Aideen's Answer

-Chapter Thirty-Six

Aideen felt herself trembling, but had not the foggiest idea how to make herself stop.
After her delightful reunion with her dear brothers, she had gone to her father's office to confer with her parents. She admitted that she wished to see Kevin and was seeking counsel on the wisdom of such a plan. Her mother nearly broke down in tears at the changes God had made possible in her daughter, and declared that she herself would accompany Aideen. Her father had insisted upon the two of them taking the twins with them, to which they had readily agreed.
Aideen now walked along the corridors with her arm safely tucked into her mother's. Jeremy, Jayden and Enrique all trailed behind them.
She knew her mother sensed her nerves, and was extremely grateful that she chose not to comment on it. It was a silent group that made their way down to the dungeons, a place Aideen had never been.
She swallowed hard as they crossed the dark, damp room. The smell was terrible, and she heard some small squeaks and rustling that she would not allow herself to dwell upon.
They reached the last cell, which was the only one occupied, and so the only one guarded.
Aideen took a steadying breath as she stepped into the circle of light surrounding the cell. The guard bowed to them, but seemed unsurprised by their presence. She nodded in his direction as her eyes took in Kevin's confinement.
It was certainly not a large room, about 6x6. There was a low cot in one corner, other than that the room was barren. Aideen could just make out the shape of someone lounging upon the cot.
"So you have come."
Aideen jumped at the unexpected noise, but a second later her chin rose.
"Of course I have come, though even I must question why I am here."
"Why, Princess, is it not customary to spend time with your betrothed? Have you not simply come to visit with the man you love?" His voice was mocking, cold. Aideen winced.
"You are not my betrothed, Sir Knight. I have made many mistakes in the past and can only dream of repairing them all, but this one I have the power to rectify."
"Ah, how predictable of you, Love," Kevin laughed. "You have returned to Mother and Daddy, and so are now their perfect daughter once again? Leaving your former lover to rot in prison, while you undoubtedly have begun to meet some other poor schmuck in the woods."
"Silence, you!" Jeremy hollered.
"Do you meet in the same clearing, Princess?" Kevin asked acidly. "Do his kisses taste as mine did?"
Aideen gasped at him, "How dare-"
But she was shocked into silence when Enrique marched into the cell, took hold of Kevin's collar, and landed one, well-aimed punch.
"Oh dear," her mother stated calmly.
Kevin went limp, and Enrique walked back out of the door, locked it behind him and handed the key to the guard.
"Shall we go?" He asked the astonished group.
Aideen was having trouble finding her voice. Why, she had never even noticed Enrique unlocking the door!
"Yes, a wonderful idea," The queen answered. "Darling?" She asked Aideen, "Were you quite finished?"
Aideen nodded dumbly, but turned to her guard with one simple word.
"Why?"
"I saw no need for him to hurt you with more of his venom and lies, Princess."
She nodded and turned away with her mother, but they had not gone five steps when she softly spoke again.
"Enrique."
"Ma'am?"
"Thank you."
"My pleasure, Princess Aideen."