Aurora sat beside her vanity, her pale blue hair brushed out by her handmaiden. She gazed at the evening sky through the window briefly before turning her head slowly to look into the nearby mirror. Striking ruby red eyes stared back at her, her facial features were majestic, typical for an elven woman like herself.
Once her hair was brushed, her handmaiden started on a simple french braid, a typical style for Aurora to have for these family dinners. While waiting, she decided to read through a book on etiquette, one of the subjects her parents emphasized she needed to study. She sighed after reading through the rules regarding ballroom etiquette and placed the book back on the table, turning her gaze to the intricate silver and red dress hung nearby.
"Are you nearly done, Sasha?" Aurora asked the woman standing over her.
"Yes, my Lady. I just need to secure the braid, and we can then work on getting you dressed for tonight." Sasha grabbed two hairpins and expertly placed them to keep her hair from coming undone. Once she stepped back, Aurora stood up and stretched her legs, a downside from sitting still for so long.
She let out a long sigh and walked over to her dressing area, removing her casual clothing while her handmaiden prepared her dress. She stripped down to just her undergarments, the cool air making her shiver slightly. Sasha came around the corner holding the dress out.
Once she was changed, she carefully sat down upon her bed, letting out a sigh when doing so.
"Sasha, have my parents returned yet?"
"No, my Lady. From what the head butler said, they won't be returning until late this evening." Sasha walked over holding a tea set with some light snacks. Aurora picked at a few with disinterest, sipping tea occasionally.
"Tonight, huh? Seems mundane for something that's supposedly important to mothers' culture." She absentmindedly swung her legs rhythmically as she finished the last of her snacks. "Could you inform the kitchen to make tonight's meal special?"
"As you wish, my Lady." Sasha cracked a small smile as she bowed before making her way out of the room. After a few moments passed Aurora fell back flat on her bed, letting out a groan, her thoughts drifting to Camilla, her closest friend since she moved here alone almost 10 years prior.
"What could she possibly be up to? Training again? No, no, that can't be it since she usually takes today off…" She slowly sat back up and rose to her feet, carefully straightening out her hair and dress.
"Forget it. I need to take a trip outside." She grabbed a nearby rope and pulled it a few times, ringing the bell meant to summon maids. The sound of knocking was soon heard before a younger maid entered.
"How can I be of service?" she asked with a bow.
"Please inform Mr. Dale to ready my carriage to take me to the market at once."
The maid bowed again before running off to complete her task. Aurora turned her attention back to her wardrobe, grabbing a nice silver sun hat to match her dress. She stepped back and admired herself in the mirror, stunned slightly by how well Sasha had done with her hair.
"Impressive work as always, huh…well, time to head out," She made her way out of her room and into the bustling hallway. Maids were running back and forth, preparing the small mansion for the evening event following the butler's instructions.
Aurora moved past them and proceeded down the main staircase towards the front door. Mr. Dale, the head butler, stood there awaiting her arrival. "Lady Aurora, your carriage is waiting just outside for you."
"Thank you, Dale. I can always count on you to be quick with tasks."
"I'm honored by your humble praise. Ms. Sasha left to do her own work, but we prepared your escort in her place. Now, if you'll excuse me, I should get back to overseeing the party preparations." He bowed before heading back inside.
Aurora smiled as she climbed into the carriage through the door her driver held open for her. "Thank you, Oliver. I trust you know our destination already?"
"Off to the market, correct?"
"Yes. Please make haste."
"As you wish," he said as he shut the door. A few moments later they begin to move down the driveway and out onto the main road. Aurora leaned her head against her palm and stared out the window at the passing buildings.
The nearby ones were made from expensive hand-carved marble, well constructed, and adorned with all sorts of decorations, typical to human nobles. Mostly made from gold and silver with detailed engravings, marble statues scattered around their yards as if trying to flaunt their pointless wealth.
The nature of these greedy nobles disgusted her, rather than using that money to improve the conditions of the town as a whole, they would waste it on pointless items to improve their fragile "social standing".
She clicked her tongue as she turned her attention to the buildings on the other side of the street. These homes and shops were more often made of wood and stone, covered slightly in low-hanging moss and ivy, the stark contrast showing how bad the monetary division was.
Despite the cosmetic differences, she only ever saw joyful expressions on the faces of the inhabitants. It brought a bit of joy to her thoughts before her eyes caught a glimpse of the real reason she had made this trip today. Behind a bakery at the end of the street was the orphanage her family sponsored upon her insistence.
I hope the kids will like their gifts today. I'll be heading off to the academy soon so today is probably the last time I can visit them for the foreseeable future. Her mood grew somber before she patted her cheeks and shook her head. Let's not spoil the mood for them.
"My Lady, we've arrived!" her driver called from upfront before coming to open the door for her. Aurora grabbed his hand as she stepped down
"Thank you. Please start bringing the gifts inside while I talk with Madame Elise." She let out a breath and stretched her lips into a thin smile as she approached the front door. One of the children out front happened to notice her while playing and squealed in excitement.
"Rora! You came!" The little girl ran over and jumped towards Aurora, who caught her in her arms, giggling at the girl's antics.
"Hey there, little Susie. Are you doing well? You are starting to get so tall!" Aurora carried the girl inside as they talked.
"Yes! Mama Elise gives us plenty to eat!" The girl grinned widely.
Aurora stopped walking for a moment. "Susie, isn't your birthday soon?"
"Hmm? No, I turned 4 three weeks ago. Silly Rora." She folded her arms and pouted.
"Pfft, so I missed it, huh? Guess I'll have to make it up to you then, huh?" Aurora poked Susie's nose as she set her down. "Do you know where Madame Elise is right now?"
Susie hopped up and down excitedly, "I DO! I DO! Should I go get her for you?"
"Would you please? Afterwards, can you gather everyone else in the mess hall?"
"You can count on me!" She ran out of the room, quickly disappearing from her sight. Aurora turned back towards the entrance to direct her driver, who was still unloading the carriage. She placed her hand on her chin as she went deep in thought.
Perhaps I should send a few people to help Elise. She's not as young as she used to be. She'll need to train a successor to take over soon.
Aurora walked over to the carriage and grabbed a small wooden box wrapped in a bow, a special gift she got just for Elise, meant to show her deep appreciation for all the work she had done. She made her way back inside, hearing the giggling of the children.
Seems they are all gathered. She took a deep breath to compose herself, and a confident glint flashed briefly in her eyes. She stepped through the door when…