Author's Note: Well, as I once stated I could do if I wanted to, here it is. A collection of one-shots depicting various moments of this AU. Can be important events, can be more mundane, but they will be depicted as I wish. As I also mentioned, they won't be done in chronological order. I hope it won't cause too much trouble when reading them one after the other once it's possible to do so. At the very least, I'll be mentioning when they are meant to take place.

As it were, the AU elements will be more than just Aurora existing, but since I want to keep the flow of the narrative as natural as possible, I'll only really go in detail as needed. Or perhaps, certain changes can the focus of one of the chapters. In any case, hope you enjoy.

This first chapter takes place between the events of the Shadowy Moor but before the party reaches Solm.

A Meeting of Revelations

Young Princess Aurora stood in the campfire area of the Somniel. She was leaning against a tree, using it for cover. She peeked out, towards the Lookout Ridge. There, standing on her lonesome, was Princess Ivy.

She, alongside her retainers, were the Somniel's latest residents. It was not long before the Elusian princess had found herself at Lookout Ridge, for reasons that were her own. As it was, she had turned into a target of observation from the young dragon, who had started to follow her in a discreet matter ever since her arrival.

This went for a few minutes. Ivy stood a safe distance from the edge of the ridge, staring out into the distance. She was immobile, save for the slight sway of her hair and dress from the breeze. Her back was to Aurora, so there was not much the girl could see. Still, her gaze narrowed, as if waiting for something to happen.

"Arf!"

Aurora had a light startle.

"Huh?"

Glancing down, she was the culprit was none other than Sommie.

"Arf!" It once again barked, looking quite happy at something.

"Ah, Sommie, quiet down," Aurora whispered.

Sommie tilted its little head as it made a small whine, as if processing the request. Though then-

"Arf, arf!"

It continued barking to no avail. Aurora quickly retreated behind the tree fully, putting her back to it.

"Sommie, please," she implored, sparing a glance in the direction of the ridge.

Not that she still was in a position to see Ivy. Alas, the little creature did not seem intent to heed her, for it continued barking.

I need to leave, Aurora decided.

However, as soon she was about to take a step, suddenly Sommie ran to where she would have put her foot. When she tried stepping elsewhere, it just did the same.

"S-Sommie! Stop that!" Aurora scolded it.

Does he wants for me to be caught-?

"Princess Aurora?"

She froze. Evidently, that was indeed its plan all along, because after one last happy-sounding bark, Sommie proceeded to run off. Aurora slowly turned around, to see that Ivy was now standing just a couple feet away, staring right at her.

"Princess Ivy," Aurora said with a twang of nerve in her tone. "Lovely afternoon, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is," Ivy replied and nodded with a stoic expression.

A moment of awkward silence followed. The Elusian princess held a piercing gaze, Aurora could not help but feel unnerve, as if judged. That it was not the first time it happened did not help matters.

"Did you had business with me, Milady?" Ivy then asked.

Her features relaxed, but it did not made Aurora feel much better.

"W-well…"

"Yes?" Ivy tilted her head slightly.

Must think of something, quick! Aurora thought.

"Ah, I have yet to thank you properly," she finally said. "For having come to our aid back at the moor."

Despite so, Ivy reacted with a frown.

"I only did what I had to do, Princess," she replied. "I'm not sure it's something really worthy of gratitude. Not when it does not make up for all the trouble I've caused."

"Oh no, don't say that," Aurora was quick to say. "If not for you and your retainers, we may have been done for. After everything that happened back at the cathedral, we-"

Here her expression saddened.

"We were not really at our best," she finished as she lowered her gaze.

Ivy gave the girl a sympathetic look.

"I heard already about Queen Lumera's sacrifice," she said. "You have my condolences. I know it must be hard to have lost a loved one."

"Ah, that's right," Aurora recalled. "Your father, too…"

Here she grimaced. For all the loss that happened, the Fell Dragon devouring King Hyacinth had to be the worst of the lot. Although she had averted her gaze, and Alear still covered her for good measure, she still heard the vile deed. She was sure it was going to hunt her nightmares for days to come.

Yet Princess Hortensia must be having it worse, she thought.

The younger Elusian princess' scream had not helped matters, which no doubt indicated she had indeed watch. To see her own father killed by their worshipped deity in such a way, no doubt was a heavy blow to her psyche. Although enemies, Aurora could not help but pity the young princess. She at least avoided witnessing Lumera's death by virtue they had left the building when it most likely happened.

"Let us not dwell much on it," Ivy said, looking as if upset. "It won't do well for our state of mind."

"Y-yes," Aurora agreed. "I'm sorry for bringing it up."

Ivy's expression softened.

"It's fine. I am not upset at you, Princess."

"Still, let me make up for it," Aurora said.

"There's no need to trouble yourself so," Ivy said.

"Please, I insist," the girl would not budge. "How about we share a cup of tea?"

"Share a cup of tea?" Ivy seemed to ponder this for a moment.

Then, for the first time since their conversation began, she smiled.

"Yes, that sounds lovely. I humbly accept."

The response made Aurora return the smile.

They would now find themselves seated at the Café Terrace. Their table was set up with two cups and a plate of pastries. As it was customary for her, Ivy had also brought a jar of orange jam, intending to use it with her tea. To her surprise, she saw Aurora had brought her own, though of strawberry instead.

"Do you also take jam with your tea, Princess?" Ivy asked, clearly curious.

"I prefer to use honey," Aurora admitted. "But, Grandmother once said she would partake whenever the Elusian Royal Family visited. Well, back when they did."

"We used to, yes," Ivy said, a hint of sadness in her voice.

She closed her eyes briefly, as if pensive.

"I don't suppose you recall those times?"

Aurora sadly shook her head.

"I'm sorry," the girl replied. "Even for me, I was too young to remember."

"I see," Ivy said. "Well, I suppose it can't be helped."

However, she would soon smile.

"In any case, I appreciate the sentiment all the same."

Their conversation took a pause as they served themselves their tea. Aurora was about to pour a spoonful of jam on her tea, when she took note that Ivy actually brought hers straight to her mouth, taking in a small portion of the jam. Setting the spoon down, the jam still not consumed, she would then drink from her tea, blending the two in her mouth before finally passing it all down. Setting the cup down, Ivy turned to see Aurora's confounded face.

"I take it that Queen Lumera did not told you of this detail?" Ivy assumed, unable to hide her amusement.

"N-no," Aurora said. "Is that really how Elusians take their tea?"

"For many, yes," Ivy replied. "Some do pour it down and stir to blend, but that's better done when preparing the tea."

"I see," Aurora said, amazed.

She then glanced at her own spoon, the jam threatening to spill.

"Perhaps I should try it out myself, then."

The girl would proceed to do just that. Mimicking Ivy's actions, she first placed a small portion of the jam inside her mouth, before then sipping from her cup. Her eyes widened, before squealing in glee.

"Oh my, that was delicious," she said, face etched with delight.

Ivy gave out a small chuckle.

"I'm glad it was to your liking," she said.

"The way the flavors mixed in my mouth… it was quite the experience," Aurora continued. "Now I understand why you like it so much."

The girl glanced back at her jar of jam.

"I wonder if Princess Céline would like to partake as well. I must bring it up to her next time we have tea."

"You often have tea with the Firenese princess?" Ivy asked.

"Yes," Aurora replied, turning back to her. "Ever since she joined us in the Somniel."

"Is it just the two of you?" Ivy inquired.

"Well, sometimes others join, but it's always the two of us, yes," Aurora said. "At least until recently, as Lady Citrinne would then make us three. You are more than welcome to join as well, of course."

"Citrinne…" Ivy hummed. "One of Prince Alcryst's retainers, was she not?"

"That's correct," Aurora nodded. "She's the mage."

"She certainly has a noble air to her," Ivy mused. "I had no idea she too was a princess."

"Oh, no, she does not bear the title. She is still a member of Brodia's royal family, however," Aurora clarified.

"I see. So these gatherings are like a royal sorority of sorts," Ivy mused.

"Something like that, yes," Aurora said. "Or as Father once called it: It's a time for royal-tea."

Ivy blinked, stunned.

"What?" She stated bluntly. "The Divine One... said that?"

"Hee hee, I know," Aurora giggled. "I reacted similar at first. You get used to it, however."

Yet that did not sound reassuring for the Elusian princess, who remained in disbelief.

"I hope I don't have to reevaluate on things," Ivy muttered.

"Eh? Did you say something?" Aurora asked, not quite hearing it.

"N-never mind," Ivy shook her head. "Perhaps a change of subject is in order."

"Um, okay," Aurora agreed, if still not fully sure as to why.

In any case, they took this opportunity to make a small pause in their talk in order to consume some of the pastries and drink more tea. It was in the midst of this that suddenly Alear approached, coming from the direction of the plaza.

"Oh, hello Father," Aurora happily called out.

As for Ivy-

"Ah, Divine One," she said, her face tinting pink as she seemed to get flustered.

Something that did not escape the girl's notice.

"Huh?" Aurora tilted her head, at the Elusian princess' sudden change in demeanor.

"Aurora, Princess Ivy, so this is where you were," Alear said.

He himself had either not noticed, or paid it no mind. Instead, he took a glance at their table.

"Having one of your tea parties, Aurora?"

"Yes, Father," Aurora nodded. "You're welcome to join us."

She then glanced to Ivy.

"You wouldn't mind, would you Princess Ivy?"

"Ah, not at all," Ivy replied, shaking her head.

"Unfortunately, I can't," Alear replied, apologetic. "In fact, I'm afraid I have to commit an-"

He suddenly flashed a small smirk.

"In-tea-rruption."

Aurora let out a small giggle.

"Oh, Father," she simply said, amused if more at him than at the pun.

Meanwhile, Ivy felt the color drain from her face.

He... really said that, she thought. This is no dream, is it?

Thankfully, for the sake of her struggling mind, Alear's expression sobered up, as he now looked straight at her.

"Alfred and Diamant want to go over what will be our plan for when we reach Solm," he explained.

"Right, I'll be there," Ivy nodded as she stood up.

"Sorry I had to cut this short, sweetie," Alear told Aurora.

"It's alright, Father," she said, not at all bothered. "We can always do this again another time."

"I'll be looking forward to it," Ivy said, looking back at her with a smile, which the girl returned.

She then turned to Alear.

"Lead the way, Divine One."

Alear nodded. With that, the two left the area. Aurora watched them leave until they were out of sight.

Well, this was nice, she thought.

She then glanced back at the table, where only a few pastries remained.

It would be a waste to leave them.

With that, she proceeded to finish them off by herself.

Night had fallen on the Somniel. Most had already retired to their quarters, Aurora included. Already changed to her nightgown, she was brushing her hair before her vanity, pensive about today's events.

"I suppose I must thank you, Sommie," she suddenly said, looking over her reflection's shoulder.

The before mentioned creature was currently curled up on the bed.

"Talking to her directly went well, all things considered," she continued with a small smile. "I had hoped it would last longer, but there's always next time."

Sommie made a small noise as it shifted its position slightly. Aurora sighed.

"Too bad Father had to interrupt, but I guess it couldn't be helped."

A small paused followed.

"Speaking of Father, Princess Ivy suddenly started acting strange once he showed up."

Aurora then made a small frown, pausing her brushing.

"Come to think of it, even when she was our enemy, her behavior was…"

She hummed, recalling their previous encounters.

"What a pleasure it is to see you up close, Divine One. You and your daughter both."

Princess Ivy actually sounded sincere.

"Hm-hm! If I say no, will you come nearer?"

Many would think of that as a taunt, but she actually giggled. Was she… really hoping he would?

"Could I ask you to forget that?"

Father and the others may have heed her words, but I cannot. How could I, when she actually referred to him as her deity.

This one made her pause.

An Elusian princess, worshipping Father? Had her words been a slip of the tongue, perhaps?

The latter made more sense to her, as it were. Aurora went pensive, trying to figure out this mystery.

Regardless, she certainly held no personal enmity towards Father. However, if not a worshipper, then why would she be so elated-?

"Oh!"

Her eyes widened, exhaling a gasp.

"Could it be that… she's smitten with Father!?"

Perhaps it was the words, or simply her raised voice, but the sudden outburst caused Sommie to perk up, turning its head towards her. It made a sudden whining noise, which in turn made Aurora glance back.

"A case of love at first sight, perhaps?"

Her voiced tremble with a wide range of emotions. As it was, she only got another whine in reply, making her sigh. Not that she expected the little creature to give her an answer she could understand. Aurora turned back to her reflection.

I should have foreseen this, she thought. Perhaps it has happened before already, and I never noticed.

She hummed.

To think I'd first witness this from a former enemy. Were her feelings for Father involved in her decision to join us, then?

She then frowned.

Even if so, what should I make of that? And what would Father think if he were to find out?

Aurora sighed. It was too late an hour to fret over this. Instead, she resumed her hair brushing, if at a slower pace and not fully focused on it anymore. Tomorrow would be another day, and their arrival to Solm a welcomed distraction. Aurora knew, however, that eventually she could face the fact her Father may find a second love, whomever that ended up being.

Whenever that day arrived, she could only hope she would be ready.

Author's Notes: Well, right off the bat, yes, Lumera dies at Destinea instead of at the Ring Vault. You might think I'm inspired by the Manga, but I actually had this thought long before it was announced.

Don't know if it's needed to be stated, but one of Ivy's lines when having meals at the Somniel does mention the jam thing. Looking up, yes, it's also a thing to combine the jam and tea in your mouth. What fascinating trivia.

Also, just saying, but Alear does have a backlog of a thousand years in Dad Jokes. XD Well, okay, don't really expect this to be a recurring thing. Not much, at least. Just wanted to poke fun at the fact that he is a dad in this AU, so...

However, do expect the whole "Aurora thinks Ivy has a crush on Alear" bit to show up again. I mean, just imagine her walking in on them while they're having their B Rank Support during that line. lol Though truth be told, still not sure if I want to actually pair up Alear in this AU. At the very least, the subject may be relevant in-story in some form regardless. Can't make promises, but I feel it will end up happening anyway.

I think that's all. If there was something I missed commenting on, well, you can just let me know.