~Ethan.
A groan escaped my lips as I stepped into my room, the day had been a tedious one, with me going about my duties without a chance to get rest. I hadn't gotten a proper rest after the incident last night and with Tiffany, who was stuck to my side all day, I was forced to keep pushing myself further.
My phone pinged, and I pulled it out of my pocket as I dropped myself into the bed. Turning it on, I saw a message from Sam;
'Arne has been discharged. The driver said they are making their way back to the palace.'
I chuckled, knowing Sam would have grudgingly sent the message. He had grumbled when I asked him to keep me updated about Arne's wellbeing, saying that I was just looking for a way to get close to 'The doctor.'
I had laughed because, I could neither concur nor deny. It was true that I was looking for a way to get close to Aurora, but her son was never the means to an end.
Chuckling again, I stripped off my clothing and made my way to the bathroom. A few minutes later, I was standing in front of my mirror with my towel tied around my waist, with water dripping down my chest.
I ran my thumb over that birthmark below my stomach, it was an imprint of a half moon, nicely shaped and dark inked it almost looked like a tattoo. The birthmark was rare and has only been found in the line of the royal bloodline in the history of Sturgeon Moon pack.
Most of the royal descendants also have been 'unfortunate' to have the birthmark, it skipped my father and my father's father but, it got to me, and I am confused on how it got to Arne, Aurora's son. I saw it last night, but, I was too worried about the boy's health to think about it.
Maybe, Aurora had…
Blowing out a deep breath, I shook my head and wiped the water dripping from my hair off my eyes.
“It's not possible, there is no way.” I muttered to my reflection in the mirror and moved to my wardrobe. After a moment of searching, I decided to settle for a casual blue T-shirt and black jeans and headed towards the guest quarters just in time for Aurora's assigned car to drive in.
“Uncle Ethan,” Arne chimed cheerfully as he jumped out of the car. Dropping to his level, I captured him and pulled him into a hug.
“Ah-ah, he is not fully recovered, so please, let's go gently.” Aurora admonished.
“Are you not fully recovered?” I faked a frown and raised a brow.
“I am fine. I am a strong boy, and strong boys don't fall sick.”
“Hmm? But you did fall sick, and you are not fully recovered now, are you? You know what strong boys do?” He shook his head, “strong boys have their meals, their fruits, and veggies and take their medications, so they can be stronger. You get that?”
“Uh-huh,” he nodded again.
“Oh, so now you're going to listen to him when he tells you to take your medications?” Aurora frowned and Arne giggled.
“Actually,” I said, assuming my real height, “I was about to go have dinner, perhaps you could join me? The both of you?”
“Uhm…uh, we are just coming back from that hospital, it is probably best we showered and rested in our room. Arne especially.”
“I want to have dinner with uncle Ethan.”
Aurora groaned, “he didn't even used to like you.”
I chuckled lightly, “come on, it's just dinner. You know, it gets lonely on that long table most times, and I would really use company right now.”
“Okay. But, we should probably go take a shower.”
“Relax, Aurora. It's just me. Yeah?” She nodded. “Right, this way.” I took hold of Arne's hand, and we made our way to the dining room.
“Surprise, surprise.” Mom's voice rang throughout the dinning room as we stepped in, and the echo of laughter died out.
“What… What is going on?” My eyes darted between the unexpected occupants of the room; Mom, Tiffany, and her parents.
“I invited Tiffany and her parents over for dinner. Tiffany told me how you turned down her parents' request for dinner and I decided to invite them over myself.”
My palms instinctively fisted by my sides and I ground my teeth to keep my burgeoning anger.
“And you thought today was the best time?”
“Why, yes, of course. What other better time than now, hmm? And I don't think there's any need to delay, seeing that you and Tiffany would be getting married soon.”
I stole a quick glance from Aurora. Her eyes were running between Mum, Tiffany, and her parents, her expression so cool and composed.
How was she so calm? Did she really not care?
“Come come, come join us. And…you, too. Aurora.”
I moved to take a seat at the head of the table but stopped and took a seat at the right-hand side of the chair. Next to Tiffany and before Mum.
Aurora took a seat next to Tiffany's Dad, putting her before Tiffany's Mum.
“I thought we agreed on fixing dinner with your parents when I'm ready?” I whispered to Tiffany, and she turned to me with a smile before raising a shoulder.
“I didn't feel the need to wait any longer. Besides, both our parents wanted this.” She said after a while.
I wondered how Tiffany had managed to get a message across to my Mum. She had clung to me all day, and it hadn't been long since I left her, there was no way they could have been here on such short notice or else they had… planned it all along?
I turned to Mum with a glare, and she winked at me and flashed me the corniest smile she could ever give.
They definitely had it planned out.
“You know,” Tiffany's Dad began as we began digging in to our food, “the three of you looked like a typical picture perfect family when you guys walked into this room. I had thought for a second that the doctor was your wife and the child, your son.” He laughed.
“You both had this striking resemblance for a split second. Looking at you guys now, I don't think I can find any but, I bet you, soon there will be little Ethan and Tiffany running around in this house.”
Laughter thundered throughout the room. I turned to Aurora, she had a smile that didn't reach her eyes, she was urging Arne to eat more while she was picking at her own food.
Arne was allergic to the same thing as me, Aurora had mentioned it earlier while our food was being served. Arne also, who I wasn't sure was from a royal bloodline, had the same special birthmark as me and Tiffany's Dad had mentioned he was a spitting image of me.
I've had questions since the day Aurora and her son got here, but this made me question one thing;
Was Arne my son?