Aurelia: The Fanatical Story of A Girl

Chapter 70

Aurelia's POV

The morning light filtered through the gauzy curtains, casting a gentle glow across the chamber where I had spent another restless night. Each daybreak was bittersweet, a reminder of the relentless march of time and the distance that separated me from Alanah. I rose from the bed, my movements automatic as I began the familiar routine of preparing for the day.

As I dressed, the silence of the room was a stark contrast to the chaos that I knew enveloped the battlefield where Alanah stood strong. My heart ached with the duality of my existence—here, in the relative safety of our home, while she faced the horrors of war. The weight of worry was a constant companion, its presence an uninvited shadow that loomed over every moment.

I made my way to the window, pushing the curtains aside to gaze out upon the waking city. The streets were coming to life, merchants opening their stalls, and children playing in the early morning light. It was a scene of everyday normalcy, one that felt increasingly alien as the war continued to rage at the borders of our land.

My fingers traced the cool glass of the windowpane, the barrier between me and the world outside a metaphor for the helplessness I often felt. I was no warrior; my strengths lay in the subtler arts of diplomacy and governance. Yet, in times like these, such skills seemed woefully inadequate.

Drawing a deep breath, I turned away from the window and made my way to the small desk where a stack of reports awaited my attention. As the queen, it was my duty to maintain the stability of our realm in Alanah's absence. It was a task I undertook with solemn dedication, fully aware that the well-being of our people was now in my hands.

As I perused the documents, each report detailed the efforts of our allies, the movements of supplies, and the morale of our citizenry. It was a delicate balance, maintaining the hope of our people while managing the ever-present undercurrent of fear. I penned replies where needed, my hand steady even as my mind wandered to thoughts of Alanah.

Midmorning brought a knock at the chamber door, and I looked up to see my advisor, Siris, enter. She was a pillar of strength, her guidance indispensable in these trying times.

"Your Majesty," Siris greeted me with a respectful bow. "The council awaits your presence. There are matters that require your attention."

I nodded, setting the last of the reports aside. "Thank you, Siris. I will join them shortly."

As we walked together toward the council chamber, Siris offered updates on various affairs of the kingdom. Her voice was a lifeline, keeping me anchored to the present, to the duties that could not be neglected.

The council meeting was a blur of voices and decisions, each member presenting their concerns and proposals. I listened attentively, offering my insights and judgments with a calm that belied the turmoil within. It was essential that I remained a beacon of stability for our people, a steady hand to guide them through the uncertainty of these times.

When the meeting adjourned, I retreated to the solitude of the royal gardens. The beauty of the flowers and the gentle whisper of the wind through the leaves offered a momentary respite from the weight of the crown. Here, I could pause and allow myself to feel—to long for Alanah's embrace, to wish for her safe return, and to silently pray for an end to the conflict that kept us apart.

The garden was a sanctuary, a place where the simple act of inhaling the scent of blooming roses could momentarily lift the mantle of responsibility that cloaked my shoulders. I wandered the pathways, tracing the outline of the hedges with my fingertips, each leaf and petal a testament to the resilience of life.

I stopped by the fountain at the garden's center, its gentle burble a soothing symphony. Closing my eyes, I allowed the sound to wash over me, imagining for a fleeting second that it was the laughter of Alanah that filled my ears instead. The memory of her laughter was a balm to my weary soul, a reminder of the joy that had once been so abundant in our lives.