In This Life And The Next

“Now, to the matter of your lands.” Laura said, looking to one of the servants that had a small stack of papers in her hands.

“I’m sorry, your majesty. My what?” Aurora blurted.

“Your lands, Aurora. Your lands.” Laura replied with a laugh, pushing aside her goblet and laid the papers out.

“What lands?” Aurora asked. “I don’t what-”

Laura studied her.” Sweet child, he really did keep you in the dark about everything, didn’t he.”

Aurora gaped at the queen.

“Your mother, she has lands and a small holding in the north. You are Marchioness of Audra. A man by the name-” She shuffled through the papers, “Luke, has been keeping it for you until you sought to claim it. He sends monthly reports of grain, livestock and trade to me.” She tapped the pile of papers. “And now that you have the freedom to go, I was wondering if you would want to travel there.”

“Who is he?” Aurora asked when Laura pushed the papers over to her.

“I don’t know how he knew your mother, only that your mother trusted him a great deal. He lives there with his wife Willow and their three children. He is a very intelligent man and keeps the land and castle there in great shape. All reports say that while he is a very kind man and a few leave his side when they go into service with him.” Laura sat back and plucked a grape from a bowl. “What do you wish to do with the lands?”

The thought of having a place where she could go, away from all of this, away from the memories and people-

And Alec. His brothers and sister and their mother. The students that were already showing promise after only one lesson.

“What would happen to his family if I wanted to claim it?” Aurora asked.

“That’s up to you.” Laura answered. “You could have them stay on as caretakers or you could ask them to leave.”

“How long has he lived there?”

“Nearing twenty years, I believe.” Laura said.

“Oh.” Aurora whispered, in a small voice. She studied the papers in front of her. The villagers under his care were happy, the land and livestock was thriving and his children showed promise as future squires or knights or as a lady win waiting.

“You have a place here, Aurora. There is no need for you to leave, unless you desire to do so.” Laura said gently.

Aurora let out a breath before nodding. “I have no desire to leave.”

Laura clapped her hands. “Excellent! I had no desire to lose my tutor only a day after I hired one and frankly, there would be the matter of Alec to consider.”

“Alec?” Aurora squeaked.

Laura’s eyes held just as much mischief as her daughters. “Yes, Alec. But let’s move on to the last matter, shall we?” She put on last stack of papers in front of Aurora.

“Your title, your lands and your wealth.” Laura said. “I had your banker here yesterday to understand the state of your affairs. It seemed like your mother suspected a little of what your stepfather was after and put into place a few steps to get your inheritance that even he couldn’t maneuver around.”

Aurora picked the papers up and studied them for a moment before placing them back down. “There has to be a mistake, my mother was never this rich.”

“No. No mistake Aurora, your father. Your real father has been sending your mother money for you since the day you were born. And Luke, faithful and true as he is, has been depositing the correct percentage all there years. It has gone untouched, accumulated and there you have it.”

“That’s too many numbers.” Aurora exclaimed. It didn’t feel like freedom, it felt like someone was clinging to her neck, like there was such a great thing to take care of and she was only this one small woman, there was too much-

“Aurora!” Laura snapped. “This is what your mother left behind for you. You have paid the price many times over. Now, this money has been yours since your birth, only difference is that you know about it now. Nothing else has changed.”

Nothing else has changed. Her place at the castle, her friends, this new place she could call home.

“Yes, your majesty.” Aurora agreed, feeling settled once more. She hesitated and then asked. “What of my old household? Have you had any word of them?”

“Your stepsisters-” Laura hesitated.

“It’s okay. I bear them no affection.”

“It is said that Ivy is making her living at the tavern. Lilly has disappeared, having headed east towards Roman’s lands.” Laura shook her hand. “Woman who travel with the war parties do not fare well.”

“She was going to the war march?” Aurora muttered, Roman has been picking at the Valor borders for years but nothing had come of it.

“That’s the last we’ve heard. The butler has also disappeared but that was after a fight in a bar. I didn’t probe too deeply into that particular incident.” Laura picked delicately at a piece of veal in front of her.

“Have you heard of Josh?” Aurora asked.

Laura tilted her head. “I have no word of him.”

Aurora sucked in a deep breath, worrying starting to take over. “He has no use of his legs. My stepfather-” She shook her head. “He is constrained to a chair. He cannot move on his own.” She felt guilt slamming into her like a wave. She had been enjoying the castle while god knows what happened to Josh.

Laura waved at one of the servants. “Go fetch,” She thought for a second. “Fetch me Victor and Sam. Quickly.”

The servant left and was back only moments later with a panting Sam and calm Victor. Laura explained what they had discussed and they disappeared just as quickly.

“Let’s return to our lunch.” Laura said and the same servant picked up the papers and tucked them away on a desk. “And let me tell you all the embarrassing stories about my children.”

“Oh please do.” Aurora giggled.

***

Aurora and Laura chatted away a great deal of time, laughing about memories of her children until Aurora had tears on her cheeks. When they were interrupted by Liam asking for moment of his mother’s time.

Laura waved Aurora off and as soon as she left the room, she was grabbed by Hannah and Jessica. They both grabbed her by her upper arms and steered her to a wing she was not familiar with. They past by two sets of doors before she was pulled to a stop in front of a large set of double doors before she was unceremoniously pushed through it.

“Not that one.” Hazel said and waved a servant off who was holding up a light blue gown. “Aurora’s skin is far to pale for that color of blue.” Hazel turned when she heard Aurora stepping closer. “Oh than god.” She muttered. “Tessa, get Aurora into a bath. Hannah, help me. Jessica, make sure that she has clean underclothes.”

Lisa was already shifting through a rod of dresses near the window, more clothes than Aurora could possibly guess anyone would need. She waved Hannah over and Tessa ushered Aurora into the baths, she pushed her behind a screen and she seen Ben was already there behind another one.

“Did they kidnap you in the hallway too?” Aurora whispered.

“Hazel called and I came running.” Ben laughed. “They know who to go to when they want something done.”

“Ben don’t corrupt Aurora with your lies!” Tessa called.

“Never, my lady.” Ben called back, winking.

Aurora was in and out of the bath quicker than she ever was, even with Phil screaming at her. She wasn’t sure how, but she ended up back in Hazel’s room wearing only a robe. On her bed, she had three separate outfits chosen.

“Pick.” Hazel ordered.

Aurora pointed to the one in the middle, a pale purple dress, laced with gold fibers and the traditional Valor cloak.

“Perfect choice.” Hazel said. She handed a coin off to a servant who looked delighted and took the other clothes away.

They dragged Aurora over a screen and shoved her behind it and all three of them wrestled Aurora into the dress, once clothed they dragged her over to a chair and made her sit down. “May I do you hair?” Hazel murmured. Aurora nodded, smiling at Hazel through the mirror.

She sighed when Hazel ran her fingers through her hair, taking her back to the time her mother used to do the exact same thing. Once Hazel was finished Aurora opened her eyes before letting out a gasped, she didn’t recognized the person staring back at her. Hazel had pulled some of her hair back into a lace braid, letting the rest fall down her back and had placed some flowers along the left braid.

“I love it.” Aurora whispered, her clothes finer than she ever touched before.

“Your welcome.” Hazel replied, giving her cheek a kiss, followed by all the other ladies. She turned to Ben.

“I ain’t kissing you.” Ben muttered, “Alec would kill me. Alright, let’s go.” He nodded at Hazel. “Ladies.”

“Have fun!” Hazel called after them.

Halfway down the hall Aurora turned to Ben. “I feel as though a tornado has torn through my life.”

“Yeah and her name is Princess Hazel.” He chuckled.

They laughed. “Also, what did you mean by Alec would kill you?”

Ben hesitated but only for moment. “You’ll find out.” Was all he said as they reached Alec’s door, with another wink he left.

Aurora pulled the door open and caught sight of Alec leaning over a table with Liam and Caspian, all in deep conversation. “That’s what mother thought as well. I’ll direct them there.” Alec said, before he turned to Aurora, eyes going wide. Liam and Caspian snorted from beside him, smiling brightly at Aurora.

They both planted a small kiss on her cheek, wishing them both a nice evening as they left.

Alec picked up a cloak on his bed and fastened it around his neck. “Ready?”

Aurora nodded even though she still had no idea what was happening.

“Let’s go.”