The Path to Redemption

𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒯𝓌𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓎-𝒩𝒾𝓃𝑒

↞･:*✵*:･↠

I tried to sleep, but found I couldn't as I continued to toss and turn against my covers. The feeling of the kiss still burned against my lips, and as much as I knew I shouldn't dwell on it, I still did. Why had he kissed me? Were my feelings toward him mutual? Or was it a spur of the moment? Was there really no meaning behind it?

That seemed like the only logical response, seeing how Gale had walked away right after. Yet it all didn't add up. Gale wouldn't just kiss someone for no reason. It wasn't like him. I groaned, throwing my head into the pillow as I had thousands of times earlier this night.

It didn't take me much longer to realize I wasn't going to sleep, not until I got closure. Getting out of bed, I pushed the once tight curls that had now loosened and tangled, back into a ponytail. Pulling on a deep purple dress, I tied a belt around my waist before slipping on shoes. I wouldn't dress up, not at this time of night. I'd just attended a ball where all of my energy had been spent maneuvering around in a ballgown. Now was a time for leisure.

Exiting my room, I walked with a determined stride, my footsteps making faint thumps against the carpet. Knocking once, then twice on the door of the King's chambers I waited, before knocking again. Hearing footsteps from inside the room, I stepped back, waiting. I was impatient; that was clear enough. Eventually, the door opened, and Gale emerged, confusion plastered upon his face as he looked at me.

"Do you want to take a walk?" I asked abruptly, at which the King paused. It was an odd request, asking someone to take a walk in the middle of the night, but I didn't care. I was past caring.

"Sure," Gale gave a small nod. "Let me just..." he trailed off, referring to his attire, for all he wore were his nightclothes, and I waited as he closed the door before coming out once more.

"Where are we going?" he asked, his voice tired. Had he been sleeping? No, from the bags under his eyes it was clear he had not. He had most likely been signing papers and doing royal duties that I'd always fail to understand.

"Not quite sure," I answered as I started down the steps, not waiting for him to follow.

"Aria, are you alright?" Gale's tone became concerned as he came up beside me, his strides lengthier than my own.

"No, I'm not alright!" I stopped dead in my tracks, watching Gale intensely as he did the same.

"What's the matter?"

"Do you have no recollection of tonight?" I found myself nearly shouting, irritation burning inside me. "Are you really that ignorant? How do you think I felt?" I fumed, rolling my eyes as I watched him try and figure out what I was talking about.

With a huff, I advanced forward, not looking back at him as I exited the palace. I could tell he was following by the footsteps echoing behind me. The courtyard was shimmering at this time of night, the fountain placed in the middle glistening, the water looking like diamonds as it hit the moonlight. A lone crow sat perched in a tree. Its head cocked to the side as it saw me approach though it made no effort to move.

The flowers, hedges and stone seemed dulled in the night, but I didn't mind. I liked how the moon made them appear dark, with small imperfections left to shine in the little light provided. Stopping at the edge of a small pond placed in the garden, I stared into the reflection, the stars winking at me through the liquid.

Gale caught up not a moment later, standing beside me as he stared into the pond, also. We both stood there for a good amount of time, neither saying a word. Me, because I feared I would explode if I did, and him, I was not sure. I just needed a minute to cool down, to ease my irritation.