Aideen's Answer

~Chapter Thirty-Three~

Aideen threw back her head and laughed in pure ecstasy. "This is so wonderful!" She called back to her companions.
Samantha and Clarissa returned her smile with some of their own. They were all clearly enjoying the return of their relationship, as well as knowing that Aideen had truly returned home.
As for the princess herself, she could not imagine a more perfect day. Her best friends were with her, her family "issues" had been resolved, and it was a simply gorgeous afternoon. Her soul felt it could fly, her shoulders as if an enormous weight was lifted.
"Thank you, Father," She whispered.
The girls had decided not to waste the beautiful weather, and so, after they had all calmed down, called for their horses to be prepared, and went for a jaunt in the forest.
It was just the three of them. Well, the three of them, plus Enrique. His unobtrusive presence was surprisingly comforting to the girls as he rode silently behind them.
The three of them rode single file, but the path soon widened and they were able to ride alongside each other once again. With this change, the chatter was back in full force. But this time, it had turned to more serious matters.
"Have you heard from him, Aideen?" Clarissa asked softly. "The knight, Kevin, was it?"
Aideen swallowed hard, having hoped that it would take longer before they made it to this particular subject. However, she could not avoid it, and she would not lie to them. Not again.
She shook her head vigorously. "I have not, nor do I wish to."
"Not at all?" Samantha asked with a slightly raised eyebrow.
"Curse you for knowing me so well, cousin," Aideen replied, only half-joking.
Samantha laughed, "Occupational hazard. It comes with growing up together, I suppose. But you have not yet answered, dear."
Aideen suppressed an eye roll. The girl certainly did not miss much.
She sighed, "Alright, I suppose that a part of me does wish to hear from him. Perhaps him telling me that it was all a mistake?" She shook her head with a self-deprecating little laugh. "Pathetic, is it not? But, that also does not seem quite right." She spread her hands, searching for the right words. "I-I think that the best way to put it would be that I do not miss him, so much as I miss the man that I thought he was. I mourn for the loss that man."
"Well said," Clarissa commented after a short pause. "While Samantha and I may not be able to feel along with you, you can rest assured that you will be in our prayers."
Samantha nodded vigorously in the background.
Aideen gave a small smile, "Thank you girls, that means more than you will ever know."
Samantha and Clarissa exchanged a long look, one that Aideen knew well.
She waited, but there was no lecture or burst of questions from either of them.
"Spit it out," She sighed, smiling.
Samantha was at once the picture of innocence, "What ever do you mean, Addie?"
Goodness gracious, she even resorted to batting her eyelashes.
Aideen groaned, "You two are obviously planning something and, whatever it is, it surely can not be good. What is it?"
"We were not planning anything!" Clarissa sounded scandalized at the suggestion as she theatrically pressed a hand to her heart. "My dear, do you not trust us at all?"
"No, I do not," Aideen muttered and found herself thoroughly ignored.
"We were merely wondering," Clarissa continued, as if Aideen had not spoken.
"Here we go," Aideen said.
"What you are going to do about that ridiculously handsome prince that is here to try to marry you!"
Aideen was so taken aback that all she could do was laugh.
"The prince? That is what this is about, Prince Garrett?"
"Of course that is what this is about!" Clarissa just about shrieked. "Dearie, you know that I love you, but are you blind?"
"Agreed!" Samantha called out, "How can you be thinking about some run-away knight? Have you seen this prince?"
Aideen shook her head, tears forming from her laughter. "If you two are so interested," She gasped, "Why do you not marry him?"
"Please! I have Eric," Samantha sniffed.
"And you know very well that I shall not marry," Clarissa proclaimed. "I am going to become Duchess, without the burden of a husband."
"However," Samantha continued, "We are your best friends, and as such, have a duty to tell you when you are making a grave mistake."
"And letting a handsome, sweet, kind-hearted Prince who loves the Lord get away, would most definitely qualify as a mistake," Clarissa finished with a wink in her direction.
"I see!" Aideen responded, still attempting to control herself. "And what exactly would you have me do?"
"Anything!" The girls said unanimously.
"Anything to encourage his suit!" Samantha pressed.
Aideen's eyebrows shot up, "And if I do this, but then find that my heart still yearns for Kevin? Or if my relationship with my Saviour suffers, for I have jumped into another relationship that I am not quite ready for?"
Her friends exchanged astonished looks, clearly not having expected this. Aideen could tell that they had thought all they would have to do was mention it to open her eyes, and all would be well.
She smiled gently.
"Aideen," Samantha was quick to say, "I believe we owe you an apology. We assumed that,"
"I know," Aideen answered at once. "And no apology is necessary, truly. I do appreciate your concern on my behalf."
They were riding toward the stables now, nearing the stable boys as she finished.
"I just know that I have a lot of praying to do, where Prince Garrett is concerned."
"Did I hear my name?" Asked a deep voice from much too close.
Aideen looked down into a pair of laughing brown eyes, and felt her cheeks begin to heat.
"It is rude to eavesdrop, you know," Samantha said sternly, though she was smiling.
"Indeed," Garrett agreed, inclining his head slightly. "My mother would have my hide for it, if she knew. But I believe it is just as frowned upon to discuss private matters in public," He said with a roguish wink.
Samantha and Clarissa both laughed, Aideen only managed a dry chuckle. Why was her throat suddenly so dry?
"You have me there, Your Highness," Samantha grinned.
He held up a hand, "Just Garrett, please. I should like to become friends with you three."
He grinned again, an easy smile that Aideen was sure had set many maidens hearts a flutter.
Both girls nodded, smiling, and he turned to Aideen. "I had hoped that you might be willing to accompany me on another walk?" He asked softly, then smiled wryly. "Perhaps we could make it through the entire garden this time."
Aideen laughed in spite of herself, and was surprised to hear Samantha speak up.
"What a lovely idea! Your mothers garden is certainly unparalleled, Addie. You two run along and enjoy yourselves."
Her smile was much too sweet as Aideen shot her a glare.
Garrett looked as though he were stifling laughter and Clarissa suddenly had the need to turn her head and cough violently. Aideen rolled her eyes, she was clearly outnumbered here, so she made not a peep as Garrett reached up to assist her from Ginger. But she did step away quickly with a whispered, 'thank you'.
"Shall we?"
"If you do not mind, Your Highness, I should like to freshen up a bit first," Aideen said, her hand going unconsciously to her hair. "Shall I meet you in the courtyard in a quarter hour?"
Garrett looked at her strangely, "Freshen up? Why? You look beautiful."
Aideen's cheeks reddened, and she could not find a suitable answer.
Garrett shrugged, and nodded, "If you insist. In a quarter hour, then."
Aideen motioned to Enrique, and they set off for the castle.
She tried to convince herself that her erratic heartbeat was merely from the heat and their quick pace, but somehow, she did not quite succeed...

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Oh I love her friends, do you not? ;)
Thank you so much for reading this!!! Vote if you enjoyed it! Bye for now, my lovelies!!! :-*

                                                                     Until next time,
                                                                                Susie:)