As Daniel had promised, in the following days Aileen was moved up to her room, with a nurse assigned to her to keep watch.
For the first time in weeks she felt a bit more lively, and not cooped up in a bland white room.
Her meals were brought to her and she had designated times that she went out to the garden.
As the weeks passed by and turned into a month since her incident. She was cleared by Dr. Lee for broken ribs, and her leg seemed to have healed by now. The only place he still checked every so often was her abdomen. It was still bandaged, and she was advised not to move around vigorously.
Aileen's birthday was coming up, which would be a big celebration, her twentieth birthday. It was a special event for her nation, because on the 20th birthday of a royal. They would gain access to their powers, which could come in all different forms.
The same went for the Ice Kingdom, and though she had heard once that Daniel gained his powers, not once since the time she'd been here did she seen him use them.
As her birthday was in a week, the banquet room was being decorated with her preferences, she was excited because her parents would be visiting.
As the days passed she seldomly thought about Sebastian, but she was scared that if she saw him again the pain would come back. So she didn't ask if he was coming or not.
Daniel had seemed to be busy these days, but he came and visited her before at least three times a week. But for him duty called.
Aileen felt like her relationship with Daniel had grown. There was a day he had come to visit. He asked her to tell him what her life was like back home. Apparently she had mentioned a tradition which he thought was so ridiculous he broke out into laughter. That was the first time she had heard him laugh or do genuinely smile.
But most times when he came he seemed to ask more about her health, than about her.
She could finally walk on her own though, and she could wear normal clothes again.
Her maids were making her a birthday dress. A fiery and bright red. To convey the message that though she was now the Ice Nation's princess, she would always belong to the Fire Nation.
....
Her birthday was tomorrow and her mother and father had arrived. She though that would be all the guests she was having from home. Until a woman stepped out.
Aileen was visibly confused until she saw Sebastian step out the other side... And meet the lady as she looped her arm in his.
She was shocked, and she didn't understand. She continued hugging and greeting her parents.
And then Sebastian and this woman walked up. Aileen looked at Sebastian in confusion and he looked down at the ground.
The woman came forward embracing Aileen and kissing her on each cheek.
"Hello your highness, I am Anastasia Greene, Sebastian's fianceé."
Aileen forced out a smile.
"Oh, well it's nice to meet you, congratulations."
Anastasia smiled and looked over at Sebastian.
Aileen cleared her throat, and then spoke. "Well I would love to be able to stay and chat, but I have other matters to attend to, the maids will accompany you to your respective rooms and I shall see you all later at dinner."
Aileen swiftly turned and walked away.
She held her breath as she forced back the tears. She walked away quickly. As she hit the stairwell someone grabbed her arm.
She turned and it was Sebastian.
Aileen turned away and tried to shake her arm out of his grip.
"Aileen"
"Let me go."
"Aileen, can you at least give me a chance to explain."
She whipped her arm away from him and started up the steps. She thought he would give up but it seemed he didn't want to.
And as she got into the upstairs hallway. He once again stopped her.
"Listen Aileen I know you're upset but I -"
"Are you serious!? You know I'm upset?! You know what I can't do this right now just please leave me alone."
"Aileen!"
She continued trying to walk away but he went after her again.
...
Meanwhile. Daniel who had been in a tiny chamber which was full of classified books started to hear a hushed argument, eventually tempers rising as well as voices, and he recognized it to be Aileen's.
So of course he began to walk towards the conflict
....
Aileen struggled to get out of his grip.
"Sebastian... I am not.. in the mood right now, please let me go."
But he seemed stubborn as he still held onto her wrist.
Then a commanding tone came from behind the both of them.
"Let her go."
Aileen and Sebastian turned to see Daniel.
Sebastian's grip had loosened but he still held onto her.
"Did you not hear me boy? I said let her go."
Aileen seemed to feel the tension in the room shift to being between the two of them rather than herself and Seb.
Sebastian let go of her hand and then Daniel walked towards them.
He gently grabbed Aileen's arm and the pulled her next to him.
"I'd appreciate if you didn't go after a married woman like this, you are engaged right... And id especially prefer if you didn't go after my wife."
Aileen felt gobsmacked when she heard him say that.
Daniel and Sebastian continued to stare at each other and then Daniel said.
" You are dismissed, I'm sure there will be a maid down there to show you the way to your room?"
Sebastian seemed to be backing away for now but he turned his attention away from Daniel and to Aileen. "I still need to talk you okay, please just cool off a little and meet me later."
Aileen looked away and Sebastian walked off down the hallway looking rather dejected and angry.
After that, Daniel let go of her arm and began to walk away.
Aileen always called him by a formal title and never his name.
"Your highness?"
He turned.
Aileen hesitated for a second and then said. "Thank you."
Daniel nodded and continued to walk back to what he was doing before.
Aileen headed to their room. As she now had made progress in her recovery, she could be put back into that room.
She didn't want to meet Sebastian after dinner. So she sent a maid to tell that she wasn't feeling well and would be taking dinner in the room.
....
Today was her 20th birthday. Her parents had told her the powers take time, and may begin to take effect a few weeks after her birthday. Aileen was excited about that, also to see her dress and finally get to spend time with her parents.
The celebration would begin at 1pm and last late into the night.
Aileen was getting dressed. The firery red color suited her skin tone, and the dress was body hugging with tiny straps that were embroidered. The bottom of it had a train that came billowing out as if there were flames. She matched heels to it and slipped on some red gloves and wore jewelry over it.
She wore a ruby necklace, and earrings to match. Her makeup was done to match the theme, and her hair was but up into a high bun, with curls coming down around and tiny pearls in her hair. Then the final touch was the ruby and diamond encrusted crown.
Aileen felt excited this time to show off her look. For a split second she wondered how Daniel would react, but she quickly brushed that thought away.