Chapter 10: The Prince's promise

The soft morning light of Saturday spilled through the cottage windows, gently pulling Mary from her sleep. She blinked against the brightness, realizing she was still resting on the couch, the blanket tucked securely around her shoulders. Arthur was already awake, pacing the floor with a bundle of nervous, thrilled energy. Today was the day he would finally see his child. They were heading to the home of the kind, elderly woman who cared for the little girl during the week.

Arthur carefully pulled out a beautifully wrapped gift from his luggage. Inside was a magnificent, soft royal dress spun from the finest fabrics, accompanied by a pair of little, perfectly crafted cute shoes. He wanted his daughter to look and feel like the princess she truly was.

Holding hands, their fingers tightly intertwined, Arthur and Mary walked down the quiet, winding lane. Arthur's heart hammered against his ribs with every step. When they finally reached the porch, Mary stepped forward and gave a soft, familiar knock on the wooden door.

Almost instantly, the door swung open. Aveline was the very first person standing there.

"Mummy!" the little girl squealed in pure delight.

Without hesitation, Aveline threw her tiny arms wide and hugged her mother with so much excitement, burying her face into Mary's skirts. Mary instantly dropped to her knees, scooping the little girl up and hugging her back so tightly, as if she was going to lose her. Tears pricked the corners of Mary’s eyes as she held on with a fierce, desperate tenderness.

Mary gently stepped back, kneeling on the wooden porch so she was eye-to-eye with her daughter. She brushed a stray curl away from the little girl's forehead, her voice trembling slightly with emotion. "Aveline, my sweet girl, there is someone very special I want you to meet. This is your papa. He’s finally home."

Aveline gasped, her tiny jaw dropping. She stared up at Arthur, her wide, bright eyes scanning his face. She couldn't believe it. Without a single shred of fear or hesitation, the little girl lunged forward and threw her small arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. She was completely in love with her father from the very first second. Even though they had only just met, the blood connection between them was undeniable; they held the exact same gaze, and their expressions mirrored one another perfectly.

Arthur’s heart completely melted. He dropped to his knees on the wooden deck, wrapping his strong arms around her tiny frame. "I've got you, my beautiful girl," Arthur choked out, his voice thick with a father's love. "I've got you."

When they finally pulled apart, Arthur wiped his eyes and smiled, holding out the beautifully wrapped box. "I brought something special just for you, princess."

Aveline’s eyes lit up with excitement. She eagerly tore into the wrapping paper, letting out a loud squeal of pure joy as she pulled out the magnificent royal dress and the little, cute shoes. "Look, Mummy! It's so pretty! Thank you, Papa!"

Laughing at her pure happiness, Arthur stood up and took Mary’s hand. Together, they stepped through the front door and into the warm kitchen to greet Martha, the kind, elderly woman who had protected and raised Aveline.

"Martha," Mary said, her eyes shining with pride as she gestured to the man by her side. "I want you to meet Arthur. Aveline's father. He's come to stay."

Martha turned from the stove, a warm, knowing smile spreading across her wrinkled face. "Welcome home, young man. She has spoken of you every single day."

Arthur stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "Thank you for keeping my family safe, Martha. We shouldn’t spend this beautiful Saturday inside," he suggested, turning to Mary and Aveline with a genuine smile. "What do you say we head out and go have fun? The whole day belongs to us."

They spent the entire day altogether, exploring the sunlit corners of Hayden Barry. For Mary, the entire afternoon felt completely unreal, filled with beautiful moments of pure joy and happiness. At one point, they stopped by a grassy hill overlooking the beach. Arthur completely threw away his royal dignity, dropping to the grass to chase Aveline around as she giggled uproariously. Mary sat a few paces away on a wooden bench, simply watching them play. Tears of absolute joy pricked her eyes. Seeing the two people she loved most in the world together, laughing and bonding as if no time had passed, brought a profound, overwhelming sense of peace to her soul.

By the time they headed back to Mary's small cottage, night had fallen, painting the sky in deep shades of midnight blue. Aveline was utterly exhausted, her small eyelids drooping. Without a word, Arthur scooped her up into his strong arms. He carried her through the front door of the cottage and walked softly into the bedroom. In the corner, right beside Mary’s larger bed, he gently lowered her onto her little cute bed, pulling the covers up to her chin.

As he leaned down to kiss her forehead, Aveline opened her eyes just a fraction, her voice sleepy and incredibly soft. "Papa...?"

"Yes, my sweet girl?" Arthur whispered.

"I still can't believe my father is a king," she murmured, a tiny, proud smile touching her lips before her eyes drifted shut, quietly going to sleep.

Mary stood in the doorway, watching the entire exchange in silence, feeling so happy. Arthur quietly stepped out of the room, closing the door softly behind him.

The moment the door clicked shut, Mary stepped directly into his arms. "Thank you," she whispered against his chest, holding him fiercely. "Thank you for not forgetting about us. Thank you for coming back."

Arthur wrapped his arms around her waist. "I could never forget you, Mary. You are my home."

They walked hand in hand to the small fabric couch in the living room, sitting close together. For a while, they just talked, catching up, but the shadow of Camelot still hung lightly over Arthur’s brow. Mary noticed the tension in his shoulders and gently squeezed his hand. "Arthur, what happened? How did you finally break free?"

Arthur let out a long, heavy breath. "The morning before I left... Isabella found the pictures I kept of you. We had a horrific argument. I told her everything—how much I hated the royal blood that ruined my life, and how deeply I still loved you. And then my mother stepped in. She threatened you again. She told me I would make your life miserable if I left."

Mary watched him closely. "What did you do?"

"I snapped," Arthur whispered, a tear escaping his eye. "I said the most painful things to her. I told her she was a monster, weaving chains out of gold and calling it safety. I told her she was the most evil, hollow soul to ever wear a crown. She slapped me, Mary. But the look in her eyes... I left her and Isabella standing on the palace stairs in the cold. I felt like a monster myself for the venom I threw at my own mother. I was so rude to her, Mary. I feel terrible for how I left things."

Mary reached up, gently cupping his face, calming him down. "Arthur, look at me. You are not a monster. You were a man fighting for his life, fighting for his family. Everything is going to be okay. It is going to be alright, I promise."

The dam broke, and Arthur let out a choked sob, leaning his forehead against her shoulder as he broke down, the years of suffocating under his mother's thumb finally releasing. Mary held him tightly, rocking him gently, providing the sanctuary he had starved for. Arthur quieted, looking at her with profound gratitude. "Thank you, Mary. Thank you for never forgetting about me, and for letting me back into your life."

Mary smiled, her eyes shining in the dim candlelight. "I never stopped waiting for you, Arthur."

Arthur leaned in, his lips meeting hers in a soft, deeply passionate kiss. When they finally broke apart, Arthur pulled a soft blanket over them, shifting back against the cushions of the couch. Mary nestled into his side, laying her head gently against his chest, listening to the steady, comforting beat of his heart. Wrapped in each other's warmth, they peacefully drifted off to sleep, letting the darkness of the world fade away for one perfect night.