The Selection - Aarmau

Epilogue

One year later.

"So, you're telling me that you're giving me a job here, and you're letting my dad stay too?"

"That's the plan. And after your time as a guard, after you retire, you'll be a 2, and free to go wherever you want."

"You are so generous, Your Majesty." Travis giggled.

"Oh shut up!" Aphmau retorted.

Travis chuckled. "Seriously though, thank you. I need a new job that isn't wiping up spills and mopping floors all day."

"You'll be really serious, a brand new uniform, you will be 'Officer Valkrum'!" she puts her hands up, emphasizing the title.

Aphmau's hair was up, wrapped in ribbons, and a tiara sat atop her head. She was wearing a lavender gown, and a couple necklaces, and rings on her fingers, most notably her wedding ring.

"What's your plan for today?" Travis asks, folding his arms.

"Oh, I dunno. We're still working on my room, the paint should be dry now, which means I can start hanging up stuff on the walls. Not much, really, I'm done my book so there isn't really much else to do."

"Other than that, I'm just gonna hang out. I think."

"Not now you're not," Travis winks, laughing. He nods his head towards the stairs. "I'll give you your privacy." he smirks, walking away.

"Oh you are such a-" she starts, unable to finish before Travis has gotten away and Aaron has put his hands on her shoulders.

"Good morning, love."

"Mornin'."

"You were pretty sound asleep when I woke up, so I figured I'd just leave you be. I've been trying to sneak away all morning."

"You are such a fool, I say that lovingly."

"Only a fool for you, my dear."

She rolls her eyes, and shakes her head, trying to deny just how much of a fool she has become because of him.

"What's your plan for today?"

"Mm. I dunno, I was hoping to spend my day with the most beautiful lady in the country."

"Oh? And who might that be?" she asks, smirking at him.

He blushes. "You, of course. I only hope that work doesn't get in my way."

"You are the king, it's kind of to be expected."

"Pfft. I don't care. I only care about you."

"Is that so?"

"Absolutely. What can I do to make your day better?"

"Hmm. It's supposed to rain today, perhaps you could run around in the rain with me? Or is that too unprofessional for you, Your Majesty?"

"Goodness, I suppose if people see, that it's unprofessional. But I will take you up on your proposition, so long as it rains."

...

She got her wish, it poured rain, drenching all the greenery outside the palace.

"Come on!"

"I can't believe I actually agreed to this."

"Oh, don't be such a stick in the mud, I swear, it's fun. I used to run around my backyard in the rain like this when I was younger, in Calgary."

Aphmau grabbed onto Aaron's hand, and dragged him out into the rain.

"Hey! I was preparing myself!" he says, shocked, becoming thoroughly drenched.

She giggles, and steps back, turning around and running into the garden. "Catch me if you can!" she hollers, and he immediately chases after her.

The running around is short lived, because for wearing heels for the last year, Aphmau was nowhere near used to them, and promptly tripped, nearly falling right onto the cobble path.

She was lucky that Aaron was right behind her, catching her as she instinctively shut her eyes.

"You alright?"

"Y-yeah. I think I might have twisted my ankle."

"Can you walk."

"Maybe?" she says, hopeful, as she takes off her shoes. She tries to stand on her own, and winces, falling back into his arms.

"Come on, lets go in. It's getting chilly anyway."

"But I wanted to-"

"I know, I know. We will another day, alright? Come on."

...

They wrapped Aphmau's ankle in bandages, and she sat in her bed, annoyed that she couldn't do anything, because she couldn't walk.

Her hair dried, and they touched it up, and the same with her dress.

Her room was absolutely perfect for her. It was painted lilac, a pale, pastel lilac, with glossy birch furniture, flowers sat in a magnificent vase on her bedside table.

She had a bookshelf by her bed, absolutely covered in books, photos hung on gilded frames on the walls.

A knock came at the door. "Yes?"

"How are you feeling?"

"Aaron, I'm fine. I just can't walk."

He huffs. "Well, I figured I would come in and sit with you? I brought my guitar."

She lit up at that. "Please."

He sat down, and strummed on it lightly. She rested her head on his shoulder, and listened intently.

"Aaron?"

"Yes?"

"Are you happy with the way your life turned out?"

"Yes, I am. My upbringing was difficult, but now things are better." he thought for a moment, strumming. "Meeting you made it all worthwhile. And now, everyday, I get to spend with you."

"I can't lie and say I don't think you spoil me a little too much with everything." she chuckles.

"There is no such thing as too much, I'm going to spoil you until the very end."

"Is that so?"

"Absolutely. No doubt about that."

"Even when I'm a wrinkly old lady?"

"Especially then."

...

"Come on, I swear I feel better. And it's still raining, we can go out now! I'll be careful."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, lets go!"

Aaron chuckles, following close behind her as she walks out the doors to the garden again, it's still pouring, and nearly 7 in the evening.

"May I have this dance, good sir?" she asks, sticking her chin up at him.

"I would want nothing more, madam."

He does his best to support her, worried about her being on her feet, one of her hands is on his shoulder, the other holding up her gown. He has a hand on her waist, and brings up the other one to rest on her cheek.

She closes her eyes dreamily, smiling. It makes his heart beat quicken, and he wonders how he could possibly be so hopelessly in love even now.

That feeling of nervousness, of absolute adoration, it never faded. Never fizzled out, whatsoever. Even though his whole life he had been conditioned to believe that feeling would fizzle out the second they were wed. It didn't.

It had been a couple months, but he knew that in a couple years, he'd still be feeling this exact same way.

"I love you."

She opens her eyes again, and looks up at him, her smile growing even wider than before. "I love you too."