Aurora's eyes slowly scanned the room before her gaze met Elise's, a soft smile on her face. A few of the older children sat beside her quietly waiting to see why they were gathered.
"Aurora, dear. It's so good to see you again." Elise patted the spot beside her for Aurora. "What brings you here today?"
Aurora slowly sat down, placing her hands in her lap. "Well, as you know, Elise, I just hit adulthood today. Knowing this, my parents probably plan to send me to the academy."
"The academy, eh? So the time has come, huh? Seems you will be-"
A thud interrupted them as Susie dropped the doll she was holding. "Huh? No! NO! Rora can't leave! Please don't leave!" Sob sob. Tears were starting to form in her eyes, slowly running down her cheeks.
Aurora's initial shock slowly melted away as she motioned for the boy named Tommy behind her to bring Susie over. "Oh Susie, don't be upset. I'll make sure I come to visit you all during my breaks." She pulled Susie into an embrace, rubbing her hand up and down her back.
Sniffle. "P-promise?" The tears slowly stained the shoulder of Aurora's dress.
"Yes, I swear I'll come back. Now then, who here wants to know why I came here today, hmm?" A chorus of me's were heard as the children surrounded her.
"Alright, everyone. Give Aurora some space!" Elise finally got the children to sit back down calmly. "Alright, Aurora. What did you get for them this time?"
Aurora's hands fidgeted, her cheeks burning slightly with embarrassment. "Just some of the typical things." She clapped once, surprising all the children. "How about everyone forms a line and I'll hand out your gifts?"
The children hurriedly formed a straight line, careful not to push anyone for fear of losing their present. Aurora slowly passed out the gifts one by one, the children running back to their spots, waiting to open them once everyone had theirs.
Susie was the last child in line, and she gave Aurora a long hug before running off to her seat. Aurora grabbed Elise's gift, which was inside an ornate wood box, and walked over to sit beside her.
"I got this specifically for you, Elise. I hope you'll accept it." Aurora slowly passed to Elise, who accepted it with grace.
"Of course, dear." Elise placed her hand in position to pull the bow tied around the box. " Alright, children. Let's unwrap them together. On three kids."
"One. Two. Three."
All the children ripped the wrapping off the presents, revealing an assortment of items. Some younger boys got wooden toys, and the older boys received wooden swords. Most of the younger girls got dolls while the older ones each received a tailored dress to each of them.
Elise pulled the bow off the box and slowly opened it revealing a small silver key along with a deed for a home.
"Aur-. How? Why? You didn't need to give me anything like this!" Elise's hands were shaking while holding the key. Aurora shook her head at this.
Aurora grabbed her shaking hands. "That's not true. You've done more than I could ever pay back." She tilted her head as her lips stretched into a thin line. "I can't think of anything less than I could give you. Have you decided on who will take over for you once you retire?"
"Oh, no no. I still have quite a few years in these aging bones of mine. No need for me to fret over it." She rubbed her thumbs on Aurora's palms, unsure of how true what she just said truly was or not. She glanced at the old wooden clock that was ticking away, seeing the time was close to 5 in the evening.
"Aurora, dear. As much as I'm sure the children would love to have you stay for dinner tonight you best run off. Can't be the reason you are late for your own party." Elise made a shoo-ing mothing with her hands.
"Everyone say your goodbyes, and be sure to thank her properly." Her expression turned stern as she spoke before she slowly stood and walked towards the kitchen.
Susie was the first one to sprint over, latching on to Aurora's leg tightly. The other children followed shortly after, all thanking her for the new toys. The children slowly filtered out of the room until only Aurora and Susie, still not releasing her hold on her leg, were left alone.
Aurora poked her nose, getting a small giggle mixed with some sniffling. "Susie, I have to go or my parents would get mad ok?" She gave her hair a short ruffle.
Sniffle. Sniffle. "I know that Rora…I just…Happy birthday." Susie then ran off to join the others in the kitchen. Aurora let out a sigh of relief.
"Such a handful, that one." Her soft expression lingered for a few moments as she made her way back to her carriage, the driver sporting a worried expression. "Let us make haste back home. We can't afford to be late today."
He bowed with a simple, "Yes, Ma'am," and began to drive the carriage once she was aboard. She flopped into her seat, her thoughts drifting to tonight's event. I'll have to have Sasha do a touch-up on my hair and makeup once we arrive. She felt her eyes growing heavy before she drifted off to sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Aurora's eyes snapped open at a sudden blinding light. Her head swung wildly left and right, taking in what was happening around her. A nightmare. That was the only word that she could think of to describe what she was seeing.
A swarm of beasts and monsters caused carnage everywhere she looked, blood-soaked the streets while fires raged, consuming all the homes close by. The high walls that once surrounded the town were not just a pile of rubble.
Hiss~
The sudden sound caused her to freeze and turn her head slowly. Peeking over a roof was the head of a large basilisk, but that's not what caught her attention. No, rather, she was staring at the cloaked figure standing on its head. The figure was holding a staff that was glowing green at the tip, a sign of magic being used.
As she tried to peer closer to see the figure, the basilisk lunged, and her vision went dark.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Aurora jolted awake, drenched in sweat, panting heavily while shivering in fear, the experience still fresh in her mind. What the hell was THAT? She wrapped her arms around herself; the fear and anxiety she felt was overwhelming.
She glanced up briefly as a shadow passed overhead as the carriage pulled back into her home and came to a stop in front of the main entrance. Sasha was there waiting and opened the door, her expression shifting to panic as she noticed Aurora's state.
She turned back and shouted towards the butler standing at the door. "I need some help over here!" The butler ran over, confused at her panic while Sasha helped Aurora slowly exit the carriage.
"Carry her to her room." Sasha made her way through the door first. Several maids were crowding the door, trying to see what the commotion was. "Move aside! Clear a path!" The maids scattered at her harsh tone. Her position as the next head maid in training granted her a bit more authority around the house.
She made her way upstairs to Aurora's bedroom, the butler trailing just behind. Aurora groaned as her eyelids fluttered, the image of the figure still running in her head. Just who could that be? Should I tell my parents about this? But even if I did, would they even believe it? Or would they just wave it off as a nightmare like I did?
Several other questions with no answers ran through her mind as she lay on her bed. The butler left swiftly after to return to his duties, leaving Sasha and Aurora alone. Sasha kneeled down beside the bed as she grabbed Aurora's still shaking hand gently, causing her to instinctively flinch.
"My lady, what happened to frighten you this much?" Sasha's voice was somber and filled with regret. "I should've gone with you." Her fingers curled, gripping her lady's hands securely.
"I-It's fine…I would like to be alone for a bit." Aurora stood up and walked over to the window, standing with her arms crossed, not looking her maid in the eye. "Could you inform my parents that I'll be a bit late for dinner?"
"Understood." Sasha stood up as well and walked over to the door. She turned and bowed before leaving. Aurora's eyes twitched as she couldn't stop thinking about the identity of the figure. I swear I'll stop it if that wasn't a dream.
Knock Knock. The sound startled Aurora, who turned as the door was opened and someone entered the room. Her expression softened when…