Chapter 12
Aurora entered the kitchen and immediately grabbed a clean apron lying on one of the tables.
Emily stared at her in confusion, "My Lady... what exactly are you planning to do?"
Aurora tied the apron around her waist and smiled, "Prepare lunch."
Emily nearly dropped the tray she was carrying, "Prepare lunch?"
"Yes."
Aurora began moving around the kitchen, gathering ingredients from the shelves.
"My Lady," Emily said carefully, "you have never cooked a day in your life. You might burn yourself."
Aurora raised an eyebrow, "That's a little harsh."
Emily folded her arms, "Have you ever even held a kitchen knife before today?"
Aurora laughed, "Emily, have some faith in me."
The maid looked horrified, "My Lady, faith is exactly what I'm lacking at the moment."
Aurora pointed at the table, "Get a clean cloth and some water. Wipe down the table."
Emily sighed dramatically, "Very well. If we all perish from food poisoning, I hope history remembers I tried to stop this."
Aurora burst out laughing.
At that moment another maid entered the kitchen.
"My Lady, my name is Gabrielle. Head Maid Anne instructed me to assist you."
"Perfect timing," Aurora replied. "Please rinse these pots, knives, spoons, bowls, and chopping boards."
"Yes, My Lady."
Soon the kitchen was bustling with activity. Once Emily finished cleaning the tables.
Aurora began laying out vegetables, herbs, spices, and a large leg of lamb.
As her hands moved confidently through the preparations, memories surfaced.
She remembered standing beside Sarah in their modern kitchen.
Christmas mornings. Thanksgiving dinners.
The smell of roasted meat filling the house. The warmth. The laughter. The love.
A small smile appeared on her face. She remembered the first time she had attempted to prepare a leg of lamb. Instead of trimming the meat, she had practically butchered it. Sarah had laughed so hard she nearly cried. At the end they had used the ruined pieces to make stew.
Her mother had spent weeks teasing her.
"You can stitch a human being together," Sarah had said, "but somehow you lost a battle against a piece of meat."
Aurora chuckled softly at the memory.
"What is so amusing, My Lady?" Gabrielle asked curiously.
"Just remembering someone very dear to me."
Before Gabrielle could ask further questions, Philip entered the kitchen. The old butler stopped in his tracks. Aurora was standing with a butcher's knife in one hand and a leg of lamb in the other.
For a moment he wondered if he should call for help.
"My Lady..." he began carefully.
"Yes, Philip?"
"Would you perhaps like assistance?"
Aurora smiled, "Not at all. I know what I'm doing."
Philip looked at the lamb. Then at the knife. Aurora. Then back at the lamb. He wasn't entirely convinced. Quietly, he moved to stand against the wall. If disaster struck, he wanted to be close enough to intervene.
To his surprise, Aurora handled the meat expertly. She trimmed it neatly. Seasoned it carefully. Then prepared a marinade unlike anything he had seen before. Philip's eyebrows rose higher with every passing minute. Perhaps she really did know what she was doing.
Emily and Gabrielle exchanged equally astonished looks.
The Young Duchess sliced vegetables with practiced ease. Not once did she hesitate.
Not once did she ask for help. Soon the vegetables were roasting. Fresh bread dough rested near the stove. The lamb slowly cooked in the oven. Then the aroma began to spread. The entire kitchen fell silent.
The scent was rich and inviting.
Garlic....Rosemary....Butter....Fresh bread....Slow-roasted lamb.
Even the servants passing through nearby corridors began peeking into the kitchen.
Several swallowed visibly. Philip's stomach growled. Everyone heard it.
The butler immediately straightened, "I believe that was the wind."
Emily nearly choked trying not to laugh.
"Inside the kitchen, Philip?"
"A very determined wind."
Aurora laughed so hard she nearly dropped a spoon. Hours later, lunch was finally ready.
Aurora carefully plated the roasted lamb. Golden potatoes. Seasoned vegetables.
A creamy garlic and cheese sauce. Fresh bread still warm from the oven. Everything looked beautiful.
The Duchess had just taken her seat in the dining room and was about to ask Julianne to fetch Aurora when the doors opened.
Aurora entered carrying two plates. Behind her came Philip, Emily, and Gabrielle carrying bread and serving platters.
The Duchess blinked. Then blinked again.
"Aurora?"
"Good afternoon, Mother."
"What is all this?"
Aurora placed a plate in front of her, "Lunch."
"No, I can see that. Why are you carrying it?"
Aurora smiled innocently, "I made it."
The Duchess stared at her daughter. Then at the food. Then at Philip. Then back at Aurora.
"You made this?"
"With my own two hands."
The Duchess looked genuinely alarmed, "Should I summon a physician?"
Aurora gasped dramatically, "Mother!"
Philip coughed to hide his laughter.
The Duchess finally smiled, "You have never cooked before."
"According to Emily, I was apparently moments away from burning down the manor."
Emily lowered her head, "I stand by my concerns."
Laughter filled the dining room. Aurora's heart felt warm. For a moment, everything felt normal. Just a daughter sharing a meal with her mother. Something she had not experienced in far too long.
"Please try it," Aurora said softly.
The Duchess picked up her utensils and took a bite.
Aurora watched anxiously. Waiting...Hoping...The Duchess took another bite. Then another.
Her eyes widened slightly, "This is..."
Aurora leaned forward, "Yes?"
"Delicious."
Aurora beamed, "Really?"
"Remarkably delicious.", The Duchess looked genuinely impressed.
"Are you certain you cooked this yourself?"
Philip nodded, "I witnessed the entire process, Your Grace."
The Duchess laughed, "I never imagined my daughter would surprise me in this way."
Aurora smiled. Neither did I she thought. The meal continued pleasantly. Mother and daughter chatted about family, the estate, and Grandmother's recovery. For the first time in a very long time, Aurora simply enjoyed the moment.
Eventually Philip cleared his throat, "My Lady, the tailor has arrived."
Aurora sighed. Duty once again, "Thank you, Philip. I'll be there shortly."
The Duchess looked curious, "Do we have a banquet approaching?"
"No, Mother.", Aurora shook her head, "I actually intend to redesign several of my old gowns."
The Duchess frowned, "Why not simply order new ones?"
Aurora paused. Then smiled, "Because it would be wasteful."
The Duchess looked surprised.
Aurora continued. "The money could be better used improving the Duchy."
The room grew quiet. Even Philip looked impressed.
Aurora lowered her gaze briefly. "For years my world revolved around becoming Crown Princess and eventually Queen."
She looked back at her mother, "But if I am to become a leader someday, I should learn to care for the people first."
The Duchess stared at her daughter. For a moment she could hardly believe the words she was hearing. This was not the spoiled girl who once obsessed over every glance from Prince Lucian, getting new dresses to impress the prince on every visit. This was a young lady thinking about responsibility.
About people....About the future. A wave of pride washed over her.
"My, my...", A smile touched her lips, "When did my little girl become so wise?"
Aurora laughed, "I have no idea."
The servants nearby exchanged surprised glances. The change in the Young Duchess was impossible to ignore.
She seemed calmer. Kinder. More mature. More like the future Duchess the estate needed.
Aurora stood, "Mother, if you'll excuse me."
"Of course, dear."
Aurora then turned to Gabrielle, "When Her Grace is finished, please prepare plates for Philip, Julianne, Emily and yourself."
Gabrielle looked startled, "My Lady?"
"I want all of you to tell me honestly what you think of the meal."
A smile spread across Gabrielle's face, "Yes, My Lady."
Aurora smiled before leaving the dining room. As the doors closed behind her, the Duchess sat quietly for a moment.
Her heart felt unexpectedly full. Her daughter had cooked for her. Shared a meal with her after so long. Shown kindness to the staff. And spoken of helping the people of the Duchy.
The Duchess smiled softly. Perhaps while she had been away, Aurora had truly begun to grow into an extraordinary young woman.
Please vote