{Settling}

                                    

                                          

Time had passed and Aurora sat comfortably in the carriage. They had finally left the country Alderidge, and they rode through the mountains. Aurora had pushed her problems to the back of her mind. She knew sleeping in the same bed with a man were the least of her problems now. Though, she couldn't deny she still felt a little uncomfortable in front of the man.
Xavier seemed deep in thought, like always, but that was just his resting face. The young man never looked at ease with the scowl on his face. 
"How do you think your father is doing?" Aurora asked, worried. Xavier met her gaze and he sighed, "I'm not too worried." Aurora was slightly taken aback by his answer. She knew if her father was sick she would be beyond frightened. "Oh, I thought you were. You've looked stressed." Aurora chuckled awkwardly. 
"My father falls ill often. It's nothing new. I'm sure he'll survive like all the times before." Xavier says. Aurora senses the confidence in his voice and nods. "I feel sorry for the king. I couldn't imagine going through that." Aurora murmured. 
"Yes, well he's been like that since I was a child. That's why he immediately agreed to your fathers proposal.  He doesn't know how much time he has left so he finds it important for me to get married and rule the kingdom with my queen."  Xavier continues, a glint of determination in his eyes. Aurora acknowledged that the conversation was serious but her heart decided to skip a beat at 'my queen'.
"I'm sure he didn't want to leave a war with you either."  Aurora added.  If her father never had arranged the marriage, the countries would've been at war by now.  Aurora remembered the day she got engaged.  She was not happy one bit, but now she doesn't mind it so much.  "I'm sure he wouldn't too." He agrees as he turns to look out the carriage. 
Aurora looked at the scenery before her and felt her stomach rumble. Aurora put her hand over her stomach, hoping the prince didn't hear it. She glances around, wondering what she should do. Aurora pokes her head out the carriage and looks towards Mary, hoping Mary can sense her glare. Luckily, Mary does notice Aurora. Aurora mouthes the word 'dinner'. Mary replies with 'soon'. 
Aurora frowns, sits back, and decides to watch the sunset. She admired the sun slowly disappear behind the mountain and grew fond of the pink sky. Aurora made sure to remember every detail so she could paint it. Something so beautiful was meant to be painted Aurora thought. 
Suddenly, the carriage stopped and Aurora smiled. It was time to eat. "It's dinner time!" The coachman calls out. The coachman opened the carriage and Aurora stepped out, Xavier following. Mary hopped off her carriage and began to gather bread that she had packed before leaving the country. "We don't have much of a selection but it's better than nothing." Mary said, passing the food to the royals.
While everyone sat near a tree, Aurora decided to keep standing. Aurora was tired of being cramped up in the carriage, so she paced as she ate. "My lady, please sit down," Mary says. Aurora scrunches up her nose and shakes her head. "If we're going to travel nonstop I need to stretch my legs." Aurora smiles innocently. 
After they finish eating they head back into their carriages. "We'll continue for an hour or so, and then we'll rest for the night." The coachman says and he lets out a shout to urge the horses to move. 
Time passed quickly and Aurora began to struggle to read the words in her book. It was too hard to read with only the moonlight. She looked at Xavier and wondered how he could do nothing on the trip. He had just been in his thoughts the whole time, surely he was bored? 
She glanced at him every now and then, remembering the night before. Aurora was embarrassed. Nothing even happened between the two and she was flustered. Aurora didn't know what she was feeling. She's never liked anyone before, at least how she liked Xavier, so this was completely new to her.
The carriage came to a stop and that pulled Aurora out of her thoughts. The carriage door is swung open which scares Aurora for a moment. The coachman apologizes and Aurora steps out. When she steps out, she notices the heavy winds. Aurora begins to worry about the weather and turns to Xavier. "It's not going to thunderstorm, is it?" She says glancing at the dark sky.
"It shouldn't rain too hard." Xavier responded as he looked at their surroundings. It was almost like it was planned because it started raining lightly. Aurora looked at the prince with a concerned look on her face. Xavier looks at the coachman and guard. He notices their struggle to put a tent up due to the wind and he shakes his head. Xavier heads to the pair and goes to help.
"Your highness, it would be wrong for you to help. We'll do it!" The guard says, even though he's visibly fighting the wind to put up the tent. Xavier glares at the man and the guard accepts his help quickly. With Xavier's help, they're able to start working efficiently.
Aurora patiently waits with Mary. "Where are you going to sleep?" Aurora asks. Mary looks at the carriage that carries the luggage. Aurora frowns, "You can't sleep in there. Do we not have another tent?" Aurora complains. She knew it would be uncomfortable for three people to share the same place. 
Mary shakes her head, "We didn't have time to pack everything. Don't worry, It'll only be for another night." Mary reassures the princess, sensing the young woman's anxiety. "I just worry because you're a little old," Aurora says awkwardly," you should be as comfortable as possible!" Aurora finish's. Mary laughs out loud, "I might be old but I am fit, child!" Aurora laughs alongside and shakes her head.
"I know, I know." Aurora almost mumbles. Aurora holds Mary's arm as she listens to the trees rustle. She notices the men finish putting up the tent and starts to head towards them with Mary.