Chapter Eleven: Our Place

A few days turned into a week, with such harsh changes to the weather. Too harsh and dangerous to set sail. Mali's plans to set sail have been halted, much to Aaron's disappointment. But he is not shocked, life usually gives him a terrible hand of bad luck. He would rather stupidly face the rough ocean than remain here. So, he decides to stick with his first choice and refuses to leave the closet that his brother lovingly picked him. Staying away from any confrontation will make his stay worse than it is.

Aaron's stomach growled as he felt hungry as he continues to stare up at the ceiling. He has done nothing else. Aaron thinks that it is now early morning. The smell of bacon whiffs into his room, making his belly rumble harder. Iolene and Mali appear in turns to give him breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Realising that the servants do not bring him any food as he did not eat after the first day. Mali furious demanded Alphonse to feed his guest, as Aaron has guest rights. It should be implemented tonight. But Aaron doubts it.

A knock on the door is heard as Iolene walks in with a tray of food. She gently taps Aaron's body with her foot.

"Breakfast." She said adamantly. "Come on! Sit up." Saying with firmness that Aaron responds, he tilts his head to look up at her. She is wearing a simple blue gown with white sleeves and green seaweed patterns. She was so gentle on the first day, Aaron refused to eat his late dinner and Iolene changed her tone to firm. Aaron nicknames it her healer persona. If he doesn't eat it, she will force him to.

Aaron sits up with much struggle as Iolene places the tray on his lap. Aaron sighs as he fights his numbness to do the simplest task. Holding his knife and fork he gazes at his plate. Scrambled eggs with fish, bacon, and toast. The bread is unique that it has seaweed ingrained into the bread. Aaron remembers when he was a child, would be lucky to get a few slices. He would scoff it down as he was a desperate boy. But now at this moment, he is hungry with no urge.

"You need to eat," Iolene says as she pushes the plate a few centimeters forward.

Aaron forces himself to eat bit by bit of the delicious breakfast. Even though he struggles to savour and enjoy each bite.

"It's yum," Aaron says as he fishes the plate.

"Good," Iolene says with some cheeriness as it becomes silent in the room.

"Come Aaron... You need to bathe. You are beginning to smell horrid, and you need fresh air." Iolene says calmly to try and get him to leave the closet.

"Do I?" Aaron asks oblivious.

She then takes the dishes away and returns with Lei by her side.

Lei's face said it all as the closet stank of moisture and Aaron's body odour. "You really need a bath! Because this smell is ridiculous."

Aaron sighs as he admitted it to himself. He has not even been keeping up with his usual training routine. Iolene stretches out her hand Aaron decides to take it. Aaron collapsed as his legs felt immense pins and needles. He has been sitting and lying in one spot for so long his legs cannot even function properly.

Lei goes under Aaron's right arm to help lift him. Lei walks around with him as Aarons's legs begin to function once more. Still stiff and limping, Iolene and Lei lead him to the soldier barrack baths. Located in a building across from the castle. Being a mutual decision to keep Aaron away from his family. Her asking the guards and soldiers politely to leave the three alone. Against protocol the soldier said, but Iolene strictly says it is nothing sexual and Aaron is in desperate need of it. The guard takes one look at Aaron and quickly agrees.

Iolene in modesty turns away as Lei helps undress Aaron. Hearing the water splash as Aaron makes himself comfortable. The water is just a bit too hot for his taste but will cool. Iolene begins by washing Aaron's hair as Lei scrubs and clips his nails. Iolene massages his head gently as Aaron closes his eyes with pleasure.

Lei notices the full extent of Aaron's whip marks. All over Aaron's back, shoulder, and legs. But in respect, he does not say a word of it.

Iolene stops massaging as she wraps her arms around his neck and shoulders. In a tender hug as she remains silent. Aaron in reflex grabs her arm gently. Her touch... Her soft touch... He then moves to touch her hand. Her knuckles healed as he kisses them tenderly. As Aaron can now feel an emotion.

After the long bath, Aaron is all refreshed and cleaned. Now smelling of oranges. With a spray that Lei was gifted by Alphonse. Lei and Iolene take Aaron to the training arena. Iolene smiles as she encourages Aaron by pulling on his arm. But Aaron is not feeling it, telling the two he is struggling to walk, let alone practice fighting and help Iolene practice.

Iolene places her hand on Aaron's cheek. "Take me there..." She whispers. Aaron was about to say something when Iolene walks away.

"Take her to where?" Lei asks.

"Um..." Is all Aaron can speak. As he looks back up at the wall which is also the castle. He sees a curtain move in a window. Deciding to move forward, warning Lei that it is out of the town limits.

"I will come with you to help protect Iolene." Lei says as he takes out a small pole. With a press of a button, it extends into a spear.

"Thank you," Aaron says jogging to catch up with Iolene.

A few hours later passing through the town, they walk up the high hill to the forest. Where they walk deep into the thick trees and vines. The ground moss and leaves is so soft it felt as if it is a pillow. Crawling underneath massive collapsed trees and squeezing into small caves. Aaron leads the way as they reach the meadow.

A bright green place, covered with wildflowers with a perfect opening of the sky.

Iolene's smile widened as she remembers this place so well. She begins to frolic and dance around the mass abundance of wildflowers. For the first time in days Aaron reveals a smile as he watches her dance.

"So beautiful..." Aaron says admiringly as Iolene continues to dance. This was how Iolene acted when Aaron first showed her this place.

"This place is beautiful!" Lei repeats. "How did you find this gem?"

"By accident I ran away, trying to get away from everything. Got lost and this is what I found, when Iolene visited I knew she would love it here."

Lei nods as he accepted the answer.

"Iolene said she has never really seen nature." Aaron continues on. "Being lucky enough, that King Marlowe convinced the priesthood to let her go. But they never let her out of the carriage except when she needed to relieve herself. Watersgate as you now see is not a natural beauty of a place. I used to pick the flowers from here and give them to her."

"You gave her flowers! That is adorable!" Lei chortles.

Aaron chuckles as Lei notices his cheeks going red.

Iolene proceeds to frolic as she suddenly trips and falls over. With a cute squeak as her legs can be seen flung up in the air, before lowering. Lei stands back as he watches Aaron.

"IOLENE!" Aaron screams as he races to her in full urgency. Looking down as he sees Iolene laughing in playful glee. As Aaron beams with a smile as Iolene grabs him as the two roll around on the meadow. Aaron laughs as Iolene tickles him underneath the ribs.

Lei watches on from a distance. He knew this is wrong. Iolene is born from royalty to reclaim her home. Aaron a bastard... Lei knew his own family will never stand for such nonsense. If his mother had a full hand in Iolenes' affairs, she would already be betrothed. But seeing the two made Lei feel soft in the heart. Aaron and Iolene are his friends. He wishes them happiness.

Iolene stops rolling with Aaron from exhaustion. She is on the ground as her gold eyes lock onto Aaron's as he is on top. "Remember Aaron, this is our place!" She says exhausted. "Nothing else matters here..."

Aaron is holding her in a lover's embrace. From feeling nothing to everything. First, it was a void of no feelings then, sadness, and fear to all of a sudden love and desire. Lingering feelings he always had. He breathes heavily as he caresses her cheek. I can't! I can't! I can't! His mind repeats. She is royalty and I am nothing... His mind continues on. You are so inexperienced with life. But you are so kind, more than I ever deserved. The last time I saw you... You were mad at me. I am so sorry for lying, I hate who I am. Always wishing I was someone else... I missed you, every single day. Lingering on the hope I will see you again and here you are. In my arms...

"This is our place..." He says with such love it made Iolene caress his hair with her free hand. Aaron lifts her slightly as Iolene waits. He closes the gap as he gives Iolene a passionate kiss.

Lei's mouth agape. As he remains silent as the two continue to kiss. Both of their eyes are closed as they are enveloped in the moment. Lei knew Aaron crossed a line. But he will talk to the two of them when they are done.

Iolene and Aaron gasp for breath as their eyes opened. MY FIRST KISS! Her mind loses its control as she pulls forward for another kiss. But it was not to be as Aaron is staring to his left. Iolene looks in the same direction and notices there is someone else here.