Chapter 12: Rumors Leading to New Adventures

The next morning, rumors began to spread like wild fire throughout the imperial capital about Prince Leonidas' infertility and it seems everyone is talking about it.

“Have you heard the rumors?,” a citizen asked her friend.

“No, what is it?,” another citizen asked.

“It seems Prince Leonidas isn’t able to have children which might even hurt his chances to claim the throne,” a high official mentions.

“Really, wow,” The citizen replies in shock.

The whispers continued all across the capital and even began spreading through the different factions of the empire.

Even in Lady Aurora’s family estate the rumors began spreading through the maid's gossip.

“What are you ladies discussing about?” Lady Aurora asked.

“Oh, it is nothing important,” one of the maids asked.

“Tell me at once,” Lady Aurora.

“Well, it seems Prince Leonidas might be in danger of losing his bid to the throne because he can not produce children,” the maid explains.

“Hum, it seems my plan is working after all,” Lady Aurora whispers to herself.

“What did you say my lady?” the maid asked.

“Nothing, please resume your chores,” Lady Aurora says dismissing her servants.

“Yes, my lady,” the maid said as soon as she left.

Hearing such good news, about getting close to ruining Prince Leonidas reputation being tainted and ruined, Lady Aurora decides to get dressed in her favorite ocean blue dress and tie her hair back and heads downstairs to enjoy breakfast with her family.

“Can someone help me with my dress?” Lady Aurora called out hoping someone would hear.

“Yes, my lady, I am here to help,” the maid kindly said.

“Thank you,” Lady Aurora, kindly thanking her maid for the help.

“My pleasure, my lady,” the maid answered as finished up with the dress.

“Thank you so much, I will be heading down to eat with my family, have a good day,” Lady Aurora said leaving her room.

As Lady Aurora is heading down to eat breakfast, she was thinking she was finally about to deal damage a prince and it was finally satisfying. She just hopes Prince Mathias does not take any offense to this.

She arrives at the dining room where her family is already seated and ready to eat their meal. She walks over to her place and takes a seat to join them.

“Good morning, everyone,” she said, greeting her family.

“Good morning,” everyone greeted her.

“So, what is the latest news?” Lady Aurora asked, as she sips her tea cup.

“Well, I am sure you heard the rumors by now about Prince Leonidas have you?” Arch- Duke Diamant asked.

“Yes, I did hear about this rumor, I also heard a rumor, he is also facing trial for the crimes he tried to commit towards our family,” Arnor said, confirming the rumor.

“Oh, yes, I heard of that too,” Runolf said.

“Now, Aurora, you didn't have anything to do with this, did you?” her father asked.

“No, not a clue what you are talking about father,” Lady Aurora answers, playing stupid.

“Right, I hope you are right, my daughter, we can discuss this later in my study,” her father said, not believing his own daughter.

The family enjoys their meal together and the room is silent, but on the inside they are laughing at the prince.

After breakfast, their father went to his study and Lady Aurora soon followed him. They were alone in the study and things were silent. She did see her father rubbing his head and wondered what to say.

“Father, are you alright?” she asked.

“Yes, I am fine, but I wish you could tell me the truth?”

“Truth about what?”

“About the fact you started the rumor.”

“I told you father, I did not start it.”

“I heard you talking to your fiance about it before he left our home.”

“Ok, fine, father, I did start the rumor about Prince Leonidas.”

“And why would you do that?”

“It is because I want to see him humiliated after what he tried to do to our family.”

“Aurora, you very well know it is treason for disrespecting a member of the royal family.”

“Yes, I am aware, but he will deserve whatever he gets after what he did. I am still investigating what else he is involved in.”

“Just be careful what you say in the capital or they will use it against you,” her father warns.

“I promise, I won’t, I better pack, since we are returning home soon, good day father.”

“Yes, tell your brothers when you have a chance,” his father mentions. “And Aurora.”

“Yes, father.”

“Don’t do anything without my permission again.”

“Yes, father, please excuse me.”

As the rumors continue to spread, it even began to spread through the dungeons of the palace making it a bit less comfortable for him to live there. Out of anger, Prince Leonidas begins trashing his room hoping to get out of there.

“Your highness, are you ok?” Omar said, appearing to speak with him.

“Omar, what are you doing here?”

“Your father allowed me to come and serve you, again,” Omar explains.

“Yes, thank you, but you should leave, I don't want you to get involved in any of this.”

“I understand, your highness, but I will always serve you.”

“Thank you Omar, but what can you tell me about what is going on in the palace?”

“Well, I do know there is a rumor about you that you are not able to produce children and it is also stating you are in prison, but no one knows the reason as to why,” Omar explains.

“That little B****, I cannot wait to get my hands on her and she will be the one here instead,” Prince Leonidas said out of anger.

“Calm down, your highness, or you will increase your sentence here. You forget killing a member of a noble family is also treason and sentenced to death,” Omar warns.

“I do not care. I want her out of my life,” Prince Leonidas said, throwing a chair against the wall.

“Sir?”

“Omar, you have to do everything you can to stop any more rumors spreading about me because I will claim the throne one way or another,” Prince Leonidas ordered as he threw a table to the wall.

“Yes sir,” Omar accepted his orders.

A minute or so later, a guard appears to relay a message.

“Your highness, I have orders from the emperor stating, you are allowed to visit your siblings with guard supervision at all times. At this time, your mother will also be present as well.”

“Fine, get me out of here,” Prince Leonidas said, happy to get out for a bit.

The guard unlocks the gate and pulls the prince out. The rest of the guards come in ready to escort the prince. It might be humiliating to be escorted with guards everywhere he goes, but at least he will be able to move a bit more freely when he is summoned to see the emperor or his siblings.

When Prince Leonidas arrives in the sun room, it seems his siblings were already there to greet him, but Prince Adalwolf did not seem really happy about seeing his brother.

“Well, well, well, I guess father thought it was best to let you out of your cage for some family time before your trial,” Prince Adawolf began.

“Yes, well, it seems, father thought if I speak with you, then maybe I will change my ways,” Prince Leonidas answers.

“Perhaps, but you brought this upon yourself going after a noble family just because the girl you wanted did not want you and then getting a different noble family to do your dirty work, really is unforgivable,” Prince Adalwolf mentions.

“Yes, well, if I cannot get what I want, then might as well destroy it when I can,” Prince Leonidas mentions.

“And that is what you get for your deeds of evil, brother, honestly you got what you deserve,” Prince Mathias said, cutting in.

“Why you little brother!” Prince Leonidas shouted.

“That is enough, that attitude of yours is why it cost you this imprisonment in the first place,” Prince Adalwolf said, cutting him off.

“Yes and the fact that you cannot have children either,” Prince Rayner teases.

“Yeah, that is right, I heard that rumor too,” Princess Orla teases.

“You two shut up, you little brats!” Prince Leonidas shouted at his siblings.

“That is enough Leonidas, this attitude is not how a prince behaves,” Prince Adalwolf.

“Then why are the brats here,” he shouts.

“We are here discussing the empire's problems and they are here to be present,” Prince Adalwolf said. “Also, I should mention that father has taken away your project town and has given it to Mathias. I will also be helping him with this project as well.”

“Fine, by me, it’s not like I cared for that town anyways,” Prince Leonidas said scoffing.

“Leonidas, that is enough.”

“Fine, what else is there to discuss because I would rather be stuck in the dungeon plotting my revenge than hear about the kingdom’s problems in the first place.”

“Right, I think I heard enough of this, you all are acting like children fighting over a toy car, honestly you too,” Princess Lusine interferes.

“Honestly, I do not know you are here, you are not even in line for the throne,” Prince Leonidas remarks to his sister.

“I might not be in line for the throne brother, but at least I am not acting like a child and I do care about our home,” Princess Lusine remarks.

Prince Mathias chuckles at them for arguing for something so pathetic, but that too catches the princess’s eye.

“Don’t think you are off the hook Mathias. I am not pleased with your actions either, so how about you leave,” Princess Lusine said to her brother.

“Fine, I do not think I should be part of this conversation after all, so see you in the next meeting,” Prince Mathias said leaving.

“Mathias we are not done talking yet,” Prince Adalwolf calls out.

“Yes, I understand,” Prince Mathias called out.

“I will be taking my leave as well, but I warn you brother, you will regret which brother you support because it will back fire at you,” Prince Leonidas said, as he left with the guards back to his cell in the dungeon.

Before returning to his chambers, Prince Mathias was confronted by his sister Princess Orla.

“Brother Mathias,” Princess Orla shouted.

“What is it, Orla?” Prince Mathias asked.

“I wanted to know who started this rumor about our brother, was it you?” Princess Orla asked.

“No, it wasn’t me.”

“Then who?”

“It was my fiancee Lady Aurora who is responsible for this rumor spreading around, but you have to keep it a secret.”

“I promise, brother, but why would she do that?”

“She did it to punish and humiliate him,” Prince Mathias admits.

“Oh, I see, thank you for telling me brother. See you later,” Princess Orla said, giving her brother a hug and then leaving.

Soon after, Prince Mathias returns to his chambers where Rion was waiting for him.

“Your highness, how was the meeting with your siblings?” Rion asked.

“Yes, well, it was a lot of drama especially when Leonidas and my sisters are there causing chaos.”

“Well, I do hope everything went well.”

“Not really, it was basically Adalwolf taking over and everyone having a chance to speak up while Leonidas was being dissed by the younger siblings.”

“Oh, that did sound like chaos,” Rion answers.

“Yes, now let’s move on. Have you heard of the rumor going around about Leonidas?”

“No, your highness, why do you ask?”

“It is because it was Lady Aurora who started this rumor about Leonidas.”

“Lady Aurora? Why would she start that rumor about him?”

“It is her form of revenge after what happened at the ball.”

“Oh, what shall we do, your highness?”

“I suggest we post guards in all her family’s estates, in case my brother thinks of doing even more harm to her.”

“Yes, right away your highness.”

“Good, now let’s discuss more about the town project.”

“Of, course, your highness.”

In the next few hours, Prince Mathias begins discussing his plans for the best possible solutions to fix the towns he is now responsible for and what materials are available to distribute to the lands as soon as possible, it will be a good opportunity to show good morale not only to the towns, but also for himself to become a better person. At the same time, it will also help him to discover who gave Prince Leonidas the poison and hopefully to stop them once and for all.

Meanwhile, Prince Leonidas has returned to his cell in the dungeon and begins throwing an outburst with Omar by his side.

“Omar, I need your help.”

“Of course, tell me what I need to do.”

“I have to rethink my plans to get rid of my brother and making sure I am the top candidate for the throne.”

“I will support you in anything, your highness.”

“Good. Now I am going to rest. We will discuss another plan after I think of a new one later on.”

“Yes, I will be waiting, I will take my leave now,” Omar said, leaving the dungeon.

Not long after that, they begin strategizing different plans of ruining the people having wronged him because no matter what, he will be emperor at any cost.

Prince Mathias is left alone for a while after many hours speaking to Rion about his next plan of action. He might have been alone with his thoughts, but it seems his thoughts are all over the place. It seems his present life has changed from his past life as if his brothers are against each other and Leonidas admitting his mistakes, but there has to be something he is missing and he is going to figure it out.

Then he decides to speak with his father, so leaves his bedroom and walks over to his father’s study. On the way there, he is stopped by his sister Princess Lusine, wanting to speak to him.

“I do not have time to speak with you,” Prince Mathias answers before she can speak.

“I need to speak to you brother. It is important.”

“What is it? I need to speak with our father.”

“I will make this quick, then.”

“Then say it.”

“Don’t get in Leonidas’s way, he’ll try to kill or hurt you,” Princess Lusine answers.

“If only she knew,” he whispers to himself. “I am sorry sister, but I have no intention of backing out now. Now, if you’ll excuse me,” Prince Mathias said, walking passed her.

“Stay safe,” Princess Lusine whispers as she walks away.

Prince Mathias continuing to walk to his father’s study begins to notice something else that is different from his past, which was that his sister was more involved and caring than what he remembered. He hopes this will continue as he really isn’t close to his brothers, but more towards his sisters.

As he arrived at his father’s study minutes later, he let himself in and he was right about his father always being in his study.

“Father, I wish to speak to you,” Prince Mathias asked, standing in front of his father’s desk.

“Oh, yes, I wish to speak to you as well.”

“Oh, what about father?”

“I wanted to say firstly, I am proud of how you are handling the situation with your brother Leonidas and also making sure no one was hurt by the ball.”

“Thank you father.”

“Of course my son. Now, as for the second reason I wish to speak up, we have not found the culprits who were involved with the poisoning of the Arch-Duke Diamant and his family.”

“I will be continuing the investigation as much as I can and punishing the guilty, if I have anything to say about it,” Prince Mathias warns.

“Yes, my son, you have my permission to investigate, since we will need evidence before your brother faces trial, but you have to promise me it will not interfere with your project in restoring the towns you are responsible for,” his father warns.

“Yes, father, I promise, in fact Lady Aurora will also be helping me with it as well,” Prince Mathias mentions.

“That is fine, but you have to make sure she is not fully involved after all this is to prove if you are the right prince for the throne,” Emperor Axelle warns.

“Yes, father,” Prince Mathias answers.

“Good, now shall we discuss your plans?” his father asks.

“Yes.”

The prince and emperor begin discussing the plans for these towns. Prince Mathias discusses the different crops each of these towns can produce and creating new trade routes through these towns making the outer towns have an easier time to reach the capital. It seems his father is very pleased with this and he is going to be excited to see this progress once it is close to finishing.

It will be about three hours later when they finish their meeting and Prince Mathias can not wait to tell Lady Aurora the next time they see each other. He could write her a letter, but it would be better to tell her in person.

Since the obstacle with Prince Leonidas is over with for now, Lady Aurora thought of using this time to complete her work on the new medical school which is soon to be open and at last searching for the remaining two minerals she needs in order to complete the final phase of her projects.

“Now that Prince Leonidas won’t be a bother for a while, I can finally finish up a few of my projects in peace. Now that the guild is officially open, it will be easier to gather the resources I would need to finish the projects I have postponed. I cannot wait to tell Mathias. I am glad he wrote a letter about his arrival before I left the capital,” Lady Aurora said, speaking to her maid.

“Yes, that is wonderful. My lady, would you like some refreshments while you are working?” the maid asked.

“No, thank you, but maybe later when Prince Mathias arrives,” Lady Aurora declines her maid’s offer.

“Very well, please excuse me.”

“Of course, please inform me when the prince arrives and bring him to the study please,” Lady Aurora orders.

“Yes, my lady,” the maid said as she left the room.

As the maid leaves the room, Lady Aurora begins trying to remember important factual events she remembered as she read the book in her former life. She also wanted to remember the two rare resource materials she needed in order to complete her medical research.

“Hum, if I remember from reading the novel before, Aurora found these rare magical stones, one in the Hoyce Valley located in Mt. Vipera and the other one in the gold mine in Mt. Jokull,” Lady Aurora mentions as she is trying to recall this. “Great now, I have to inform Prince Mathias about this, so he can go with me. “I just wish he arrives sooner rather than later.”

Continuing to wait for Prince Mathias, Lady Aurora continues her research of these stones while also thinking about the events that occurred in the Imperial Capital in these recent months. It seems certain events she has been part of have changed from the book version, but she is wondering now if she is doing the right thing changing the events of the original story.

“Even though the events of the book are changing due to my interference, I am so glad I was able to stick it to Prince Leonidas' big ego,” Lady Aurora continues to enjoy her victory.

After riding in his carriage, Prince Mathias has finally arrived at the Diamant Estate and walks inside the manor awaiting for Lady Aurora.

“Your highness, please follow me, Lady Aurora is in her study, I can escort you there now,” the maid asked, walking with a tray of tea and refreshments.

“Thank you, shall I have my valet Rion help you?’ Prince Mathias offers.

“No, I am alright and it really isn’t very far from here,” the maid answered kindly.

Then Prince Mathias and Rion follow the maid up to Lady Aurora’s study. She might have said it wasn’t far, but she did not want to burden a member of the royal family with such a simple task.

“My, I never knew her family’s estate was this big before,” Prince Mathais said in astonishment.

“You have been here plenty of times before,” Rion mentions.

“Yes, but only a few sections of her home,” Prince Mathias answers.

“I see.”

With Rion finishing their conversation, they arrived outside of Lady Aurora’s study.

“Please wait here, your highness, I will let my lady know you are here.”

“Yes, of course,” Prince Mathias answers.

The maid soon went inside to speak with Lady Aurora.

“My lady, his highness Prince Mathias and his valet Rion are here to see you.”

“Oh, thank you, send them in please.” Lady Aurora orders.

“Of course, my lady.”

The maid soon heads outside once again leaving the tray behind to retrieve the prince and his valet. They enter the room this time only to be greeted by Lady Aurora.

“It is nice seeing you again, your highness.”

“The pleasure is all mine.”

“Um, you may leave now, young lady,” she said to the maid.

“Yes, of course, I brought you some tea and refreshments for all of you to enjoy,” the maid said as she left the room.

“Thank you and have a wonderful day.”

“Thank you, my lady.”

The maid left and she was at last alone with the prince.

“It is nice seeing you again, your highness.”

“Same to you.”

“Now what is your reason for visiting this time?”

“Yes, well, I wanted to discuss, if you are willing to help me with this project I am working on.”

“What is it?”

“You see, my father, the emperor, has assigned me two villages that are close to extinction and I have to build them back up so the citizens can live there. I will have the reservoir operational soon in just a few months, but as the rest, I might need your help on it.”

“Hum, it does sound a bit of a challenge. I am not sure if I would have the time to do all this with me finishing up to build up my medical school and the new guild opening up, I do not think I will have the time.”

“I understand, but maybe you can help me jot down some ideas to at least have an idea and then I can use my own resources to work on this project.”

“Perhaps, shall we get started?” Lady Aurora said getting some paper and writing some ideas she has to help the prince and some for herself too.

It seems two heads are better than one. It seems they are both coming up with ideas for both of their projects. Prince Mathias has her write a list of people he thinks will be perfect for the medical school staffing and how they can get students to attend as well.

As for Prince Mathias, Lady Aurora advised him on what kinds of reusable energy and materials, as well as crops he can use to grow in the lands to be more prosperous and the people can have enriched lives.

For many hours they discussed their plans well into the later afternoon, but it was time to cut this visit short. They say their farewells and Lady Aurora sees him off in his carriage. It is a strange thing for her to do since she wasn’t accustomed to do something like this since she never really had a man in her life.

Soon after his visit with Lady Aurora, Prince Mathias arrives back at the palace and returns to his study before anyone sees him returning home. In his study, he begins reviewing the empire’s affairs and finance to see if there is any unusable source to be used in this project. He really wants to be proud of something for a change, so his father and the others do not see him as the prince who does not care for his people.

Meanwhile, even though the second queen, Queen Teigra is also in the dungeon she becomes infuriated by the rumors being spread about her son, Prince Leonidas and she has to do something. She might be locked up in this dungeon, but she is clever enough to fool the guards to make her escape. All she needs to do is find the perfect time to do it.

“Your majesty, are you alright?” her maid asks.

“No, I am not. Ever since you have told me about this rumor about my son, I will do anything to crush it to the ground and save my son’s reputation.”

“Yes, and I do know of a place where to get information on this?”

“Oh, spit it out, and tell me.”

“Well, it appears there’s a guild recently opened for business called the Titania Guild in the Diamant domain that could tell us information on how the rumor began and where, however it could also be the one that spread it, too.”

“The nerve of that guild humiliating my precious son like this is unforgivable. You go and check on this guild and report back to me at once. Take as many people you need to find out who started this rumor,” Queen Teigra orders.

“Yes, ma’am right away,” the maid leaves the dungeon and heads to the stable to mount a horse.

As the maid and a few others tagged along to ride into the Diamant domain, the rumors of Prince Leonidas continue to circulate even though only a few days have passed. They arrived into the domain where the rumors seem to be spreading all over among the people from different sources. It seems the queen’s servants decided to split up around the city to cover some more ground to track down the source.

It seems every person they met did not know where the rumor began, but they did say they should check out the Titania Guild. It is a new guild and they might know what is going on.

They arrived at the entrance of the Titania Guild and it seems Nigel was outside promoting their guild to the citizens as workers for hire. Two of the maids walked over to speak with him.

“Excuse me, are you the guild master here?” the first maid asked.

“Yes, I am Guild Master Nigel of the Titania Guild, how can I help you?”

“We heard that your guild might know something about these rumors being spread about Prince Leonidas harming the Diamant Family and his infidelity. Do you know something?”

“Yes, we might have information on how the rumors have spread throughout the capital, but none of these rumors ever came here. You have the wrong place, so I will have to ask you to leave. Try the back alleys maybe you will find something there,” Nigel answers, trying to sound believable.

“I am not sure if I believe you or what you are saying, but we will be back and see if you really are telling you the truth,” the other maid said.

“Yes, well, all I know is that it started in the Noble faction and you might want to check there first,” Nigel mentions.

“We will see, have a nice day,” the first maid said as they were leaving.

“Let’s get back to the Imperial Palace to notify the queen immediately, right away,” the aid said.

Having gotten the information they needed, they left the guild hall and began their return back to the imperial palace to inform Queen Teigra about what they had discovered.

Not long after they left, Nigel quickly heads to his office to write a letter to Lady Aurora about what has happened.

Once they returned to the palace after their long ride through the domain, the maids went straight to report their discovery to Queen Teigra.

“Well, what did you find out?” Queen Teigra asks the maids.

“We spoke to a few people in the capital, but as we gather, these rumors started spreading in the back alleys about the rumors which began to spread.”

“Insolent children.”

“Yes, we also heard the Imperial Faction might have been involved with this and the Titania Guild at least were able to give us this piece of information to where the rumor started, but they might be hiding something we do not know for sure as well,” the other maid mentions.

“Of course, they gave us this piece of information yet they might have been hiding something, go back and find out what they know,” the queen orders.

“Yes, your majesty.”

The maids soon left to find out more what they can while the queen is trying to discover who is responsible for creating these rumors.

As Nigel is busy handling things back in the guild, Lady Aurora has just received Nigel’s letter and begins reading it.

Dear Lady Aurora,

I am writing this letter to inform you, Queen Teigra sent a few of her people and maids to find out who began this rumor about her son. I distracted them by claiming it was someone in the Imperial Faction. It might have bought you some time, but I am not sure for how long. I will do the best I can to lead them off your path. Hope to speak to you again soon.

From,

Nigel

After Lady Aurora finishes reading the letter, she decides to return back to the family estate in their domain, so no one will find her. “Mathias, it is time for me to go back to our domain.”

“Why?”

“It is because I am tired of life in the capital and I feel like I will get more research and studies done, if I am back home.”

“Very well, I will just have to visit you shortly then.”

“I will wait for your visit.”

“Yes, not long for us now.”

Prince Mathias soon leaves for the palace and Lady Aurora begins to pack up her things ready to go home. Having heard the good news, about Prince Leonidas and his mother being upset about what has happened and she cannot wait for more of their misery to be their own undoing.

In the meantime, Lady Aurora continues to pack her things and is also excited to know that her eternal enemy is temporarily out of her way.

Once she grabbed the rest of her things, she met up with her father to return home to her real home in their domain and finally able to relax for a while.

It did not take long for her to head outside to meet her father, since the estate at the capital is not as big as the one at home.

Once she was in the carriage, she was off with her father, happily leaving the capital and away from the drama for a while. As the carriage is driving away, Lady Aurora looks through the window to enjoy the scenery and wonders to herself about the fact what adventures will come upon her next. Her father sees his daughter lost in thought and he knows something is on her mind.

“Aurora, what are you thinking about?” her father asked.

“I was thinking, instead of taking the usual long route home, I read about this shortcut through the Great Forest of Ellendora and I think it would be exciting to take that shortcut home,” Lady Aurora mentions.

“Aurora, the reason we do not take that route home is because it is ruled by the elves and let’s just say they do not all trust every outsider they meet,” Arch-Duke Diamant mentions.

“Oh, but please can we go? I never seen an elf before,” Lady Aurora pleads with her father.

“Veryy well, we can take the short cut this time since it will get us home before nightfall.”

“Yes, thank you father.”

“Driver, take us through the Ellendora Forest.”

“Yes, sir.”

The carriage soon changes course in a matter of minutes and it seems they were enjoying it. Before entering the forest, they see glowing flowers hanging from the trees and birds singing their lullabies making it a magical experience. The carriage soon comes to a beautiful green vine gate where it is closed to outsiders, unless permission is granted.

“Father, look there are elves here,” Lady Aurora said, staring out the window.

“Halt, who are you to pass here?” the elf chief asked.

“I am Archduke Diamant and this is my daughter Lady Aurora, we are here to ask permission to cross your forest to enter our domain, will you grant us the permission?”

“Yes, we have heard of you. You may pass as long as you stay in your carriage and head straight out of the forest, the lights will guide you,” the elf chief said.

“We will thank you.”

“Yes, thank you and you will never reveal our location or existence in this forest,” the elf chief asks.

“Yes, I promise. Thank you.”

With the archduke's promise to keep their secret, the gates opened and they were allowed to head on home.

Not long after leaving the forest, they have finally returned to the family manor. The carriage came to a stop at the front door.

“Oh, it is good to be home,” Lady Aurora said in relief.

“Yes, it really is less stuffy here than the capital,” her father mentions.

“Father, I know we just got home, but I have to go to town to pick up a few things, but do not worry I’ll be back soon,” Lady Aurora speaks to her father.

“Very well, be careful,” her father said kindly.

Lady Aurora enters the carriage and it speeds right into the city with a few minutes to spear. As her carriage arrives, she quickly rushes over to her guild to see what is the latest update on the guild and have Nigel work on creating the materials for the magical brooch.

As she arrives at the guild, she sees Nigel hard at work taking on requests of odd jobs. It seems like things are going really well and perhaps give him a raise since he is taking on the responsibility of being the guild master while she is not there.

A few minutes later, she walks over to speak to Nigel. “Hello, Nigel. It seems the guild is busier with requests than ever.”

“Yes, it has been busy here ever since we opened it, but what brought you here?”

“I wanted to see you to give you a money raise and discuss the letter you sent me.”

“Yes, well, I thought I should warn you about how the queen of the brat of the son is coming here thinking you were responsible for the rumor.”

“ You did the right thing by telling me. I do not blame them for snoopying around, but as long as I can keep them distracted for a while, then it would be fine. Moving on now, how is the guild?”

“Yes, first of all thank you for the raise. Since it seems the business is starting to get filled with people’s requests, we cannot take them all at once, maybe it is time to expand?”

“Hum, it is not a bad idea, I will think about it, maybe we can build the next one around the capital. Now about my other request, I want you to make a magical brooch for Prince Mathias,” Lady Aurora mentions.

“I can do that. I do know someone who works with magical jewelry, so I can work on it.”

“Thank you, you are the greatest.”

“Is there anything else you need?”

“Yes, I need some supplies, I will be travelling soon and I need to be ready. I also will need you to hire a few more workers and gather more funds to create the magical tools I design,” Lady Aurora requested.

“Alright, I can gather those things, is there anything else?”

“No, that will be fine for now thank you.”

“I wonder why you need the supplies?”

“I am going to Mt. Vipera in the Hoyce Valley to find a magic stone and Mt. Jokull to gather the minerals for the projects.

"Interesting,I will get the supplies as soon as I can,”

“Thank you. Well I must talk to you soon.”

“Sure wait right here. I will be right back.”

“Thank you, Nigel,” Aurora said.

Nigel arrives back with the supplies and Lady Aurora is ready to leave.

“Here you go, Lady Aurora. I’ve prepared all the supplies and essentials for your travels and you,” Nigel said.

“Thank you, Nigel. I am heading back to the estate before it gets late. Goodbye, see you next time,” Lady Aurora said sincerely.

“Goodbye, Lady Aurora,” Nigel said.

In the late afternoon, it turns into night and leaves to the guild hall and returns home.

When she arrived back at the estate, she went straight to her parents to say good-night.

“Hello, Father and mother,” Aurora said.

“Hello, Aurora,” her parents said.

“Father may I borrow the Onyx Knights for a trip, I am going on a trip?”

“Of course, I will notify them at once.”

“Thank you father. Good night.”

As she is walking to her room, her brother Runolf has a request from her.

“Sister Aurora, Can I ask for a favor from you?,” her youngest brother Runolf asked.

“Yes, what is it?,” Aurora asked.

“Could you make something that could help our Onyx knights to improve their efficiency in battle, please?,” Runolf asked.

“Sure, I’ll try to help them if possible,”Lady Aurora answers.

“Great, you are the best, I am heading to sleep.”

“Goodnight Runolf.”

After having talked to her brother, Lady Aurora returns to her room and has the maids help her dressed in her nightgown.

“Is there anything you need tonight, Lady Aurora,” the maids asked.

“No, I’m tired from everything that happened today, I am going to sleep, I will see you tomorrow. You are dismissed,” Lady Aurora said kindly, sending her maids away.

“Alright, then we’ll leave for the evening,” a maid said as they walked away.

Soon after her maids leave, Lady Aurora drifts into a relaxing sleep dreaming of a nice place as the light of the full moon covers her face.