A week after the party, my lingering thoughts still remained, though they had grown faint. That same week, I began to notice Aunt Viv watching me with a look I could not quite understand.
One evening, as we sat down for dinner, she wore that same expression once more. I was weary of the confusion her glances stirred within me.
"Aunt Viv, what is wrong?" I asked, dropping my utensils as I spoke. "You have been staring at me strangely since the ceremony at the castle. Why?"
Aunt Viv paused mid-bite and looked at me.
"I will speak to you once you have finished your dinner," she said, before resuming her meal.
After she spoke, silence settled heavily over the dining room. Once Aunt Viv had finished, she rose from her seat and went straight to her quarters. I remained seated, trying to guess what she intended to say. I hoped it was not another matter of interaction or ceremony, because if it were, I was not willing to comply.
"Raya," I called softly.
"Yes, milady," she answered, stepping closer.
"I feel… disturbed," I said.
"Let us return to your quarters," she replied gently. "We will speak more freely there."
With that, I stood, and she followed behind me.
I sat on my bed as Raya shut the door behind us.
"Milady, what is wrong?" Raya asked softly.
"I have this heavy feeling that something bad is going to happen soon," I said. "I cannot quite explain it. Each day that passes, it remains. I try to shrug it off, but…" My voice trailed, filled with confusion. "It will not disappear."
Raya hesitated before speaking. "I do not have the best words to offer, milady, but I believe it is because of the urges placed upon you—to explore, to engage—and because of the suitors who have begun to appear."
"Suitors?" I asked.
"For the past several weeks," Raya continued, looking straight at me, "men have been seeking your hand in marriage."
"I did not bring it up," Raya continued. "I thought it had already been made known to you. Your aunt suggested that I refrain from mentioning it."
"Another worry added to the list," I said quietly, sadness settling within me.
"Do not be afraid, milady," Raya said. "You never know—you might come to like one of them."
She smiled teasingly. "They may be handsome, caring, and quite eager to pamper you."
I smiled in return, allowing it to appear as though her words had eased my worry. "Thank you, Raya. You may go. I will see Aunt Viv now."
I rose from my bed after Raya left and made my way down the corridor toward Aunt Viv's quarters. My steps were slow and hesitant, as though each one carried the weight of questions I was not yet ready to have answered. I sighed, rested my hand on the door, then knocked softly.
"Come in," Aunt Viv called.
I entered to find her seated on her bed, the window open, evening light spilling in and casting soft shadows across the room. She looked up at me, her expression unreadable.
"You said we would talk," I said. "And Raya mentioned the suitors," I added, looking at her.
Aunt Viv's expression remained calm, as though she had expected me to speak in this tone. "I did not wish to burden you before you were ready to settle."
"To be honest, I do not feel it is my time to settle," I admitted. "Yet it seems the world wants me to. It troubles me how swiftly things seem to happen."
Her gaze softened. "I know this troubles you. But there are expectations placed upon you—expectations that cannot be ignored forever."
I lowered my eyes. "Why does it feel as though I am being pushed towards a life I do not recognize as my own?"
Aunt Viv did not answer at once. Instead, she placed her hand gently on my back and patted it. "Because," she said quietly, "there are truths about you that you have yet to be told."
I looked at her, confused. "Aunt Viv… do you wish to tell me something?"
"There are many things I wish to say," she replied, "but I am only willed to mention few. I hope you find your own path to the rest, for I do not have all the answers myself."
Aunt Viv pulled a letter from her desk and handed it to me. I unfolded it carefully, and the neat handwriting drew my eyes immediately.
Dear Vivian,
I hope this letter finds you well?. How is our daughter faring? Please convey my regards to her and prepare her mind for the days to come.
We wrote to inform you that we shall be arriving shortly to bring her home. We have resolved the troubles within our kingdom and are now prepared to welcome her back.
We are deeply grateful for your care, love, and the guidance you have given her during our absence.
Yours truly,
Vikki
My palms grew sweaty as I read the letter over and over, trying to convince myself I had misread it.
"I don't even know them well… why now?" I whispered, panic rising in my chest. "I'm not leaving here for anywhere else! They can't just show up and try to take me back!"
"Your parents are still your parents," Aunt Viv said gently. "And I would have loved for you to stay here, but there is little I can do. They hold the upper hand."
Her eyes met mine, filled with sadness, and I felt a weight settle over me that I could not shake.
"But they cannot just appear and disappear as they please," I said, my voice trembling. "I don't even recognize them. I only know their faces through images. So don't tell me they can simply arrive and walk away with me, Aunt Viv."
"Please," she said softly, her voice heavy, "do not make this more difficult than it already is."
After she said that, I walked out of her room in utter despair.