The Duchesses

Chapter 27 : She Figures Out

An unknown person enters the room. The room appears to be larger and more crowded. Instead of books, this place smells like vanilla. As they walk, they come across another woman sitting on the couch, reading a book. The woman is so engrossed in her book that she fails to notice the person standing before her. At least, that's what Natalie initially thought.

Furthermore, neither person is aware of Aurora's presence. As if she never existed or was never present. That's when she realises she's in someone else's memory or perhaps in a dream. The individual is still standing there, waiting for the woman to finish reading. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the woman put down her book, adjusted the bridge of her nose, and sighed at the person.

"You will keep doing this, aren't you?" the woman suddenly speaks.

It's been weeks since the person has returned to the location, requesting the same favour from the woman. Every day, the person will wait for her and return at the same time.

"It's my fault," the individual admitted.

"It is, indeed, yours. So why are you dragging me into your shambles? " the woman questions the individual, tapping her fingertips on the table.

"I should be angry at you, but things happen. I almost burned down this Empire because of what you did," the woman points at the figure.

"Because I love her, and I will never let her go again," the person stands there for a while before saying something, almost causing the woman to miss the person's words.

"Bullshit!"

The woman is perplexed by the figure. Perhaps she does not believe what she's hearing. The person's request is so difficult to fulfil that even the most powerful magician would struggle to make the wish come true. It's been ten years since the rebellion, and the person still can't get over it. She even wonders if the person can bear her words. It's easy to say, but doing it is an entirely different story.

The individual has been consumed by guilt, swallowed by darkness. Her fanaticism toward achieving their goal has cost them a lot of things. Another person has been following the individual since day one. Perhaps the individual is aware of this but is unconcerned. And it's also another day for the woman to pick up another book or practise her magic.

The following day is the same; the person walks back into the same room, and the woman is always there with another book. The individual would remain standing until the woman said the first word, "Come on, she's already gone. You must accept it."

The person replies again, "Even if I have to turn this Empire into ashes to bring her back, I will," before leaving the woman.

The woman expects the person to return the next day, but this does not occur. She feels strange because the person used to bother her and then leave. That's when the woman realised something was wrong and changed into all black. Aurora continues to follow the woman, and at that point, she realises she has arrived at a cemetery.

Their eyes are watery as they stand in front of a graveyard without a name. It's been ten years since the person passed away, and they're still mourning. They did everything they could to dull their emotions, but it was no avail. It's excruciatingly painful; they keep having the sensation that their heart is being torn in two. They've lost a lot of loved ones, and this one is different, so different from the others.

They are clutching hydrangeas and roses in their hand. As the woman approaches the individual, she expresses her condolences for their loss. Then, when something unexpected happens, the person kneels on her knees, pleading for her wish to be granted. The person is aware that the woman in front of her is capable of such behaviour, and she will not stop doing so to carry it.