Chapter 10 : Unconventional but perfect.

Mulan didn't answer. Because she had no idea of what to say.

She had no answer to it, in fact.

And she didn't want to hope that it could be true, so, she said nothing, not knowing how to react.

Aurora stand up, and began to walk around the camp, not wanting to go to sleep.

"Hey, where are you going ? Mulan asked her."

"Walking around the camp."

"No ! Answered the warrior by taking her hand, in order to stop her. It's the night, we almost see nothing, and I can't protect you if I can't see you."

Aurora took off her hand, trying not to show that the touch troubled her a little.

"I know how to defend myself," she said, both with pride and anger.

"I have no doubts about it, princess, but the thing is that, you don't know these woods. I do. So please, stay here, and listen to me."

Aurora, to Mulan' surprise, obeyed to her and sat down. The warrior sighed.

"I do love him. But you don't have to worry Aurora, I am not going to try to steal your prince from you, or another stupid thing. I just… I wanted to leave, right ? When you woke up… I intended to leave."

"But then… I asked you to stay. Oh Mulan, I am sorry, I didn't want to suffer from this, I…"

"It's okay, you… didn't know it. And it's my fault I shouldn't be feeling that way, I am the one who should be sorry."

Another silence settled between them.

"He cares for you, you know."

"Yes, I know. As a friend, Mulan said bitterly."

"No. There is… something else. You see, I know enough things about it to recognize love when I see it. And Philippe loves you."

"He loves you more."

"Do you think I could be right ? That he could love both of us ?"

Mulan looked at the princess, and felt her heart almost jump in her chest. Without knowing why, as she saw the princess' air, full of curiosity and wondering. She smiled without hope.

"I don't think so princess. Now, you should go back to sleep, or he may be worried, if you're not with him when he wakes up."

Aurora nodded, and joined Philippe's couch.

She slept at no moment during the rest of the night.

§§§§

Some hours after, Philippe woke up and took Mulan' place. This one tried to sleep too, but she rapidly realized that the princess wasn't sleeping, but just faking it.

But why would she do it ?

As days passed, Mulan more and more realized that Aurora never slept.

The only nights where she did it, her sleep didn't seem to be easy, and her nights were troubled and also really short.

Philippe didn't seem to notice, in fact, every time he asked her fiancee if she was right, she answered yes, and was very convincing.

But Mulan knew that it wasn't true.

There was something Philippe didn't know, as Aurora tried to sleep or to fake sleeping when he was asleep, something Mulan did know.

It was about the nightmares.

Indeed, as the young woman was more and more tired, she tried not to show it, and tried to sleep, she made nightmares every nights.

She never said it to Mulan, but this one rapidly understood that her nights were tormented by these.

One night, the princess sat down next to the warrior, and Mulan had a deep sight.

"Why don't you sleep Aurora ?"

"I am not tired", she lied.

Mulan looked at her.

"You are, princess. You're even exhausted. Because you don't sleep."

"I can't ! exclaimed Aurora with fear. Every time I close my eyes, I see it."

"What ?"

"The room. The one where I was while I slept under the Sleeping Curse. The one with the fire, and… I can't go out of here."

"Why did you say nothing to Philippe ?"

"I don't want to worry him. He just saved me, and he doesn't deserve to be scared for me."

"When you sleep next to him, isn't it less worst ?"

"N… No. In fact, I don't want to wake up him if I move. I..."

Mulan gave her a reassuring smile, and for a second, Aurora almost felt no fear.

Then, she put the princess' on her knees.

"Come here."

"What ?"

"You have to sleep Aurora. Don't worry, she said, by pulling her hands in Aurora's hair, you can sleep. You will be safe."

The princess closed her eyes, and, some minutes later, she began to sleep, seeming to be more peaceful than ever. Mulan had a sight of relief.

Finally !

§§§§

Some hours later, Philippe woke up, and, as he saw the two women together, he started. And then, he had a light smile. The two women he loved were together, peaceful, and he surprised himself by hoping it would stay that way.

"Why is Aurora with you ?" The prince asked.

"She couldn't sleep… Philippe… Aurora is having nightmares, since you woke up her."

The young man suddenly became pale.

"Why did she tell me nothing ?"

"She didn't want to scare you. She… doesn't really sleep since you rescued her."

The prince sat down next to his fiancee, smiling as he saw how calm she was.

"I hope that when we come back at our castle, these nightmares will stop."

Mulan' smile disappeared immediately. She would have preferred to forget that their trip would have an end.

During the day, Aurora and Philippe talked a lot, but not only about Aurora's nightmares.

The young princess really seemed to be obsessed to know how Philippe felt about Mulan, she didn't know the reason why.

In fact, the thing she didn't want to tell about herself, was that she was obsessed by Mulan herself too.

When she realized what she was feeling for Philippe, the princess was jealous at no moment.

No, she wasn't jealous of Mulan, even though she was almost sure that Philippe loved her too.

Because the prince loved her, he woke up her, even though he had feelings for Mulan.

He loved them both, she was almost sure of it.

But it was not the only reason.

She was having feelings for Mulan too, but she still didn't accept them.

So, that day, she asked Philippe :

"Are you in love with Mulan ?"

He looked at her with astonishment. They were alone, and Aurora used it so she could ask the question.

"I love you, he assured her."

"I didn't ask you that."

They stopped, and Philippe crossed his arms, appearing more serious than ever. There was no anger in Aurora's eyes, he realized, she just wanted to know.

"Yes, he confessed. But, you don't have to..."

"She loves you too."

Philippe closed and opened his eyes.

"How do you..."

"I asked her, and she told me."

"Aurora, I..."

"It's okay, you don't have to feel guilty. She loves you, and you love her. That's it."

"I love you too. I love you both."

Aurora had a bright smile, and took his face in her hands, before kissing him.

"I know", she whispered to him.

"How can you be so… comprehensive ?"

"I don't know… I think it's her… I think I kind of like her."

"You know that I am not going to do anything with her."

"I know", repeated Aurora.

§§§§

She didn't know what to do.

Philippe was in love with Mulan. Mulan was in love with Philippe.

What about her ?

She was in love with Philippe. Deeply and truly, he was her fiance, and her True Love.

It would never change.

But… she was beginning to really appreciate Mulan too.

Sleeping with (well, next to) Mulan really helped her. Some weeks passed after her conversation with Philippe, and Aurora was more and more lost.

Thanks to the warrior, she made less and less nightmares, her nights were more peaceful.

Maybe too, in fact, as she was making some… dreams. That helped her for a time escape from the room on fire, and where Mulan was there. Where they talked.

And it was… strange.

When she was awake, she didn't talk about it, but it made even things awkward between them.

Yes, it was true for her too… She was falling in love with Mulan.

§§§§

Mulan wished she left just after Aurora was waken up by Philippe. It would have made all this situation less hurtful.

She couldn't even hate Aurora, as the princess was too kind and good with her, and as their friendship grew up, the warrior more and more understood the reason why Philippe fell in love with her.

For a real simple reason.

She was falling too.

She still loved Philippe, yes, and it may be the strangest thing in it, but she was falling in love with her.

She loved them both.

And she was so lost.

She loved two people in the same way, and her love was growing up more and more as time passed.

She had to leave.

Right now.

Before her heart was definitely broken.

§§§§

The trip would be soon over, and they would be at the castle in a short time.

Since some days, Aurora didn't sleep next to Mulan, as she wasn't having any nightmares.

Mulan ended this, and Aurora felt bad for this, not knowing what. She missed that moments, and, to her horror, the warrior became more and more cold toward her or Philippe, as if she wanted to make a distance between them.

The princess had the impression to come back at the moment where she didn't really know Mulan, before they talked and became friend.

And it scared her, she didn't want to loose her friend, the woman she loved.

Yes, she finally completely confessed it to herself, she was in love with the warrior, as much as she was in love with her prince.

As they were really close to their castle, Aurora came to see Philippe, not wanting to keep her secret with her any more.

Mulan was sleeping, and they were alone.

"Hey."

"Hey. You're alright ? Happy to know that we are coming home ?"

"More than I ever was. And… I have something to tell you."

Philippe gave her a worried look.

"What ? Is everything okay ?"

"Yes, of course. I wanted to tell you the reason why I told you nothing when you told me that you loved Mulan."

"Oh..."

"It was at first because I knew that you loved me too. But now, things are different."

"How ? What happened ?"

"You fell in love with Mulan, and I understand why. Yes, you fell… so did I."

Philippe looked at her with astonishment. Then, he saw that his future wife seemed pretty serious.

"You… you do love her ?"

"Yes, just as you love her. Just as you love me. And just as I love you."

"And then… why do you intend to do ?"

"I don't know ! Nothing, I guess, because… she is in love with you. Not with me."

"So, that's it ? You will do nothing about it ?"

"I don't know what I could do. Tell her how I feel ? Doesn't feel like it's a good idea…"

"Why not ?"

"I'm in love with a person who just sees me as a friend. Nothing more. I don't want… I don't want things to be more awkward between us."

"Aurora..."

"It's okay, hum ? I… I can live with this. It's okay, and I am fine. I will be fine, she added."

Philippe embraced her in his arms, adding nothing to it.

After all, what else could he say or do ?

§§§§

They were at their home.

Their castle was just there, in front of them, and they were at home.

At that precise moment, they realized how much they missed the place.

Two years had been a long time, and yes, they were really happy to come back.

But the thing they knew too was that this couldn't be called a home if Mulan wasn't there.

A true and great smile appeared on Aurora's face as she saw her mother walk in her direction.

Queen Briar Rose, who was now alone on the throne since King Stefan's death, which happened not a long time after Aurora was cursed, ran into her daughter's arms.

"Mom !" The princess shouted.

"Aurora, this one answered, I missed you so much !"

The two women embraced each other for a moment, savoring their reunion.

The queen looked at her daughter with love and joy then, with a large smile.

"You're here, finally ! And you're safe !"

"Yes, I am… Some seconds after, she asked. Mom… where is father ?"

When she saw a shadow appear in her mother's eyes, she immediately understood, and said nothing. She just embraced her again.

King Stefan's became crazy, after Maleficent came back and tried to attack him, and even before she tried to curse Aurora, the mother and the daughter knew that the king lost his mind.

He died after Aurora was cursed, and since that moment, Briar Rose had been queen, and alone, allowed to think about her past.

"I'm sorry mom, the princess whispered."

"Don't worry Aurora, I am okay. Me and your father… weren't in good terms since a long time. (Not after what he did to Maleficent, she added silently)."

Looking at Philippe, the queen had another smile.

"Philippe ! She said. I am so happy to see you ! She took his hands. You saved my daughter from this terrible curse, I don't know how I could ever repay you for this."

"You don't have to, your majesty, he answered with modesty. And, it didn't happen just thanks to me, he added by showing Mulan to her. This brave warrior helped me find Aurora, and she saved me. Without her help, we wouldn't be there."

For the first time since a long time, Mulan blushed, not thinking that she deserved such compliments, understanding that they wouldn't let her go. She was fed up with this gratitude, even though she appreciated it too.

She just had to leave as soon as possible.

She tried to add that she also almost killed the prince too, but before she had enough time to say it, Briar Rose took her hands.

She gave her a smile full of gratitude.

"Thank you for saving my daughter and my future son-in-law."

The warrior froze as she heard it, reminded of what would soon happen, feeling the pain in her heart become even more strong, and if the queen remarked the sad air on her face, she said nothing to it.

And of course, she had been right, they didn't let her go.

Some days pass, and the situation became more and more terrible and unbearable for the young woman, who just saw every day the two people she was in love with be happy and together, and not seeming to see her in another way than in a friendship way.

(Well, Aurora told her that Philippe was in love with her, but she didn't believe it.

She was tired of hoping in vain.)

And for her, it was more and more difficult to hide the fact that she was in a terrible pain, and every time she looked at them, there was a mix of love and sadness in her eyes.

Maybe a little hope, too, but it never last.

Mulan had been observed many times by Briar Rose, at first because this one was curious about this person who saved the two people she loved most (well, if you forgot another person that she used to love, but who was now her enemy), but now, there was something else.

Yes, there was something strange in the way she looked at the young couple.

There was no jealousy or hatred in it, just… just love.

And not only love for one of them, no, no, and it was the thing that seemed to be so strange.

She seemed to be in love with both of them.

The ironic and sad thing was that the two other didn't even seem to notice the way she was looking at them. She didn't show it that clearly, but Briar Rose was good enough at seeing when someone was in love.

Again, some days and even weeks passed, and the queen realized another thing, as strange as the first one, maybe even more.

It looked like her daughter and this one's fiance returned Mulan' love too.

They all loved each other, and didn't even know it.

The queen smiled, thinking about her own past, feeling sad.

She had heard about people who had two True Love, and it looked like it was just happening, under her eyes.

She had to do something before things ended bad.

§§§§

She was absolutely right.

The following day, Aurora came to see her, completely panicked.

"Mulan wants to go. She doesn't want to stay here any more, and I don't know what to do."

The princess sat down next to her mother, who listened to her patiently, trying to find a way to solve it.

"Why does she want to go ?"

"I don't know ! I know that she has feelings for Philippe, but I always assured her that it wasn't a problem for me… Well, maybe it's a problem for her, Aurora admitted, maybe that it hurts her too much to stay here. How could I be so blind not to see it ?"

Briar Rose smiled to her child's ignorance.

"Maybe… but not only. Don't you see something else ?"

"No !"

"Then, you're blind, my child, I agree with you…"

"What else could it be ?"

"Something you don't see, Aurora, something Mulan hide from you."

"But what ?"

The queen had an indulgent smile.

"There is love in her eyes. Not only for Philippe, but also for you. There is so much love in her eyes, that I can't believe that none of you were able to see it."

Hope appeared in the woman's eyes.

"You think so ?"

"I am sure of it."

Aurora began to smile, but then, fear took her.

"Mom… do you..."

"I am completely okay with this Aurora… After all, I was the one who was for a time in a relationship with two other people. She smiled at her daughter's surprised air. One day, she added, I will tell you my story. No, go and find her. Stop her from leaving, if it's not the thing she truly wants."

Aurora nodded, stand up, and began to run.

§§§§

Mulan was in a bad mood. Aurora's and Philippe's wedding had been announced a short time before, and she realized at this moment that she couldn't handle it any more.

She had to leave, and nothing could change her mind.

"Mulan !"

When she heard Aurora's voice shouting after her, Mulan had a sight both annoyed and relieved.

Did the princess want to say goodbye to her ?

She didn't do it with Philippe, in fact, she didn't even see him.

It would hurt less, if it didn't happen.

She tried to run, but she rapidly understood that it would be useless.

The princess arrived next to her, breathing rapidly, and Mulan, for a moment, forgot the reason why she wanted to leave.

"You're leaving ?" Asked her friend with an air full of sadness.

"I guess it's pretty obvious, answered the warrior in a sharp voice."

The other one rolled her eyes.

"It was more a rhetorical question, so I would find something else to say. And I wanted you to confirm this, as it was more a rumor before."

"Yes. I want to go."

When she saw her friend's face become full of sadness again, Mulan tried not to tell her that she would stay, just to comfort her.

"I don't want you to go."

Mulan didn't expect it, and it made her more angry than happy, as she heard it.

For her, it was just a selfish desire, whereas it was supposed to be a declaration.

She had the impression that Aurora didn't care about what she felt, and she should have known how she felt, at least toward Philippe, as she told her.

"I don't care, princess. I don't want to stay, and suffer from loves which are not reciprocal and which will never be. I am leaving."

The only thing Aurora retained from this was the involuntary confession Mulan gave her, and she just smiled, a thing the warrior didn't understand.

"Did you just say loves ? She asked her with a hopeful voice."

Mulan froze and realized then what she let escape without wanting it.

"I… I..."

The princess approached her slowly.

"Mulan… Do you love me ?"

The warrior didn't look at her.

"Yes."

She didn't see the pure light of joy that was now in the princess' eyes.

"You don't have to leave."

Mulan started and looked at her friend with astonishment.

"What ? But, the things I told you..."

Gently, Aurora took her face in her hands, and gave her a smile.

"Mulan… I love you."

The other woman let a light smile appear on her face.

"You do ?"

"Yes… Yes, I do", she answered, before kissing her.

For the first time since weeks, Mulan began to smile, a real and true smile.

"So… asked Aurora… Will you stay with us ?"

Mulan nodded.

"Yes. Yes, I will."