3rd Person POV
“Aunt Em! We're not planning anything dangerous, we promised,” Reginald assured his aunt.
“You always make promises to break them,” she said, eyeing them suspiciously. She did not trust them at all. She had fallen for their promises one too many times.
“When can I go home? I want to see Aunt Ali,” said Harlin. He was trying to change the topic but also he missed his aunt greatly. Besides, he needed to know if Aunt Irene had overcome her illness. He had a feeling that she was dead but he did not want to ask as he was scared of what the answer might be.
“You'll be home in no time dear. Once the physician has cleared you for transport, you can return home,” replied Emily.
“We'd like to follow him home, Aunty. We'll be back almost immediately,” said Charlotte.
Emily wanted to refuse but she knew that Harlin needed the support of his cousins.
“Sure, but do not attempt to do anything stupid,” she said with a glare.
“Of course not, we're obedient children,” teased Charlotte.
Emily shook her head in disbelief and walked out of the room.
****
“Harlin!” Alison exclaimed as she wrapped her arms around Harlin. She had promised herself to be strong when she saw Harlin but she could not hold back her tears, they came streaming down her face like torrents of water. Harlin began to weep quietly too. He did not have to ask his Aunt, he could already sense it—Aunt Irene was dead.
“When did she pass on?” he asked in a quiet voice.
“It's been months, I'm so sorry Harlin. I tried everything,” she sobbed even harder in his arms. Harlin hugged his aunt tighter to comfort her. He knew that it must have been hard being here alone with no one to comfort her.
“I know, I know,” said Harlin.
The twins kept their distance as the two united. Part of the reason they had come was to pay their respects to Aunt Irene.
“I’ll show you her grave,” said Alison. She pulled away from Harlin and walked by his side. The twins followed them at a distance. They did not want Harlin to be alone at a time like this.
They reached the grave in no time and they watched as Harlin's defences broke down. He collapsed to the ground and wept like a baby.
****
“Regina is yet to return still?” asked Alison. They had cried till there were no tears left and they were now having dinner. Alison was ecstatic that her nephew was back and even more happy that he had brought his cousins with him. The palace had been way too quiet for several months now. It was hard for her to believe that she had sent her baby away.
“No, she is set on finding a cure on…” but Reginald did not want to mention Irvette because he did not want to dampen the mood at the table.
“Mother, it's alright Reginald. I do not think I can cry anymore today,” said Harlin with a weak smile.
“I heard you all had some weird relationships—there was something about vampires? I'm certain I heard wrong,” Alison looked at Harlin straight in the eye. She did not want the rumours she had heard to contain an iota of truth. The vampires had caused enough havoc in their pack especially and the people would not permit their heir to marry one. There simply was no future for such a relationship.
“Aunty Ali, what about Nathan? Did he return home alright?”
“And Lowell, that greedy man. Is he in your cell? He deserves…”
“You know Aunt Ali…”
“Enough!” Alison shouted. So it was true. They all were desperately trying to change the topic and she had got the hint.
“You have broken it off, haven't you? Tell me, Harlin, it was just a fling,” Alison's eyes bore holes into Harlin's eyes. He could not avoid it, he had to confront it.
“It was nothing like you think. I and Princess Gabriella were just friends,” replied Harlin. Even though he had wanted more he had known that he could not take things further with her.
“Just friends, huh?” Alison did not believe Harlin but for now, she hoped that he was telling the truth.
“Yes, Aunty, just friends.”
Meanwhile, Charlotte faced her plate squarely. She could not bear to look at Aunt Alison knowing that she had been more than just friends with Kristoff.
“Charlie dear, do you have anything to say for yourself?” asked Alison.
Without raising her head from her plate, Charlotte said, “No.”
“So your father is fine with you fooling around with a vampire prince?” quipped Alison. Charlotte started to cough and a glass of water was given to her. When she was calm, she looked at her aunt with pleading eyes, “Aunt Ali, father doesn't know a thing about it. Can this be between us, huh?”
“Between us? Let me see…” Alison paused, placing her hand under her chin to make it appear as though she were thinking, “No young lady, I don't think so.”
“Forget it, Charlie, father is going to find out soon enough and when he does, Aunt Emily will and then mother…”
“You're one to talk, Reginald. I did not miss the episode of your relations with a certain woman who is married,” said Alison. Reginald looked away in guilt.
“How is it that you know all these things? You never came to Dome,” said Harlin.
“I have resources,” came Alison's response. While they were there she had been receiving weekly updates on their welfare and the reports included privileges to exclusive information.
“Resources? You mean Nathan, don't you?” quipped Harlin. He had known that Nathan had not just followed him to help him but that he had followed because he was his aunt's private spy.
“Nathan? Oh, come on. Nathan is just one of many,” replied Alison and they all laughed.
“Has Lowell been executed for treason?” asked Reginald.