❀ the affairs of the princess and her knight ❀

[cullu]

princess elle

The late afternoon sun cast all of Fleureaux Castle into a warm golden glow, signalling with it the end of another day. Soon, Princess Elmarie would have to head inside, but for now, she wanted to soak in the sun's rays just a little bit more. She shifts her position at the small pond near the front gates, crossing her ankles together as she lays her head on her knees.

Elle had finished her duties well before the sun set, as per usual. It's not like she had much to do left, anyways. She concluded her basic learning years ago, where her tutors had recommended her to refresh on the material every so often. She didn't need to be reminded, but she knew it was just a formality. Most of the day had been spent on learning wedding etiquette instead. Elle didn't mind it, she just felt it was a bit redundant. She felt that basic party etiquette would pass at the wedding, even if she was the bride and Queen to be. She didn't feel the need to learn something that she already uses often but repackaged with a shiny white bow.

Elle shifts her head position to look out at the water. The sun filters through the massive willow tree at her back, allowing small leaf-shaped rays to dance on the pond before her.

Elle remembers that this was the exact spot where she fell in the pond as a kid and how Lucien came running in after her. She felt terrible that she was so careless and risked both their lives, but Lucien wasn't mad at all. In fact, she remembers that he said that it was his duty as her future husband to look after her. She giggled at the time, but now, sitting at that exact spot about a decade later, all she could do is sigh.

The princess knew for as long as she could remember that Lucien and her were to be wed shortly after both of them became of age. Having been born the middle son of Albiona's Royal Family, Lucien was never planned to be their next king. Around that time, Fleureaux was in need of a male heir to take the throne with their first-born princess. Elmarie and Lucien were betrothed from that moment on. The princess had hardly any room to complain. She and Lucien got along well, and she enjoyed being with him. They spent a lot of time together, and they knew each other better than anyone else did.

She just hoped that she would start to feel something at this point.

Elle shifts her head to prop her chin against her knees. She can see the water better now. Even after all these years, she can't believe how crystal clear it is. She'll have to ask the garden staff how they keep it clean later.

Elle doesn't enjoy thinking about how she views Lucien. She likes him, but not in the way she liked the princes in her favorite novels. The princes in her stories are very much like Lucien is, but there's just something… absent. She can't place it. Maybe it's because they grew up together, maybe it's not. But regardless of how much Elle thinks about it, she can't figure out why.

The movement of a dark figure in the distance snaps Elle out of her thoughts. It was hard to tell who it was from where she was sitting, but as the figure approaches, she quickly realizes who it is. A flush of warmth flushes over her body, any tension on her face quickly being replaced with a serene smile.

She tries to ignore the flutter in her heart as Aurora's face becomes visible in the golden light.

credits

 

[Steak21]

While the Princess enjoyed her time alone, basking in the evening sunlight, Aurora wandered aimlessly through a field. Her sword hung at her waist, a show of the duty she had dedicated her life too.

As Aurora noticed the setting sun she took a look at her pocket watch, a special gift she had previously received from the princess, as she glanced at it she noticed the time and started making her way back to the princess.

Aurora steps into the soft glow of the setting sun, the golden light seems to dance around her, casting a halo-like radiance that only highlights her natural grace. She walks towards Princess Elmarie with a soft smile adorning her face as she looked at the princess.

"Hey Elle" She said softly as she stopped before the princess and plopped down next to her "It's getting late, I'm sure we're gonna need to head in soon, at least we've got a little time together though"

Aurora stared at the water for a moment before her gaze returned to the princess "You're thinking about him, aren't you?" Her tone wasn't probing as she looked back at the water. Aurora had always been a patient listener. She never pushed Elle to speak if she didn't want to, but she knew that sometimes, just being there was all that was needed to make the princess feel seen, understood.

 

[cullu]

princess elle

Elle watches as Aurora takes a seat next to her, her smile only growing as her knight draws closer to her.

"The day passed just as quickly as it started," she hums. She fidgets absently with the petticoat peeking from under her dress, the white lace feeling like sand under her fingers. "But I'm glad I got some reading done before the sun set." The princess turns to gaze at Aurora. Her soft, careful gaze only seemed to be illuminated by the glow of the setting sun. "And I'm glad to see you, as always."

Elle lets the moment linger, her eyes roaming over Aurora's features as they both fall quiet. She's always admired how strong Aurora looked; the muscles that ripple under her skin always made her look so healthy and capable of doing anything she put her mind to. It was something Elle envied at first, in all honesty. But now, she likes to think Aurora is the sword to her brain. With Elle being restricted to the castle even when she became a teenager, she likes to think that Aurora is an extension of her.

The princess freezes when Aurora brings up Lucien, as if she could read her mind. Elle thinks for a moment before speaking. She didn't feel pressured to reply, but she did so anyway.

"Yes."

She brings her knees down and shuffles her feet into her dress.

"I've…" Elle started, before letting her words trail off. "I've been looking forward to my wedding ever since I was a little girl. I've had countless dreams about it, of me in a fairytale dress, walking down an aisle adorned with flowers…" Her tone grows distant the way it usually does when she daydreams. "But… when I imagine seeing Lucien's face on the other side of the veil, it…"

The princess doesn't finish her sentence.

credits

 

[Steak21]

Aurora attentively listens to the princess until she turned to face her, which caused a huge grin to form on her face when she noticed just how beautiful the princess was "As am I, princess, it's always a pleasure to spend time with you"

As Elle gazed over her body, Aurora was also admiring the princess. She couldn't help but stare at the beautifully soft features of the princess she had sworn to protect, she admired everything about the princess, the way she remained elegant in almost any situation, and how no matter the situation Elle always looked beautiful in her eyes.

As Elle began to speak of her troubles Aurora silently sat, giving the princess a chance to get everything off her chest while Aurora listened, making sure not to disturb Elle as she spoke.

After suddenly hearing the princess pause Aurora gently took her hand and held it in a protective grip, it was soft, warm, and caring, it was the same grip that Aurora used whenever she was protecting the princess from danger.

"Elle..." she begins, her voice gentle, yet firm. "You don't have to say anything more if you don't want too… I know it's been a lot, this whole thing with Lucien and everything that's been planned for you."

Aurora shifts slightly closer, her posture relaxed but attentive, careful not to crowd Elle, allowing her the space to speak if she feels ready.

"I think you've always been more than the fairy tale, more than the expectations that have been placed on you. Maybe it's hard to see that right now, with all the pressure, but you're allowed to want more, to want something different. It's okay to be uncertain."

 

[cullu]

princess elle

The princess allows Aurora to hold her hand. She sits and takes in the moment, focusing on the sensation of her hand being enveloped in Aurora's strong grip. She takes a breath.

"He visited today. Maybe you saw," she adds, averting her gaze to rest on the pond. "We took a walk around the castle, had lunch together, and then he was gone." She watches as two birds land near the pond, leaning in to drink. As if of one mind, both birds start drinking at the same time. "He didn't say anything to prompt these thoughts, but…"

Then, as soon as they were here, the birds flew off together. It looked as if they were holding hands. Elle's gaze falters.

"What I saw today was my husband; a man who will be with me until the end of time." Elle turns to look back at Aurora. She firmly squeezes her hand and lets a small smile fall on her face. "How would you feel if a spouse was chosen for you before you could speak, Aurora? Even if you got along with them like no one else?" Her tone was gentle.

Elle doesn't expect the knight to validate her fears; she merely wants her opinion. Talking with her helped put her mind to ease, regardless of the subject. It wasn't something she ever wanted to take for granted.

credits

 

[Steak21]

Aurora's gaze softened as she listened, her fingers gently tightening around Elle's hand in a gesture of silent reassurance.

It was true that she saw, she always remained nearby to the princess whether out of veiw or right by her side, she was always ready to step in to protect her.

The birds' flight, so fleeting and harmonious, seemed to echo something she couldn't quite name. She shifted slightly, careful not to break the moment's quiet, her voice was steady as she answered.

"If I were to be chosen, I would hope that I could see the person not as a duty, but as someone I could understand, someone who could be more than what is expected of me," Aurora said, her eyes never leaving Elle's. "But I suppose, to be chosen before having the chance to speak… it would feel as if my choices were taken away, even if I got along with them. Because true connection, true understanding, doesn't come from something preordained. It comes from time, from choosing each other again and again."

She lets the words linger, feeling the weight of them. Her gaze drifts to the pond for a moment before returning to Elle.

"Still, there is something beautiful about being with someone, as you said, who stays by your side through everything. If there is kindness and understanding there, perhaps that is enough to build something that feels chosen by both…"

"Though I think I would feel as if I were missing something, finding that someone who I was truly meant to be with, that person who steals my breath and makes my heart beat even in the calmest moments"

 

[cullu]

princess elle

Aurora's words settle in Elle's mind.

True understanding doesn't come from something preordained…

But at the same time, love is possible if respect exists. Even then…

"I suppose that's why I feel the way I do."

Slowly, but softly, Elle releases her grip on Aurora's hand. She lets her own slide gently back into her lap as she averts her gaze back to the pond. The golden glow is quickly dispersing, but there's still enough light to see ahead of her without a lantern or candle. Her voice drops to a quiet tone. It unintentionally matches the serenity of the moment.

"I agree that love can be formed if there exists mutual understanding. Yet…"

Elle trails off, unsure of how to proceed. She takes a moment to collect her thoughts and starts over.

"I…" she starts, "I think I love Lucien? Yet, at the same time, there's no…" Elle trails off again, this time looking to her lap. Her hands tremble slightly, which would be unnoticeable if she weren't the one experiencing it. "...Passion. Romance. Anything heart-fluttering."

Elle suddenly remembers the way her body reacted when she noticed Aurora approaching her just a few minutes ago. The way she felt her worries melt away for a moment was unlike anything else on this earth, and the butterflies that settled in her stomach were a mixture of discomfort and exhilaration. Now that she's sharing this moment with Aurora, though, with the way she took her hand and her careful, quiet tone of voice…

Elle pushes the feeling away. A light furrow in her brow had settled in her face, which she only notices now. She relaxes her face, releasing the tension that had built up on her face over these past few minutes. She takes a deep breath and turns to Aurora. This time, she puts on a lighter smile and moves with energy.

"Anyways, enough about that," she smiles, a dry chuckle lacing her voice. "What did you do today? Did you encounter any villainous foes?" The princess laughs. She knows that most crime around the castle was too tame to be considered villainous, but this was the easiest way to ease the tension.

credits

 

[Steak21]

Aurora listened intently to Elle's words, her gaze softening as she takes in the uncertainty that clouds the princess's thoughts. The quiet between them lingers for a moment, the stillness of the evening wrapping around their conversation like a blanket. As Elle released her grip Aurora seemed to hold onto her hand for a few moments longer before letting her pull her hand away.

When Elle finally speaks again, shifting the tone with a smile and a lighthearted question, Aurora feels the change in the air. She can tell that the princess is trying to push her feelings aside, to bury them beneath the surface. Aurora respects the attempt to shield herself, but she also sees the depth behind those brief pauses and the subtle tremor in Elle's hands.

"Ah, there was nothing too exciting princess, most of it was spent training" Aurora gazed off into the pond seemingly considering something before looking back up to Elle with a smile.

"How about we sneak out tonight princess? I can get a us a keg of wine and we can go watch the stars, or maybe you'd like to go into town, the choice is completely up to you princess"

 

[cullu]

princess elle

Elle instinctively covers her mouth in shock at Aurora's suggestion. Her first instinct is to look around to see if anyone had heard, and she whips her head back to Aurora once she sees that there's no one else to be seen. She places a hand tentatively on Aurora's arm, her other hand still covering her nervous smile.

"You–" she starts, interrupting herself to look around again. "We shouldn't…"

A beat passes. Elle's smile grows.

"I haven't been out to town in a while, though…"

She thinks about it for a moment. It's true that she hasn't been out to town in several weeks; being buried in lessons and visits didn't leave her much time to leave the castle, what with her curfew. Elle had been looking forward to going inside and reading some more, but now that she was presented with a more thrilling option…

Elle shuffles in her seat. She brings herself closer to Aurora, dropping her voice to a whisper. A conspiratorial glint shines in her eye.

"Meet me by the rose garden when the clock strikes ten. Don't let anyone see you," she whispers. She crinkles her nose in a mischievous smile before pulling away. She returns her voice to its normal tone, acting as if nothing had happened. The early night sky paints her a faint lilac in place of the gold that enveloped her a few minutes ago. "Night has fallen. Escort me back inside, won't you?"

credits

 

[Steak21]

Aurora's eyes gleam with mischief as Elle pulls her closer, her lips curling into a playful smile. The temptation in Elle's voice stirs something within her, and for a moment, the usual caution she carries slips away.

"You've got it, Elle," Aurora responds, her tone hushed and conspiratorial, matching Elle's quiet urgency. "Of course my dear princess, you know that your secrets are safe with your dear knight" She said it quite playfully but still in a hushed tone.

She lets out a soft, almost inaudible chuckle, admiring the way Elle's excitement shifts from caution to thrill. Aurora watches as Elle settles back into her seat, her normal composure returning. The night sky seems to stretch across the world, and the air feels charged with the promise of their secret meeting.

Soon Aurora stood up and gave a quick, playful bow before reaching her hand out to you "Yes, my dear lady, it would be my pleasure" She winks, though Elle would be the only one to catch it, as she looks her in the eyes with a smirk on her face.

 

[cullu]

princess elle

The princess stifles a chuckle, grabbing Aurora's hand and hoisting herself up while smiling to herself. She bends down to fold the blanket they were sitting on, though not without shooing away any attempts Aurora might try at aiding her. She brought the blanket out herself, so she figures she should be the one to take it back in. She nestles it under her arm, bookending it with the novel she was reading earlier.

The two women are met with warm light and polite bows from the kitchen staff as soon as they open the doors back into the dining hall. Seeing the blanket folded under Elle's arm, an older woman quickly takes it and ushers it away with a younger woman. The older woman bows and gestures to Elle's seat at the grand dining table. Her siblings were already sitting, waiting for their parents and Elle to arrive before they could eat. Elle turns around and looks at Aurora, a trained smile on her face.

"Good day to you," she says, her tone even. A glint of mischief flashes across her eyes before it's gone again. "I'll see you later. You are dismissed."

Elle leaves Aurora with a deep bow. She makes sure to greet her siblings on the way to her chair, sneaking a knowing gaze at Aurora before the two part ways for now.

credits

 

[Steak21]

Aurora seemed to pout at being shooed away, breaking her usually calm and stoic looking demeanor, when she tried to help Elle, though she relented and let the princess pick the blanket up herself.

She keeps her posture perfect, her hand remaining close to her sword hilt, but her eyes linger on Elle for a moment longer than she should. The glint of mischief in the princess's eyes doesn't go unnoticed, and a quiet sigh escapes Aurora's lips. "Good day to you too my lady" She says before matching you with a deep and respectful bow.

Despite the slight ache of longing she feels every time they part, she keeps her distance. Her role as protector, her unwavering duty to shield the princess, has made this act of separation something she's come to understand and accept, even if her heart doesn't fully agree.

Aurora waited a beat longer before turning on her heels and leaving the dining hall, her eyes sharp, scanning the surroundings as she does, soon enough though she was gone, leaving only her previous promise of meeting you later.

 

[cullu]

princess elle

The rest of the night goes on as they usually do. Elle's parents, the King and Queen of Fleureaux, arrive at the dining table shortly after Elle does. The Royal Family has a pleasant dinner of roast meats and vegetables, along with plenty of fruit and wine. Elle, however, saves her appetite for her excursion; when questioned, she claims that she's just not hungry tonight. After exchanging pleasantries with her parents and chatting with her siblings, Elle retreats to her room.

On the trek back to her bedroom, Elle takes a few moments to gaze at the various art that hangs on the castle walls. The princess had grown up with most of these pieces, though she had a special fondness for those that appeared more pastoral or fantastical. The soft, feathery brush strokes captured the feeling of peace so well, it often had her imagining a life inside the painting. Sometimes, she would spend hours just wandering the halls, her neck stiff from perusing the giant paintings far up above her.

One painting that catches her attention looms at the end of the hallway near her bedroom. Slowly, she runs her gaze up the painting, taking in all the hours spent meticulously painting away at the details. At the top, her gaze meets an identical pair of blue eyes staring back at her. For a second, it seems as if this two-dimensional portrayal of her was staring at her through the paper. Elle breaks her gaze after a few seconds. She opts to look at a different part of the painting.

This portrait was completed only about a year ago. It is the Royal Family's tradition to commission a portrait of each royal child as they reach the end of their adolescence. It was an act of coming-of-age; her mother's is hanging further down the hall, and her father's was done shortly after marrying into the family. For the portrait, Elle was dressed in her finest dress and accessories, presenting as the perfect image of a princess - elegant, poised, and beautiful.

This is who she'd been meant to be all along. She finds pride in living up to her title, in being the heir to the throne, but when she starts imagining Lucien painted next to her…

Elle enters her room and closes the door behind her.

—

The princess decided to occupy the few hours before 10 o'clock with more reading. For a while, she sat at her desk reading the same novel from earlier this evening, the low candlelight casting a cozy glow on each page. Elle tends to fully immerse herself in her fiction, so when she looked up at the giant clocktower looming in the distance outside her window, she scrambled out of the seat at the sight. It was now half past 9 o'clock, and she had to be outside and in the rose garden in thirty minutes.

Elle sorts through her wardrobe, fingering through countless well-made pieces before she found what she was looking for. It was her lightest, least ornate dress that was also the easiest to clean. She took sneaking out very seriously, meaning she had to cover up everything that pointed to it - including washing her own clothes. Elle changes into the dress, opting to also put on an old pair of black leggings underneath. She chooses the old pair of commoner shoes she bought from one of her last excursions to town, hidden where the maids would never search. She also chooses the nondescript, dark hunting cloak in the back of her closet to further conceal herself; ironically, the only time she uses this cloak is to sneak out because of how well it conceals her within the sea of commoners.

Just as she's about to put the cloak on, Elle ties her hair back in a low ponytail. The placement of the ponytail allows all her hair to stay in place when layered with the cloak; her healthy, well-kept waves were often a giveaway to others, if not as the eldest princess, then as a high-class elite. She looks over her outfit one more time, checking for any spots she may have missed, before blowing out the candle and quietly exiting her room.

Tonight is a good night to sneak out, she thinks. The moon is bright tonight, and it didn't require a candle to make her way through the halls. She uses the moonlight shining through the high-arch windows to sneak her way out of the castle, making sure to avoid the areas where the night guards were posted.

Elle takes the long way to the rose gardens, which is the safest way there without attracting the attention of the guards. And with how she blends in with the darkness, she just needs to make sure that she moves stealthily. She gazes at the clocktower in the distance as she enters the garden, releasing her breath when she sees the big hand snapping on the giant number 12.

At the center of the garden, hidden from any outside observers, Elle cautiously checks her surroundings. She should be expecting Aurora to show herself at any moment. Regardless, she fidgets with the sheath of her pocket knife under her cloak.

credits

 

[Steak21]

Aurora saw her first, the princess, her figure silhouetted against the soft glow of the moon. She watched as Elle stood in the middle of the garden, nervously fidgeting with the folds of her cloak, her eyes darting around, checking for any sign of someone watching.

Aurora couldn't help but watch her for a moment, her gaze softening with something deeper than duty as she saw how the moon beautifully lit up the princess.

She had already been in the shadows for a few minutes, her presence barely a whisper in the night air. A soft rustle of leaves signaled her approach, and Elle's head snapped toward the sound. Their eyes met in the dim light, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.

She stepped into the moonlight, closer now, her presence steady and sure. She paused for just a moment, as if giving Elle a chance to decide how far she wanted to push this plan tonight. Her gaze softened as it lingered on the princess.

"Are you ready?" Aurora asked, her voice barely a murmur, just enough for Elle to hear. She could see the flicker of excitement in Elle's eyes, the same way she'd seen it time and time again whenever they snuck out together.

 

[cullu]

princess elle

The soft rustle of leaves puts Elle on high alert, her head snapping at the sound. Her posture unintentionally relaxes as she sees Aurora's familiar figure appear from the shadows. She releases her hold on her knife, letting it fall softly into her pockets. She steps toward Aurora, a smile growing on her lips.

"I'm ready."

The two women sneak their way out of the castle grounds, making sure to go a route unpopulated by guards. The princess stifles a laugh at the thought of hiding from the knights when she had one right next to her. Once they were in the clear, Elle relaxes herself and allows herself to walk at a leisurely pace. She resists the urge to tug away at her hood, even though there didn't seem to be anyone else but her and Aurora around. She could never be too careful.

The moon was bright tonight, but not bright enough to drown out the sea of stars above them. Elle gazes up at the dark sky, smiling softly at the thousands of stars visible tonight. She briefly slows to a stop so as not to put herself at danger, resuming walking only once she had her fill. The princess turns to Aurora, speaking only loud enough so her knight could hear her. The action felt more intimate this way, she thinks.

"The stars are beautiful tonight, don't you agree?" Her voice comes out clear and strong, even at a lower volume. "And even more perfect that the moon lights our way."

Elle takes a second to think before speaking again.

"I wonder if there's anything special tonight in town…?"

credits

 

[Steak21]

The soft, rhythmic sound of footsteps on the dirt path was almost comforting, though still distant. Aurora's presence beside her seemed to make the world feel just a bit safer, a little quieter. But it was Elle's words that made her attention shift fully.

"The stars are beautiful tonight, don't you agree?" Elle's voice floated over to her, carrying the kind of gentle wonder that always seemed to surprise Aurora. Her eyes briefly flickered up to the sky, noting the way the moon bathed the land in a silvery glow.

"Just as beautiful as you are princess" Her tone was calm yet firm as she looked over to look Elle in the eyes, those beautiful eyes that Aurora adored.

Aurora then looked away, and considered what Elle said before speaking up "I'm pretty sure there's a festival tonight"

 

[cullu]

princess elle

Elle's ears perk up at the mention of a festival. She turns excitedly to Aurora, a mixture of surprise and joy on her face.

"Truly?!" she chirps. "That's wonderful! Oh, we picked the perfect day to sneak out, Aurora!" Elle turns back to face forwards. She attempts to peer over the trees and foliage ahead, walking on her tiptoes in an effort to catch a glimpse of the town up ahead. It won't be for a while until they reach town, but the mention of a festival had the princess bouncing on her toes. It had been too long since she'd been out to town; it had been even longer since she'd attended a festival.

"What do you reckon the occasion is?" she asks, her tone whimsical. The princess racks her brain for a mental calendar of recent events, skimming through to see if she'd missed anything. She runs through this past month's holidays as well as next month's, making sure to account for one-day celebrations as well. Her brow furrows and she blinks a few times. Nothing comes up.

The idea of potentially forgetting, or even worse, not knowing, an event or holiday her people celebrate makes her feel uneasy. What kind of ruler is oblivious to the joys her people put on, she wonders? Not one worth their title, she thinks. Elle grows more appreciative that she agreed to sneak out tonight as they slowly make their way into town.

credits

 

[Steak21]

Aurora's steady gaze remains forward, her posture unwavering despite the enthusiasm that practically radiated from Elle. Her own heart beat with a quiet excitement as she watched just how excited the princess was.

Aurora's eyes flicker briefly to Elle, watching the princess's excited demeanor with a hidden fondness. Though Aurora's sense of duty makes it difficult for her to share in the same carefree joy, she can't help but feel a flicker of pride. It's a rare sight to see Elle so free, even if just for a night.

"We certainly did pick the perfect night princess" Aurora smiles softly at Elle's excitement, her own eyes brightening as she glances around at the trees surrounding them. "It does seem like perfect timing, doesn't it? You've got the best luck." She falls silent for a moment, enjoying the sight of Elles enthusiasm.

She glances over at Elle, and once she noticed the princess's furrowed brow she walked up behind her and softly put a hand on the top of her head. "A fleet of merchants had to make a supply stop tonight" Auroras hand dropped onto the princess's shoulder in a protective and caring grip "They've decided to set up their shops for the night, and it's created quite the air of a festival" Her tone was calm as usual but beneath the surface Aurora was also hiding her excitement, though her excitement couldn't match the princess.

 

[cullu]

princess elle

The feeling of Aurora's hand on her head surprises Elle out of her thoughts. She looks towards the knight as she responds to her question, one which she had already forgotten she asked. She nods slowly as she listens to Aurora, the tension leaving her body as she does. If an impromptu market was all that was going on tonight, then she was glad that she hadn't forgotten any important holidays.

"How curious," she replies. "I wonder just how many vendors there will be…"

Elle's mind wanders. She wonders if there will be anyone in town that would be selling any handmade accessories she could wear, or maybe any old books she could add to her collection. The princess has to be careful in purchasing anything on her secret excursions, lest her maids find them while tidying up and leading them to question her about it. The fact she had to be so secretive felt suffocating; while she never enjoyed flaunting her status, she felt that royals at least deserved some privacy. Nevertheless, the princess enjoys her trips to the town, even if it had to be kept to her and Aurora. She didn't mind when it felt like their little secret.

As the two women continue down the path in a comfortable silence, an idea flashes across Elle's mind.

Aurora.

Shopping.

She can get Aurora a gift tonight.

Elle immediately relishes in the idea, but she trains her face so it doesn't show. This wouldn't be the first time she's purchased or made a gift for Aurora, but the thought still excites her. She loves the way her usually taciturn face lights up when she surprises her with gifts, so it's worth it every time. The issue is not getting caught buying the gift, but Elle has her strategies.

The princess notices bright, orange light illuminating the sky in the distance, the sound of hundreds of people milling about creeping in slowly. Elle instinctively smiles in anticipation, turning to Aurora in excitement.

"Are you planning on purchasing anything tonight?"

credits

 

[Steak21]

Aurora's expression softened slightly at the princess's excitement, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugging at the corner of her lips. She turned to glance at Elle, her calm demeanor unchanged, but there was a warmth in her eyes that wasn't often seen.

"Nothing in particular," Aurora responded, her voice steady but with a hint of curiosity. "I suppose if something catches my eye, I might consider it." She paused, watching the princess's face light up with anticipation. "But I'm mostly here for your enjoyment, Princess." There was something endearing about seeing Elle so excited.

She glanced ahead, the bustling noise of the market growing louder as they got closer, and the bright orange light filling the sky made her feel a bit more at ease. It wasn't often she allowed herself to step away from the walls she had built around her own sense of duty, but tonight, for some reason, it felt different.

"I imagine this will be a nice change of pace," she added with a little more warmth in her tone. "I'll let you have the fun tonight. Just let me know if you need help carrying anything."

Aurora's words carried no sense of possessiveness or restriction, just a quiet, gentle support. She didn't feel the need to hover or protect as she normally did; tonight, she could let Elle enjoy herself, free from the weight of responsibility that usually defined their every step.