A Different Definition of Tragedy

Accepting Unwanted Help: Chapter 5

Aurora did the same thing for the rest of the week. Disappearing early in the morning and arriving late at night. Guards had been placed outside her door, outside her windows, guards outside the stables, security had been doubled but Aurora still got out. At night, Prince Matthias waited for her to return.

One night, Matthias jumped up when she saw Aurora. It was later than usual and he noticed her limping. He rushed over to her.

"Are you all right?" He reached for her, but she pushed him away.

"I'm fine." She muttered. As she came into the light, Matthias noticed several cuts and scrapes.

"What happened?" A sense of protectiveness washing over him.

"Nothing." She hissed. She turned away from him so he wouldn't see her wince.

"Let me help." He lifted her arm over his shoulder, Aurora tried to pull away from him but it only pulled at her arm that was around his neck. She huffed but decided to leave it be since if she kept refusing he might scoop her up. However, she didn't want to admit it, she was grateful for his help. He opened her door, pushing it open with his foot, leading her in. It was dark and he carefully felt around the room for her bed. He set her down on it, while he rushed around. There was a candle on the mantle he picked it up beginning to make a fire. It took a little while but it soon was big enough to give some more light, so he could find the lanterns and begin to light them up, happy that there was oil in them. He turned around to see Aurora, he noticed several places bruising.

"What happened?" He whispered. She shot him a cold glare. He held up his hands in defeat. "Fine, I won't ask. But let me wrap your ankle for you." She opened her mouth to protest but he reached over to a bowl of fruit, putting an apple in her mouth. He smirked at her as she glared furiously at him running to her bathroom finding a bucket and filling it up with warm water. Aurora grabbed the apple throwing it in the fire.

"That little cretin." She wiped her mouth.

He came back with everything he needed. He reached for her foot, but Aurora pulled back. "I'm afraid it is quite improper for you to be touching my ankles." He looked up at her unimpressed.

"No one will know."

"I will." She retorted. He smiled, ignoring her comments, pulling off her sock.

"You know if you could hold up your skirt slightly that would be most helpful." He tossed the sock aside. Aurora rolled her eyes but lifted her skirt up. "What did you do?" Aurora shot him a glare, he gave her a sheepish grin. "Sorry, I forgot that's a sensitive question. It's incredibly swollen."

"There should be some ointment in that chest over there." She began to stand, but she started going white, now that she wasn't focused on her survival the adrenaline had faded, and now she throbbed everywhere. He pushed her back down, chuckling.

"I'll get it." He stood up walking over beginning to look through the chest she said.

An hour later, Aurora was all doctored up lying in her bed, bathed and in her nightgown. Matthias hadn't helped her changed, but he stayed in case she fell over. He blew the lights out, Aurora watched him from her bed, glaring at him, but before he left he stood by her bed.

"Why?" He asked with a serious expression.

"Why what?" She snapped.

"Why do you keep running away? It really annoys your parents."

"I know it does." Aurora said shifting slightly. He furrowed his eyebrows, sighing.

"It is obvious you want nothing to do with us. But this is a great moment, to create connections and relationships."

"You are kidding right?" He sat on the edge of her bed careful not to hit into Aurora.

"What I mean is these men are powerful in their country they have influence; you could strengthen the ties with the other kingdoms. You just have to try." He paused standing up, brushing his hands off. "Besides, you might find that you like some of these men." He walked over to the door. "You can run away from your problems like a coward, which doesn't seem like you," Aurora stared at him, she should be annoyed at him, but he was giving some good points. She had been so frustrated by the situation she hadn't thought of that. A reason why she hated emotions, it annoyed her even more that even she fell victim to them sometimes. "Or you can create some powerful friends and challenge yourself." He opened the door. "Good night, sleep well." He quietly closed the door, leaving Aurora to herself. She looked at the door.

"Hmm, this is proving far more intriguing than I thought it would be." She settled into her bed, closing her heavy eyelids. "Thank you, Prince Matthias." She mumbled just before sleep kindly welcomed her.  

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