Chapter 66

Nadia's parents arrived, and he, Nadia and his mother stood in the forefront as they were being welcomed.

"Caspian, we never thought we would see you again." Nadia's father held him at arms-length.

"It is wonderful to see you again Sir."

"No need for formalities, you are my son and I will make your father proud."

Nadia's mother came up to him and smiled, "Thank you coming back to Nadia, we do not know what would have happened if you would have not been able to return."

"Thank you, I see who Nadia takes after."

Greetings were exchanged and they all made it to the dining area that was prepared, and mead was served as everyone got comfortable.

"Before we all have a drink, I would love to raise a toast to my son Caspian who was given back to us and the time when he was most needed. A toast to Caspian."

They all raised their glasses after Nadia's father's speech, "Cheers."

The night set off, and there was so much chatter, the room was full of guests yet he felt alone, sad and the mead was not raising his spirits but rather taking him to the dumps.

All his mind was zoned on was Aurora and having to keep up with conversation and feigning interest was becoming difficult.

He had to play the part as they had travelled from far to come and see him so he could not be absent.

Nadia seemed extra cheery and his mother was smiling, everyone was truly happy. Platters were brought out with pork, fruits, bread and so much more delicacies.

He ate gratefully, after four years of being underfed he was going to be back to his normal self. The food melted in his mouth and he savoured it all the more.

It was strange that food also was a reminder to him that he was free, it had more to do with him being able to have it at any given time and he could control when he wanted it and what he wanted. He was not forced to go days without food, or having what Rurina could sneak for him, and being forced to eat whatever they wanted to give him, all this now guaranteed his freedom. He felt as if he had regained control on a great part of his life as the food bought the consequence of the body reacting to it.

"Caspian?"

Caspian turned to Nadia who was touching the side of his arm, "Are you alright?"

"Yes I am, why?"

"Well father asked you a question."

Caspian turned to Nadia's father, "My apologies my mind must have slipped."

"No need to apologize, being a new king does come with burdens at all times. How are you finding it?"

"It is hard, I do have trials and tribulations. There is so much to learn but they do say you learn as you go."

"Very true, you just came back so try to take it easy and ease your way back in. You will get the hang of it very soon. Your father did tell me you are a smart man."

"This is very much appreciated."

"If you need help, I am always here to guide you."

"Thank you father."

"Enough about all this, let's drink and have a merry evening." Nadia's father replied.

"I was thinking that we could go horse riding soon, we loved it." Nadia said to him.

"That would be wonderful."

"Do you remember when we were getting to know each other we went, and you still owe me a rematch."

"I will have to take you up on that." Caspian replied but one key moment in that memory was when Aurora had ridden with him.

"May I say, I could not have asked for a better daughter, Nadia has been a blessing to Caspian and myself. I know she is here to take care of him but she has been wonderful to me, especially in this trying time of Caspian's father's illness and Caspian himself missing."

"We are also thankful for taking Aurora in fully, we are grateful that she is being taken care of and we hope that their union bears fruit soon." Nadia's mother replied.

Here it was, the moment that he knew he could not escape, they were throwing massive bricks at them to have children.

"We will very soon mother." Nadia replied.

"I hope you are blessed with a son." This time it was Nadia's father.

"I believe that it will be granted." This time it was his mother.

Caspian knew that they would want him to say something in regards to it, he was now a king and an heir to the throne was needed.

"All in good time." He added. They all seemed to be happy with his response,

"We will be praying." Nadia's mother replied to him.

All he had said was all in good time, that could be years from now, but he could tell that they had made their minds up and interpreted his answer the way that they wanted to view it, all they heard was that they were going to try for son soon.

As the king he did not want to be forced into decisions, what was the point if he was still controlled and expected to make certain decisions and choices based on everyone around him, downright to his personal chambers as to when to have children.

He wanted children with Aurora, if he could not, then he didn't want any. He did not want to be stuck in the palace without his lover and having to carry on due to his obligations of taking care of his heirs.

"We should discuss names soon." Nadia said to him.

"There are a few names that we have been considering." Nadia's mother chimed in, "If you conceive sons it would be lovely if they are named after your late father and your present father. If daughters then after your mother and I."

"That is would be wonderful." His mother beamed.

"That sounds spectacular." Nadia's father smiled.

"We hope that our family will grow by many." His mother added. He knew that she was implying that it would be wonderful if he and Nadia could have many children so everyone could get named after.

Why were they not asking what they wanted? It was their children after all and he wanted to name them with his sentiment not what they wanted.

Now he was being controlled downright to his own children, he didn't want to protest now but his actions would prove louder than words.

The whole point of this evening is so that he could get through it and after that he would be free to go search for Aurora.

He wanted to make his mother and Nadia believe that he had given up on that notion, but when the time is right and he knew where he would be searching, he would be on his way.

His mother had always loved exerting power over him and she loved to control him, he was using Nadia to do so.

If he bought Aurora home, he knew that they would be a lot of commotion but he would make sure this time that no one would stand in their way, if they did he would have to eliminate them, no-one would come in between him and his happiness.

Dancers came out and he watched half-heartedly, when they finished, they applauded them and the final meal of the night was being served.

Everyone seemed to have completely relaxed after drinking, he hadn't drank much. He was on his second cup of mead and it was relaxing him as he had went four years without it. Now it was all new to his body.

Everyone seemed to be getting tired from the looks of it, he did not know if he should ask if they wanted to call it a night or would he seem rude that he was eager to end the night. He would have to wait for them to be the ones to, as they were the guests.

Nadia's father could drink as a fish, he was downing the mead but he was barely seeming to be out of mind. He was loud, and laughed a lot which was the only indication that was drinking a lot.

Nadia's mother was relaxed but she was still assertive, as it was usually deemed to be a disgrace for women to be drunk.

Women were supposed to stay dignified when they drank, they were not allowed to be loud and boisterous.

They needed to still be eloquent, which to him was ridiculous. If there is a celebration everyone involved should be able to have a merry night without fear of doing something wrong.

Caspian turned and found his mother looking at him, it was as if she was studying him, he raised a glass to her and smiled.

She seemed to be pleased by his response as she raised her glass and toasted back. He better be on his guard as he could slip and his plan could have problems.

At the end of the day even if they knew what he was planning to do, nothing would stop him from going to find Aurora.

"Thank you for hosting us tonight, and we thank the heavens for your safe return Caspian to Nadia." Said Nadia's father.

"It is lovely to have you two reunited once again, and I am also thankful for you all." Nadia's mother added.

"Thank you for coming to see us, it is truly a blessing for all of us to be seated together." His mother added.

"Thank you all for coming to see me and welcoming me back, I hope we could have more gatherings such as these. I'm thankful that you all were here for my mother at such a crucial time, most of all thank you for gracing us and coming all this way."

Servants came as they escorted Nadia's parents to the villa they would be sleeping in, his mother came up to him,

"I just need a moment with Caspian, I will give him back to you soon." His mother said to Nadia.

"Of course, mother."

When Nadia was out of earshot, "I'm very proud of you Caspian, if your father were here he would have been more than proud of you and how you carried and represented yourself tonight. You are a natural at being a king and asserting authority. I am beyond stoic that you have come to your senses and prioritizing your role as the king."

"Thank you mother, I'm beyond overjoyed that you have so much faith in and I will not let you nor father down."

"I wish he would have been here to see his grandchildren, but what matters is that his legacy will carry on through you."

"I will bear that in mind."

"Keep Nadia next to you at all times, you should be there for her as a husband should be, she has needs and wants to help you every step of the way."

"Of course, after I finish urgent matters, I will be there for her fully in the way that she needs me."

His mother placed a hand on his cheek, "I hope you know that I am beyond happy that you have come back to me Caspian, no-matter how much we may argue, I am your mother and I always want what is best for you and I have your best interests at heart."

"I know that mother, you don't have to worry, I am back and I will make sure to take care of everything."

His mother opened her arms and he went in them, she pulled back, "I have taken enough of your time, I'm sure you're tired and Nadia is waiting for you."

Servants came to escort his mother, and he made his way back to his chambers,

"I have been waiting for you."

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