The Magic of Aurelian

Eleonor

We used the carriage and horses again to get through the mountains, but Kiran did not ride in the carriage with me this time. Instead, he chose to ride one of the horses. He hadn’t spoken to me since last night. He couldn’t even look at me, and I couldn’t blame him for his actions. I just had to make it through the rest of this trip, and then I could move on from this. Kiran wasn’t the first man I had loved, and if need be, he didn’t have to be the last. Who was I kidding though? My heart broke at the thought of not being with Kiran, of seeing him with anyone other than me. My rational side knew he’d be better off without me, with someone worthy of being his Queen.

Thankfully, the trip back went by quickly. We were off the mountain and flying the remainder of the way. The original plan was to camp out the night before heading back the following day, but everyone agreed to just push on. We ended up arriving around midnight, and Gabriel accompanied me to my cottage before heading to our parents' home.

The next morning, I woke to noise in the kitchen and found Solara and Aunt Jacinta making breakfast. “Solara mentioned you returned early, so I wanted to see you. How was the trip? Tell me everything.” I recounted the journey and the sights we visited to the two. I even brought out little trinkets I had bought for them at each city.

“The tour sounds like it went well, why do you look so sad, though? Did Prince Kiran find someone he liked…or did something happen between you and the Prince?” Aunt Jacinta was perceptive and caught on that I wasn’t at my best.

“No…yes…oh, I don’t know. I’ve made such a mess of things.” I flopped down into the nearest chair, feeling utterly dejected. “Kiran found out that I was Lady Ella before I could tell him myself, and he was so upset that he hasn’t spoken to me since. Things were going well between us, and I was finally feeling that maybe I had a real chance with him. My lie changes everything though, I know I’m not cut out to be with a Prince, but for a second, I let myself believe I was worthy of Kiran.

“That’s nonsense, Eleonor, you yourself told me he had declared his feelings for you. If he was willing to put his heart out on the line, then he obviously believes you’re worthy. Stop being so hard on yourself” Solara patted my shoulder as she spoke, hoping to provide comfort.

A knock sounded at the door, and Aunt Jacinta answered for us. “It’s a message from the Queen.” She held out the envelope for me to take, “The messenger is waiting to send back your response.”

I quickly opened the letter and read: “Good morning, Eleonor. I am happy you have returned from the tour. My son has informed me of the beautiful work you accomplished while away, and I would like to meet with you this afternoon for tea to discuss further service to our Kingdom.”

“Shall I tell the messenger you’ll be there?” Aunt Jacinta looked at me eagerly, already knowing I would be accepting the invitation.

“Yes, tell him to let the Queen know I’ll be there.”

“Wonderful! I always knew going to the academy would lead to you accomplishing great things.” She ran back to the door, and I looked at Solara sighing deeply.

“Do you think you’ll run into Kiran?”

“Oh, goodness, I hope not. I can’t handle seeing him right now. I’m sure he hates me. Why did we have to follow through with that stupid lie?”

“I’m sure he’ll forgive you, just give it time. I’ll help you get ready for your tea this afternoon, though, just in case you do run into Prince Kiran.” She smiled mischievously at me, but I knew she'd make look beautiful.

Kiran

My mother called me to her chambers as soon as she heard of my arrival this morning.

“Kiran, come eat with me. How was your trip?” She smiled as she sat at her small breakfast table.

“It went well, I believe we managed to build alliances with all four Kingdoms. We’ll have to host them to finalize things, but I’ll start planning everything soon.”

“That is good news. How did Eleonor do? Was she everything you expected?”

My mother was too jovial for my liking, and I let out a heavy sigh as I remembered my last conversation with Eleonor. “She did well. She knew exactly what to say to everyone. If not for her, I’m certain we wouldn’t have left on such good terms with everyone.”

“That’s great, but why do I get the sense that you aren’t telling me everything? Did something happen between you two?” She tilted her head with the question, before giving me a soft smile. I took a deep breath and shook my head once not really wanting to get into everything with Eleonor with my mother. “You know, I offered to give Eleonor a job as one of my advisors, but I really did hope you and Eleonor would come back as more than just friends. After all, you did seem quite taken by her at your birthday party.”

I furrowed my brow, wondering if I heard correctly, “I’m sorry, what did you just say?”

“Eleonor…or should I say Lady Ella?” She raised her eyebrows and looked at me expectantly.

“How did you know they were the same person?” I shook my head unable to believe how she noticed what I missed.

“At the first ball, she entered with Jacinta. I recognized Jacinta immediately and just assumed the girls with her were her niece and goddaughter. You told me the woman’s name was Lady Ella, though, so I was confused until the second ball when I saw her again. I’ve known her and her family since she was a girl, and Lady Ella had all of the same mannerisms that Eleonor had. It all clicked into place by the third ball that they were the same person.”

“Did you know I would ask Eleonor to be my advisor for this trip?”

“I had an idea you might, but I was fully prepared to make Eleonor your choice if you hadn’t brought it to me on your own.”

“Why the shoe thing then?” I felt a headache coming on as my mother continued speaking.

“Originally, I was hoping Eleonor would come forth, but when she didn’t, I called Jacinta over and hatched up the tour plan. I was planning on sending you to the Kingdoms anyway, but this way, it became about you trying to find the owner of the shoe. I hoped it would get you and Eleonor to open up to each other, but by your mood, I guess it didn’t work.”

My frustration was bubbling over, and I stood and started pacing the room. “You should have told me the truth, all of you…but especially Eleonor. We didn’t have to go through this big charade! We could be together right now, if any one of you had just told me the truth.” My volume continued to rise as I spoke.

“Kiran.” My mother attempted to calm me by using a soothing tone, but I was too irritated to go along with it. “Do you love Eleanor?”

“What does it matter now? I might love her, but she broke my trust.”

“Trust can be rebuilt, would it be so bad to give her another chance?” She stood and patted my arm, “Let’s set this conversation aside for now, come eat.” We sat together, but her words still gnawed at me. Do I love her enough to give her another chance?

Eleonor

Solara made sure I looked fit for tea with Queen Himari by curling my hair and doing my makeup. I wore one of my favorite yellow dresses, and simple slippers. When I arrived at the castle, I was taken into the conservatory where the Queen was already waiting.

“Eleonor, don’t you look lovely today. I have heard such wonderful things about your work during the tour.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. I enjoyed serving our Kingdom and would gladly do so again if called upon.”

“Yes, that’s what I was hoping for. I would like to offer you a more permanent position–” Before she could speak further, she was cut off by a deep voice.

“You wanted to see me mother…” Kiran stopped in his tracks as he saw me. His gaze shifted uncomfortably between us.

“I invited Eleonor to discuss her work here in the Kingdom, but now that you’re here, I’ll leave you two to talk. I’ll be right outside if you need anything.” With those words, she flitted out of the room, leaving us in awkward silence.

I was afraid to look up and see the hurt in his eyes, so I kept my head down, but I saw as he clenched and unclenched his fist.

“Eleo–”

“Kir–”

We spoke at the same time. “You go first.” I finally looked up at the sound of him clearing his throat.

“Eleonor, why did you lie?”

“Well, I…” I shook my head, willing the tears away, “I was scared you’d be mad at finding out I was Lady Ella and that I lied about my identity.”

“Alright, yes, you lied about your identity…but I meant, why did you lie about about not having feelings for me? That night we had dinner in Aurelian…but then you, or you as Lady Ella, let me kiss you.”

“I didn’t lie that night, though. I told you we couldn’t be together, it had nothing to do with my feelings, but it’s true. You need a Queen, and that’s not me. I’m not even a Lady. I’m just Eleanor.”

“What?...I don’t want a Lady, Eleonor. I have my pick of them if I wanted one. I want you, and how can you even think you aren’t worthy of being my Queen. You garnered alliances with all of the other Kingdoms and charmed everyone along the tour.” Kiran stopped pacing and walked over to me, grabbing both of my hands in his. “And you’re the only woman I want. The only one who makes my heart beat and calms every nerve in my body. You’re the only woman who can bring me to my knees.” As if to prove his point, he dropped down on his knees in front of me. “If that’s not a Queen, then I don’t know what is. You’re the only Queen I want sitting by my side, holding my hand, and guiding me along on this journey. I love you, Eleonor. You, not Lady Ella, not any of the Ladies or Princesses or Queens we met…but you, just Eleanor.”

I was sobbing like a child by the end of his speech, and I was certain the perfect look Solara was going for with my makeup was ruined. Kiran stood back up and lifted my chin so I would look at him. He softly brushed my tears aways. “Damn it, Eleanor, I want to be mad at you for lying and keeping your identity from me, but I love you too much to stay mad. I don’t want to be angry or hurt. All I want is for you to say you’ll be my Queen.”

“Kiran, I’m sorry.” I choked out the words through my tears. “I’m so sorry.”

He pulled me close and laid his forehead on mine, “Don’t apologize, please don’t…just say yes, Eleonor.”

Fear gripped me, and all of my doubts bubbled over. He was giving me another chance, and he wanted me even though I was just a normal fairy.

“I couldn’t wait outside anymore. Have you two made up yet?” We pulled apart at the sound of Queen Himari’s voice, and looked up to see her smiling brightly at us.

“Mother, we would have come found you if we were finished.” Kiran groaned.

“I’m excited, can you blame me. Now, please tell me this wonderful woman has agreed to be my daughter-in-law.” She rushed over and pulled me into a hug, but I shook my head at her.

“You really want us together?” I asked incredulously.

“Of course. You make Kiran the best version of himself. There’s no way he could have gotten through the tour without you. He needs you by his side, not only as his Queen, but as if friend and confidant. You are perfect for my son…and you will be perfect for this Kingdom.” Her eyes glimmered with kindness, and I turned back to Kiran who looked at me with so much warmth and love.

“Yes.”

“Yes? You’re saying yes to me.”

I nodded quickly, “I’m saying yes, but you have to know how sorry I am for lying, and I will never ever lie to you again, about anything, but especially not about my feelings for you. I love you, and I will be your wife if you’ll have me.”

“She said yes, oh goodness, I have to go tell your father!” With that, Queen Himari rushed out.

“Now that my mother’s gone, I can do this,” Kiran pulled me close again and kissed me as if it were our first kiss. I wanted nothing more than to stay like this forever. In his arms, with his taste on my lips, kissing as if nothing else mattered.