In This Life And The Next

“Mother.” Hazel spoke up as soon as everyone was severed.

“Yes, my darling.” Laura asked, cutting into the meat in front of her.

“I have a proposal.”

“Hopefully not one of marriage. I’m not sure I can handle a competition this week.” Laura murmured.

“No not at all.” Hazel replied. Alec, Liam and Caspian were all watching their sister intently.

“Tell me of this proposal then, darling.”

Aurora glanced over at the table where the servants were sitting, the youngest of them were watching the table intently.

“Young Jesse asked if Aurora could teach him numbers and letters.” Hazel began. “Aurora agreed.”

“And Jesse cannot have what the others do not.” Laura concluded, following Hazel’s line of thoughts, precisely. She put her cutlery down and looked at Aurora. “And you agreed to this, Aurora?”

“Yes, your highness.” Aurora replied. “I would be happy too.”

Laura gave her a small smile as she nodded her head. “I believe that’s a wonderful idea.”

Hazel grinned at Aurora, eyes sparkling.

“I can get supplies.” Liam said.

“We can get desks.” Alec added.

“In the old library?” Caspian asked.

“Told you.” Hazel whispered.

“You have them wrapped around your fingers.” Aurora acknowledged, smiling.

***

After dinner, Liam ran off to find supplies, Caspian and Alec muscled in five desks from a closet hidden somewhere in the castle. Hazel and her ladies stood off to the side and laughed as they watched the princes run in and out of the old library and even Laura stood with Aurora, arms linked together.

“Don’t we have have servants to do this sort of thing?” Caspian whined, out of breath.

“We do, but this is far more fun.” Laura chuckled, watching on in amusement.

Caspian grumbled as he went to help with another desk.

Once they were done, it looked like a proper classroom, one the Aurora used to go to.

“This will do nicely.” Aurora murmured as she trailed her fingers over the polished surface of the desk. “Thank you.” Aurora beamed, returning to them.

“Are you kidding?” Liam snorted. “Thank you, now these kids can someday take over the jobs we have now and they’ll be true to the crown.”

They all left for their own rooms but Aurora hesitated at the doorway of Alec’s room.

The sheer impropriety of the given situation slapped Aurora in the face. Alec finally noticed her hesitating when he was halfway done unlacing his second boot.

“What?” Alec asked.

“I am feeling better,” Aurora stated. “I can find another room.

Alec looked at her and finally shrugged. “If that is what you want.”

Aurora nodded, turning away to hide her hurt at his statement. “But, you still having nightmares, are you sure you want to face that alone?” Alec inquired. “It’s okay to need to be close to someone, Aurora.”

Aurora didn’t turn around as she spoke. “But your the prince. The future king.” She pointed out, without turning to face him.

“No,” Alec whispered and that did make Aurora turn around. “Not in here.” He tapped his foot against the stone floor. “In here, I’m just Alec. And your just Ro. You have spent a lifetime of full days and alone nights, Ro. It’s ok-” Alec cleared his throat. “It’s okay.” He finally settled on saying.

“Okay,” Aurora murmured. “I’m just Aurora and your just Alec.”

“Let’s go to sleep, Ro.” Alec said.

It was warm and comfortable, falling asleep next to Alec.

***

The next morning they were awakened by the maids and the servants coming in and pulling the curtains open and young men carrying buckets of water.

“How do you do this?” Aurora muttered, borrowing her face deeper into the pillows.

“When it happens everyday of your life, you get used to it.” Alec responded, chuckling. Aurora watched as he stood and headed for the bathroom. She was able to bathe on her own and then a young maid helped her dress, the strangest of all things she had yet to experience. She laced the back off the pale pink dress up and draped a white cloak over her shoulders, fastening it closed and stepped back.

“Thank you.” She said sincerely.

The maid blinked and smiled. “It’s my job, ma’am.”

“Nonetheless.” Aurora added.

She and Alec left the room together to head to the dining hall. The breakfast was filled with idle but pleasant chatter.

Aurora hadn’t felt more welcome in her entire life in a single place.

“Aurora.” Laura interrupted as the dished were being cleared away. “Are you free later today? After your lessons, of course?”

“I am at your will, your majesty.” Aurora replied as she wiped her mouth with a cloth napkin.

“After lunch, I would like to speak to you about the events that led you here.” Laura said. Alec’s eyes flew to his mothers face but she only patted his hand. “Alone.”

“Of course.” Aurora responded softly, her voice sounding strained even to her own ears.

Laura smiled at her and stood, when she said, the rest of hall did as well. She nodded to them and left through a door behind their table and the rest of the hall began to scatter.

Aurora stared at the closed door that Laura had just stepped through and then to Alec. He was studying Aurora and gave her small smile when their eyes meet before stepping closer to her.

“Other than lessons and an interrogation by the queen, do you have any other plans for today.” Alec murmured.

“Assuming I survive, no, why?” Aurora inquired.

Alec chuckled and leaned in and Aurora had a sudden flash of memory of meeting Alec on a muddy rode, soaking wet and frozen to the bone. Of Alec’s bare hand on her collarbone. Her breath caught in the back of her throat when she felt Alec’s breath on the shell of her ear. “Meet me in our room before dinner.” He said softly and then he was gone before Aurora remembered how to breath.

When she did remember, she turned to the front door and met Lisa, Jessica, Hannah, Tess, and Hazel’s stares on her. They were all standing there in a semi-circle, looking up at her on the dias, looks of delight and surprise on all of their faces.

“Do you have anything to wear?” Hannah asked, breaking the silence.

“Um, this.” Aurora said, picking up the side of her dress.

“Oh, no.” Tess murmured. “Good thing we’re here.” Tesstold Jessica, who nodded.

“I’ll have something taken up to your room.” Hazel said softly, there was a look in her eyes that Aurora could only call fond. “For now, your students are waiting for you.”

Aurora nodded and left the hall, only to stop just outside the doors and look around.

“This way.” Ben chuckled. “I didn’t know if you would remember which way to go.”

Aurora smiled, shaking her head. When the reached the classroom, Ben pointed at the doors before heading back the way they came. When she walked in, all four of her students were already seated, watching her with a steady gaze, Aurora was glad to find a chalkboard near the front of the room.

And so began her first day as a teacher.