Chapter 11
The next morning, Aurora was awakened by a knock at her bedroom door.
"Enter," she replied sleepily as she sat up in bed.
She expected Emily to walk in, but instead, the door opened and her mother entered.
Aurora froze, for a moment, she couldn't breathe. Tears instantly filled her eyes.
Although only six months had passed in this lifetime, in her previous life she had spent twenty-eight years without seeing her mother. To everyone else, the Duchess had merely been away caring for Aurora's grandmother. But to Aurora, it felt as though she had crossed worlds to see her again.
"Mother..."
Before the Duchess could react, Aurora threw herself out of bed and wrapped her arms tightly around her.
The Duchess stumbled backward in surprise, "Aurora!"
Recovering quickly, she hugged her daughter back.
"My goodness," she laughed softly. "I never knew you could be this emotional. Is growing up making you soft?"
Aurora buried her face in her mother's shoulder, "Oh, Mother... I missed you so much. I wasn't sure I'd ever see you again."
The Duchess pulled back and frowned, "What are you talking about? I was only away caring for your grandmother."
Aurora immediately realized her mistake. To her mother, the separation had been a few months. To Aurora, it had been a lifetime. A painful knot formed in her chest as she remembered the twenty-first century—the world where she would never have been able to see her mother again.
Quickly, she forced a smile, "Mother, come sit with me on the balcony."
Turning toward the door, she called out, "Emily, please send Anne upstairs and arrange some tea and snacks."
The Duchess studied her daughter curiously but allowed herself to be guided outside.
Lady Eleanor settled into one of the balcony chairs while her lady-in-waiting, Julianne, stood nearby.
"My Lady," Julianne said respectfully, "allow me to unpack your luggage and ensure your room is properly arranged."
"Thank you, Julianne. You may proceed.", As Julianne departed, the Duchess gazed across the estate.
Home....How much she had missed it. And how much she had missed Aurora. Her daughter had changed remarkably in the past six months. A wave of worry washed over her as her thoughts drifted to her husband.
Was he safe?
Was he eating properly?
Had he been injured?
And when would this dreadful war finally end?
The uncertainty gnawed at her heart.
Meanwhile, Aurora prepared for her bath.
Before stepping inside, she instructed Anne to ask Philip about the search for a replacement cook.
She didn't want her mother burdened with estate problems so soon after arriving.
By the time Aurora emerged from the bath, Emily had already arranged the tea on the balcony.
Aurora walked straight to her wardrobe and pulled out a powder-blue gown. Her expression immediately darkened. The dreaded dress battle. She stared at the enormous under-skirt. It looked less like clothing and more like a portable tent. Or perhaps a defensive weapon.
"If I fall into a river wearing this," Aurora muttered, "they'll never find my body."
Emily nearly choked trying not to laugh.
After wrestling with the layers of fabric, Aurora finally joined her mother on the balcony.
"Emily, comb my hair while we talk."
The Duchess shook her head, "You shouldn't rush, Aurora. You should have done your hair and makeup before joining me a lady is always dressed to perfection before leaving her chambers."
Aurora pouted dramatically, "But Mother, I missed you. My hair can dry naturally. Didn't you miss me?"
The Duchess laughed. She had missed this. The playful side of Aurora had been absent for far too long.
"So," she said while sipping her tea, "tell me everything. How are things progressing with the Crown Prince?"
Aurora nearly choked on her tea. The prince, always the prince.
"Things have been... steady," she answered carefully.
"But?", The Duchess narrowed her eyes.
Aurora hesitated, "There is quite a large age gap between us, which causes misunderstanding in our actions towards each other."
"Go on.", The Duchess nodded at head to proceed talking.
"What if one day I fall in love with someone else?" Aurora asked. "Or what if the prince falls in love with another woman? Would we still be forced to marry?"
The Duchess nearly dropped her teacup, "Aurora..."
Her voice became cautious, "Are you saying you no longer love the prince. Do you love another?"
Aurora immediately regretted bringing it up., "No, Mother. There isn't anyone else."
Not yet anyway, "And I'm only asking hypothetically."
The Duchess didn't look entirely convinced. Fortunately, Aurora quickly changed the subject.
"How is Grandmother's health?"
The Duchess visibly relaxed, "Much better. She still isn't fully recovered, but she has started regaining movement and is eating again."
Aurora sighed with relief. When her grandmother had collapsed, no one knew what the cause was, but Aurora had now immediately recognized the symptoms since she returned, as a stroke.
The physicians of this era lacked the knowledge to diagnose it correctly, but thankfully it had been mild. At least she was improving.
Their conversation was interrupted by a knock.
Philip entered and bowed. "Good morning, Duchess. My apologies for not being here when you arrived. I had several urgent matters to attend to."
"No need to apologize," Eleanor replied. "How are things at the duchy?"
Philip smiled, "Quite well, actually. Especially since the young Duchess began handling the estate books."
The Duchess slowly turned toward Aurora, "Aurora?"
Aurora suddenly found the sky fascinating.
"Aurora."
"Yes, Mother?"
"Is this true?"
Aurora smiled nervously, "Perhaps."
The Duchess looked horrified, "Have you ruined anything?"
"Mother!"
Philip immediately intervened, "I assure you, Your Grace, the young Duchess has done remarkably well."
The Duchess blinked. Genuine surprise crossed her face.
Aurora puffed out her chest proudly, "See?"
Unfortunately, the moment lasted only seconds.
"If you don't mind, Your Grace," Philip interrupted, "I need to discuss an urgent matter with Lady Aurora."
The Duchess stood, "Very well. I shall bathe and rest. The journey was exhausting."
Aurora kissed her cheek, "Get some sleep, Mother. We can have lunch together later."
The moment the Duchess disappeared, Aurora's smile vanished. Business mode activated. Inside the study, Aurora sat behind her desk.
Philip stood opposite her. "My Lady, we haven't been able to find a replacement cook."
Aurora groaned. The cook problem again.
"I've already sent word to my brother in hopes of finding one elsewhere." Philip said.
"Call Emily and Anne", A few moments later, both women entered.
"Do either of you know of anyone who can cook professionally?" Aurora asked.
The two exchanged looks before shaking their heads,
"No, My Lady," Emily replied.
Aurora rubbed her temples. Wonderful. A duchy without a cook.
What could possibly go wrong?
A fire?
Food poisoning?
Starvation?
A diplomatic incident caused by burnt soup? Aurora thought and snickered.
"Philip, send for Sir Turner."
Soon afterward, the knight entered.
"Good morning, My Lady."
"Tell me. Have you learned anything from the kitchen staff?"
"Very little. The former cook and two staff members were involved, but they refuse to reveal who instructed them."
Aurora's eyes narrowed. Someone was still hiding in the shadows.
Watching.... Waiting.
"How certain are you that no one else was involved?"
"We questioned everyone separately and compared their statements."
Aurora leaned back. Something felt wrong. Dangerously wrong. People rarely steal from a noble household without powerful backing. And those responsible rarely stopped after one failed attempt.
"Prepare a full written report before releasing any innocent staff members," Aurora ordered, "I want every statement verified. Check their backgrounds, families, associates—everything."
"Yes, My Lady", Sir Turner turned to leave.
"Wait.", He stopped.
"What about the assistant cook?"
"At present, there is no evidence against him."
"Then find some," Aurora said coldly. "Or prove his innocence. I want certainty."
The knight bowed, "Understood."
Once he left, silence settled over the room. A heavy silence. Aurora stared at the desk.
Someone had tried to steal from her household. Someone was still out there. And until she knew who it was, nobody could be trusted completely. Not the servants. Not the staff. Perhaps not even the people smiling at her every day. A chill ran down her spine.
"Philip," she said quietly, "increase security around the Duchess."
Philip looked surprised, "You believe there is still danger?"
Aurora's expression darkened, "I believe someone's plans have come to a stop."
Her words hung heavily in the room, "And people who are caught try to get rid of evidence."
Even Philip looked uneasy after hearing that.
"But My Lady," Emily interrupted, "what about your tea with the Crown Prince?"
Aurora sighed. One problem at a time.
"Send a message cancelling tea. Inform His Highness that my mother has returned and I intend to spend time with her."
"The tailor will be arriving shortly," Emily reminded her.
Aurora groaned of course, how could I forget. I miss my cell phone calendar planner.
The universe wasn't done torturing her.
Estate management.
The Crown Prince.
And now fittings.
Truly, she was fighting for her life with no technology and online shopping.
"Emily, you're coming with me to the kitchen."
"Yes, My Lady."
"Philip, notify me when the tailor arrives."
"Of course."
"Anne, send a maid to assist in the kitchen immediately."
Everyone hurried to carry out their tasks.
Aurora stood and headed toward the kitchen. A duchy without a cook. A hidden enemy lurking somewhere in the shadows.
And a tailor on the way to help with the death traps.
The morning was only beginning, and somehow Aurora already felt exhausted.
Something told her the day was about to become much worse.
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