hey guys!I'm back!
This chapter is a bit small but explains a lot about Edward's mindset and takes their friendship a bit further.
we have another twist in the story. I hope you like the chapter, if you do please review! I love it when you do!
This chapter is Pre-read by Gabby1017 and ceceprincess, Betaed by Fran!
Mistakes are mine but twilight is not, sadly!
It had been three weeks since our first walk in the gardens. We had taken a few shorter ones since then, but the court and his responsibilities kept the prince busy.
I had started receiving hard glares from the prince's mistresses and their guardians. Something told me that the prince was not seeking them in his bed-chambers as often as they would wish him to. While the matter confused me, I understood that he considered his position in court important and that the man did not necessarily think with his manhood.
The events with the rebels were escalating. The crown had just received news that two officials were missing.
He had told me on one such walk around the garden that the council meetings were being held more frequently and were becoming more serious each time. While he was not at liberty to share the details of the proceedings due to the delicate nature of the situation, he told me that governors, lords and ambassadors from all the provinces were being called upon soon for further discussion.
Governors from other provinces were set to arrive in two weeks' time to discuss proceedings. There was no question that if these happenings went any further, their own states would be affected. It was time to reconsider options.
Just when I thought that the state of affairs could not get any worse, the court received news that Lady Irina of Dabney was missing.
To say people were surprised would have been an understatement. Everyone had been so sure that somehow Aro was responsible for it all…it fit so perfectly until now.
It was that very evening that Edward asked me to take another long turn around the gardens with him.
I felt a ray of hope that the man might just be taking his own advice.
We took a walk in another area of the gardens this time.
The grass was thicker, longer and lusher here. I recognized that we must be on the other side as I saw more woods beyond us.
The path was a tad bit rocky and not as manicured as the other area was.
As we walked further, we came across a tall domed archway. He led me forward and helped me settle myself on the floor.
I kept silent, letting him decide to talk at his own pace as coercing him would lead me nowhere.
"I do not understand," he said.
Silence…
"I was so sure that it had been Aro. I could almost taste my freedom, I wished for it so bad, almost…longed for the conspiracy to be Aro's."
"I thought maybe I would be able to marry a woman of my choice and liking after all," he kept talking as if I was not present. His thoughts were unguarded at this moment.
"My Prince, I do not understand," I said gently, trying not to drive him back behind his walls.
"How would you?" he scoffed in a very un-gentlemanly manner. I willed myself to look past his improper behavior.
"Help me then," I said.
Silence found us again. I knew something bothered him I just did not understand what.
I picked myself from the ground and sat beside him.
He began to speak …
"Three years ago, my father defeated Aro. There was pain and suffering everywhere. He had recruited civilians as soldiers, and many of the women in his state were left widowed. He had no resources to compensate and look after them so he was forced to surrender. My father took over the hunger laden country and helped it limp forward rather than let it perish. However, there still were people who had enough strength to resist and play with the emotions of an already restless crowd…my father made Aro the governor of the state and gave him free reign to rule under him. When Aro and his advisors questioned what would happen after his death, my father promised me to his daughter as a show of good faith. Since then, I have hated every moment of being a prince. I have no say, yet I am the most powerful man in the kingdom." he said.
"I had never heard of all this," I gasped.
"No one ever knew about it except your father and a few from Father's trusted council. They wanted to be sure that when the agreement was declared it would be seen as the power share it was meant to be. Preferably in Aro's old age," he told me.
"I am so sorry…I judged you without knowing a single thing about your troubles…" I trailed. I was truly ashamed of the way I had treated him. I somewhat understood the situation he found himself in.
To marry a person you hardly knew was a tedious task, let alone the daughter of a person who you consider your greatest enemy. I had let other's opinion of Edward cloud my judgment so much that I had forgotten to make some of my own.
"While I do not condone your behavior, I understand your reasons…" I told him.
He was silent for a moment before he replied in a manner certainly different from the self-loathing that I was hearing.
"I do not understand how this is possible…" he said.
"Your Highness?" I prodded him further.
"I was so sure that it was Aro. It all fit so perfectly. Now I have lost my perspective…"
"How did all this happen? What led to the disappearance?"
"She was visiting her aunt in the eastern parts of the state. Aro wanted her away from the rebellion. She never returned and days after came her guard with the news that she was gone," he explained.
"What role will her disappearance play?" I asked. "I was of knowledge that the rebellion was against the supposed injustice spread by the rule of the crown. I do not understand how kidnapping her would help their cause,"
"That is, in fact, what confounds me. They have no business seizing her unless they stand against Aro's rule too. However, until now all of their demands were pro his rule. This is preposterous! I am only running around in circles." He exclaimed.
"Overthinking will not get you anywhere. Talk to your father. Ask for his opinion of the situation. There has to be some way to go forward."
The good news is that I got into a good college!
The bad news is that I have to move (In India not all do, most stay at home) ba news because I have to set up new wifi which will sadly take time...
I hope you guys stay plugged I will be, in a week or two!
Again, please review!