Chapter Twenty-Two

I woke up the next day in the late morning. I opened my eyes and rolled over to see Aidan wasn't there. I sat up and felt a pang of pain go through my body.

We had been up all night and the room smelled of sweat and sex. I groaned as I sat up and got out of bed.

I let out a sigh and mustered up the strength to hobble over to the wardrobe and open the doors. I picked out an outfit, one that wasn't too tight, and slowly dressed myself.

"What are you doing?" I hear and turn around.

"Aidan." I say and rush up to him. "I woke up and you were gone."

"I'm sorry. I was hoping to be back earlier, but our guests were chatty."

"What did they need?"

"Don't be jealous."

"I-I'm not. Don't change the topic."

He smirks. "We heard back from King Thebes. He wasn't happy about the marriage."

"We'll tell him that I wasn't forced, that I wanted to go through with it."

He smiled wryly. "He doesn't want to wait to hear an explanation."

"S-so what happens now?" I ask nervously.

He smiles. "Don't worry about it, we'll handle it."

"I can't not worry…let me write him a letter. Osamu can verify it's from me and I can explain everything."

"Ari I'm not sure-" He says.

"I want to help. It can't hurt."

He sighed. "I'll have them bring you paper and pen."

"C-can I write it now?" I asked.

"Yes. And then rest some more. I have some work to do but I'll be back for you tonight."

"A-again?" I asked.

"Absolutely. If I didn't have to deal with this mess, we'd already be at it again."

"B-but I-"

"You'll feel better after you rest." He says then kisses me.

After he leaves, he has the servants bring me food and materials to write a letter. I agonize over what to say – how to be truthful while not making Aidan sound like the bad guy.

I have to acknowledge I was taken on what was to be my wedding day with Ned, a man I didn't know, but I can say Aidan has treated me well, like a perfect gentleman. No harm has come to me and I've been taken care of in a way befitting a Queen.

It's true we married quickly but we wanted to be married before we left the country. I agreed to it, it was my choice to marry and my choice to stay here.

I didn't ask him to understand, I knew he couldn't. But I was in love and happy. But most of all I didn't want violence over me. Royalty made marriage arrangements for peace and power regularly – I told him to think of this like that.

I folded the letter and left it on the vanity. It wasn't much but it's all I could do for now. It seemed miniscule considering others were giving their lives for this war.

Meanwhile I could only write a letter trying to convince one King to talk to the other. There was so much animosity between the two countries – how could we ever have peace again?

I ventured downstairs after and saw some of the Knights having lunch that I recognized. I walked over and sat down across from, they were Garrett and Duncan.

"Good day mi'lady." Garrett said.

"It's Your Majesty now Garrett." Duncan said.

"R-right. My apologies, Your Majesty."

"It's alright really."

"Let's get her majesty some food." Duncan said to a servant nearby.

"Very well sir." She said.

"Grand Knight Duncan." He said. I remembered this habit from the first feast. He was recently awarded the title and wanted everyone to call him that.

"R-right Grand Knight Duncan." She said before she scurried off.

"Thank you." I said.

"Of course, Your Majesty." He said.

"You don't have to keep saying that."

"You are the Queen now, decorum dictates that we do." Duncan said.

"I suppose so…" I say.

Garrett scoffs. "Cordona bi-"

"Watch your tongue Garrett." Duncan said.

"My apologies Your Majesty." Garrett said sarcastically.

"There are many in Cordona who oppose this war too Sir Garrett." I say.

"What would a palace raised noblewoman like you know of war?" Garrett asked.

I smiled bitterly. "I-I'm not really a noblewoman. We were poor growing up and were only granted titles after my father saved the Prince. We um…we moved to the capital and were given a house after that but…" I say and look towards the window.

My mind started to wonder but I snapped back to reality when the servant brought a plate of food and set it in front of me. Duncan waved her away, so she bowed and left.

"It's ok Your Majesty, you don't need to explain." Duncan said.

"I lost my father and brother within a year of each other thanks to this war. My mother died shortly after which left me alone." I looked back down to my wrists at the fading scars from that time. "I-I was moved into the castle after that, I had no choice in the matter. They wanted the house back."

"W-wow, I didn't know." Garrett said.

"Not much of a noble if it's only a title." I say.

"Maybe not but the men will look up to a scrappy woman more than some spoiled noble."

"Garrett." Duncan snarled.

"It's fine. I can appreciate honesty, especially when it isn't cruel or vulgar."

After lunch I decided to head over to the training gym. Something Garrett had said was stuck in my head – scrappy. I used to describe myself this way, I used to train with my father and brother all the time but haven't had the opportunity since they passed. I wanted to pick it back up again.