Just as Aurora was preparing for bed that evening, she heard a knock on the wall. The Empress knew the sound well. Butterflies formed in her stomach. It had been nearly a year since she had heard that knock. Devrim had told her that it was not proper for him to visit her in the night anymore. He did not want anyone who knew the truth to talk badly of Aurora or ruin her reputation. Devrim always looked out for her. The Empress smiled slightly as she recognized her friend's tapping.

"What was that?" asked Anna. The sisters had been preparing Aurora for her royal slumber. As the oldest and most conscientious of the ladies-in-waiting, Anna was always the most concerned about Aurora's safety and well-being. She took a tentative step toward the wall to investigate.

"It's nothing." Aurora stopped her. "Sometimes these old walls just do that. No need to worry about it. Goodnight ladies!" The girl began to forcefully push Anna toward the door.

"But…" Bella began to protest. "You aren't quite ready."

"I can do the rest. I just want to be alone."

"Are you sure?" asked Candela.

Aurora had had enough. She stopped in her tracks and glared at the others. "Out, all of you!" She shooed them through the door. Finally the room was emptied.

Running to the passage, Aurora nearly tripped on her robe. When she flicked the switch, Devin stood holding hand protectively over his eyes. "Are you decent?" He asked warily.

The dark haired girl puffed her cheeks. "Of course I'm dressed! Did you think I'd be naked?" Aurora was scandalized.

Devrim hesitated, "Well…"

"That was one time four years ago! And I wasn't naked. I was only missing my robe!" Aurora huffed with frustration. Why could her friend not let that go? "Come in," the Empress ordered.

Devrim opened his eyes and entered the room. Not much had changed since he had last been in her bedchamber, but suddenly he felt like an intruder. He walked lightly into the room, a questioning look on his face.

Following the Empress's lead, the pair took a seat along the wall on a couch. After a long moment of silence, Devrim could take it no longer. "I just wanted to make sure you are ok. You spent the afternoon with the twins, and I didn't want to disturb you. Then you didn't come to dinner."

Aurora had been avoiding him since the Council's meeting that morning, but didn't want to admit it. Her emotions had been too big, and she needed time to sort through her thoughts. If Devrim hadn't come, she would have sought him out in the morning. The Empress selected her words carefully. "You should've warned me that the Council wanted to do some match making for me. I felt blindsided." She looked at her friend seriously.

"I'm sorry. You came in right after they told me." It had taken everything in Devrim not to break down when they told him, but he had managed a brave face.

"I see. I should've known you wouldn't hide things from me." Aurora relaxed.

'Nothing except my feelings for you' he thought. Devrim loved Aurora deeply; he had for quite some time. He knew, however, that his position as 'emperor consort' had always been temporary and that someone more worthy would come along to fill his place. He, an unloved orphan, was not in a position to claim her for his own. They could never really be husband and wife. They were only play acting. Still, he worked tirelessly to be worthy of her trust and friendship.

Aurora hooked her arm around Devrim's elbow and laid her head on his shoulder. It wasn't proper, but they were alone and the Empress didn't care. She was far too fond of the grey-eyed boy to let things like decorum separate them. When she drew near to him, Devrim's stomach tightened. At times like this, it was hard to be close to her. She smelled so good, and his heart beat rapidly.

"What am I going to do?" Aurora sighed. "I am happy being fake married to you. Why do I need to get real married?"

"I'm told marriage is more than social engagements and public appearances," Devrim joked.

"I suppose…But what about you? Surely you can't be ok with all this." Of course he wasn't ok, but he knew that telling her this would not be helpful. He had come to support her, not to cause guilt.

"I would give my life to serve you, Your Majesty. Giving up a title that I never really had is small in comparison. Besides the Council thinks they can use my skills, so I would still be in the palace. You cannot get rid of me so easily."

"That's true." Aurora said.

"And just think about it. What could be a better birthday present to yourself than being a normal girl at a dance?" Devrim coaxed her.

"It does sound fun. Would you dance with me?" Aurora lifted her head and batted her eyelashes flirtatiously. It was almost too much for Devrim. He shook his head to wake himself from her spell.

"You know I don't dance," Devrim argued firmly.

"Oh I know. I get stuck dancing with every old nobleman who wants to discuss this law or that property…no thank you!"

"You'll have more fun without me. Besides, I'll have to be sitting up on the balcony with Anna." Devrim tried to plead his case.

Aurora nodded. "Ugh fine. I'll let you off the hook." Laying back on the boy's shoulder, she unconsciously grabbed his hand and intertwined her fingers with his. His heart nearly stopped beating for a moment. The girl sighed. "Thank you for coming, Devrim. I don't know what I would do without you."

Devrim cleared his throat awkwardly. "It's I who would be hopeless without you," he said slowly. "In fact, Aurora, I…." He got no further as he realized the Empress's breathing was deep and even. Devrim was her safe place, and she had fallen asleep in his care. He lifted her from the couch and laid her on her large bed. After covering her with blankets, he looked at her one last time with his light grey eyes. "Goodnight, My Empress," he whispered "I love you."

Reluctantly he exited, determined never to use the passageway again to enter her room. Leaving her was just too difficult.