Chapter 34 - A Happy Ending
The entire way to wherever they were going Aiden made sure his father knew he was still angry. He was very short in all their conversations. He wouldn’t start any of the conversations. He didn’t care where they were going or anything about the princess and her family. He wanted to leave. He still thought his idea of running away was the best one he had. He wished he knew where Kait was so he could go get her. If they could run away together they would both be happy.
His father stopped trying to talk to him after a while. The king sat in his seat reading hand written books that were brought to him every time they stopped. Aiden spent his time watching their surroundings. He didn’t recognize anything they were passing. All he knew was that they were heading south. He couldn’t tell how far south though because everything was covered in varying thicknesses of snow.
They arrived at their destination in the evening. There weren’t people running everywhere like there was during the daytime in Latopolis. Aiden assumed it was the same here. The door was opened for them by a servant who was standing back with his free arm behind his back. Aiden climbed down first with his father right behind him. Another servant was waiting for them at the bottom of the steps into the building. Aiden couldn’t see the top of the building in the darkness so he didn’t know how big it was.
The man bowed as they approached him. “Good evening, my lords. The Queen sends her apologies for not meeting you herself. There was an unexpected change of plans she is seeing to. The ceremony will continue tomorrow evening as planned, though.”
“I hope everything is well, then,” King Jonathan said.
“Yes, sir, everything is well. If you would like I will have some food brought to your rooms.”
“That would be perfect, not too much, it is getting late.”
“Of course, sir. Follow me please, I will show you to your rooms.”
Aiden followed the servant and his father without paying attention to their surroundings. He was trying to think of anything else he could do to get out of this. He could picture himself showing up at Kait’s birthday celebration and making everything perfect again. First he had to get himself out of his own situation.
“Aiden, I want you to stay in your room tonight,” his father said as he stopped to go into the room offered to him. “You’ve got a big day tomorrow, I want you well rested.”
“Yes sir,” he grumbled.
The servant led him a little farther down the hall to another closed doorway. “Here sir. If there’s anything you should need I will have servants waiting in the hallway. Someone will be around shortly with some food.”
“Thank you.”
Aiden was trying to be careful not to take his anger out on the people who had nothing to do with it. This servant didn’t know him, he didn’t have any say in who Aiden married.
He went into his room thankful to finally be alone again. The first thing he did was look out the window. He was much too high up to try jumping. He doubted he would be able to sneak out since the servant said there would be others waiting in the hallway all night. The only thing he could do was spend the hours until morning trying to figure out how to get his father to release him. That seemed next to impossible now that they were at the princess’s home.
He had to take a breath to calm himself when there was a knock on his door. Whoever was bringing his food wasn’t to blame. “Come in,” he called.
A girl probably a few years younger than him came into the room pushing a cart. There was a covered tray sitting on top that was already giving off a deliciously sweet scent. The girl placed the tray on a table against the far side of the room. She stepped back with a quick curtsey.
“Is there anything else I can do for you, sir?”
“Maybe. I have a few questions. It’s okay if you don’t know the answers. I could just ask my father if I was speaking to him right now.”
“I will try my hardest to answer your questions. If I don’t know the answers, I will find someone who does.”
“It’s not necessary to go to so much trouble.”
“I’ll try my best to help you, sir.”
“Do you know if I’m supposed to be staying here after the betrothal?”
“No sir, I don’t know. I believe you should be able to do whatever you wish. The two of you aren’t being married tomorrow, only betrothed. You should be able to carry on with your lives as normal until the wedding, unless special plans have been made. I would be more than happy to ask someone more knowledgeable. It would be very discreet.”
“I would like to know but don’t go out of your way to get an answer. If you don’t see the person you’re intending to ask, don’t worry about it.”
The girl curtsied. “Yes sir. I’ll be back to pick up your tray later.”
As she opened the door another cart was wheeled into the room as if someone on the other side was waiting for her. King Jonathan followed the cart inside. He was looking around the room appraisingly.
“This is a nice room. What do you think of it, Aiden?”
“It’s nice enough but I would rather be with Kait.”
The king gestured to the table where Aiden’s food was waiting. The servant put another tray on the table before scuttling out with the girl. “I see you’re going to hold out till the very end with this.”
“We were preparing to go to her home when I got your letter. It was the first time she ever invited anyone.”
“I’m sure you’ll get another chance.”
“I doubt it.”
“Please Aiden, try to have an open mind about this.”
“How can I? And how can you expect me to? I thought you loved my mother. If you really did, you would understand me now.”
“I did love your mother and I do understand you.”
“Then why are you making me do this? Why do you insist on telling me that what I want doesn’t matter?”
“I’ve never said that.”
“So tell me why you won’t let me marry Kait? That’s what I want and you’ve known that. If what I want really does matter don’t force me into this betrothal.”
“Even if I was willing to change my mind it’s much too late. Tomorrow I want you to stay in here and rest. Books can be brought to you from the library, I hear it’s rather magnificent. You’ll get to see it for yourself eventually. When it’s time to get ready a servant will come to help you.”
“I don’t need help getting ready.”
“Don’t fight it, that’s how things are done for special occasions.”
“Why can’t I leave my room at all tomorrow?”
“I want you ready for the ceremony tomorrow night. I want you completely rested and looking sharp.”
“I’ll never be ready for this thing,” Aiden muttered.
“Let’s have our meal and not fight for a change. Please, sit.”
Aiden went to the table where their food was waiting. They didn’t fight through the meal but they didn’t talk either. As soon as King Jonathan was done he excused himself. He seemed a bit weary. Aiden knew part of it was from all their fighting. He didn’t care though. He was going to keep fighting as long as he could. Even after the betrothal if there was any chance of having it called off he would keep trying. When Aiden reemerged after a quick bath he found the serving girl waiting in his room. She gave him a quick curtsey.
“All your clothes have been put away, sir.”
“Thank you.”
“Your outfit for the ceremony has been taken to be freshened up.”
“Thank you but I almost wish you hadn’t. It doesn’t matter to me what I look like tomorrow.”
“I was able to find out some information for you.”
His eyes lit up. “Really? What did you learn?”
“There aren’t any set plans for after the betrothal. In previous instances the couples have gone their own ways until the wedding but they have also stayed together.”
”Basically the Princess and I can do whatever we want.”
“Yes sir, it will be up to you and the Princess what you will do after the ceremony.”
“How well do betrothals usually work out?”
“Fairly well, sir. If you find that you and the Princess don’t get along, you won’t really need to see each other much. You could have your own rooms and your own affairs. You are expected to produce children so you will need to spend some time together.”
The idea of seeing someone just to make children completely disgusted him. “That’s horrible.”
The girl shrugged. “That’s how the royal world works, sir.”
“Tell me honestly, would you want to have a life like that?”
She was quiet for a moment, a torn look on her face. “Please forgive me sir for saying so, but no. My husband and I are perfectly happy together.”
“You’re married?”
“Yes, sir. Again, forgive me but you should already be married, too. Betrothals are usually done when the children are young. The two are married when the boy comes of age.”
“Are the two usually close in age?”
“No, you and the Princess are unusually close in age.”
“If the boy reaches manhood long before the girl will they still be married and expected to bare children?”
“Marry yes, and she’ll bare children as soon as she can whether or not she’s an adult.”
“I think this is one of the more disgusting things I’ve ever heard of.”
“You weren’t raised as a royal, were you sir?”
“No, I was fostered in the northern part of Namaria. I haven’t known about my father for even a year yet.”
She nodded. “I have one more piece of information that might make you feel better.”
“What is it?”
“The Princess doesn’t know anything about the betrothal. She thinks this is just a party.” The girl curtsied. “I’ll leave you now, sir, if you don’t have any other questions.”
He shook his head distractedly. He hadn’t thought about what the Princess was going through at all. Just because she was a princess didn’t mean she wanted this. She didn’t even know. She thought she was going to a party. She was probably excited about planning her outfit and dancing all night. She wouldn’t have a chance to react until it was too late. He was just as strange to her as she was to him.
The next day Aiden didn’t see his father until the late afternoon. Servants had come and were dressing him in the formal outfit his father had designed for him. He already felt uncomfortable in it even though he didn’t have it all on yet.
“Are you enjoying all the special treatment?” King Jonathan asked as he came into the room.
“Enjoying it? It’s humiliating, and you’re forcing me into a marriage that I don’t want.”
“You’re over dramatizing it.”
“No, I’m not. I don’t want to marry this girl and I’m sure she wouldn’t want to marry me if she knew about me.”
“How did you find out she doesn’t know?”
“I overheard some servants talking about it.”
King Jonathan nodded. “It’s true, the Princess doesn’t know what’s happening but she was raised as a royal. She has known for her entire life that this was a possibility. She knows this is her duty and she’ll accept it.”
“Why wasn’t she told?”
“I believe I was told there are extenuating circumstances. Her mother believed it would be better if she didn’t know about this ahead of time.”
“Extenuating circumstances? You mean, she already has someone like I do?”
“I don’t know. You’ll have to ask the Princess.”
“Have you seen her since we’ve been here?”
“No, I’ve also been staying in my rooms. I have seen the Crowned Prince. He told me she’s been resting all day just like you.”
Aiden looked at his father pleadingly. “Why are you doing this to me? What is so wrong with Kait that I can’t marry her?”
“There isn’t anything wrong with Kait, this has absolutely nothing to do with her. This is creating a formal alliance between our countries and you’re getting a proper, royal wife.”
“What does it matter if I’m never going to rule a country? Is she?”
“No, there are several people ahead of her in line for the throne. This alliance extends beyond the two of you.”
“Why couldn’t I be normal?” Aiden asked with a groan.
King Jonathan chuckled softly. “You are normal. You’ll get used to this. From what I know of the Princess she’ll be very willing to help you through this.”
Aiden threw his hands up, momentarily scattering the servants who were trying to apply the little decorative pins and tassels to his outfit. “Why are you making me do this? Is this all because you couldn’t marry my mother? Do you think I shouldn’t be able to marry who I want either?”
King Jonathan sighed as he settled back in his seat. “This definitely isn’t anything like that. I know you won’t believe me until you meet the Princess but you will be happy with the arrangement. Please trust me a little bit. I know you don’t think you can trust me but you can. You will be happy, I promise.”
“I won’t be happy unless you release me from this betrothal so I can go to Kait.”
“That’s what you say now but I know you’ll change your mind. I know without any doubt that I have matched you right. You need to give both of us a chance. Remember, she doesn’t know anything about this. She had nothing to do with the arrangement.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t take it out on her.”
“That’s good to know.”
The servants were finally done with Aiden. As soon as they backed away from him he rushed out of their reach. He felt weighted down by all the extras attached to his suit. The sash that crossed his chest was heavy enough. He also had a few tassels and extra pins. He couldn’t wait for the night to be over just so he could rip everything off.
King Jonathan pat the seat beside him. “There’s something else I need to discuss with you before we go down to the ballroom.”
“Something else?” Aiden dropped down onto the seat, already afraid he had torn something.
With a single hand motion from the king, all the servants cleared the room. He waited until the door closed. “There’s something I have for you.” He pulled something out of a pocket but kept it closed tight in his hand. “This has been passed down through our family for generations. I may not be able to give you the throne but I can give you this.” He held out his hand.
Aiden held out his hand as well. His father dropped a small ring into his palm. It was an antique silver ring with a deep sapphire stone shaped like a tear drop in the center. There seemed to be lights flickering deep inside the stone. On either side of the sapphire there were small filigree pieces of silver in the shape of leaves set with tiny diamond chips.
“The firstborn son in every generation has given that ring to his bride-to-be. Your mother wore that until the day she died. Give that to your princess when you have a moment alone.”
“This should be Kait’s.”
“No more talking about Kaitlyn. It’s time to go down to the ceremony. There are questions I don’t think you’ve realized yet, all questions will be answered tonight. This is your life now.”
Aiden nodded. There really wasn’t anything else for him to do but go down to the ceremony. Kait had been right, he hadn’t been able to stop the betrothal. He had broken his promise to her.
“Come on, it’s time to go.”
They walked through the halls without talking. Aiden kept his head lowered. He tried not to think about Kait. No matter how hard he tried he couldn’t stop thinking about how he had failed her. They stopped outside the open doors to a large ballroom. Aiden still kept his head lowered.
“I know you’re unhappy about this,” King Jonathan whispered, “but try to look like a prince.”
“Unhappy is an understatement,” Aiden muttered as he lifted his head. He rolled his shoulders back as he looked into the room ahead of them.
All the people were clustered at the front of the room on either side. There were two gold chairs at the front of the room on a raised dais. A man was standing in front of one of the chairs with his hands folded in front of him. A woman had stepped forward to the edge of the dais as she spoke. Aiden was too far back to hear what she was saying or see anyone’s faces clearly. As applause went up from everyone in the room, he stiffened. It was almost over. Two people moved forward from the cluster of people on one side of the room. One was a tall man the other was a girl in a dark dress. She knew now that she was about to be handed over to a stranger. The man leaned down to the girl for a moment. He walked away from the girl leaving her alone.
“Come on,” King Jonathan said lowly, “it’s time for you to meet her.”
Aiden grudgingly walked beside his father into the room. The girl was standing as still as a statue. Her pale golden hair fell in shimmering waves and curls down her back. She didn’t look up at him when he stopped beside her. King Jonathan pat Aiden on the arm as he stepped away. Aiden kept his eyes on the princess. She was blinking furiously and struggling to breathe normally.
“Everyone, please welcome King Jonathan of Esna and his son, Prince Aiden.”
Applause rang out all around them. The girl gasped as her head shot up. He could see tears glittering in her eyes. He almost gasped himself when he saw her face. It was the girl from his dreams, the one with Kait’s eyes.
“It’s you,” he breathed.
She started to smile hesitantly. “Aiden?”
How did she know his name, he never learned hers.
“It’s me, this is the secret I was going to tell you.”
All thought seemed to stop.
“Offer me your arm.”
He raised his arm as she directed.
She placed her hand over his. It’s me. This is who I really am.
His eyes got wide. Kait?
You must never call me that while we’re here but, yes. It’s me. Look, Connor is off to your right.
He looked to his right. Connor was standing there grinning furiously. A small, frantic wave escaped him before he was able to control himself. Aiden looked back down at the princess.
“It’s really you?”
She smiled. “Yes, it’s really me. I’m sorry I’ve lied to you for so long.”
He felt himself smiling. “I don’t care about that.”
“We need to talk, I’ll find us some place later. For now we have to finish the ceremony.”
She pulled him forward toward the dais. The Queen was smiling at them.
“Welcome to our home, Prince Aiden, it is now your home as well. Prince Elias will be meeting with the two of you later this evening. Now, let us feast and dance.”
Applause filled the room again. Aria pulled him back some so the Queen and Prince Elias could come down the steps. They followed directly behind the two.
“It’s really you?” Aiden whispered. “You’re really Princess Aria?”
She smiled. “It’s just Aria, please.”
“I’m sorry, I’ve always known you like this as Princess Aria. It isn’t proper for a commoner to call you by your first name without your title.”
“You aren’t a commoner, and I want you to call me Aria. I’ve wanted you to call me Aria for a long time.”
“I will.”
“Don’t worry about forgetting and calling her Princess,” Connor said, appearing beside him as everyone started taking seats on either side of the massively long table. “I still forget all the time.”
“I won’t let myself forget.”
Aiden sat down on one side of Aria as Prince Aren sat on the other. Aiden was still finding it hard to believe that Aren and Bryan were the same person. That meant Alec and Adamnan were the same person. King Jonathan sat down on Aiden’s other side.
“You are happy with this arrangement, aren’t you?”
Aiden beamed at his father. “You’re right, I’m so sorry. Why did you let me get so mad at you? You could have told me and I would have been eager to come, I would have tried to come sooner. I wouldn’t have been so horrible to you.”
“I couldn’t, she’ll explain everything. Promise me you’ll trust me next time.”
“I promise.”
The rest of the evening was a blur for Aiden. Aria led him through everything. They stood in a line for a long time with the Queen, Prince Elias, King Jonathan and Aren. People kept coming up to them to greet and congratulate them. Aiden didn’t recognize any of their face. When the people finally stopped coming Aria pulled him out on the dance floor where they stayed for the rest of the night. She didn’t dance with anyone else, not even Aren. Aiden saw his father dancing with the Queen for a little while. Aria looked like she would have stayed on the dance floor all night if Prince Elias hadn’t come to stop them. As they left the room Aiden noticed that there weren’t very many people left. The few people remaining looked like they were saying their goodbyes.
Prince Elias led them into a large room with an equally large desk. He closed the door as Aria and Aiden stood in front of the desk.
“Aiden, I want to personally welcome you to the family,” Elias said, reaching out to shake his hand. “You seem to be fitting in well, that’s good.”
“Thank you.”
“Please sit, there are a few things I need to go over with you.”
Aiden reluctantly let go of Aria’s hand as they backed up to take seats.
“I understand the two of you have been courting.”
His face immediately started to turn red.
“That’s completely over now,” Elias continued, ignoring Aiden’s embarrassment. “Because you are both adults now the decisions throughout the rest of your relationship lies with the two of you. Aiden, you don’t have to ask permission to take her places or spend time with her anymore. She is essentially yours. However, I don’t recommend hurting her. She has four very protective brothers who don’t want her harmed. Ordinarily, two people of your ages wouldn’t be betrothed, you would be married.” He looked to Aria. “You know Mother wants a marriage ceremony. She’ll do anything for another party.”
She nodded.
“You can make your marriage official whenever the two of you decide. You can wait for the marriage ceremony or you can consummate the marriage. Either way Mother will have the ceremony. It’s up to the two of you what you want to do. That’s all I really have for you for now. I know Aria has a few things to tell you. The two of you are more than welcome to stay here as long as you like.”
“I think we’ll go for a walk,” she said.
“I’ll see the two of you in the morning. Mother is already requesting a very large breakfast.”
Aria smiled. “We’ll be there.” She stood up with her hand held out to Aiden. “Let’s go for a walk.”
They didn’t say anything as they walked through the halls. Aria finally stopped with a hand on a door.
“Do you mind if we go outside?”
“No, won’t you be cold though? Do you want to get a cloak first?”
“No, we won’t be too long.” She opened the door to a cold burst of air.
The ground was covered with untouched snow. More snow was falling slowly from the dark, starless sky. She led them down a path lined by burning torches to a large gazebo surrounded by a knee-high maze of snow covered lumps.
“Just to be sure...” she said softly.
As she turned in a slow circle with her hands raised he could feel her casting a barrier. He wasn’t good enough yet to know exactly what kind of barrier she was doing. When she was done she turned to him.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you anything. This is why I had so much trouble trying to convince the others. I never actually did. My mother wanted so much extra security to keep anyone from finding out my connection to her and somehow using me to get to her.”
“It’s okay,” he interrupted. “I understand everything and it all worked out just fine.”
She smiled. “Now you don’t have to worry about what to say to Mother. It’s all been taken care of for you.”
“That’s true.” He sighed happily. He remembered the ring in his pocket. “I feel so much better now that’s over with.” He took her hands. “I have something for you.”
She looked up at him curiously. “What is it?”
“My father said this has been handed down to the firstborn son for generations.” He pulled the ring out of his pocket. He held it out to her. It sparkled in the warm light from the torches. “Will you wear it?”
“Of course,” she said softly.
“My father said it was always given to the first son’s bride-to-be. He never told me any rules on wearing it but I know there must be some, there are rules for everything else.”
“I already know the rules.” She took the ring. “Since we’re betrothed, it goes on my right hand. When we’re married it will go on my left hand.”
Aiden started grinning foolishly. He couldn’t seem to stop himself.
“What is it?”
“You just said ‘when we’re married.’ For the longest time I didn’t think I ever would be married to someone, then when I hoped it would be you I thought it was all taken away from me. Now we’re here, and we’re betrothed, and you’re wearing my family ring.” He shrugged. “Everything is just so perfect.”
She smiled as well. “I told you there wasn’t any way to stop the betrothal.”
“Now that I know it’s you I don’t want it stopped.”
“Me either.” She wrapped her arms around his waist.
He hugged her tightly. He could feel her shivering. “We should go inside, you’re freezing.”
She nodded. “And this time we don’t have to stay outside.” She released the barrier around the gazebo.
“How long will we be here?” he asked as they headed for the door.
“We’ll be here for most of the winter. Adamnan and Aren will head back out there for a while to relieve Eli. After my mother has gotten her fill of me and I’ve had my punishment, we’ll go home.”
“Punishment?”
“I brought Connor here without permission and I was going to bring you. It won’t be bad. I’ll have to sit through confinement for a while. She’ll probably let you visit since this is all so new. Connor will stay, of course. I won’t let him go back to the mill without me.”
“Now we have a better reason to keep him here.”
She nodded.
“You’re sure your punishment won’t be bad?”
“I’m positive. I’ll sit in my rooms reading. I’ll get some studying done. It’s not like I’m being arrested. At some point you and Connor will have to have the seal put on you. That will be worse than my punishment, sorry.”
“Would your punishment have been worse if all this hadn’t happened, if I were someone else?”
“I don’t know, maybe. I do know that it isn’t important.”
“No, I guess it isn’t.”
As they walked back to the door Aiden held onto Aria, not worrying about being improper anymore.
His father stopped trying to talk to him after a while. The king sat in his seat reading hand written books that were brought to him every time they stopped. Aiden spent his time watching their surroundings. He didn’t recognize anything they were passing. All he knew was that they were heading south. He couldn’t tell how far south though because everything was covered in varying thicknesses of snow.
They arrived at their destination in the evening. There weren’t people running everywhere like there was during the daytime in Latopolis. Aiden assumed it was the same here. The door was opened for them by a servant who was standing back with his free arm behind his back. Aiden climbed down first with his father right behind him. Another servant was waiting for them at the bottom of the steps into the building. Aiden couldn’t see the top of the building in the darkness so he didn’t know how big it was.
The man bowed as they approached him. “Good evening, my lords. The Queen sends her apologies for not meeting you herself. There was an unexpected change of plans she is seeing to. The ceremony will continue tomorrow evening as planned, though.”
“I hope everything is well, then,” King Jonathan said.
“Yes, sir, everything is well. If you would like I will have some food brought to your rooms.”
“That would be perfect, not too much, it is getting late.”
“Of course, sir. Follow me please, I will show you to your rooms.”
Aiden followed the servant and his father without paying attention to their surroundings. He was trying to think of anything else he could do to get out of this. He could picture himself showing up at Kait’s birthday celebration and making everything perfect again. First he had to get himself out of his own situation.
“Aiden, I want you to stay in your room tonight,” his father said as he stopped to go into the room offered to him. “You’ve got a big day tomorrow, I want you well rested.”
“Yes sir,” he grumbled.
The servant led him a little farther down the hall to another closed doorway. “Here sir. If there’s anything you should need I will have servants waiting in the hallway. Someone will be around shortly with some food.”
“Thank you.”
Aiden was trying to be careful not to take his anger out on the people who had nothing to do with it. This servant didn’t know him, he didn’t have any say in who Aiden married.
He went into his room thankful to finally be alone again. The first thing he did was look out the window. He was much too high up to try jumping. He doubted he would be able to sneak out since the servant said there would be others waiting in the hallway all night. The only thing he could do was spend the hours until morning trying to figure out how to get his father to release him. That seemed next to impossible now that they were at the princess’s home.
He had to take a breath to calm himself when there was a knock on his door. Whoever was bringing his food wasn’t to blame. “Come in,” he called.
A girl probably a few years younger than him came into the room pushing a cart. There was a covered tray sitting on top that was already giving off a deliciously sweet scent. The girl placed the tray on a table against the far side of the room. She stepped back with a quick curtsey.
“Is there anything else I can do for you, sir?”
“Maybe. I have a few questions. It’s okay if you don’t know the answers. I could just ask my father if I was speaking to him right now.”
“I will try my hardest to answer your questions. If I don’t know the answers, I will find someone who does.”
“It’s not necessary to go to so much trouble.”
“I’ll try my best to help you, sir.”
“Do you know if I’m supposed to be staying here after the betrothal?”
“No sir, I don’t know. I believe you should be able to do whatever you wish. The two of you aren’t being married tomorrow, only betrothed. You should be able to carry on with your lives as normal until the wedding, unless special plans have been made. I would be more than happy to ask someone more knowledgeable. It would be very discreet.”
“I would like to know but don’t go out of your way to get an answer. If you don’t see the person you’re intending to ask, don’t worry about it.”
The girl curtsied. “Yes sir. I’ll be back to pick up your tray later.”
As she opened the door another cart was wheeled into the room as if someone on the other side was waiting for her. King Jonathan followed the cart inside. He was looking around the room appraisingly.
“This is a nice room. What do you think of it, Aiden?”
“It’s nice enough but I would rather be with Kait.”
The king gestured to the table where Aiden’s food was waiting. The servant put another tray on the table before scuttling out with the girl. “I see you’re going to hold out till the very end with this.”
“We were preparing to go to her home when I got your letter. It was the first time she ever invited anyone.”
“I’m sure you’ll get another chance.”
“I doubt it.”
“Please Aiden, try to have an open mind about this.”
“How can I? And how can you expect me to? I thought you loved my mother. If you really did, you would understand me now.”
“I did love your mother and I do understand you.”
“Then why are you making me do this? Why do you insist on telling me that what I want doesn’t matter?”
“I’ve never said that.”
“So tell me why you won’t let me marry Kait? That’s what I want and you’ve known that. If what I want really does matter don’t force me into this betrothal.”
“Even if I was willing to change my mind it’s much too late. Tomorrow I want you to stay in here and rest. Books can be brought to you from the library, I hear it’s rather magnificent. You’ll get to see it for yourself eventually. When it’s time to get ready a servant will come to help you.”
“I don’t need help getting ready.”
“Don’t fight it, that’s how things are done for special occasions.”
“Why can’t I leave my room at all tomorrow?”
“I want you ready for the ceremony tomorrow night. I want you completely rested and looking sharp.”
“I’ll never be ready for this thing,” Aiden muttered.
“Let’s have our meal and not fight for a change. Please, sit.”
Aiden went to the table where their food was waiting. They didn’t fight through the meal but they didn’t talk either. As soon as King Jonathan was done he excused himself. He seemed a bit weary. Aiden knew part of it was from all their fighting. He didn’t care though. He was going to keep fighting as long as he could. Even after the betrothal if there was any chance of having it called off he would keep trying. When Aiden reemerged after a quick bath he found the serving girl waiting in his room. She gave him a quick curtsey.
“All your clothes have been put away, sir.”
“Thank you.”
“Your outfit for the ceremony has been taken to be freshened up.”
“Thank you but I almost wish you hadn’t. It doesn’t matter to me what I look like tomorrow.”
“I was able to find out some information for you.”
His eyes lit up. “Really? What did you learn?”
“There aren’t any set plans for after the betrothal. In previous instances the couples have gone their own ways until the wedding but they have also stayed together.”
”Basically the Princess and I can do whatever we want.”
“Yes sir, it will be up to you and the Princess what you will do after the ceremony.”
“How well do betrothals usually work out?”
“Fairly well, sir. If you find that you and the Princess don’t get along, you won’t really need to see each other much. You could have your own rooms and your own affairs. You are expected to produce children so you will need to spend some time together.”
The idea of seeing someone just to make children completely disgusted him. “That’s horrible.”
The girl shrugged. “That’s how the royal world works, sir.”
“Tell me honestly, would you want to have a life like that?”
She was quiet for a moment, a torn look on her face. “Please forgive me sir for saying so, but no. My husband and I are perfectly happy together.”
“You’re married?”
“Yes, sir. Again, forgive me but you should already be married, too. Betrothals are usually done when the children are young. The two are married when the boy comes of age.”
“Are the two usually close in age?”
“No, you and the Princess are unusually close in age.”
“If the boy reaches manhood long before the girl will they still be married and expected to bare children?”
“Marry yes, and she’ll bare children as soon as she can whether or not she’s an adult.”
“I think this is one of the more disgusting things I’ve ever heard of.”
“You weren’t raised as a royal, were you sir?”
“No, I was fostered in the northern part of Namaria. I haven’t known about my father for even a year yet.”
She nodded. “I have one more piece of information that might make you feel better.”
“What is it?”
“The Princess doesn’t know anything about the betrothal. She thinks this is just a party.” The girl curtsied. “I’ll leave you now, sir, if you don’t have any other questions.”
He shook his head distractedly. He hadn’t thought about what the Princess was going through at all. Just because she was a princess didn’t mean she wanted this. She didn’t even know. She thought she was going to a party. She was probably excited about planning her outfit and dancing all night. She wouldn’t have a chance to react until it was too late. He was just as strange to her as she was to him.
The next day Aiden didn’t see his father until the late afternoon. Servants had come and were dressing him in the formal outfit his father had designed for him. He already felt uncomfortable in it even though he didn’t have it all on yet.
“Are you enjoying all the special treatment?” King Jonathan asked as he came into the room.
“Enjoying it? It’s humiliating, and you’re forcing me into a marriage that I don’t want.”
“You’re over dramatizing it.”
“No, I’m not. I don’t want to marry this girl and I’m sure she wouldn’t want to marry me if she knew about me.”
“How did you find out she doesn’t know?”
“I overheard some servants talking about it.”
King Jonathan nodded. “It’s true, the Princess doesn’t know what’s happening but she was raised as a royal. She has known for her entire life that this was a possibility. She knows this is her duty and she’ll accept it.”
“Why wasn’t she told?”
“I believe I was told there are extenuating circumstances. Her mother believed it would be better if she didn’t know about this ahead of time.”
“Extenuating circumstances? You mean, she already has someone like I do?”
“I don’t know. You’ll have to ask the Princess.”
“Have you seen her since we’ve been here?”
“No, I’ve also been staying in my rooms. I have seen the Crowned Prince. He told me she’s been resting all day just like you.”
Aiden looked at his father pleadingly. “Why are you doing this to me? What is so wrong with Kait that I can’t marry her?”
“There isn’t anything wrong with Kait, this has absolutely nothing to do with her. This is creating a formal alliance between our countries and you’re getting a proper, royal wife.”
“What does it matter if I’m never going to rule a country? Is she?”
“No, there are several people ahead of her in line for the throne. This alliance extends beyond the two of you.”
“Why couldn’t I be normal?” Aiden asked with a groan.
King Jonathan chuckled softly. “You are normal. You’ll get used to this. From what I know of the Princess she’ll be very willing to help you through this.”
Aiden threw his hands up, momentarily scattering the servants who were trying to apply the little decorative pins and tassels to his outfit. “Why are you making me do this? Is this all because you couldn’t marry my mother? Do you think I shouldn’t be able to marry who I want either?”
King Jonathan sighed as he settled back in his seat. “This definitely isn’t anything like that. I know you won’t believe me until you meet the Princess but you will be happy with the arrangement. Please trust me a little bit. I know you don’t think you can trust me but you can. You will be happy, I promise.”
“I won’t be happy unless you release me from this betrothal so I can go to Kait.”
“That’s what you say now but I know you’ll change your mind. I know without any doubt that I have matched you right. You need to give both of us a chance. Remember, she doesn’t know anything about this. She had nothing to do with the arrangement.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t take it out on her.”
“That’s good to know.”
The servants were finally done with Aiden. As soon as they backed away from him he rushed out of their reach. He felt weighted down by all the extras attached to his suit. The sash that crossed his chest was heavy enough. He also had a few tassels and extra pins. He couldn’t wait for the night to be over just so he could rip everything off.
King Jonathan pat the seat beside him. “There’s something else I need to discuss with you before we go down to the ballroom.”
“Something else?” Aiden dropped down onto the seat, already afraid he had torn something.
With a single hand motion from the king, all the servants cleared the room. He waited until the door closed. “There’s something I have for you.” He pulled something out of a pocket but kept it closed tight in his hand. “This has been passed down through our family for generations. I may not be able to give you the throne but I can give you this.” He held out his hand.
Aiden held out his hand as well. His father dropped a small ring into his palm. It was an antique silver ring with a deep sapphire stone shaped like a tear drop in the center. There seemed to be lights flickering deep inside the stone. On either side of the sapphire there were small filigree pieces of silver in the shape of leaves set with tiny diamond chips.
“The firstborn son in every generation has given that ring to his bride-to-be. Your mother wore that until the day she died. Give that to your princess when you have a moment alone.”
“This should be Kait’s.”
“No more talking about Kaitlyn. It’s time to go down to the ceremony. There are questions I don’t think you’ve realized yet, all questions will be answered tonight. This is your life now.”
Aiden nodded. There really wasn’t anything else for him to do but go down to the ceremony. Kait had been right, he hadn’t been able to stop the betrothal. He had broken his promise to her.
“Come on, it’s time to go.”
They walked through the halls without talking. Aiden kept his head lowered. He tried not to think about Kait. No matter how hard he tried he couldn’t stop thinking about how he had failed her. They stopped outside the open doors to a large ballroom. Aiden still kept his head lowered.
“I know you’re unhappy about this,” King Jonathan whispered, “but try to look like a prince.”
“Unhappy is an understatement,” Aiden muttered as he lifted his head. He rolled his shoulders back as he looked into the room ahead of them.
All the people were clustered at the front of the room on either side. There were two gold chairs at the front of the room on a raised dais. A man was standing in front of one of the chairs with his hands folded in front of him. A woman had stepped forward to the edge of the dais as she spoke. Aiden was too far back to hear what she was saying or see anyone’s faces clearly. As applause went up from everyone in the room, he stiffened. It was almost over. Two people moved forward from the cluster of people on one side of the room. One was a tall man the other was a girl in a dark dress. She knew now that she was about to be handed over to a stranger. The man leaned down to the girl for a moment. He walked away from the girl leaving her alone.
“Come on,” King Jonathan said lowly, “it’s time for you to meet her.”
Aiden grudgingly walked beside his father into the room. The girl was standing as still as a statue. Her pale golden hair fell in shimmering waves and curls down her back. She didn’t look up at him when he stopped beside her. King Jonathan pat Aiden on the arm as he stepped away. Aiden kept his eyes on the princess. She was blinking furiously and struggling to breathe normally.
“Everyone, please welcome King Jonathan of Esna and his son, Prince Aiden.”
Applause rang out all around them. The girl gasped as her head shot up. He could see tears glittering in her eyes. He almost gasped himself when he saw her face. It was the girl from his dreams, the one with Kait’s eyes.
“It’s you,” he breathed.
She started to smile hesitantly. “Aiden?”
How did she know his name, he never learned hers.
“It’s me, this is the secret I was going to tell you.”
All thought seemed to stop.
“Offer me your arm.”
He raised his arm as she directed.
She placed her hand over his. It’s me. This is who I really am.
His eyes got wide. Kait?
You must never call me that while we’re here but, yes. It’s me. Look, Connor is off to your right.
He looked to his right. Connor was standing there grinning furiously. A small, frantic wave escaped him before he was able to control himself. Aiden looked back down at the princess.
“It’s really you?”
She smiled. “Yes, it’s really me. I’m sorry I’ve lied to you for so long.”
He felt himself smiling. “I don’t care about that.”
“We need to talk, I’ll find us some place later. For now we have to finish the ceremony.”
She pulled him forward toward the dais. The Queen was smiling at them.
“Welcome to our home, Prince Aiden, it is now your home as well. Prince Elias will be meeting with the two of you later this evening. Now, let us feast and dance.”
Applause filled the room again. Aria pulled him back some so the Queen and Prince Elias could come down the steps. They followed directly behind the two.
“It’s really you?” Aiden whispered. “You’re really Princess Aria?”
She smiled. “It’s just Aria, please.”
“I’m sorry, I’ve always known you like this as Princess Aria. It isn’t proper for a commoner to call you by your first name without your title.”
“You aren’t a commoner, and I want you to call me Aria. I’ve wanted you to call me Aria for a long time.”
“I will.”
“Don’t worry about forgetting and calling her Princess,” Connor said, appearing beside him as everyone started taking seats on either side of the massively long table. “I still forget all the time.”
“I won’t let myself forget.”
Aiden sat down on one side of Aria as Prince Aren sat on the other. Aiden was still finding it hard to believe that Aren and Bryan were the same person. That meant Alec and Adamnan were the same person. King Jonathan sat down on Aiden’s other side.
“You are happy with this arrangement, aren’t you?”
Aiden beamed at his father. “You’re right, I’m so sorry. Why did you let me get so mad at you? You could have told me and I would have been eager to come, I would have tried to come sooner. I wouldn’t have been so horrible to you.”
“I couldn’t, she’ll explain everything. Promise me you’ll trust me next time.”
“I promise.”
The rest of the evening was a blur for Aiden. Aria led him through everything. They stood in a line for a long time with the Queen, Prince Elias, King Jonathan and Aren. People kept coming up to them to greet and congratulate them. Aiden didn’t recognize any of their face. When the people finally stopped coming Aria pulled him out on the dance floor where they stayed for the rest of the night. She didn’t dance with anyone else, not even Aren. Aiden saw his father dancing with the Queen for a little while. Aria looked like she would have stayed on the dance floor all night if Prince Elias hadn’t come to stop them. As they left the room Aiden noticed that there weren’t very many people left. The few people remaining looked like they were saying their goodbyes.
Prince Elias led them into a large room with an equally large desk. He closed the door as Aria and Aiden stood in front of the desk.
“Aiden, I want to personally welcome you to the family,” Elias said, reaching out to shake his hand. “You seem to be fitting in well, that’s good.”
“Thank you.”
“Please sit, there are a few things I need to go over with you.”
Aiden reluctantly let go of Aria’s hand as they backed up to take seats.
“I understand the two of you have been courting.”
His face immediately started to turn red.
“That’s completely over now,” Elias continued, ignoring Aiden’s embarrassment. “Because you are both adults now the decisions throughout the rest of your relationship lies with the two of you. Aiden, you don’t have to ask permission to take her places or spend time with her anymore. She is essentially yours. However, I don’t recommend hurting her. She has four very protective brothers who don’t want her harmed. Ordinarily, two people of your ages wouldn’t be betrothed, you would be married.” He looked to Aria. “You know Mother wants a marriage ceremony. She’ll do anything for another party.”
She nodded.
“You can make your marriage official whenever the two of you decide. You can wait for the marriage ceremony or you can consummate the marriage. Either way Mother will have the ceremony. It’s up to the two of you what you want to do. That’s all I really have for you for now. I know Aria has a few things to tell you. The two of you are more than welcome to stay here as long as you like.”
“I think we’ll go for a walk,” she said.
“I’ll see the two of you in the morning. Mother is already requesting a very large breakfast.”
Aria smiled. “We’ll be there.” She stood up with her hand held out to Aiden. “Let’s go for a walk.”
They didn’t say anything as they walked through the halls. Aria finally stopped with a hand on a door.
“Do you mind if we go outside?”
“No, won’t you be cold though? Do you want to get a cloak first?”
“No, we won’t be too long.” She opened the door to a cold burst of air.
The ground was covered with untouched snow. More snow was falling slowly from the dark, starless sky. She led them down a path lined by burning torches to a large gazebo surrounded by a knee-high maze of snow covered lumps.
“Just to be sure...” she said softly.
As she turned in a slow circle with her hands raised he could feel her casting a barrier. He wasn’t good enough yet to know exactly what kind of barrier she was doing. When she was done she turned to him.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you anything. This is why I had so much trouble trying to convince the others. I never actually did. My mother wanted so much extra security to keep anyone from finding out my connection to her and somehow using me to get to her.”
“It’s okay,” he interrupted. “I understand everything and it all worked out just fine.”
She smiled. “Now you don’t have to worry about what to say to Mother. It’s all been taken care of for you.”
“That’s true.” He sighed happily. He remembered the ring in his pocket. “I feel so much better now that’s over with.” He took her hands. “I have something for you.”
She looked up at him curiously. “What is it?”
“My father said this has been handed down to the firstborn son for generations.” He pulled the ring out of his pocket. He held it out to her. It sparkled in the warm light from the torches. “Will you wear it?”
“Of course,” she said softly.
“My father said it was always given to the first son’s bride-to-be. He never told me any rules on wearing it but I know there must be some, there are rules for everything else.”
“I already know the rules.” She took the ring. “Since we’re betrothed, it goes on my right hand. When we’re married it will go on my left hand.”
Aiden started grinning foolishly. He couldn’t seem to stop himself.
“What is it?”
“You just said ‘when we’re married.’ For the longest time I didn’t think I ever would be married to someone, then when I hoped it would be you I thought it was all taken away from me. Now we’re here, and we’re betrothed, and you’re wearing my family ring.” He shrugged. “Everything is just so perfect.”
She smiled as well. “I told you there wasn’t any way to stop the betrothal.”
“Now that I know it’s you I don’t want it stopped.”
“Me either.” She wrapped her arms around his waist.
He hugged her tightly. He could feel her shivering. “We should go inside, you’re freezing.”
She nodded. “And this time we don’t have to stay outside.” She released the barrier around the gazebo.
“How long will we be here?” he asked as they headed for the door.
“We’ll be here for most of the winter. Adamnan and Aren will head back out there for a while to relieve Eli. After my mother has gotten her fill of me and I’ve had my punishment, we’ll go home.”
“Punishment?”
“I brought Connor here without permission and I was going to bring you. It won’t be bad. I’ll have to sit through confinement for a while. She’ll probably let you visit since this is all so new. Connor will stay, of course. I won’t let him go back to the mill without me.”
“Now we have a better reason to keep him here.”
She nodded.
“You’re sure your punishment won’t be bad?”
“I’m positive. I’ll sit in my rooms reading. I’ll get some studying done. It’s not like I’m being arrested. At some point you and Connor will have to have the seal put on you. That will be worse than my punishment, sorry.”
“Would your punishment have been worse if all this hadn’t happened, if I were someone else?”
“I don’t know, maybe. I do know that it isn’t important.”
“No, I guess it isn’t.”
As they walked back to the door Aiden held onto Aria, not worrying about being improper anymore.