King Damien patted the back of his friend, smiling. "So, we shall see in the next three days"
"Of course, my friend" Lauren replied "For an astonishing engagement ceremony"
The two men laughed. Lauren entered one of the carriages.
Neville watched Maya walk towards the carriages. "So, um…till next time…uh?" Maya said sweetly.
"Yeah" Neville replied smiling as well. He was desperately trying not to yawn now, he really wanted to sleep. But something bothered him- he hadn't seen Ava since they had both returned from the lake.
He bade Maya a goodbye nevertheless. And watch his sister, Aurora usher her to-be-husband to the carriage.
Neville had a bad feeling about this guy. He knew he was in no position to judge but his head couldn't just digest the fact that Aurora was going to be Alexander's wife in a few months to come. It just felt so foreign. He wondered how Aurora was enduring all of this, it was all going too fast.
Aurora quietly waved to Alexander who waved back. She remembered those few words he said. Maybe he was a good man after all. He promised to not let her regret this, she hoped he spoke the truth.
Soon, the whole family of Arthurs had entered their carriages. And the Royal family watched their horses ride.
The king headed to his chambers as he ordered guards and maidservants to prepare for the engagement ceremony. It was obvious that he wanted no stone left unturned.
Neville walked behind him as always as he gave him instructions as well, his head was really throbbing-all he wanted was a good sleep!
After an almost never-ending list of instructions, he finally let him go. Neville instantly sent for his most trusted guard, Lucas who he handed over all the instructions to. Lucas wondered if this overly-spoilt prince had ever thought of anything other than relaxing. He was the king's most loved child after-all.
Neville actually did all of that because he needed to see his sister first. He wanted to know how she was coping with this, he loved his sisters and had always tried to protect them from any harm. He had already made up his mind that if Aurora didn't want the marriage, he was going to do everything possible to stop this from happening. He headed to her chambers to have a conversation with her.
"I think Lord Alexander is a perfect match for you, princess" One of the maids who cleaned Princess Aurora's makeup had said.
"Hmm? You think so?" Aurora simply said.
"Yes, your majesty" the maid responded.
"You know, it's normal to feel nervous about marrying someone you just met. But everything would be fine" An older maid who arranged her hair added.
"How are you so sure, Marie?" Aurora asked the older woman, smiling as she crunched an apple in her mouth. Another maid was fanning her from the side.
"It happens to everyone. Besides, you are the most beautiful princess in the whole mythical world, any noble would die to have you as his wife"
"Stop flattering me, Marie" Aurora blushed and then remembered the way Alexander stared at her when they talked the other time. The feeling was so magical…
"But it's true" The older woman pinched her cheek awakening her from her daydream.
Marie was one of the oldest servants in the palace. She had been Aurora's nanny since she was very little and the closest servant to her as well.
Soon, a knock was heard on the door. A maid left to see who it was and then returned shortly.
"Your majesty, Prince Neville is here to see you"
Aurora knew it was probably something important and immediately signalled for all the maids in the room to leave. Neville entered not long after.
"So why are we seeing lazy brat here today?" Aurora asked playfully as she sat up from the chaise lounge.
Neville sat on a chair opposite and crossed his legs "I'm here for serious reasons Aurora. Tell me, are you satisfied with this engagement?" He asked straightforwardly noticing that his sister's countenance immediately changed.
"To be honest…I really don't know" Aurora said "I don't think it makes any difference if I don't. I have no choice"
"No" Neville said "You have the right to choose whatever you like, I'll convince his majesty to annul the engagement if you aren't comfortable"
"Wait Neville" she said "I didn't say I don't want the engagement. I want to give it a try, we spoke actually…Alexander and me"
"Oh okay and what did he say?" Neville said carelessly
"He said we could work things out. He's not as bad as I imagined, I think I should go ahead"
Neville sighed and maintained a serious face "if you say it's okay then everything's fine by me. But just remember that you can always go back if you want"
"Yes baby brother, I know" Aurora said humorously.
"Don't call me baby brother" Neville pouted and yawned standing up from the chair.
He sure was going to miss his sister when she gets married. She was a rare combination of both strong and sweet, sometimes he wondered how she managed to keep her calm even in the worst of situations. She was kind to all irrespective of wherever they came from and that was the reason most people called her the most beautiful princess in the mythical world.
Prince Neville exited Princess Aurora's chamber and walked through the passage. He was about to leave for his room when he heard someone call his name.
"Prince Neville" He turned to see who it was and found Ava in an half drenched gown clutching something in her small hand.
Where in the world was she all this while?
He composed himself and finally spoke.
"I told you to refer to me as Teacher or Your Majesty, you're not in the position to call me that"
Ava bit her lip in annoyance. Why was he always so savage? She ignored him nevertheless and approached him, then raised the coin up smiling like it was a gold medal.
"I got the coin" she said enthusiastically.
"Oh" Neville smirked, Ava watched as the coin disappeared from her hand to his within the blink of an eye.
"Thanks" He simply said as he put the coin in his pockets.
Ava's eyes widened, was that the only thing he was going to say? Thanks?!
Neville was trying hard not to smile, she looked so cute the way she was acting now. He read her mind, she had really suffered to get this coin and wasn't expecting that simple answer.
"So did I pass?" Ava asked, keenly.
"I can't tell you that until tomorrow, training is over for today" Neville said keeping his cold façade.
"Okay" Ava said "Your…majesty" She gritted her teeth. Neville watched as she left angrily.
He liked how cute she was with those hazel eyes and small full lips. She was so good at being his puppet, naïve to the core.
He liked Ava's energy, she was willing to do anything to pass his stupid tests. He wanted her to be strong-yes, he wasn't a really good teacher but he was going to let her live up to her potential. And he knew she had really good potential.
He wasn't really expecting her to bring the coin. The coin didn't really matter anyway, even if she failed he was still going to let her stay.
But whenever he read her mind, he sensed she was worrying about something. It was like she was afraid that something would happen. His sister, Princess Amelia had said the girl was dangerous.
Neville hoped it wasn't true.