38 The feast

"No. Please stay. You don't irritate me. Actually, It's the opposite. It's been years Aurora"

"I missed you. So much Torren" Aurora said as she came closer to Torren. "I couldn't stop loving you, even after I heard you took your first wife"

Hearing all these, I couldn't keep up with listening to their conversation so I left without hearing the rest of the discussion.

"I only started to get over you after your heart started to beat for Diana. I wondered what made her special"

Torren stared at Aurora for a while "you had something to do with my dead brides didn't you?, unbelievable, you did something?"

"No. I did nothing to them but what happened to them happened because of me. I don't know why or what caused it Torren I promise"

"Forget it. I loved you Aurora even when I wasn't supposed to but you ruined everything. You were selfish"

"Selfish? Torren I did it for us. I thought that was what you wanted."

"It was what you wanted Aurora. It's always been about you"

Aurora wanted to say something but Torren cut her off. "Forget it Aurora. At least my wife still lives. Thanks to you". "Come on, let's go back to the feast before my absence is noticed" at that moment Aurora smiled and they went back to the party. I was gloomy throughout the rest of the feast. I didn't speak to Torren or to anyone until the toast. Torren started "I'd love to make a toast. A toast to my dear sweet wife who had the courage to lead and protect the people of Darca, the lady Diana" all present clapped except for me. I smiled so people won't notice I was angry, though my smile was clearly fake. "I'd also like to toast to Aurora, who has without hesitation helped lady Diana to conquer. To my knights who relentlessly fought to win the battle, and to my people, who always believed in me and my court. I really do appreciate you all. I also want to call on the lady Diana. My wife, would you like to say something?". Unfortunately, I wasn't paying attention. I was thinking about Aurora and my husband. I was thinking about my deal with Luther. If I eventually leave, will Torren and Aurora be together?. "Lady Diana?" Lord Torren called out to me a second time yet I didn't hear him. Now Kahlan tapped me "my lady?" That was when I jerked "Yes Kahlan?" I responded. "Would you like to say something?". "Aah, no, I mean yes. I'd like to appreciate the knights of Darca. I wouldn't have done this without you and... Ah..." I couldn't think of any other thing to say so Torren quickly covered up "To Darca!!!!" He shouted and the people responded "To Darca!!!".

I couldn't pretend to be okay anymore so when lord Torren was discussing with king Stephan, I decided to get out but king Stephan's daughter stopped me. "Hey lady Diana, I'm Elena. Your courage is a story that will make history. I also wanted to say thank you for not punishing us. What my father did could bring a penalty of death. Thank you very much" she was a lovely lady and she smiled a lot. "It's nothing Elena. What's a ruler if not someone that forgives. It's nothing at all princess Elena. Now if you don't mind, I'll have to cut this lovely conversation short". "Of course. It's nothing". We bowed at each other then I left. I headed into the hallway down to the stable. I knew Torren or Kahlan would search the gardens if they realized my absence and I really wanted to be left alone so this time I had to go to where I would not easily be found.

I stood there feeding the horses while thinking about a lot of things. How would Torren react when he finds out Luther's condition for helping me?. What will happen between him and Aurora after that?. Does Torren still love me?. Would he choose Aurora over me or choose me over Aurora?. I sighed in weakness but a voice interrupted me. "It's not often that we see a queen feeding horses" it was king Luther, he smiled. "What about your servants. You shouldn't be doing this my lady, don't you think?". I had no response to give him, so I just mentioned his name "king Luther". "You don't look quite well to me, my dear wife" he said and came closer to me then put his palm on my forehead. I pushed off his hand and mumbled "I'm not your wife. And don't touch me". He chuckled "well officially not. But soon you will. Tell me, what bothers you?" He asked.

"I think you're beginning to intrude Luther. Torren will have your head on the pike if he sees you here, you should leave now" I said. "My head?, haha, that's ridiculous, he can't do that my love so don't worry" he said with that smile still on his lips. "Don't call me that. I'm not your love. And if Torren can't have your head, he will definitely burn you on the stake". Luther sighed and rolled his eyes "you speak like a child Diana" he was displeased. "What do you want?" I asked although I clearly knew what he wanted. "Our deal my dear. You haven't told Torren about it, have you?" I just mumbled incoherently. "Well lady Diana, I fulfilled my own side of the bargain but you are yet to fulfill yours. That's not nice. I will give you seven days, just seven days Diana, you'll either come to me or you'll loose your husband for good, and not just that. I promise you Diana, Everything you've ever loved will be blown to the wind. Seven days Diana. Seven" he said and disappeared. I sat on the floor and put my hands on my head feeling down and depressed. I hadn't decided whether to tell lord Torren or not. I was worried and out of my environment before Kahlan found me and brought me back to my environment. "Oh, here you are. I've been looking all over for you" she said but I didn't snap out of my worries so She tapped me on my shoulders "Diana". I jerked "hey Kahlan. You scared me" I pretended to have cheerful look. "You know you can always talk to me Diana. You don't seem fine at all, what bothers you?" Kahlan asked while holding my hands. "It's nothing Kahlan. I'm just being ridiculous. I mean, even if they are still in love, I'll be gone right? And they can be happy together". "I don't understand what you're saying. Who and who are still in love? And where are you going?" Kahlan asked me confused. "The deal with Luther. He's giving me just seven days Kahlan, seven. Can you even imagine it?". Kahlan now sat closed to me on the floor. "It's going to be alright Diana. Don't you worry. We'll find a way to sort it out". "There's no other way Kahlan. It's a deal with king Luther. He promised to destroy everything I love. Kahlan I'm scared of what he'll do to me" I sobbed and put my head on her shoulders. "It's okay my lady" she patted me.

Soon I cheered up and we went back to the feast and in no time, the feast ended.