Forgotten

-Chapter 29-

VOTE & COMMENT ❤️

It's been a full week since the incident happened. The wedding was now less than two months away and things have been in full motion. Yesterday was cake tasting. I settled on vanilla (basic, I know) after I felt like I was about to explode into a million bits of cake. Today was my dress fitting. And the little girl in me was brimming with excitement.

Aries was still recovering in the hospital quarters and I've visited her every morning the past seven days. She hasn't been very verbal and the doctors say that it's because of a mental block caused by the trauma she endured. Other than that her injuries are healing well and she'll be back to work within a month. From the few words we've spoken she seems desperate for a computer at her fingers. I think she just wants to feel some normalcy again.

On my way to her hospital room with her favorite chocolate chip cookies and a glass of milk I passed Ina. Sofia said if I was uncomfortable she could get Leo to send her to one of his "many other homes" to work so I wouldn't have to see her so much and be reminded of the friend I lost. I was grateful for her offer but I didn't mind seeing her. Sure, it hurt knowing she was no longer the person she was, but it was worth it to still see her here at all.

I knocked gently on Aries' door before letting myself in. She smiled at me from her usual position in the small hospital bed and patted the area next to her for me to sit. Her eyes widened in excitement at the cookies and she graciously grabbed one and started to eat away.

"I get to try on dresses today," I spoke softly, smiling at her girlish expression, "I also get to pick my maid of honors' dresses and I had a question for you." As if she read my mind she looked at me with so much happiness my heart pulled. "Alongside Sofia, I was wondering if you would like to be my maid of honor?"

My shoulders sagged in relief at Aries excited reaction. She clapped her hands together and wrapped her arms around me tightly. "Of course." I whispered hoarsely and my heart grew a thousand sizes. This poor girl has been through too much and I was so beyond happy to give her a reason to smile that big again. "I was thinking lavender dresses, what do you think?" I asked Aries and she responded with a reassuring nod.

I gave her one last tight hug and then left to let her rest. The medication they had her on was very strong and often made her tired very easily.

Once I had changed and was ready for my dress appointment, some women from the committee came to pick me up and take me to the shops. I was shoved into a limo with four random women and thankfully, Sofia. I asked her to come with me and help pick out her and Aries' dresses. It would also help easier to get her fitted right now instead of later.

The town of Gaiden was barren because also had the whole street cleared just for my arrival. Apparently he didn't want me to be distracted by his people on such an important day. Yeah right. He's probably just being a pretentious asshole.

There were a few dress shops throughout the kingdom but the first one we stopped at was apparently the best. It was on the Main Street and tucked in between a pizza shop and a cafe. The outside of the boutique was adorable. The architecture made up for the small size. On either side of the big wooden door were huge antique windows that were have covered by beautiful azaleas and vines. The inside was even more gorgeous. The ceiling was tall with a handmade crystal glass chandelier hanging from the center. In the center of the back wall the floor was lifted onto a platform with a giant mirror against it for the bride to stand. The walls were lined with dress after dress. The many white fabrics spilling out against each other.

A tall thin woman greeted us at the door. "Princess Athena, what a pleasure it is. My name is Bowen, welcome to my boutique." She bowed gracefully before standing to smile at me. Her black hair was pinned elegantly on top of her head and her warm hazel eyes and dark skin glowed under the chandeliers light. She had on a white pantsuit and red heels that matched the lipstick she had on. She was stunning.

"Right this way." She gestured over to the platform and I excitedly stood atop of it. "This is a beautiful boutique you have." I told her as she started on my measurements. She gleamed up at me quickly before returning to my waist, "Thank you. If it wasn't for the Prince, I wouldn't have been able to even start this place up. Some contractors in town wanted to tear it down but when I filed a report to the Prince, he listened, and here I am."

Once again, something tugged at my heart. Yes another piece of my fiancé has been revealed. He may be a terrible man, but he clearly cares for his people.

"He is amazing, isn't he." I faked my loving tone, which everyone bought. Bowen laughed before pulling away from my body, satisfied with her measurements.

All the committee women watched in silence and awe as I tried on dress after dress. Somehow, Sofia and I were always on the same wavelength. Like when I tried on this dress that cinched so tightly at the waist it made me look crazy and we both looked at each other and said "no".

It was around two hours until Bowen brought out the dress. I could tell just by looking at it that it was the one. It was gorgeous. Detailed perfectly with every kind of fabric there was. I was even more sure once I tried it one. Two of the committee women even started to cry. Sofia gasped and clapped, "That's the one." She assured. "It's the one." I whispered back, running my hands over the smooth fabric.

-upload the dress you imagine in the comments!-

The ride home was buzzing with energy. Sofia had picked out the dress her and Aries are going to wear and they're beautiful. They are simple long, satin dresses with a deep neckline and ruched bottom in a settle lavender color. I loved them. I couldn't wait to show Aries.

Once we got back, I headed back to my room to lay down and take a breath. I took a long well-needed shower and then finally laid down in my comfy bed. That was of course until my stomach decided to protest. At this point it was nearly midnight and the palace was dead.

I made my way to the kitchen and flicked the light switch. I nearly jumped out of body. Leo was standing at the island, in the dark, eating vanilla ice cream. "Oh, uh, hi?" I peeped and Leo chuckled. "Hello, Tesoro. What are you doing down here so late?"

I glared at him, "I should be asking you the same. But more importantly, who eats in the dark?" This just made him laugh again and my ego grew a little that I was the one to cause it. "I only like darkness." He muttered deeply and something deep within stirred.

I cleared my throat. "Mhm. Anyway, I'll get going now." I turned to leave but he quickly grabbed me and spun be back around, trapping me against the counter top. His blue eyes shone in the fluorescent light and I could see stubble forming on his sharp jawline. His hair was even messier than usual and there was something so enticing about it.

His finger traced my jaw, than the scar on my cheek. "Athena, what are you doing to me." He growled and the feeling in my stomach grew. He suddenly grabbed my hair and pulled my head back and I gasped aloud. He pushed me flush against the counter and I gasped again. I cursed myself for reacting but when you've been deprived for so long it's not like you can help it.

I could feel his warm breath against my throat. The light graze of his lips against my flesh. No doubt he could hear my pulse. He suddenly pulled away. And stormed out of the kitchen. My chest heaved unevenly and I let out a breath I didn't even realize I was holding. Holy shit.