Chapter 91
The palace buzzed with excitement. Servants ran up and down the halls carrying rolls of white silk, boxes of jewels, and trays of flowers. The wedding date was set for two weeks from now. Everyone talked about it. The village outside the walls already started decorating. Banners with silver and gold were hung on every street. The pack was happy. A royal wedding meant celebration, food, and days off work.
Aurora stood in the big fitting room. Three maids surrounded her. One held a measuring tape. Another pinned white fabric around her body. The third showed her different veils.
The queen sat on a soft chair, watching with a big smile. “This silk is perfect for you, Aurora. It will make your skin glow.”
Aurora looked in the mirror. The dress was beautiful. Long sleeves. A low neck. Tiny pearls on the skirt. She looked like a bride. A real bride.
But inside, she felt strange.
The queen stood up. “Try the veil with the silver crown.”
A maid placed a thin veil over Aurora’s head. Then a small silver crown.
The queen clapped. “Perfect. Kairo will lose his breath when he sees you.”
Aurora smiled. It was small. Polite. “Thank you.”
The queen came closer. Touched her arm. “You are nervous. That is normal. Every bride is nervous.”
Aurora nodded. “A little.”
The queen hugged her gently. “You are doing the right thing. Kairo loves you. You will be happy.”
Aurora hugged back. The queen’s arms felt warm. Safe. Like a mother.
They finished the fitting. Aurora changed back into her normal dress. The maids left with the fabric.
The queen said, “Come to the dining hall. We will eat lunch with Kairo and the elders. They want to talk about the ceremony.”
Aurora followed her.
In the dining hall, the long table was set. Kairo sat at the head. He stood when he saw her. His smile was big.
“Aurora,” he said. He walked to her. Kissed her hand. “You look beautiful.”
Aurora smiled. “Thank you.”
They sat down. The elders came in. Five of them. Old. Wise. They bowed to Aurora.
One elder said, “The wedding will be in the great hall. Under the full moon. It is good luck.”
Another elder said, “The pack will bring gifts. Flowers. Food. Blessings.”
Kairo looked at Aurora. “Do you like it?”
Aurora nodded. “Yes. It sounds nice.”
They ate lunch. Chicken. Rice. Vegetables. Cake for dessert.
Aurora ate slowly. She listened to the talk. But her eyes moved to the doors. Guards stood there. One of them was Hardin.
He stood tall. Straight. His face was calm. But every time Aurora looked at him, he gave her a look.
First look: his eyebrow went up. Like he was saying, “Really? A silver crown?”
Aurora looked away fast. Her cheeks felt warm.
Second look: Hardin tilted his head. His eyes said, “That dress? Too much white. You look like a ghost.”
Aurora almost laughed. She covered her mouth with her napkin.
Third look: he made a funny face. Eyes wide. Mouth open. Like he was shocked. Like he was saying, “You are really going to marry him in that?”
Aurora bit her lip. She tried not to smile.
Kairo noticed. “Aurora? Are you okay?”
Aurora cleared her throat. “Yes. The food is good.”
The queen said, “The cake is from the village baker. Special for the wedding.”
Aurora nodded. But her eyes went back to Hardin.
Now he pretended to faint. His hand on his heart. His head back. Like the wedding talk was too much for him.
Aurora coughed to hide her laugh.
Kairo looked at her again. “You are smiling. What is funny?”
Aurora said, “Nothing. Just… happy.”
Hardin saw her smile. He gave her a wink. Quick. Only she saw it.
Aurora’s heart jumped.
She looked down at her plate.
The elders talked more. About music. About guests. About the vows.
Aurora listened. But she kept feeling Hardin’s eyes on her.
Every time she looked up, he did something funny.
One time he pretended to wipe fake tears. Like he was crying over the wedding.
Another time he shook his head slowly. Like he was saying, “Poor Kairo. He has no idea.”
Aurora wanted to be angry. She wanted to tell him to stop.
But she could not.
Because every funny look made her feel… lighter.
Like she could breathe.
Like she remembered how to laugh.
The lunch ended.
The queen stood. “We will meet again tomorrow. More plans.”
Everyone left the table.
Kairo walked Aurora to the door.
He said, “You were quiet. Are you sure you are okay?”
Aurora nodded. “Yes. Just thinking.”
Kairo kissed her cheek. “I love you.”
Aurora smiled. “I know.”
Kairo left.
Aurora walked back to her room.
But she stopped in the hall.
Hardin was there. Alone now. No other guards.
He looked at her.
Aurora walked to him.
She said, “Stop making those faces.”
Hardin smiled. Small. Real. “You laughed.”
Aurora said, “I did not.”
Hardin said, “You did. Inside. I saw it.”
Aurora looked away. “You are annoying.”
Hardin said, “I am trying to make you remember how to smile. The real smile. Not the polite one.”
Aurora looked back at him. “I am happy here.”
Hardin’s smile faded. “Are you?”
Aurora did not answer.
Hardin stepped closer. His voice low. “I saw you with him. With Kairo. You look good together. But you don’t look like you.”
Aurora said, “I am me.”
Hardin shook his head. “You are Rhianna. The girl who ran through the woods. The girl who fought. The girl who loved with everything. You are not this… quiet bride.”
Aurora’s eyes filled with tears. “Stop.”
Hardin said, “I can’t. Because I see you. The real you. And she is dying inside.”
Aurora turned away. “Leave me alone.”
Hardin said, “I will never leave you alone. Not again.”
Aurora walked away fast.
But his words stayed with her.
And the funny looks stayed with her.
They made her laugh.
They made her remember.
Something.
She did not know what.
But something was waking up.
And it scared her.
Because if she remembered, everything would change.
The wedding.
Kairo.
The palace.
Her life.
All of it.
She went to her room.
Closed the door.
Sat on the bed.
She touched her chest.
The ache was there.
But now it was mixed with something new.
A tiny spark.
Of laughter.
Of memory.
Of home.