Trapped by the Past

Chapter 15: The Gala

    After two hours of work to try to conceal the black rings under my eyes and making sure the dress fits me perfectly, I was done. 

I looked at myself in the mirror, my face didn't change much but the gold eyes shadow and thin eye liner made my blue eyes stand out. My dress was an off shoulder and a cathedral train with pearls sewed on the waist like a belt. The front was reached just below my knees. My blond hair were open and fall half up on my lower back with a gold rose tiara that had a diamond in the middle. 

I was making sure the tiara was in place when there was a knock on the door. 

"Come in." I said, still struggling with the tiara. I looked at the door from the mirror and Liam came in. "How do I look?" I asked. 

"Beautiful." He said as he made his way toward me. "But this is not in the right spot." He said and moved the tiara a bit to the left. "There." He smiled. 

I looked at myself in the mirror and took a deep breathe. This would be the first time I appear in front of the cameras for a whole night after so long. 

"You ready?" Liam asked and offered me his arm. I gave myself one last look and took Liam's arm. "It's going to be ok." 

"I didn't take my pills last night and I don't know what I will do." I said, I was scared because I didn't know how I will react to any announcement Dad has to say. 

"You have seven people looking out for you." He said as we reached the top of the stairs that reached the ballroom. We paused and Liam turned to look at me. "We won't let anything happened to you." I nodded. "Ready?" I nodded again.  

We went downstairs and as soon as the guests saw us they became quiet. Liam was supposed to walk me down the stairs and after that Aiden would be my date. Since I was never allowed to have a boyfriend one of the boys would be my date and sometimes even Dad. 

I looked for Dad or Aiden or the rest of the boys and saw them at the bottom of the stairs. Dad was nearer to the stairs with Aiden's parents and Caleb's mom next to him with Aiden, Caleb, Ethan, and the rest of my brothers, they were all looking at me and Liam. 

Dad was wearing a dark blue suit. I smiled at him and he smiled back. I had to put on a clam front so paparazzies won't have anything to say. I looked at Aiden who was wearing a suit the same shade of blue as my dress and was looking really good. When I looked at him, I saw him trying to loosed his tie. When our eyes met, he smiled and I returned the smile. Caleb was wearing a purple suit with a white shirt under it and a tie to go with the suit. All the boys were wearing their own colors, Liam's white, Oliver's Gray, Mason's violet, Lucas's teal, Noah's Gold and Ethan's lavender. This colors were tradition, when someone was born they would get a color that was theirs and in important events they would wear it. Most of close families to royals have those colors. Caleb's was purple, Aiden's was gold but since he was my date tonight and fiancé, he was wearing my color. 

When we reached at the bottom of the stairs, Dad offered me his arm and I took it and gave  Liam a smile which he returned. 

"You look beautiful, Rosie." Dad whispered in my ear. "You look just like your mother." I looked at him and saw he had tear in his eyes and gave me a sad smile. I smiled back and looked ahead to try to hide my own watery eyes. We reached the stage and went up the stairs. 

Everyone was waiting for Dad to announce what this ball was for. The ballroom was completely silent and I could feel everyone looking at me, which made me nervous. I was searching for a calming face and found Aiden's who wasn't that far and when he saw me looking at him he smiled and mouthed 'relax', that was all it took to make me relax. I was staring right into those jungles and he was staring right back at me. I heard Dad start to talk. 

"Thank you everyone," He said and I was still looking at Aiden who was looking back, not taking our eyes off of each other. "I wanted to announce something really important. In more than six months, my daughter, Aurora, would turn eighteen and that would make her eligible to become a queen by our country's law. I wanted to announce her coronation as a queen," He paused and everyone gasped me included. I thought he was going to announce my engagement which hasn't happened but something like that but this was the last thing that I thought he would announce. I looked at him but he was looking at the guests. "In less than nine months, at the beginning of the spring." That made everyone gasp again. The ballroom was in complete silent when someone shouted. "Long live the king and queen." Everyone else joined in as Dad made his way toward me and we both made our way down the stage and toward the boys who where waiting. 

"What is going on, Dad?" I asked when we reached the others.

"Nothing." He said but didn't even look at me. Everyone else gathered around him and kicked me out. 

I could feel my eyes getting wet and my vision getting blurry. I looked at the rest of the ballroom, everyone was talking or laughing, having a good time and no one was looking at me. I couldn't take it anymore and my tears were choking me. I had to get out. I made my way toward the door that went into the gardens and went into the rose sections. As soon as I made it to my spot, I couldn't control the tears and they spilled. My sobs were laud but the music and laughter was louder so no one heard my sobs. I don't know how long I was crying but after a while I didn't have any tears left to cry and it was just dry sobs. 

"Aurora?" Someone called from behind me. It was Aiden's voice. I didn't even lift my head to look at him. I felt him touch my shoulder. "Aurora, what's going on? Why are you crying?" 

"Nothing." I said. "I'm not crying, I just needed some fresh air." God my voice. 

"You're lying." He said and sat down next to me. "Look at me." He said and when I didn't look at him he moved his hand under my chin and md my head up so I had no choice but to look at him. "Why are you crying?" 

"Remember those pills from this morning?" I said. "This for not taking them." 

"What are they for?" He asked. I just shrugged.  He sighed and let go of my face. "We have to go inside. Everyone was looking for you." When he saw my face he added. "Your brothers and Caleb." 

I took a deep breathe. Aiden got up and made offered his hand. I took it and he helped me get up from the bench. 

"Is my make up messed up?" I asked. Aiden looked at my face and shook his head. "Are you sure? I don't wasn't anyone to know that I was crying."

"They won't." He said and squeezed my hand. We started to walk toward the ballroom. It was a long walk since the rose section was far from the ballroom. Aiden pulled me closer to him and put his hand around my waist and I put my head on his shoulder. "Do you want me to carry you to the ballroom?" He asked. I gave him a questioning look. "You are wearing heels and I can only guess how uncomfortable they are to walk in." 

"No," I said and looked at the ballroom that was just a few feet away. "I can walk. I'm used to it." 

"Ok." He said and fell silent after that. We reached the ballroom and as soon as the others saw us they came rushing toward me. 

"Where the hell were you?" Dad asked in a controlled voice, trying not to make a scene. "Do you know how worried we were? What were you thinking?" 

"Dad." Liam said as he came toward me. "She gets it, we were worried about her. Don't make a scene." Dad took a deep breathe and didn't say anything. I was quiet the whole time. "Why were you crying?" Liam asked when he saw my eyes. I shrugged and didn't say anything. Liam sighed and pulled away. "Don't do this again." I nodded. 

Dad was talking to one the ambassadors and Liam joined him. Everyone else went back to what they were doing but I could feel Dad glancing my way every now and then. 

A light song started and couples started to dance. I looked at them. How I want to be onw of those girls who laugh and dance with their boyfriends. I sighed.

"Can I have a dance?" Aiden asked and extended his hand to me. I looked at him. He was waiting for me. I took a deep breathe and took his hand. He smiled and pulled me closer to him. 

I put one of my hands in his and the other around his neck. He puts one of his hand around my waist and we start to sway. After a few minutes I put my head on his chest and I could feel him putting his chin on top of my head. I hardly reached his shoulder so that was easy for him. I inhaled his cologne. I could feel myself relaxing and calming down. I could feel him moving his head to my neck and inhaling. 

"When am I going to find out what you are hiding from me?" I asked to stop myself from doing something stupid like kissing him, my head still on his chest. "Until when are you going to keep me in the dark?" 

"It's not up to me to tell you." Aiden sighed and pulled me closer. " I really want to tell you but your father and brothers are against it." 

"Can I at least know what the announcement was about?" I asked and looked up at him. He was about to say something but a girly voice called his name. 

"Aiden?"  

I looked over Aiden's shoulder and saw a girl coming our way. Aiden turned around and after seeing who it was, he sighed. Aiden pulled me into his side and put his arm around my waist. I couldn't help but smile. I could feel my heart beat picking up and I had to remind myself that he was Aiden and what he was doing right now was for show. 

"Aiden." The girl said again after reaching us. I looked at her. She was taller than me but still not as tall as Aiden. She was beautiful with a pair of chocolate eyes and long brown hair that complimented he eyes. She was wearing an emerald dress that was sleeveless dress that showed too much of her cleavage and was open from her thigh. The color of the dress matched Aiden's eye color. 

"Elisa." Aiden said with a smile. "Hey." 

"Hi." The girl, Elisa, hugged without glancing at me so I had to pull away and grit my teeth from saying anything. "Who is-" She cut herself when she recognized me. "I'm sorry, Your Highness." She bowed. "I didn't recognized you. I'm sorry." 

"It's ok." I said with an ice smile. Who was she? And by the way she was looking at Aiden and how they hugged, they were more than just friend. 

Aiden pulled me into his side and made me loose my train of thoughts. 

"Well," He said. "This is Princess Aurora, may date." He said in a tone that had something hidden in it, something like proud. 

"Your date?" She asked, as if not believing it and there was also jealousy evident in her tone and by the way she said it. 

"Yes." Aiden said and cleared his throat. "Aurora, this is Elisa … my friend." The pause before friend gave me  the answer I was looking for. I smiled calmingly but from inside, I wanted to kick her out of the ballroom. Elisa was one of the girls he had slept with. 

I nodded my head and smiled at Elisa. She extended her hand and I shook it. 

"What are you doing her?" Aiden asked Elisa. 

"I was invited." Elisa said, giving Aiden a flirtish smile. "My dad is a friend of the King."

"Who's your father?" I asked, curious and wanted to know which of one Dad's friend has a girl like this. Aiden looked at me and saw the smirk I had. 

"Don't." Aiden breathed out so only I could hear him. I gave him an innocent look. He sighed and shook his head. 

"He is James Baldwin." Elisa said. Baldwin was he father? I could feel my eyebrows rising from shock but pulled my face back into a cold smile again. This was Elisa? 

Baldwin was my dad's head security and I was seen his wife and him and know both of them well. Neither of them self centered. Both of her parents were modest and the kind. On the other hand Elisa was the opposite of them. 

I could feel Aiden squeeze my waist and made me look up to him. He was looking at me with concern. 

"You ok?" He whispered. I nodded and looked at Elisa with more controlled expression because he must have seen something in my face to ask me that question. 

I looked at Elisa who flirting with Aiden and he was doing the same. I don't why but I felt a wave of jealousy in me and had to bit my lip to stop myself from saying something. I could feel my anger rising to get out of control and that was bound to happen since I hadn't taken my meds last night and today. My breathing started to exhilarate. I took a few deep breathes but when I saw Aiden laughing with Elisa because of something she said, I couldn't take it anymore and had to get out. 

"If you'll excuse me," I said, cutting in the middle of something Elisa was saying. "I have to go." I left without waiting for them to say something. 

"Aurora?" I heard someone call out my name, I froze in my place, It couldn't be. I turned around and there he was, looking extremely handsome in a navy blue suit with a bow tie to match. 

"Logan?" I said and threw myself into his open arms. "What are you doing here? When did you get back? Why-" 

"I will answer all of your questions." Logan laughed. "But first I need to see you." I pulled away from Logan with a huge smile. I was about to say something but Logan put his finger on my lips to stop me from saying something and asking him more questions. 

"We will talk." He said, looking at me in the eye. " I promise. But not here, not now." I sighed and nodded. 

Logan was a very old friend. He was Mr. Baldwin, my dad's head security, which makes him brother of Elisa. He left a few months after my mom passed away to study in France. He would come and visit me and his father once a while but the last time I saw him was a year ago and we haven't talked since. 

"Don't you look beautiful." He said with a smile. I laughed and pushed him a little. 

"Thanks." I said, still smiling. "You look handsome, too." 

"Thank you, Your Highness." He bowed. "By the way, congratulation on you up coming coronation." I just nodded but didn't say anything. 

"What's going on?" He asked when he saw my response. So I started to tell him everything, while he listened carefully. 

"I don't know what to say." He said after I finished telling him about his sister and Aiden. "Elisa is not the same Elisa I knew when I left last year and Dad was worried about her too. Where is Aiden anyway? Isn't he supposed to be your date?" 

"With his girlfriend," I said through gritted teeth. "Your sister." 

"Someone's jealous." Logan said with a smirk. 

"Shut up." I hit his arm. 

"What?" He said. "I'm telling the truth." He came closer. We were in a dark corner of the ballroom and I moved away. 

"Aurora?" Aiden's voice said from behind Logan and made both of us freeze. Logan turned around and I smiled at him, a sweet smile that was obvious that it was fake. 

"Aiden." I said, in a voice as sweet as my smile. "What's going on?" 

"Where the hell did you go?" Aiden asked. He was turning red from anger and his voice was rising. He looked at Logan who was standing to my right. "Seriously? I came to apologize but didn't know you were occupied." He said and left. 

"Ugh." I turned toward Logan who was looking at me with a smile. "He was the one who was flirting with someone else right in front of me. But I  can't even talk to an old friend? He's such a jerk." 

"Of course he will think that you were flirting with me." Logan said. I gave him a nasty look "Have you looked at our situation? A beautiful girl that happens to be the Princess who was just now announced will be the Queen in less than a year is talking in a dark corner of ballroom with an attractive young boy." 

At the word attractive I looked at him for the first time since I saw him tonight. He has changed a lot since las t time I saw him. He is more macular and has a more defined body than the Logan I saw last year. He is short black hair that were neat and his defined jaw with those black eyes would make any girl weak to their knees but that never worked on me. 

"Are done checking me out?" Logan asked with a smirk. 

"Shut up." I said, blushing because I was caught. 

"What am I supposed to do?" I groaned and changed the subject before he could say anything. "And no, I will not go and seduce him." I added because knowing Logan he would say that. 

"That's not what I was going to say." Logan said and I gave him a look. "Ok, fine. But why don't you go and talk to him. Explain that you were uncomfortable with him flirting with someone else while he was supposed to be your date, and that I'm just an old friend."

"For once in your life, you were useful." I laughed. 

"Wow, thanks." He rolled his eyes. "No go and find your man."

"He is not my man." I said as I left. "Logan." I said and turned around. "How long are you staying?" 

"I'm here right now." He said and made me suspicious. "Go and we'll talk later." I nodded and started to search for Aiden. 

I found him after fifteen minutes of searching. He was in the balcony that was over looking the gardens. I was about to go to him but when I reached the door and saw that he wasn't alone, I froze. Elisa was with him and what stopped me wasn't that she was there, it was what they were doing. They were kissing each other and grinding on each other. I wanted to move, to run up to my room, but my feet weren't cooperating. As if Aiden could feel my gaze on him, he opened his eyes and looked at me. When he saw me he pushed Elisa away. Right then I found the strength to move. I started to run toward the door and dodging people who came to me to congratulate me. 

How? I thought he wouldn't so anything like that, at least not in front of me and a whole room full of people. I don't know when I started to cry but when I reached the door to the ballroom, I was sobbing and my face was wet. 

"Aurora, wait." I heard Aiden's voice say from behind me  and I started to run faster. "Aurora, please wait." I ignored him and ran toward the stairs to my room. I was neat the stairs when my ankle twisted from running in these damn heels and at the same time, Mason came rushing down the stairs. 

"Aurora?" He came to my side. "I was on the floor, sobbing and holding my ankle. "What is going on? Why are you crying?" 

"Aurora." Aiden said from said from behind me and Mason looked between me and Aiden. 

"Can you help me to my room?" I asked Mason who nodded and carries me up the stairs and to my room, bridal style. He put me on my bed and took off my shoes. 

"What happened?" Mason asked when he sat down next to me. 

"I saw him and Elisa kissing in the balcony." I said, trying to calm down. 

"Hey, hey." Mason said and pulled me in for a hug. "It's ok. He doesn't deserve your tears. Don't cry over him." I nodded nd pulled away wiping the tears. "Do you need help getting out of that dress?" 

"No." I said and got up from my bed. My ankle hurt but after a few seconds I became numb to the pain. 

"I'll go and get you some ice." Mason said. "Is there anything else I can do?" 

"Yes." I said and turned around. "Can you make sure Dad knows that I'm fine and I'm in my room and not tell him what happened?" He nodded and I turned to go into my closet to change but remembered something else. "Oh, Mason. Can you make sure the guard outside knows not to let Aiden in, please?" He nodded and left the room and I went into my closet to change. It was hard but I did it and changed into a pair of pink shorts and an oversized T-shirt with a unicorn on it. I went back to bed and waited for Mason to come with the ice. 

After a few minutes, the door opened and Mason came in with an ice pack in his hand. He smiled when he saw me. 

"Here." He said and put the ice pack on my ankle. 

"Thanks." I muttered and headed my head on the crown of the bed while Mason held the ice on my ankle. We were silent for a few minutes. 

"Aiden was waiting outside your room." Mason said in a hushed voice. "He wanted to see you." 

"What did you tell him?" I asked in a voice equally hushed. 

"I told him that you didn't want to see him." He said. "And that he is lucky Dad would kill me it I hurt him, other wise he would be dead." I laughed at what he said. "Trust me I would have." 

"I know." I said with a smile. "Where is he now" 

"In one of the guest rooms." After that we fell silent while Mason put ice on my ankle. 

After a while Mason got up. I looked at him. 

"I thought you were asleep." He said. I shook my head at him. "have you taken your pill?" I shook my head, again. "Where are they?" 

"In the nightstand." I gestured toward my left. "I can take them myself."

"I know." He said as he took out the bottle. "Here." he handed me a pill and gave me the bottle he brought with him. 

"Thanks." I said before I took the pill. 

"Now get some rest." He said and took the bottle from me and put it on the nightstand. "We have to talk tomorrow." He left the room and turned the light off. 

I went under the covers and tried not think about Aiden and try to get some sleep. I don't know what time it was but I finally fell asleep after tossing and turning.