Chapter 21

AUDREY POV

“Why did you do such a drastic thing? What if something happened to you? Why do you want to get your father angry at you the more? Because of this, he has moved the wedding to the end of this week.” My mother said to me as I flopped on my chair.

“But mum, I don’t know what the big deal is. I just went for a walk, nothing more. I didn’t run away did I? I was bored and there was no one to talk to, so I figured if I take a walk, it may clear my mind.” I said rolling my eyes. I didn’t do anything wrong. Just that I was unfortunate enough to get caught for leaving the castle.

“Do you think this is a joke? The last time you went outside, you were attacked by something and was almost dead if we didn’t find you on time and barely a week later, you are venturing outside without any escort, to the same woods you were attacked just because you felt like?” My mum said with disbelief on her face. My aunt Claire was seated beside her consoling my mother and I gripped the hems of my cloth tightly.

“Last time that happened, I was alone. This time I had an escort, a companion and we were just going for a quick walk. This was exactly why I snuck out, because I knew that you would be behaving this way.” I said and my mother threw a vase at me but it narrowly missed me and shattered on the wall beside me.

“Calm down Adaline, you are not thinking straight. You will hurt Audrey.” Aunt Claire said holding her hand as my mother freed herself from her grip and said,

“Didn’t you hear the blamsphemy she said? Didn’t you hear her talk poorly of me? Saying that I now act like a child. My own daughter doesn’t even respect me anymore and you expect me not to discipline her.” My mother yelled while pointing at me, but I decided to keep quiet not to have myself thrown in the dungeon. It was bad enough that my father shifted the wedding to this weekend, but it would be worse if I have to spend the remaining days in the dungeons. I shuddered.

“Calm down, my queen. We need to be tactful about it. I will talk to her.” Aunt Claire said as she turned to me and said,

“Audrey, you don’t know that you really gave us a scare. We were worried sick. A note would have been nice, if you didn’t want to tell anyone where you went?” She said as I bit my lips and looked down. My aunt always had a way with words and making you feel guilty even if you weren’t.

“I am sorry Aunt Claire, I didn’t mean to. I guess I was in a hurry that I forgot to drop a note. Please pardon my mistake.” I said in a truly regretful tone.

“It is in the past. But tell me why did you go to the woods? What was your intention and you mentioned you went with someone? Who did you go with? The guards mentioned you were alone when they caught up with you. Surely they would have seen your companion hiding away. What was your intention and how did you leave the palace?” She said as I took a deep breath. I wondered if I should lie and just get myself out of this situation but one thing with my aunt, she knew how to drop the questions and twist you into saying the truth. It was aggravating sometimes.

“I went to the woods because I was bored and tired of cooped up in my chambers. I am being forced to marry a guy I don’t even like, why can’t I have some freedom. I went with….” I paused should I really mention his name? What if they order a search for Myst what was I going to say.

“You went with who dear?” Aunt Claire said as I shook my head and replied,

“I went alone, I just lied to ease my mum’s tension. I am sorry. I left the palace through the gardens.” I said lying through my teeth as my aunt gave me a look. She knew as well as I did, that there was no gates leading out to the town from the garden but she didn’t say anything.

She just nodded her head and said,

“Adeline, why don’t I see Audrey back to her room. She may think of doing something much worse if we let her off alone.” She said as my mother nodded her head, too distraught to think yet alone say anything. I bit my lips as Claire walked towards me and said,

“Shall we?” It was not as if I had a choice. I nodded my head as she held me by my hand and led me away. Why did I suddenly feel I was being lead away to be slaughtered. It was not as if this woman had evil intentions towards me, she was my aunt. My mother’s sister. I was just over thinking as usual.

As soon as we left the room, Aunt Claire gripped my hand tightly and said,

“Listen, I saved your life this time around, or else you would be sleeping in a dungeon right about now. I don’t want to see this kind of things happening and I want you to take put and organized. Don’t patrol around without your maids and don’t do any childish things. In other words stay out of my way and out of my business and we will be happy. Is that understood?” She asked as I nodded my head.

“Yes Aunt Claire.” I replied as she smiled and kissed me on my forehead making me shudder a bit before she turned and left.

What the hell was that all about?” I wondered biting my lips. I had to find out.