Chapter 6 The Making of a Memory

The quiet, dim atmosphere of breakfast lingered long after the plates were cleared. It was as if my nightmare had cast a long shadow over the morning, leaving everyone a little more subdued, a little more watchful. The twins, having offered their sweet, childish protection, seemed to process the event in their own way. By the time we were all preparing to leave the dining room, their initial quiet concern had given way to their usual restless energy. I remembered my father’s promise to them from the day before—that they would have my time today. It seemed Ophelia remembered it too and had been waiting for the right moment to strike. She paused at the grand archway of the dining room entrance, turning back to face our father.

"Father," she said, her voice carrying the weight of a seasoned negotiator, "you may have Sister Aurelia for today. But this weekend, you must take us on a stroll through the city."

"Heeeeey! What are you doing, Ophelia?" Aurelio cried from behind her, his face a mask of betrayal. "Why are you letting him steal her? He already promised us!"

Ophelia ignored him, turning with a flick of her hair and walking away, leaving Aurelio to scramble after her, still protesting.

My father let out a low whistle. "Terrifying. She barters her time with her sister for a shopping trip. She truly is your daughter, my dear," he said, turning to my mother.

My mother smiled, a genuine, radiant smile that briefly erased the lingering tension from her face. "She learns from the best."

"Father," I interjected, "hearing that, what do you need me for today?"

"Ah, about that," he said, his expression shifting to one of thoughtful concern. "How about we take a stroll into the city?"

"The city?" I asked, surprised. "Won't that make the twins jealous?"

"We'll sneak out," he said with a conspiratorial wink.

"Your father and I have already sent a message to their maids," my mother added. "They will keep them distracted. It's alright, Aurelia."

"But what's the occasion?"

"Last night," my father began, his voice taking on a more serious tone, "Sofia explained that our memories and our surroundings can influence dreams."

"And we thought," my mother continued, "that it might help to... overcome the nightmare. We want you to see the world, Aurelia. To create new memories, good memories, of the city and the people in it. We want to fill your mind with so much light that there is no room for shadows."

"We'll invite Lady Octavi to join us," she finished.

"Perhaps it would be better if just Lady Octavi and I went?" I suggested, feeling a pang of guilt. "I'm sure you both have important duties to attend to."

"Ehhhh..." My father suddenly looked very nervous.

"Your mother is free today, Aurelia," my mother said, a mischievous smile playing on her lips as she looked at my father. "But you can't say the same for your father, can you, dear? He has a mountain of work to do, so I will accompany you."

"No! I will accompany Aurelia as well!" he insisted, a little too quickly.

"My, my," she purred. "I think Lady Laura will have something to say about that, dear."

"Lady Laura?"

"You haven't met her yet, Aurelia. She is the steward of our family and also the mother of Lady Octavi. Lady Laura Claudi. I believe Octavi told you about the relationship between our families?"

"Yes, she did. But she didn't mention her family."

"Well, Lady Laura is responsible for supervising all of our household's arrangements and finances. Her husband, Sir Kaius Claudi, is the marshal of our army, responsible for maintaining and training our forces. And your father," she said, her smile widening, "is supposed to be focusing on the affairs of the duchy, like diplomacy."

"And what is your responsibility, Mother?"

My father's nervousness returned, and my mother's aura seemed to shift, becoming something sharper, more dangerous.

"I think... you don't... need... to know... about that... Aurelia," my father stammered.

"Oh, don't be like that, dear," my mother said, her smile now a predatory gleam. "It might make Aurelia uncomfortable. My responsibility, darling, is intrigue."

"Intrigue?"

"You could say I am responsible for keeping our secrets safe and for acquiring the secrets of our enemies. And," she added, her smile now one of pure, unadulterated joy, "for finding and dealing with any... rats. Isn't that right, dear?"

"Yes, dear," he squeaked.

Just then, a woman appeared at the entrance to the dining room. She had blonde hair, streaked with grey at the temples, and a face that was still beautiful despite the lines of worry etched around her eyes. She looked to be in her forties, and she was breathing heavily, as if she had been running.

"AH! YOUR GRACE!" she gasped, her eyes wide with a mixture of relief and exasperation. "YOU... ARE... IN... HERE!"

"Lady Laura," my mother said, her voice as smooth as silk. "What a pleasant coincidence."

"Huh?" The woman, Lady Laura, looked utterly confused.

"Allow me to introduce you," my mother said. "This is Lady Laura Claudi, our steward. And Lady Laura, this is my daughter, Aurelia."

Lady Laura's eyes widened as she finally seemed to notice me. She quickly composed herself, smoothing down her dress. "A pleasure to meet you, Lady Aurelia," she said with a formal curtsy.

"And you, Lady Laura."

"Ah, yes, it's a good thing you're here," my father said, seizing the opportunity to change the subject.

"What is it, Your Grace?"

"I will be taking a leave from my duties today."

"WHAT!" she shrieked, before quickly composing herself again. She cleared her throat. "Ahem. For what reason does Your Grace require a leave of absence?"

"We are taking Aurelia for a stroll in the city. A fine excuse, don't you think?"

"We? Does that mean Madam is accompanying you as well?"

"Yes, Lady Laura. I will be joining them."

Lady Laura took a deep, steadying breath. "Very well, Your Grace. You may take your leave for today. But you will have to complete today's work tomorrow."

"Thank you, Lady Laura."

"And one more thing," my mother added. "If the twins ask where we are, could you perhaps... distract them?"

"I thought the young master and lady would be joining you."

"No, not this time. It is just for Aurelia, given her... circumstances."

"I understand, Madam. I will do my best."

"And finally," my father said, "could you inform your daughter that she will be joining us?"

"My daughter? Ah, to accompany Lady Aurelia. Of course, I will inform her."

"Could you do so now?"

"Now, Your Grace?"

"Yes, we will be leaving shortly."

Lady Laura let out a long, weary sigh. "As you wish, Your Grace."

"You are the best, Lady Laura," my father said with a charming smile that did not seem to be well-received. Lady Laura offered a curt bow and departed, presumably to find her daughter.

"It seems Lady Laura is upset with you, Father," I observed.

"Upset? Why would you say that?"

"Well, Aurelia has good eyes," my mother interjected. "She is upset because you are constantly troubling her."

"It is the truth, dear," she continued, ignoring my father's sputtering protests. "You are always making more work for her. You have the appearance of a competent and sturdy man, but when it comes to your duties, you are careless and prone to procrastination. That is why Lady Laura is always so cross with you."

"I see now, Mother."

"Right, right," my father said, clearly embarrassed. "Shall we be off then? I'm sure Octavi is waiting for us."

"It's alright, Father," I said, trying to soothe his wounded pride. "I will still cheer for you."

"Thank you, Aurelia," he said, and with a final, dignified nod, he left the room.

"He is happy to hear that," my mother said with a knowing smile. "He just can't show it. Shall we follow him?"

We left the dining room, where Adel was waiting for us, and followed my father to the grand entrance of the house. This was my first time seeing the front of the mansion. It was a vast, sprawling estate, with manicured gardens stretching out on either side of a long, winding driveway. In the centre of the circular drive was a massive, ancient tree, its branches laden with white blossoms.

A pristine white carriage was waiting for us, the family coat of arms emblazoned on its side. It was a complex and intimidating symbol: a two-headed figure, one head that of an eagle, the other a lion, clutching a black shield. A black serpent was coiled around the eagle's body, its head resting in the centre of the shield. The figure's body was split into red and blue, with a red eagle's head and a blue lion's head. In the centre of the shield was a symbol that looked like an eye, its pupil and iris a startling white. It was a symbol of power, of history, of a legacy I was now a part of, whether I wanted to be or not.

My parents and I climbed into the carriage, while Adel and Lady Octavi, who had been waiting for us, took their seats up front with the coachman. The carriage lurched forward, and our journey to the city began. We passed through endless fields of wheat, the golden stalks swaying in the gentle breeze. After several minutes, we arrived at the city gates. A large sign read "Florence." This was the capital of the duchy, the heart of my family's power.

The city was a marvel of stone and wood, with tiled roofs and a main road paved with smooth, tightly fitted blocks. There was even a sidewalk for pedestrians. Lady Octavi leaned down to the carriage window.

"Your Grace, where shall we go first?"