II
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Arc II Chapter 2
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4th Glacia Solar I AAC 747
In the distant past, another Aurora once dealt with her own little issues ...
“Hmm ...” Hopelessly lost, little Aurora was wandering through a labyrinth of naked stone, exploring the Schwarz castle, a place far too large for a frail girl like her. Too many floors. Too many corridors. Too many rooms. Too many stairs. Too many corners. They all looked the same, indistinguishable from each other.
Her orientation skills were unfortunately never her strength. She could never tell them apart. Everyone in her family knew that her getting lost was nothing extraordinary. Her maids were used to search for her after her frequent strolls. But in her defence, the entire castle looked the same, clad in black serene stone and shrouded in mystery.
The castle ... Her home was old, not to say ancient. Since the dawn of history, the castle belonged to her family. It was the ancestral castle of House von Schwarz. Rumours claimed that untold secrets were hiding behind these black walls, only waiting to be uncovered after centuries. But rumours remained rumours, and reality proved disappointing.
Her expeditions yielded no antique weapons, no holy swords, no cursed grimoires, no secret treasures, no sealed dragons. Nothing. Little Aurora was a curious child, and she had been searching for years, but she had never found anything. Time and time again, her expeditions ended in failure, and with her ending up getting lost in the process, just like now. Today was not her day. She got lost, once again.
“Hmm ...” Aurora cuddled her two cute dolls, keeping them close to her chest. The dolls nestled in her arms. They were both very, very, very important to her. Her heart cherished them with all her love, and she did not want to risk losing them. Her dolls were a birthday present from Mother, and Aurora loved them dearly. Her dolls had always been there for her. Even when alone, her dolls always stayed at her side. Her lips smiled, and her mood improved. Her dolls never abandoned her. They were her friends.
Both of them were handcrafted, works of art by a master of the craft. No effort was spared in their creation. Her dolls were true perfection. They were more than met the eye, more than two simple porcelain dolls. They felt alive. Their lifelike appearance, their smiles, their eyes. Her dolls had a soul. They understood her.
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One doll resembled her, which she doubted was a coincidence, and which was also the reason why she named her doll Aurora. Her doll was her, an Aurora. Just like her, the doll shared her silken black hair and her lovely purple eyes, both of which were typical for members of the House von Schwarz. That was what father said, at least. Her doll also wore her favourite outfit, a cute petticoat with a black blouse and lots and lots of frills.
Felicia, on the other hand, was different, Aurora doll’s polar opposite. Felicia had sparkling blonde hair and golden eyes. Felicia lacked her pale complexion. Compared to her, Felicia boasted a healthy tinge. All that made her envious from time to time. Nevertheless, she cherished Felicia. Just a bit less than her Aurora doll ...
“Lady Aurora, what are you doing here?” A sudden voice startled her.
“...” Aurora turned, her gaze spotting a familiar face down the corridor. It was Lord Friedrich, Geralt’s son, father’s loyal retainers, and her chestnut haired, blue eyed saviour in need.
“...” Aurora beamed. She was finally saved. Friedrich had found her, and her odyssey had ended. He would surely help her. He definitely knew where Father was.
Armed with her dolls, Aurora closed the distance. “Lord Friedrich! Lord Friedrich! Lord Friedrich, can you help me~?”
“...” Her request caught Friedrich by surprise. He did not share her enthusiasm. He was quite busy, as usual. “I suppose so, but what are you doing here down in the archives? How did you even get here? Did you get lost again, Lady Aurora?”
“...” Aurora fidgeted uncomfortably, avoiding his scrutinising gaze. His deep cerulean eyes resembled those of his father, yet they lacked the same sense of coldness, exuding a much gentler aura instead. “Well, that might be potentially possible ...”
Friedrich sighed. “As expected. Anyway, how may I help you, Lady Aurora? What do you require my assistance with? Should I lead you back to your room?”
“No, not yet~.” Aurora shook her head vigorously. “Lord Friedrich, do you know where Father is~?”
“I do, but why are you asking, Your Ladyship?” Friedrich furrowed an eyebrow.
“Because I want to play dolls with him!” Aurora sparkled with joy, unable to contain her enthusiasm.
...
...
...
“Playing ... dolls?” Friedrich blinked.
“...” Aurora nodded, presenting Friedrich with her beloved dolls. “Yes, dolls. I want to ask him whether he has time to play with me~. Are they not adorable~?”
Friedrich shook his head. “Lady Aurora, as you might know, your father the Duke is a busy man.”
“...” Aurora lowered her eyes, saddened and already knowing what would come next.
“To be honest, I strongly doubt that he has any time for you and your dolls.” Friedrich offered an apologetic smile, but the damage was done.
“I ... understand ...” Aurora hugged her dolls tighter with her eyes cast down at the cold, empty floor. Once again, disappointmint struck. It struck hard. Nobody had time for her, as usual. Sadness and loneliness befell her.
Noticing her predicament and plagued by his bad conscience, Friedrich attempted to cheer her up. “Listen, Lady Aurora, why do you not ask someone else? The castle is full of people. Many would be glad to indulge you, Lady Aurora. Do not be shy, you just need to ask!”
Castle of Schwarzburg
Lady Aurora von Schwarz
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