Not All Heroes Are Guiltless

Chapter 70

Chapter 70

Aela’s POV

It’s the night of the ball, and everyone has been exuberant. The streets are decorated, and it’s like the solstice festival days all over again. Andrew has been harping on me about getting ready. I know I need to be there earlier than everyone else, but I’d love to get the chance to check my jewelry box.

“You sure you don’t need any help with your dress?” Andrew asks for the fifth time this hour.

With an irritated growl, “Andrew please. Give me space. I will be out in a moment, and you can doublecheck me. I promise.”

“Fine.” Andrew says as he slams the door.

Finally!

I ran to my bed chamber and noticed the ballgown was prepared for me. I move behind the partitioner to think clearly and picture the cloak around me. I’ve been having to hide it because I’m certain Lana would think it's offensive. Something to remind her of her son and his betrayal. When I feel its warmth, I reach in to find the jewelry box. I touch its polished surface.

Polished?

I bring it out and sure enough. The wood has been stained and polished. I can't believe it is the same box. Excitedly, I placed it on my dresser and lifted the latch, and found two matching hair pins. They are simplistic and would allow for the hair to be lifted elegantly. Perfect for an event much like tonight.

I continued my search through any possible hidden compartments and could not find anything else. There is no return message, but the letter is missing. He must have received it but felt it was best not to return a message. Or I can wait for a message while he is here.

I gave myself a few minutes to put on my dress and fix my hair with my new hairpins. The ballgown wasn’t anything I was ever fond of, but with the lack of material, it was pretty humble, so the simple pins were perfect for the dress.

Andrew knocks on my door impatiently. “Come on! We will be late!”

With another irritated and agitated growl, I let my beast emphasize my frustration, “I’m almost done.”

Making sure everything is set for the night, I walk out and see Andrew pacing in the hallway of the Longhouse, and Ethan stands erect as I walk out. Ethan voice is smooth and sweet, “Princess, you look marvelous.”

I meet his eyes and can see his sincerity and I open my mouth to thank him for the compliment when Andrew groans loudly at him, “I loved you in your mother dresses, but this one will pass.”

I put my hands on my hips, “What’s the matter with you? Andrew. You would have told me I looked good in a burlap sack.”

Andrew crosses his arms and argues back, “That is a burlap sack.”

“Go! Leave me be. I don’t want to show up with you if you are going to behave so arrogantly.” I yell out back to him.

Andrew looks at me, and his face gets red. “I was ordered to escort you by the Queen.”

“Then take the order of your commanding general. I can arrive with Ethan escorting me. If I arrive with you, I will more than likely kill you.” I growl lowly.

Andrew stares down at me, and I can feel him raging on the inside. With a loud huff, he turns and walks out of the longhouse. What is wrong with him? He’s never been like that.

Ethan doesn’t say anything. I stand motionless unwilling to follow Andrew outside. When several moments go by in comforting silence, I hear Ethan move closer to me. “I heard rumors about the Prince’s meeting with you while the Queen had stepped away. I swear no one saw you guys. I don’t know how they started. I believe they’ve already been reported to the Queen and Andrew. They are probably worried about what the prince is able to persuade you to do. I’m sure when they realize you haven’t changed at all and nothing is amiss, it will be past off as a rumor.”

Slowly, I nod at Ethan, “Then I’m not going to be able to get a good chance to pass along a message to him. Ethan, you are the only one I can trust. Tell him it's confirmed, but there is no reply from our mutual friend.”

Ethan smiled quirks across his face, “The suggestion worked? You are sure.”

I turn around and point to my hair. “Yes, he sent these.”

“Beautiful. He does have some classy tastes.” Ethan says before pulling me to his arm. “Let’s get going. Don’t want them to think you ran away or anything.”

The palace ballroom hadn’t been accomplished. But the large building we have built first has been furnished beautifully for everyone to join. I was greeted by civilians who had been enjoying the festival through the peddlers. I smiled and waved at many of them.

Queen Lana surprisingly wasn’t standing in the entryway to greet the guests. She stood on the platform in her regal dress. Andrew was directly behind her while the Prince looked elegant in the normal formal wear of Turmac. His tattoo around the eyes was vibrant in the lighting, and I wish I could get a closer look to examine it.

Lana greeted me and then motioned for me to be on her other side, opposing the Prince. As soon as I was in place, she clapped her hands, and everyone was drawn to her attention.

“Welcome, everyone. Thank you all for being here tonight. Your support means everything to me. I know we still have much to accomplish, and you really shouldn’t celebrate until it's finished. But this is the best time to show our allies we are still mighty nation. So many of you have been brave, and now is the time to celebrate our future. I’m so glad to meet you all have the chance to meet the Crowned Prince of Turmac, Lucas. Enjoy your evening! For Redland!”

The crowd cheers back to the Queen and claps. Lana clasps my hand tightly and moves me closer to her as we both wave at the room. Soon, the room is filled with music and laughter. Lana hand gets tighter on mine.

“Aela, my child. Your hair. Where did you get those hairpins?” Lana asks, and I can almost feel the tense skepticism in her words. I also noticed that the prince seems interested in our private conversation. This is the perfect time to give him the hidden message.

“Were they not from you? I found them in my jewelry box. No note or anything. I thought they went with this outfit perfectly.” I wouldn’t say it was a direct lie. I know who they are from, but I did find them in the jewelry box without a note.

Lana eyes me almost like she doesn’t believe me. Then shakes her head in annoyance, “No. It wasn’t from me. They aren’t my style.”

The prince's eyes are on me, and even though his face is stoic, I can see the gratitude in his eyes. No response must be a good response then. Hopefully, my mate knows how to handle the message he’s given.

The rest of the night is filled with lots of dancing. I dance with many of the nobles, and they talk to me about mundane things like the weather and agriculture output expected. I smile courteously and add in when anything starts to dwindle. It's been several hours since I turned to my next dance partner, and it's Andrew.

Acting like he didn’t yell and scream at me before arriving, I accepted his hand and was brought in closer than comfort. We start waltzing with the other dancers when he whispers, “Forgive me, princess. I was out of line.”

“I understand. I had my own work I needed to accomplish, and having you on my back about my duties I know I have to commit to even when they aren’t what I want to do was irritating. Forgive me for being short with you when you were trying to keep me on schedule.” I whisper back.

Andrew mouth drops then closes slowly, “Answer me one thing. Did you have a secret meeting with the prince?”

“Yes.” I say without hesitation.

Andrew hands grip me tighter, and I growl at his response. “What did he want from you?”

“I piqued his interest. Queen Lana had been doing everything she could to keep us separated he feared I was against any of the treaties. He wanted to know if I would withhold my loyalty to the Queen if I didn’t agree to the treaties.” I say lying through my teeth.

“Oh,” Andrew seemed shocked, but he nodded his head, “We feared he was trying to convince you to go against the Queen. She’s been so worried about what influence he has on you that I don’t think we considerate he might find that straining in the future.”

“She gave me the title of Commanding General only to keep me in a separate room from him. Then, she needs to treat me more like a general. She still treats me like a child and regards my input as ignorant. I’ve been able to do much more with Ethan next to me than with her or you.” I say, keeping my voice low, but the pain of the last few months is evident.

“I’m sorry. I still see you as the child who wanted to learn how to fight.” Andrew pulls away from me and gazes over my features. “Its been hard to see you as this woman who fights and serves her country. You are magnificent, and you do look good tonight. I think I was jealous. Ethan beat me to it.” Andrew says, coming back closer to me.

“Its fine. We all need to learn how to move on, I believe. We are going in the right direction.” I laugh heartedly as I see the Prince and one of Ethans men talking on the balcony. Good. He should get the message I tried to give him reinforced.