Chapter Forty-Nine

"How have I been...worried. I've been worried." Osamu says.

"About what?" I asked.

"You-you were kidnapped." He said and turned to me.

"Ah, well, that did happen but I'm safe and happy now."

"I didn't know that...for weeks. I was thinking the worst."

"I'm sorry. I should've written sooner but I was...well I had a lot on my mind."

"I understand. I'm not mad at you. Just the thug that took you." He said and clenched his fist.

"That 'thug' as you call him, is my husband and a King. Isn't there some sort of royal decorum?"

"I-I didn't think I needed to be proper with you." He said and looked away.

I sighed. "You don't, I'm sorry. These events always make me tense. I don't want to take that out on you." I say then take his hand again. "But I want you to know th-that I'm happy here. You don't have to worry about me ok? You can focus on yourself."

He looked at me again. "I believe you...but why'd you have to go?"

"I-I had to get married eventually. I'm 20 and..." I laughed. "I was getting a little too old to not be married."

"You...didn't have to get married at all."

"I-I couldn't just stay at the Cordova castle forever."

"Yes you could've. I would've taken care of you."

"Ari." I hear and turn to see Aidan. I smile when I see him but he seems upset. He grabs my hand and pulls me away. He drags me behind him down the hall, up the stairs, and pushes me up against a wall.

"Ai-Aidan, what are you doing?" I asked.

"What were you doing with him?" Aidan asked, he seemed very upset.

"W-who? Osamu?" I asked, confused.

"Yes, who else? What were you doing alone with him?"

"J-just talking."

"About not getting married and letting him take care of you?"

"He said that not me. I told him I couldn't do that."

"I didn't hear that - I heard you couldn't stay at the castle. That isn't the same thing."

"I didn't get to finish our conversation but trust me a little. I've known him since he was a little boy, he's like my little brother."

He growled a little but ended up backing off. He took my hand and led me to the bedroom.

"U-um Aidan?" I asked.

He turned to me after he shut the doors behind us.

"What is it?" Aidan asked.

"What um, what happened today?" I asked.

"Just a little misunderstanding at the front gate we had to clear up and move people out of the way."

"If it was a little misunderstanding then why were you late? Why did it take all day?"

"I just needed to ask our uninvited guests a few questions."

"So it wasn't a misunderstanding but intruders?"

"Damn it Ari."

"What?"

"I'm tired and I don't have to explain myself to you."

I scoffed. "You're right Your Highness. Why did I think a foolish little girl like myself could possibly understand."

"Ari." Aidan said but I didn't want to listen anymore. I just pushed past him out into the hallway.

"Ari!" He yelled again. He grabbed my arm but I jerked it away.

"Just leave me alone." I said and ran off. I ran until I found myself out of breath, it wasn't too far but I did make it out of the castle. I looked back - no one was there. I finally shook my guards and Aidan - or maybe Aidan didn't follow me. I looked in front of me and saw the stable just ahead. I smiled and walked the rest of the way there.

I went in to my horse and grabbed a brush. I started to brush her and she nuzzled me in return. I don't know why but it made the tears I had been holding back start to pour out.

"Hey girl." I said and put my arms around her neck. "I'm so foolish. Why did I think he would share anything with me? We're only good at one thing anyway..."

I started to feel something in my gut and rushed outside. I made it just in time to spew my dinner all over the ground.

"Ari!" I hear as footsteps rapidly approached. I grabbed the door frame next to me to support me as I started feeling dizzy.

"Are you okay?"

"I-I'm fine. Just all the wine and running all the way here didn't sit well on my stomach." I look up and smile as Osamu. "Why aren't you in bed?"

"I-I couldn't sleep after he dragged you away like that. I was wondering the back hall when I saw you run down the stairs so I followed you." Osamu said.

"Ah. I thought I was safe doing that. No one uses those staircases since..." Since the castle was invaded several years ago and the royal family was butchered on those very steps, all but Aidan. But that's too dark a topic for a 15-year old boy.

"L-let me help you inside." Osamu says and moves forward to help stabilize me.

"I-I'm okay Osamu. I can manage on my own."

"I-I'm not a little kid anymore Ari! I-I can help."

I smiled at him. "Alright, lend me your shoulder."

Osamu helped me inside and to the chase in the library.

"Can you grab me some water and bread maybe?" I asked.

"Y-yes! I'm on it!" He ran off to fetch them.

I wasn't naïve, I saw the way he looked at me and the tint of his rosy cheeks. He has a big crush on me. But none of that matters now - there's peace and even if I have to deal with Aidan's temper I will.