We were awakened by Belle and one of the men who followed us to the bedroom. “Wake up! It's time to wake up!” Belle sang and the man shook Edwin. We both groaned not happy to be awoken. “Come my Duchess, we must get you dressed.” I slowly got up rubbing the sleep from my eyes and walked with Belle behind the divider.
It did not take Belle long to make me ready for the day and when I came out from behind the divider I saw Edwin was already dressed and ready for the day. “Let me introduce my manservant, Thomas.” Thomas bowed deeply, “If you need to get to know anything about my lord you just ask me my lady.” Edwin blushed a little and Thomas smiled.
“Are you ready for breakfast and to go home?” I asked. Edwin gave me a nod and a little smile, “I'm glad to see that you're feeling better, in truth I wish to talk to you later about last night.” My smile faded I didn't want to talk about it I had hoped that it would just fade into the background; but I forced my smile, “Of course, my dear.”
We left the room and went back to the banquet hall where my parents were waiting for us and father opened his arms wide for a hug, I ran into them and gave him the biggest hug I could muster. I was going to miss him so badly, then I turned to mother and gave her a big hug in hopes that she wouldn't be upset at the differences in strength between them.
“Come on Edwin you're a member of the family as well and I wish to hug you.” Mother smiled and when Edwin didn't look like he would go to her she rushed over and gave him a bone crushing hug, my father walked over and rubbed her back to let her know that it was going to be alright and to make her let go then took his hand and gave it a firm shake.
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“Shall we eat?” “Yes, thank you.” Edwin said and I just smiled happy that I would be able to have one last meal with my family. It was far to short of a meal, mother pretended like me leaving didn't bother her but put Edwin at ease enough to laugh at mother's jokes. Father reminded me to take care and that he knew that I could do anything that I put my mind to.
When breakfast was done we all left only to see Delilah waiting for me with an annoyed smile. “Eleanor I will miss you!” She shouted as she rushed into hug but Aaron put an arm out catching her in the stomach. “How dare you.” She growled after she got her breath back. “How dare you go to hug my lady when I was informed by King Dane what kind of person you are.” Aaron declared. “And what person is she?” Edwin asked. “A petty and cruel person who uses your wife.”
Mother looked like she was close to tears as Delilah gave her an accusatory look and father stood in front so that mother could hide. I wanted to vomit I knew that if I didn't tell them differently than I would be greatly punished but I didn't want to get hurt again when Edwin took my arm in his. “Come my dear, we must get to the harbor before the captain gets worried.” And walked me past everyone as if nothing was wrong.
I stumbled a little but kept walking telling myself that this wasn't my fault and that I had no choice but to leave so therefore she couldn't be mad at me. We walked to the carriage waiting for us and when Edwin, Thomas, Belle and I were in Edwin spoke. “I want to know what is going on now.” I shrunk in my seat a little as Belle rubbed my back to let me know that it was alright. “Alright, I promise that I'll tell you everything but please don't be mad.” I whispered.