I quickly tuned out of his surroundings to focus on my own, as I walked along the path back to the castle. I had managed to make my way through the brass gates of the castle and walked up the marbled path to open the large dark oak doors that had our family crest engraved in the door. Our family crest was that of a dragon and two swords outlined in the kingdom's colors of blues, silvers, white, and gray. The door creaked open as I pushed against it opening up to a marbled floor entryway with dark oak wooden walls and my mother, glaring at me with anger in her green eyes.

“Where were you Maria?” My mother asked as she shifted her weight. Standing at five foot five, anger radiated from her body. Mossy brown hair flowed down her back resting against her back.

“What do you mean?” I was confused as to the urgency and anger in her tone. As I didn't think I did anything wrong.

“I mean, I went to wake you up and you were already gone!” Her voice was sharp. She tried not to scream at me but I could feel the rage radiate off of her.

Shit. I thought to myself. I had hoped to be back before anyone else was awake and failed at doing so, apparently.

“I just went out for a ride.” I said quietly as I was quick to come up with an excuse as to why I was not in bed.

“That’s why the horses were gone.” I watched as she sucked in a big breath of air and released it. Clearly trying to calm herself. “At least I knew you were safe. Théo was with you, right?”

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“Yes, mom.” I responded firmly as I crossed my arms in frustration. I was beginning to feel like my mother didn't trust me.

“Where is he then? I would like to confirm this with him.” Her stance mimicked mine.

“Why? Don’t you believe me?” I heard my voice begin to rise.

I often felt like my mom didn’t trust me. For whatever reason, she always had to get Theo’s input on everything. Maybe she thought I was too childish to have my own voice.

“It’s not that I don’t believe-” My mother soon began to correct herself.

“Then why do you need to hear it from him?” I shouted. I felt my face flush red with anger.

Calm.

It was a simple reminder. Something he did often, especially when I got heated. I took a few deep breaths and felt my emotions subside. That, I knew, was his doing, which was probably for the best.

“It’s not that I don’t believe you. I do, Maria. But as a mother, I just want to make sure you are safe.”

“Strange way of-”

Théo cut me off as he approached us. “She was safe, Queen Astrid. I promise you that she was safe.” His voice was firm and authoritative.

This time I could feel a sensation of calm over all of us. Théo had two different auras he could utilize at any given time: his aura of fear and his aura of soothing. The aura of soothing that emitted from his body engulfed me.

We both watched as my mother took a deep breath. “I know if she is with you she is safe. Come now, daughter, we have preparations for our annual winter ball to prepare for.” My body relaxed as the tension had subsided.

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This was before everything went south. When everything was good in my world. This was all but a memory. A memory I would trade anything in the world for. Despite the constant worry I caused my mother, I loved her. I loved every bit of her.