Aria stood alone outside the physician's quarters, tears streaming down her face. Davina emerged from the quarters, her expression icy. Without warning, she delivered a stinging slap to Aria's cheek.
Aria recoiled, shocked. "I don't understand! What was that for?"
Davina's voice dripped with venom. "You're the cause of all this. If you hadn't come here, Lord Nigel wouldn't have fallen in love with you. Now, I want you to leave. Return to wherever you came from. Name your price – gold, silver, anything. I'll give it to you. Just disappear."
Arya gazed at Davina, her voice firm. "I won't take your money, gold, or silver. But I will leave – for good."
To herself, Aria thought, "Why did I forget that Lord Nigel's world and mine are different? I came from a poor family, while he was born into wealth. Our worlds are too far apart; this relationship won't work."
Aria smiled cordially at Davina. "I'll leave. I don't want to cause any more trouble."
"I wish you a happy marriage with Lord Nigel," Aria said, her tone sincere.
Davina's expression softened slightly. "Thank you, darling."
******************************
Arya slipped into the castle, intent on packing her bags and leaving without a fuss. She longed to reunite with her mother, whom she deeply missed. As she packed, the maids watched her with curiosity, asking where she was headed, but Arya ignored them, her anger and hurt still simmering.
Reaching the entrance, she was intercepted by the head messenger, who delivered a surprising message: "Your mother isn't where you think she is. She's in a better place."
Arya's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
The messenger explained, "Lord Nigel sent us to relocate your mother from your old home to his private residence."
Arya's eyes widened in shock. "That can't be! Lord Nigel didn't tell me anything."
The messenger shrugged. "Perhaps he planned to inform you later."
Determined to find her mother, Arya asked, "How can I locate her?"
The messenger offered, "I'll escort you there, if you'd like."
Arya nodded, and together they set off.
*****************
The news of King Maric's demise spread like wildfire across the Evarian Kingdom: "King Maric is dead!" The queen mother was consumed by grief, her eyes streaming with tears as she repeatedly exclaimed, "I don't believe it! I don't believe it!"
King Maric's wife was equally distraught, and the entire kingdom was plunged into mourning. A somber procession was sent to retrieve the king's body for burial. The atmosphere was heavy with sorrow, and the kingdom's residents were enveloped in a deep sense of depression and loss.
***************************************
After a long and stressful journey, they finally arrived at a breathtakingly beautiful estate. Although it wasn't as grand as the castle she had left, its heavenly landscape was still a sight to behold.
As they reached the entrance, the messenger bid Arya farewell. "Are you not coming in?" she asked.
"No, my journey ends here," he replied, turning to leave.
Arya entered the estate, where she was met with curiosity by the servants. "Who are you?" they asked in unison.
Arya explained her situation, and after verifying her story, the servants welcomed her warmly. She asked to see her mother, and they escorted her to a serene garden where her mother sat sipping tea amidst vibrant flowers.
"Mother!" Arya exclaimed, rushing toward her.
Her mother's eyes lit up. "Oh, my baby! Oh, my baby!" She rose from her seat, embracing Arya tightly.
"What happened?"
Arya reassured her, "Sit, Mother, I'll explain everything. But first, I'm tired and hungry."
Her mother nodded sympathetically. "Okay, dear. Let me call for some food." She summoned a servant to prepare a meal for Aria.
After Aria finished eating, refreshed herself, and changed into something comfortable, she sat down with her mother to explain everything that had happened. Her mother listened with rapt attention, her expression growing increasingly surprised.
When Arya finished her story, her mother exclaimed, "No wonder! No wonder I was brought here and given golds and gifts. So, you mean to say that Lord Nigel, is in love with you?"
Arya nodded, her face flushing slightly.
Arya leaned in closer to her mother, her voice barely above a whisper. "Mother, you know I've always been honest with you..."
Her mother's expression turned curious. "Yes, what is it?"
Arya's voice dropped even lower. "I had sex with Lord Nigel."
Arya's mother's face turned red with anger as she slapped Arya on the shoulder. "Arya, what did I tell you about saving yourself for the right person?"
Arya tried to calm her down. "Mother, please calm down. I regret it, okay?"
Her mother's expression changed. "What do you mean you regret it? Did Lord Nigel reject you?"
Arya took a deep breath and explained, "Mother, there's this woman, a witch, who's forcing herself on Lord Nigel. He doesn't even look at her, but she's relentless. She's the reason I left; I couldn't bear it anymore."
Aria's mother was speechless, unsure of how to respond. Aria pleaded, "Mother, let's go far away from this place. I don't want anything to do with it again. Please, let's just leave."
Her mother's expression turned firm. "We're going nowhere, Aria. This place is safer than being out there. Do you know I was almost killed? Almost captured and killed?"
Aria's eyes widened in shock. "How?" she whispered, her voice trembling with concern.
Arya's mother continued, "It was Lord Nigel's men who saved me. They arrived just in time to protect me. We're not going anywhere, Arya. We're staying right here, where it's safe."