A Different Definition of Tragedy

When Disaster Strikes...: Chapter 11

   The king and queen were delighted at how well Aurora was getting along with her suitors she was now being at least polite and not shunning them and that was progress. Her suitors also noticed the change and greatly appreciated it but were still wary since there were times where she was cruel. Aurora would never admit it, but she didn't mind the suitor's company, she found they were a lot more interesting than she originally thought, and she did like the change. Even, she the queen of routine needed a little change every now and then. Matthias continued his interest with Aurora's plans for the kingdom, making suggestions. At first, he thought it would be a bore, but he quickly found that what she wanted to change was fascinating, and the way she talked about it had Matthias falling for her much more than he may have wanted. Yes, he still wanted her unlike any other girl, but it was more than that now. He never got bored of her or needed a break. She thought deeply and carefully, that was part of the reason she seemed so distant, she was thinking, all the time. Her mind was constantly going, taking in everything, and giving more just not in very vocal ways. She was very aware of what was going on around her and what people wanted. The other suitors may not have known some of them were aware, such as Lord Roland he knew that Aurora had arranged his lessons with the guards and some of the generals. On the other hand, Lord Carlyle was unaware of Aurora's instructions to the gardeners who were mostly botanists to tell him all about the flowers and other plants, teaching him their uses and properties. Aurora helped each one in her own way, she made sure that Forest attended the sessions her father had with the nobles that helped run the kingdom, it was only to observe but he still loved it. James was allowed down by the docks and Aurora, not that he knew this, had bought him a little boat that he could take out on the water. Hain had access to the royal horses all the time and had arranged for Hain to visit Nathan, the current poet of the time. Matthias just spent time with Aurora. Aurora wasn't sure what to do with him. She couldn't just get rid of him; he stuck like glue to her and sometimes it annoyed her, but her annoyance would fade once she started telling him about her plans. No one had ever listened with such interest, and he gave good advice, giving his perspective of what could work. Malcolm, however, would just disappear, servants would see him every now and then but other than that he was gone. He was always watching Aurora; she didn't pay much attention to it because she didn't care for the attention. She had known him as a child, and she knew his infatuation with her, but she always ignored it to her he was still the little boy that could hardly do anything.

"Aurora I've received a letter from Lady Tiana." Queen Clarissa looked at Aurora, they were currently at dinner, Aurora gave her a bored look.

"So? I did too."

"Was that letter an invitation?"

"Maybe." Aurora shrugged.

"In fact, I've gotten several letters from the other nobles about how you have refused their invitations for months. Aurora, you are to be their queen, I thought you might eventually get over this, but this has gone on for too long."

"And they are going to be my subjects, they should get used to me telling them no." Aurora quickly remarked.

"Ohh." James squealed. Clarissa narrowed her eyes at him causing him to become quiet.

"Besides," Aurora looked at her mother coolly, "having these suitors takes up all my free time, I would have to drag them to a merciless gossip session. Just the idea of attending what of their social events makes me want to hang myself."

"Aurora!" Her mother rose from the table.

"You are quite morbid, princess." Matthias smirked. Aurora nodded at him.

"Thank you, I take pride in it." That caused the suitors to laugh. Clarissa shot them all a glare and that quieted them down.

"You will attend one." Clarissa said smoothing her hair down and sitting. Aurora laughed coldly.