The Duchesses

Chapter 47 : Women

The night comes, and two women sit at Duchess Valimos' offices. The blonde is on the couch while Medea is on her table. Duchess Natalie occasionally practises her magic with small ice and fire to control her power until she can ignite only the spark from it. Then, she continues to do her work again, reviewing her documents. In short, they are both workaholics.

After bending her neck to look at the ledgers and the work for so long, the Duchess Medea raises her head and groans in slight discomfort. Even though she still has a lot of work tonight, she has already completed half of it. After that, she relaxes and leans back while watching the blonde woman wholly absorbed in her work. The idea that Aurora might behave in the same way as Natalie continues to torment her even to this day. She may miss her best friend, but it's doubtful that she'll come right out and admit it.

"What are you doing here almost every night?" Medea asks the question as she gazes at Natalie's golden hair, which seems to be flowing more freely tonight.

The Duchess is so focused on her work that she doesn't realise someone is calling for her. She worries about the financial situation and that she had to raise the servants' salaries directly because of the plan she orchestrated. So some people had to make ends meet. It is impossible to deny that there has been some inflation within the Empire, even though she has already cut back on the budget for food and attire so that they are not excessively lavish.

While Aurora is gripping the pen, furrowing her brow, and looking over the paper, she unconsciously bites her lips. This causes Medea's eyes to widen, and she jerks her hand away from the table, dropping her pen. Natalie habitually does so whenever she is stressed or concentrating very hard on something. How is it possible that they are so strikingly similar at this point?

"It's probably she is in Nate's body. But maybe it is just muscle memory. Hera and I are also the same when changing bodies," Medea thought.

"Lady Medea?" Aurora asks weirdly after seeing Medea act that way.

Medea looked at Aurora again as Aurora said, "Did you just call me?"

"Yes,"

"Why?"

"What are you doing here almost every night? You even bring your works here tonight," the amethyst eyes look mesmerising under the moonlight behind her, but that's not the point for Aurora right now.

"It is too dull being at home. But, at least someone will be here when I do my work. But, on the bright side, I can use my magic freely around you. Not to mention, you know who I am," Aurora explains excitedly.

"Someone will be here?"

"Yes, my dear Lady Medea. Hector mentioned that he never sees you rest at dawn, night or even day because you are too busy working. I am here with you, so we both don't feel alone," the blond woman said before stuffing some of the sweets on the table into her mouth.

That is when Medea came to an important realisation. Hector did not discuss it with her in any other setting besides their private conversation. Aurora likely has read that novel and is aware of the situation. She can't quite put her finger on it, but she seems to be getting warmer due to it.

"I am fine on my own," Medea coldly said, shifting her gazes to the document once again.

Aurora glares at her in annoyance and proceeds to do the same as Medea.

"She is so mean," Aurora mumbles, but loud enough for Medea to hear her words.

Not even thirty seconds had passed. Then, finally, Aurora asked Medea again, "Oh, is it because Hector is always here?". She acts as if she has just come to her senses about it.