about the most was Cedrics offer for her to come back to the castle. Cedric said it would be a better for her to be with Aston. Whilst it was true that she would be able to spend more time with Aston just as she wished. However, she wasn't sure she was ready to go back to the castle.
She loved Aston so much and truly wanted to be there for him but her feelings over what happened were too strong. She felt guilty, was she wrong for not being able to get over it and try to make an effort for her son?
The fact is Cedric wasn't an ordinary man asking her to come back home. He was an emperor, her son was a prince. With that came a lot of complications. There were certain customs and procedures they had to follow, all eyes were on them. Going back meant the curious eyes of the capital nobles were going to be on her. They where going to wonder where had the former empress been all this time?
Her own family had abandoned her. Going back would mean she would have to face them again. She knew if she lived in the palace memories of the past would came back of the servants gossiping and disrespecting her.
She was also worried what if Cedric hurt her again? Found himself a lover? Or in fact already had lovers and wanted to add her to his harem?
Though in all this time Cedric hadn't found himself a new empress and was proposing the position to her, she had heard of the many women that had been coming in and out of the castle over the years. She suspected they could be possible lovers of his. Though she hadn't asked him because she wanted to stay out of his business she believed it to be true.
The previous emperor in addition to the empress had 2 concubines and another unknown mistress. To put it quite simply she had no interest in joining Cedrics harem. In case one or all of them came after her like Jasmine did. She wanted to avoid a situation like that from ever occuring.
Another reason Arya believed Cedric must have had a lover was that Cedric was an excellent seducer. He almost had her when he kissed her that night. There was no way he didn't learn all these things from trying on them on his lovers. It angered her just thinking about it.
Arya needed time to think; she wanted to be there for Aston but at the same time didn't want to deal with the drama that came with royalty.
The following morning when Susie came to the room to help Arya prepare she noticed her ladys' exhausted, tired appearance and her grumpy mood.
Things were awkward between Arya and Cedric they pretty much avoided any eye contact with each other and barely talked. Cedric thought it was best to give Arya some space after believing he upset her the night before. Meanwhile Arya kept on having lewd shameful thoughts when she looked at Cedric and wanted to forget them.
Today Aston wanted to practice sword fighting with Cedric. Aston wasn't old enough to start swordsmanship just yet, but Cedric just for the fun of it he would give him a few lessons sometimes.
They were having their practice outside on the estate grounds where Aryas' knights would train. They used wooden swords for their safety. Arya watched them from the stands of the training grounds.
As they practiced Cedric would often absent mindedly glance at Arya and remember their conversation the night before. Momentarily forgetting he was with Aston. "Dad!"Aston yelled at one point. "What's going on you're not paying attention today."
"Hey mum. Look at me. Aston called out to Arya but she was lost in her own thoughts. "Mummy!" He yelled again. "You're not listening to me."
This time Arya was brought out her thoughts and looked at Aston. "Sorry Aston." Arya apologized. "What is it you wanted to show me?"
"It's fine you've ruined it now." He said disgruntled.
At lunch the trio decided to have a picnic on the estate gardens but it became evident that Cedric and Arya weren't talking to each when lunch was so silent.
"Dad are you and Mum fighting?" Aston innocently asked as he bit into a sandwich.
Arya and Cedric looked at Aston in surprise. "You haven't talked to each other today and you're not listening to me as much." He continued. They were taken aback by how observant he was.
Arya and Cedric looked at each other wondering what they should say to him. "No we're not fighting." Cedric started waiting for Arya to back him up.
"We're just.... tired from everyhting we did yesterday." Arya continued.
"Yeah, we did so much so much" Cedric carried on with the lie. "We'll do better.
Arya and Cedric did a better job of giving Aston more attention for the rest of the day. As soon as Astons mood lifted they knew they had been successful.
Later that night Cedric was reading in the library again when Sir Aaron came in asking for an audience with him. Cedric figured it had something to do with their ongoing investigations in the capital.
"Any updates ?" Cedric asked as Sir Aaron came to stand in front of where Cedric was seated. "Your majesty, On the rebel border investigation an update on the situation was sent but apparantly got lost."
Cedrics brows furrowed in confusion. " What do you mean it got lost?"
"I'm not sure your majesty when the letter was being transported it some how vanished. Of course the report is being
"But thats not all Sire, we received a report that Azir prison was broken into yesterday."
Cedric was now baffled, just how many things were going wrong? "Yesterday? Did any prisoners escape?"
"So far they can't be sure if anyone is missing some of the gueards on duty were drugged and put to sleep at the time of the break in. Some of them are still disoeriented from what happened however they have already begun an investigation. On an initial head count all the prisoners added up."
Cedric brought his hand to his chin as in contemplation. He realized things seemed to only be getting more serious. "Prepare for my departure tommorow I'll head to the prison."
"Yes, your majesty." Sir Aaron replied as he left the room.