The Princess Guard

Chapter Eighty-One

Team meeting

I kept my eyes forward and stared at the wall. I was waiting on Alex and his mate, Aurora. Salem stood at the door. Our conversation did not go well. He refuses to see how I feel- that I want to keep this baby and follow through with it. He's adamant that we have to get rid of it... but I just can't. I won't. I needed to see Julia.

My thoughts were interrupted by a woman knocking on the door quietly and stepping in. She bowed quickly. She had shoulder length brown hair and was dressed in the castle employees attire. I stood quickly and smiled.

"Aurora?" I spoke softly and she nodded. She looked so shaken up as she walked toward me.

"It's really good to meet you" I reached out and touched her hand lightly as she stopped before me. She avoided my eyes.

"It's nice to meet you, Princess. I'm honored to be working here. Thank you." She spoke nervously and I sat back down, nodding toward the other couch.

"Sit, please. Are the maids aware you're our chaperone?" I spoke casually hoping to ease her nerves. She nodded, looking down at her lap. I leaned forward and sighed, touching her knee. She looked up at me slowly.

"I know this all sucks.." I trailed off, struggling to find the words.

"I just want you to be comfortable here. And comfortable with me. I'd like to be friends. I've heard so many great things about you from Alex." I spoke gently and her eyes lightened when I mentioned Alex.

"I know it's awful to watch this happen, and that you can't openly be with him. But please know that I don't have any hidden agenda. I have no interest in him romantically." I tried to be reassuring and she nodded slowly. Alex came into the room, beaming when he saw her. He appeared at her side and pulled her into a hug. I couldn't help but smile.

"I didn't think you'd get here before me!" He sounded so excited. It made me happy to see them together. She nodded and smiled back weakly.

His face fell when he noticed how nervous she was.

"You're safe here" I spoke up and they both looked at me.

"Nobody will ever know. Trust me." I spoke firmly and Alex sat next to her.

"Princess I can't thank you enough" she stammered out and I smiled and shook my head.

"I should be thanking you, also. We can also drop the formalities when we're alone, please." I mentioned awkwardly and she nodded. I'm sure it would take time to break that habit.

"Why's he not joining us?" Alex nodded toward Salem and I sighed. Alex had gotten relaxed around Salem and was used to him being friendly when we were all alone instead of acting like a guard.

"He's angry." I spoke curtly and leaned back in my seat. Alex looked at me in confusion, Aurora looked lost. I could feel Salems eyes burning into me.

"Aurora, that's Salem. My guard. He is aware of our situation. He is very trustworthy." She looked over at him and waved awkwardly. Boy she must be feeling so many things right now to have just waved at him so awkwardly.

"Yes, Alex told me." She whispered and I sighed.

"I want us to all be honest with each other" I folded my hands in my lap and they both looked at me.

"Aurora, what can I do to help you feel more relaxed here?" She met my eyes slowly and fiddled with her hands.

"Naturally I have a lot of worries" she whispered and I nodded.

"If you're worried about me and Alex, I have a mate as well." Both of their eyes widened now.

"What!? Why didn't you tell me?" Alex sounded offended and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Because I wasn't 100% sure if I should trust you. Over the last couple weeks I have come to trust you. This is something I wanted to say when you were both here." Aurora seemed to calm immensely. I'm sure she was worried about me secretly wanting Alex.

"That definitely helps" she sighed and I smiled at her.

"Well, there is something we wanted to bring up." Alex spoke now and I nodded.

"You have to provide an heir." He started slowly and I froze.

"And I really am not comfortable being the father.. I don't know what we can do about that.. but if you have a mate..." He whispered now and I let out a sigh of relief.

"You'd be okay posing as the father" I finished for him and he nodded slowly.

"Kings aren't that involved in the raising of children as it is, so in the public eye it wouldn't matter if I was constantly seen with them. I know it's early to start talking about children and all but I wanted us to be transparent about everything from the get go. No surprises." He spoke seriously and I nodded.

"I agree. I'm really glad you brought it up because-"

"Daya" Salems voice cut me off. We all three looked at him. The angry look was back. My heart clenched.

"Why is he so angry?" Alex whispered to me as if Salem couldn't hear him.

"He's angry because I'm pregnant." I blurt out and Alex's mouth dropped open. He held his hands up and stood.

"Wait wait wait wait" he sounded in disbelief. Aurora looked at me with wide eyes.

"You're pregnant!? AND you have a secret mate!?" He gasped dramatically and I couldn't help but smile.

He turned to Aurora and pointed towards Salem.

"I've been alone with him so many times and he never told me. The man is a safe with the strongest lock and key!" Alex shook his head and laughed.

"So? Who is it?" He put his hands on his hips and raised and eyebrow at me. It felt like talking to an older brother.

"Salem" I whispered. I thought Alex's eyes might pop out of his head. His mouth dropped open and he looked at Salem in shock. He sat down suddenly, his shocked look turned into concern.

"But... wait..." he whispered, eyes darting back and forth between us. I swallowed hard and I could hear Salem let out an exhale.

The silence in the room was suddenly deafening.

"We need to pick this conversation up another time." Alex spoke suddenly and my hands trembled. He made the same connection Salem did. Any excitement he had shown was gone. I guess this means Aurora doesn't know about Salem.

I nodded slowly and Alex sighed.

"Congratulations" Aurora spoke suddenly and I forced a smile.

Alex stood quickly and we both looked at him in confusion.

"I have to talk to Salem, privately." He sounded so flustered. Before I could stop him, he was at Salems side and they left. My heart was pounding in my chest now. I made a mistake. I made a huge mistake.