Return to Glory

Revealing the Truth

The hot bath left Alex's muscles relaxed and gave her skin a new tone and feel. Thinking back, it probably had been more than a month since the last time she had been able to soak and scrub off all the filth completely. She had no idea what the oils Aidan had left for her were, but she was now silky-smooth; something she normally didn't even achieve when washing herself back at home. In fact, she also hadn't seen a washtub of this style other than in the castle of her hometown.

Her heart raced on its own as she became aware of these details, her hopes rising in waves.

Looking back at the water left in the decent-sized tub that seemed to be a luxury in the otherwise austere home, she had to admit she was a bit ashamed at the color the liquid was left after having used it. Releasing the plug that stopped the water from leaving, she heard it begin to drain, producing a loud noise outside that seemed like another container was being filled. Given the simplistic and frugal way the young man seemed to live, the brunette assumed it must be that the water would be stored and repurposed for something else.

Deciding not to give further mind to that, she put on her second set of clothes, noticing that though they weren't as dirty as the ones she had just removed, the garments weren't exactly pristine, either. Shrugging it off, she just made do with what she had and stepped out of the steam-filled room.

Despite what she was normally used to, the next place she encountered was even warmer, cozier than even her own home. She usually would just get used to being a bit cold all the time, except for in bed, and dealt with it easily. This house was anything but opulent, but the feel was more comfortable and self-indulgent than any other place she had ever been to.

The striking aroma of food hit her. She couldn't care less what food it was; it was something she'd be able to consume after so many days of having sleep for dinner. Her stomach grumbled louder than she would have liked and seemed to get her host's attention.

"My lady! You've come just in time to enjoy dinner while it is fresh out of the oven. Was the bath pleasant?" Alex couldn't believe this man was real. His utter politeness and enthusiasm were nothing like the treatment she'd normally receive from the males she knew. Even in her line of work, as a proven, skilled bounty hunter, she was still constantly belittled due to her young age and appearances, more than anything.

She didn't want to mistrust the young man, especially with how amicable he was, so she decided she would just have to go with the flow and consider the possibility that he was truly just happy to have some company. Her survival instincts had not nagged her even once since she arrived, and she trusted her gut more than anything else in her life; so far, it hadn't disappointed her even once.

Sitting down in the spot the young man had enthusiastically indicated for her, she was able to better see the intricate carvings of the table. Ornate vines were created in the wood, expanding in a thick border that went all around the table. The craftsmanship easily compared to that of the select few that were hired to do work on the castle, and Alex wondered suspiciously how this man had these works done, especially when the piece of furniture contrasted so greatly with the rest of the humble place.

Again her heart rate began to increase its speed as her instincts told her she had found her objective and should do something about it now. On the other hand, her logical side told her to control herself because this wasn't just a quick "find and seize" mission. That side was completely right and, though she hated to have to silence her impulses, she knew that if she had truly found her target, she would have to tread cautiously.

Aidan placed a wooden dish with steaming food in front of her, along with a piece of bread and some cutlery. Without warning, Alex's stomach growled noisily.

The young man laughed heartily and stated, "This meal is coming just in time, I see." Despite knowing that was far from lady-like, Alex honestly felt no shame, as she couldn't help but be hungry. These woods had proven to be a challenge she had hated. The only things aside from large predators - who she avoided as much as possible - that she had found were small birds that truly weren't meal material. She had managed to make do with mushrooms, berries, and nuts she'd found, but those things were far from filling.

"I can't even remember when was the last time I saw a dish with food," she replied truthfully.

Aidan eyed her with curiosity as he sat down across from her. "How long have you been in these woods?" he inquired, before adding, "If it's okay for me to ask."

Alex smiled at the politeness - she still couldn’t believe a man like this could possibly exist; her logical side kept telling her to be careful, anyway, but her gut was calm as ever in his company. “I honestly have lost track. I think this last time it’s been like a month and a half, or so.” She filled her mouth with a forkful of fish that tasted like heaven. “Oh, gods, this is so good,” she muttered improperly, impulsed by the gratitude her entire body had for being able to nourish itself again.

The young man laughed heartily before asking, “This last time?”

Alex swallowed quickly and rinsed her mouth with the cup of water Aidan had placed for her. “Yeah, I’ve been coming and going for months. Whenever I’m at the last of my resources and, to be honest, patience, I go back to the nearest town and stay for a few days before coming back.” She spoke with full casualness, stuffing her mouth with a piece of warm bread that was also a treat. She couldn’t even remember when she had tasted something as elaborate as a simple wheat loaf.

“Why have you been doing that?” Aidan grew serious, his emerald eyes a bit narrow under the unexpectedly elegant blond eyebrows. He hadn’t even touched his food yet, completely focused on Alex’s story.

For a moment she wondered if she should be worried that he wasn’t eating, as it wasn’t uncommon for people to slip sleeping herbs or drops of infusions into food, in order to kidnap their victims. Aidan then bit into a small piece of bread and she assumed all must be her logical side’s paranoia.

She wasn’t sure how to go with the subject, but there was no point in continuing to dawdle. “I’m on a mission in search of a very important person,” she began. Looking down at her plate, she wondered how she could just straight up ask Aidan what she was questioning herself about since she arrived, without taking too much time. She didn’t want her splendid meal to go cold while they spoke.

Her dark eyes rose to meet the young man’s intense green ones and she felt the certainty deep inside; it was him and there was no point in continuing to doubt it. “I’m looking for the prince of Echeveria.”

Aidan’s eyes continued to pierce through her, his face now much more serious than before. Without breaking contact, he asked, “And why are you looking for him?”

Alex’s heart shrank for a second. She didn’t want to give bad news like this. “He’s needed at his kingdom.” Eventually, she’d have to let him know, but first she wanted to know what Aidan’s thoughts were.

The young man nonchalantly began to eat his food with complete ease, as if the conversation had dissipated and he’d lost complete interest in it.

Alex observed him, shocked, wondering what she should say to prompt him either into confessing, or if she should just go ahead and ask. Watching him calmly chewing on his small bits of food ended up unnerving her, as she knew her own meal was growing cold while she waited to see if he’d react.

“Are you the prince?” she asked bluntly, angry for having to do so, when he could easily have just told her.

Aidan continued with his complete tranquility, focused intently on his fish and bread. “That doesn’t matter,” he ended up responding, his disinterest soaking his voice.

Despite the fury growing inside of Alex, seeing the young man’s utter calmness, and having the opportunity to view his features up close, she couldn’t deny he was extremely attractive, even with the heavy facial hair that covered most of his face. The elegant nose and piercing eyes simply reeked royalty and there was no way he could deny it.

“It actually does. A lot. I need to take the prince home. If it wasn’t urgent, I wouldn’t be looking for him, along with another fifty other bounty hunters.” She was tense, her face hot; she wanted him to just answer truly so she could get back to her meal. It was obvious that he was who she was looking for; she knew those eyes, why couldn’t he just make things easy and admit who he was?

“Why are there fifty bounty hunters looking for the prince? Why is he needed?” Aidan’s voice grew stern as he left his food and sat straight, eyes narrow, and the vagabond look doing nothing to cover his true nobility. There was no way he’d fool Alex.

“You want to know? Fine. The king has passed away and the entire kingdom is in chaos. The only way to recover is bringing back the royal blood.”

Aidan seemed shocked at the news and, as he asked, “The king has passed away?” she couldn’t help but feel guilty at how bluntly she had given the news. In less than two hours in the man’s house, she had turned his world upside down. He surely was regretting having let her in, in the first place.

Alex impulsively stretched out her hand and put it on his in empathy. “I apologize for having said it that way, but, yes. It’s been about a year-and-a-half now. He requested no one inform the prince so that he could continue with his life away from the throne, but we are now desperate. We need our new king.”

The young man watched her with tears in his eyes, but the expression was as hard as before. Cold, even.

Despite the sudden change in the blond’s attitude, Alex was determined to take him back with her. She had spent too much time on this mission, and what she was saying was true; they were in chaos when she left so many months ago, she couldn't even imagine how things might be now. “Are you the king I am looking for?” she pressed, her small hand tight around his noticeably masculine and larger one.

Eyes still rather cold, he answered, “I am the prince. But I have no desire of going back, and much less of being king.”

Alex could work with that; there still was hope for her to be able to turn things around. “I understand,” she stated with true honesty and was rewarded with a surprised look from the young man, who didn’t seem to expect such a reply. “I only ask that you think this over before making a final decision.”

The green eyes seemed apprehensive, but the blond nodded, nonetheless. “I’ll consider it. For the moment, can you let me continue to accommodate you? I haven’t had human company in a long time.”

Alex smiled; the young man was the most courteous person she had ever met, and this visit was resulting fruitful. “If you still want to accommodate me despite my mission…” she replied casually as she returned her attention to her meal, bringing a forkful of fish into her mouth and then stuffing a piece of bread in there to munch on both things at the same time.

“Of course I do,” Aidan smiled back at her, though the previously joyful eyes now seemed somber. Alex hoped they could talk more about this after dinner; she really didn’t want to leave the charming young man so depressed. For the moment, though, she’d accept they’d be eating in a slightly tense silence.