Lovers End

Chapter Four: Part One

As the days unfolded, a somber veil enveloped the kingdom in mourning for their fallen king. To avoid inciting panic among the villagers, the details of the tragic incident remained shrouded in secrecy.Despite the king's demise, a necessary hunt with additional knights was scheduled for the day after the incident, even with their ruler gone, the demand for food persisted. Meanwhile, the tavern doors stayed closed to the public, and as time passed, Aurora found herself unable to rise from her bed. The mere thought of visiting her father brought her to her knees, grief washing over her like an unyielding tide. Theodore faithfully visited daily, providing updates and ensuring she attended to her basic needs. Yet, Aurora remained trapped within the confines of her home, which now felt like a suffocating coffin, its walls closing in. In her despair, Aurora pleaded with Theodore to take her to Emeric, unable to comprehend his absence and Theodore's guarded responses about his whereabouts. Frustration would boil over at points , leading her to scream at Theodore until he retreated, leaving her in deafening silence. Everything felt shattered—her father at the mercy of fate, and the man she loved abandoning her in her darkest hour. A conflicting mix of hatred and longing for Emeric consumed her, leaving her uncertain if she'd ever bring herself to forgive him.

Overnight, Emeric found himself submerged in a sea of responsibilities. Recognizing in full the burdens his father carried on his shoulders, the realization that the lives of hundreds now depended on his every decision was almost too much to bear. Paralyzed by anxiety, Emeric became hyper-aware that any move he made could prove fatal. While he mourned his father and yearned for Aurora, there was no time to fully embrace these emotions. The needs of his kingdom took precedence. Theodore provided updates during the rare moments Emeric could spare.While his mother worked tirelessly to organize indoor gardens for vegetables to be grown, Emeric focused on investigating Asatus. He assigned a group of knights to hunt for food. The remaining soldiers guarded the kingdom's walls.

Despite worrying about Aurora, he found relief in the knowledge that she was safe under Theodores care. During brief meal breaks, Emeric would eat beside Franklin as Aurora had yet to come see him. The healer had made a concoction of herbs both magical and not to rub on Franklin's skin, allowing him to absorb the nutrients he needed to survive and keep him from starving. While Franklin had yet to utter a word or open his eyes, he emitted groans here and there, giving Emeric a sense of optimism.

After a week, the weight of guilt regarding her neglect of her father became unbearable. The realization that he could be facing his final moments alone in an unfamiliar bed gnawed at her conscience. Summoning a newfound determination, Aurora forced herself to come alive. Standing from her bed, she approached the window, drawing back the curtains to reveal the midday sun. It stung her eyes having to blink away stars, she looked down to the stables where Theodore tended to a horse. While appreciative, Aurora couldn't ignore the fact that it should have been Emeric, not Theodore, attending to such matters.

After freshening up, Aurora descended into the silent tavern, the unusual stillness unsettling her. Tying up her boots, she ventured outside, catching Theodore's immediate attention. His relief at seeing her outside was visible on his face. "Are you hungry?" Theodore would ask putting away the wired brush approaching her.

Ignoring his question about hunger, Aurora scanned the area as villagers gave her solemn nods before she looked back to Theodore. "Take me to father... please." She added her 'please' at the end realizing she sounded rude, Theodore sighed but nodded, "Of course."

The air was so dense it could be sliced with a knife as Theodore and Aurora rode through the village to the castle. Villagers still knelt in mourning outside the castle gates, awaiting the funeral procession for the late king. While the villagers grieved, Aurora, was unmoved by the king's death. If not for that man, her father would still be in good health. No amount of peaceful years brought by King Jorah could quiet her thoughts of hatred in that moment.