Runaway

Natalya smiled. "Yes, he is very nurturing and would take good care of her if anything were to happen to me. I am sure he also takes good care of you. Don't tell him for right now. I will tell him soon." Natalya smiled and stood up walking toward her door.
"Just look after him sweetie. He is known to be a workaholic and does not know when to take a break."

She smiled, "Don't worry Natalya I'll take good care of him. I love him deeply I wouldn't let anything happen to him."

Natalya smiled and opened her door.
"I am going to attend to some business in the conference room. Tell Abaddon I can handle it today and also tell him that I told him to get some rest."

She smiled, "I will. But I do have a favor to ask. Do you have a sling for my arm? It's kinda hard to hold up."

"I think I can find one around here, if not I can make you one." She looked in her medical kit and luckily she had one left.
"Here you go sweetie." She helped her put it on.
"Again, I am really sorry for what Godric did to you."

She smiled sadly at her, "It's all over now. There is no need to fret."

"If you have anymore problems with you arm just come see me about it." With a smile and wave, she was gone.

Abaddon was sleeping in his room. It didn't take him long to go to sleep, he was extremely exhausted.

She nodded, "I will."
While Abaddon was asleep, Aunika wandered the castle.

Abaddon slept for hours. Natalya was in meetings all morning and well into the afternoon. They took a long recess so everyone could recoop. Natalya found Aunika lurking around in the ballroom.
"Enjoying yourself my dear?"

She smiled, "Yes I am. I also never thought that there would be a ball room here."

"Despite its dark atmosphere, this town is full of bright and loving people. We host huge parties here quite often. Maybe your family has attended one?" She smiled.
"How is Abaddon doing? Is he getting rest like I asked?"

Aunika nodded, "Yes. He was asleep when I peeked into his room."

"That boy is so hard headed." She laughed and shook her head.
"I have had an idea. How about we throw a celebratory ball in honor of your engagement?" Natalya smiled and looked at the huge portrait of her and her deceased husband that was on the wall. It was their wedding portrait.

"You really loved him didn't you?"

"Very much. No matter how much he hurt me, I still loved him."

She smiled sadly, "I am sorry for your loss."

"Thank you. As much as I hated to do it, it had to be done. I would rather that blood be on my hands rather than my sons. I want him to have a better life."

She smiled, "He has a wonderful mother."

"I try my best. I just hope this little one will think so as well. Everything I do, I do for my children."

She smiled, "I wish my mother was that way. She puts herself before us. She does love us but she's a bit selfish."

"I'm sorry to hear that. I cannot imagine doing that to my children." She folded her arms across her stomach.
"So would you like to have a ball in celebration of your engagement my dear?"

She sighed, "That would be nice. But I don't know about my parents... I kinda ran away from home..."

"I understand. Would you like to keep it small with just the guests being from our kingdom?" She offered.

She sighed, "I don't know. I do want my parents there but I just don't think it'll go well."

"If I may ask, why exactly did you runaway in the first place?"

She sighed, "They had arranged a marriage for me. It was to a prince of another country. They didn't give me any insight on the situation. They only told me I was to leave with in the week."

"I see. So you left, but on your own terms. You know, Abaddon was to be betrothed as well."

She nodded, "Yes, he told me."

"Abaddon never really expressed how he felt about that to me. I could tell that he was not happy though. In a way this whole thing worked out for the both of you."

"You mean finding each other?" She questioned

"Mhm. Two runaways coming together. It would be rather interesting if you two were already promised to each other and you didn't know it. Godric was the only one that knew who Abaddon's betrothed was, he never shared information like that with me."

Aunika blinked, "No way.... It can't be..."

"It is very unlikely. Would your opinion of Abaddon change if it were him that you were betrothed to?"

"Of course not!" Aunika said, "It would be a little weird that we found each other like that but I would still love him!"

Natalya looked back up at the portrait of her and her late husband.
"Will you be attending the memorial service this evening?"

Her words surprised her, "I-I don't know..." She looked down at her feet unsure of what to do.

"I understand if you don't. Godric was nothing but cruel to you my dear. I am sorry that you never got to see his fairly nice side. At least try and do this for Abaddon. He needs your support right now."

Aunika nodded, "Your right he does need me. I guess I'll be there then"

"And I will be there for both of you. No need to worry everything will be alright. Now how about I take a look at your arm and see how it is healing?" She smiled sweetly.

Aunika smiled, "Thankyou. Thank you for every thing you've done for me. I don't know how I could ever repay you."

"Just be good to my son, that is all I ask." She smiled and guided Aunika back to her room so she could asses her arm.
"That's good. The swelling is starting to go down and the bruising is fading. It is healing nicely."

Aunika blushed a bit, "Do you think he feels the same way about me?"

"I think he does, it is just not the best timing. His mother just killed his father. He is probably full of conflicting emotions right now. Just give him some time and be there for him as much as you can and show him you care." Natalya put fresh bandages on her arm and put it back in the sling.

She nodded, "I guess your right, but Natalya, you are not a murderer. You had reasons to do so. He might have taken my life. I really do not know how I'm gonna repay you for all you have done for me."

Natalya smiled with relief. She hated to do that to the one she loved, but his behavior was out of control and there was no way that he was ever going to stop.
"Thank you dear, your words are payment enough, and like I said just take good care of my son and be good to him."

Aunika smiled, "Well I can not wait till the day I can call you Mother." She hugged her with her good arm.

"You are so sweet." Natalya hugged her back sweetly and felt the little girl inside her kick with joy.
"Seems the little one is happy as well." Natalya laughed and rubbed her hand over her hidden stomach.

Aunika chuckled, "I cannot wait to have her in the world. I'll treat her as if she were my own sister."

"It won't be much longer now. A few more months. I haven't even thought of a name for her yet."

Aunika smiled, "How about Aeryn. It means peace."