One
A knock came from the chamber door. The noise echoed throughout the room, startling the only occupant inside. For a moment she looked at the door with wide eyes as though she were unsure as to what to do next. With a shake of her head, and in a voice that was both soft yet demanding, she called out to the person behind the door.
"Come in."
She watched as the door opened slightly, just wide enough for a person to slip in through.
"Mulan!" The woman's face fell. She immediately advanced towards her bodyguard, her heels clacking furiously against the marble floors as she raced over to the other woman. "Why are you here? Has something happened? What's wrong?"
"Everything's fine, Aurora." Mulan replied, almost giving the woman a semi-smirk. "Phillip sent me to find you. He wants to make sure you're alright."
Aurora had been relieved to hear everything was fine within the castle walls, but her face fell again at the mention of her wellbeing. Not able to look Mulan in the eye, she turned away from her. Mulan stepped behind Aurora, her brows drawn together in confusion and worry.
"Are you alright?" She asked in a lower voice. Aurora didn't answer. Not at first. Slowly, she walked over to the large set of windows at the back of the room. Her eyes scanned over her Kingdom, then to the sunset over the ocean while she spoke.
"Our wedding is in two days." Aurora muttered quietly. She subconsciously began to play with the locket around her neck. It was made out of gears and in the shape of a heart. There were tiny dials on the outside she could turn that made the gears spin either clockwise or counter clockwise. Phillip had given it to her as an early wedding present. She turned the dials now as she continued talking.
"Ever since I was a little girl I dreamed of the perfect wedding. I had everything planned out down to the last detail. I should be the happiest person in the land right now."
"Forgive me, Princess, but I fail to see the problem. If there's nothing wrong, then what's the problem?" Mulan asked.
Aurora stepped away from the window, turning her gaze to her bodyguard. For a moment she didn't say anything. In that moment Mulan studied the Princess. It was clear to her now that it looked as though Aurora hadn't been getting much sleep. From the looks of it, she didn't look like she was eating much either.
"Aurora, what's going on?" Mulan asked, much more concerned now.
The Princess shook her head. She looked as though she were about to cry. When she spoke, her voice came out in something close to a whisper.
"I can't shake this feeling that I have. I look forward to our wedding day, and I want to be happy, but I have this terrible feeling that something horrible is going to happen. I have a feeling something is going to shatter our special day and separate us, and I won't be able to see him again."
Aurora actually did break into tears this time. Mulan, without thinking, quickly grabbed Aurora and pulled the Princess into her. She tried to comfort Aurora as best she could.
"I'm not going to let that happen to you. Neither is Phillip. We're both here to protect you. Between us, nothing will be able to harm you, or ruin your day. I promise."
Aurora hugged Mulan back, still crying. "Thank you. You're such a good friend."
Mulan gave a semi-smirk. "No, I'm a good warrior."
Aurora pulled away, smiling at the woman. "But you're also a good friend."
The two of them left the room together, Aurora's mind somewhat at ease for the moment. However, her fears would come true in due time.