In This Life And The Next

Aurora was settling in well, even though she woke up some mornings still confused, for a few moments at least, she made sure that every day she did what she could around the castle, kept after her horse, and helped Liam with the numbers of the kingdom.

Hazel found Aurora in the stables, two weeks later, grooming her horse, chatting away to a small child, one who served her breakfast that first morning in the great hall.

Jesse was his name, an orphan from the town, Hazel recalled. His parents had perished in the sick season two years prior and Laura had brought him and several others into castle to be raised as wards of the court.

“I taught myself numbers.” She heard Aurora say.

“Could you teach me? I know that I’m supposed to be raised as a knight or a squire or something but I would really, really like to learn letters.” Jesse asked.

“I would be happy to.” Aurora murmured, a small smile on her face. “As long as it doesn’t interfere with your other chores.”

“No, ma’am.” Jesse said.

“Then we will start tomorrow.” Aurora said when she caught sight of Hazel and her ladies approaching them.

Jesse whispered something to her and Aurora nodded and Jesse turned and left.

“He made his exit quickly.” Anna murmured.

“Indeed.” Hazel said as they approached Aurora. She was trying to hide a smile.

“What made him run off so fast?”

“He said that every time you see him, you force him into a bath.” Aurora said, a small giggle escaping her lips.

“True enough.” Anna replied, a laugh in her voice.

Hannah and Tess caught sight of the horse at the same time. “She’s beautiful.” Hannah murmured.

“What have you named her?” Tess asked, running her hand along Dapple’s back.

“Dapple, it was her name before I owned her. I didn’t want to change it, plus I think it suits her perfectly."

“Such a perfect name.” Jessica murmured, running her hand through Dapple’s main. “I was worried what George was going to do with her, she’s to slow, for someone people.”

“What were you two speaking of?” Hazel asked as Aurora guided Dapple back into her new stall near the front of the stable, prince Alec had arranged for Dapple to be moved closer to the entrance for Aurora a few days after she got her. “You and Jesse?”

“He asked if I would teach him to work numbers and read his letters.” Aurora replied. “I agreed to it.”

“Very kind of you.” Hazel said as she linked arms with Aurora as they headed for the castle. “We had a tutor two, no three, years ago but he took sick and died. Mother had enough on her plate to keep her from hiring a new one.” She directed them through the doors and down the hall that lead to the throne room but passed by and down another hall and stopped them in front a set of double doors. She gestured to it and Aurora tugged the door open.

Light flooded into the hall from the floor to ceiling window. Bookcases reached near the ceiling. One long desk was against the wall, putting the windows to the left of the desk.

“Once Jesse tells Chris, she will tell Claire, Claire will tell Amy, and Amy will tell Kevin.” Hazel said and stepped into the library. “One cannot have what the others do not and they are fiercely competitive, Mistress Aurora.”

“M-Mistress?” Aurora said gaping at the princess.

“That’s what your students are obligated to call you.” Hazel responded, her smile bright. Her ladies all exchanged pleased smiles.

“Students?” Aurora whispered.

“Welcome to Castle Valour.” Hazel beamed, her smile wide.

“Dear god.” Aurora whispered.

Hazel took her arm again and led her out. Hannah closing the door behind them.

“I will speak to mother about the schedules.” Hazel continued. “I believe morning lessons would be for the best, don’t you?”

“I, uh-” Aurora stuttered.

“I’ll ask Liam, Alec and Caspian to find suitable desk. No, just Alec and Caspian.” Hazel amended. “I’ll ask Liam for supplies.”

A door was thrown open and Caspian fell through the doors, covered in dust and laughing. Ben and Sam followed him, then Victor and Blake. Liam and Alec followed them and Aurora felt a hot flash of shame, as they fell through the doors, swords in hand and smelling of sunshine and sweat.

Unlike Aurora who was being kept inside like a sickly nurse maid. Unless it was to tend to her horse.

“Well, if it isn’t my three favorite people in the palace!” Liam yelled.

“Good god, Liam, why are you yelling?” Jessica asked.

“Alec smashed his helmet into his head.” Caspian said and there was a fresh bellow of laughter. “He’s been yelling ever since.”

“At least it wasn’t his face.” Jessica said and let Liam take her hand and lay a kiss there.

“I don’t trust you two together.” Alec said, looking between Hazel and Aurora. “Both of you are two smart by half. Are you conspiring?”

“Not at all, dear brother.” Hazel said brightly. “Outright planning.”

Alec offered Hazel’s his arm, but she batted him away. “Aurora and Dapple smell ten times better.”

“Fair enough.” Alec said. “Will you let me in on your plans?”

“Once you’ve bathed.” She turned and sniffed daintily at her other brothers. “All of you. We’ll speak at dinner.” She stood on her toes and kissed Aurora on the cheek. “Dinner, ma’am. Not a word until then.”

“Yes, Princess.” Aurora murmured.

“Ladies.” Hazel said and in a bright swirl of colors, they swept away.

“One of those women is going to break my heart.” Ben spoke up with a sigh.

“Not Jess.” Liam replied.

“Or Hazel.” Alec warned.

Ben sighed again but his eyes did not lose their dreamy look.

“Dinner.” Caspian said and dashed off to his room. They all left in separate directions and Aurora ended up walking with Alec up to his room. They were silent and there was tension in Alec’s shoulders that hadn’t been there before.

Once there, a maid was there to undo all the armor and leather and complicated laces that kept Alec tied in. He was down to his undergarments when he dismissed her.

“Your bath is ready, sir.” She murmured and left.

Aurora sat on the bed and watched as Alec crossed the room in several long strides and into the bathroom, before the sound of splashing could be heard.

“Why is the floor so warm?” Aurora asked when Alec came out five minutes later, pulling a tunic on.

Alec blinked, confused for a second. “Hot springs. Underneath the castle, it pumps hot water up the walls and into the sinks and baths here. Is one of my brothers planning on courting you?”

“No.” Aurora replied, confused. “What? Why would you ask me that?”

“I see the way Caspian looks at you, following you around like a lost puppy. And I see the way Liam cares for you, always asking if your okay, getting anything you ask for-”

“Caspian was helping with Dapple. And Liam is the kind, and sweet.” Aurora interrupted. “But no, there’s no marriage proposal. And if you’ve noticed that much, you’ll see Liam is totally besotted by Jessica.” Alec crossed his arms over his chest, and looked at Aurora curiously.

“I-” Aurora stopped, herself. “I will admit, Caspian is handsome, in his own way and I have no doubt in my mind that whoever he honours to ask for their hand will have their hands full with him. But he’s is like a little brother to me, and I am most certainly not that person.”

Alec raised an eyebrow.

“I haven’t been courted, or would like to be... not yet, anyway.” Aurora admitted, softly.

“Ah.” Alec said.

“If it bothers you, I can leave. I’d be happy to take my company elsewhere.” Aurora murmured, standing.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Alec replied. “Why would that bother me?

“It bothers some, who can’t take no for an answer.” Aurora whispered.

Alec’s face hardened, clenching his jaw. “Did they hurt you?” He growled.

Aurora shook her head, and looked down, avoiding Alec’s eyes. Fingers gripped her chin lightly, and her face was lifted up, so that she was looking into hazel mixed honey ones. “You’d tell me if they did?”

Aurora nodded, smiling a little, lost in his eyes. “Yes.”

“Good.” Alec replied, with blindingly beautiful smile. Alec finished lacing up his boots. “Come. I can’t wait to hear what devious plans you and my sister have cooked up.”