Chapter 21

Aurelia II

The warmth of the morning sun light flooded into Aurelia's chambers as Seraphine pulled back the crimson curtains. "Good Morning My Lady." She said warmly. "I was told by King Torygg himself to allow you a late morning."

Aurelia sat up in her bed, she stretched as she looked towards Seraphine, still half asleep. "Good morning, Seraphine. You-you said father wanted me to sleep in today?" She asked, clearly confused as she rubbed her eyes.

"Yes My Lady," Seraphine replied excitedly. She sat a silver tray down on a small tray stand to the side of her bed.

"What in the world is going on today?" Aurelia asked, genuinely concerned but smiling despite herself. Seraphine's good mood was infectious, Aurelia found it difficult to maintain her composure.

Seraphine sat down on the edge of the bed, "oh, nothing at all, My Lady." She said with a sly smile as she lifted the lid off the silver platter, revealing a dish of smoked salmon with a side of sliced apples and a wedge of cheese. She poured a goblet of Aurelia's favorite herbal tea. "His Majesty simply thought you deserve a bit of extra rest this morning. And perhaps… a bit of pampering."

Aurelia raised an eyebrow, "what has you so… happy this morning?" Aurelia asked with a smirk as she watched Seraphine setting the breakfast tray up beside her.

"Well, My Lady." She began, barely able to contain her excitement. "Rumors have been stirring in the servants quarters. Whispers of a potential suitor that the King has found."

Aurelia's eyebrow shot up in surprise, "A suitor?" She asked, confused but curious. "I don't recall hearing anything about this."

Seraphine's eyes sparkled with excitement. "No one knows who it is as of now, but I've heard rumors from the kitchen staff that it's someone very important." Seraphine's voice dropped to a whisper. "They say the king is preparing for an announcement soon, and it could be an engagement, My Lady."

Aurelia felt a flicker of unease pass through her. "An engagement…" she repeated. Her mind went back to a few nights ago, when Ondolemar had kissed her in the gardens. She had been avoiding him since, unsure of what the kiss meant. She hadn't want to face the possibility that the kiss might have been nothing to him. But the memory played in her mind like a forbidden song. He had been so gentle, his lips brushed against her hesitantly at first. The warmth of his touch lingered long after. But now, hearing of an engagement left her with a feeling of unease.

"You look pale, My Lady. I didn't mean to upset you." Seraphine said as she placed a hand on her arm.

Aurleia blinked, attempting to free herself from her thoughts. She forced a smile. "It's fine Seraphine. I'm just a bit nervous I suppose."

"It will be alright, Lady Aurelia. I'm sure whatever happens it will be for the best. You have a bright future ahead of you, your father will make sure of it." Seraphine replied, smiling brightly. "I must admit, My Lady, I am eager to see you in a wedding gown. I can't help but to imagine you looking absolutely radiant in a gown fit for a princess."

Aurelia chuckled softly, but the sound was strained. "A wedding gown?" She repeated with amusement. "I don't even know who my suitor is yet."

"If your father has chosen him. I'm sure he will be wonderful." Seraphine assured Aurelia. "Now, My Lady, you relax and enjoy your breakfast. I shall return later." She said as she departed the room, closing the door softly behind her.

A suitor? Aurelia thought to herself. How could father have found someone without her knowledge? Then it dawned on her and her heart skipped a beat. Her mind raced back to the garden-the kiss, the way his gaze lingered on her after. No it can't be him.

But then a quieter part of her thought, what if I want it to be him?

Her fingers brushed her lips, the lingering warmth of his kiss still vivid in her memories. But would he even want this?

No stop, she told herself, these are dangerous thoughts. I don't even know if it's true.

Unable to sit still with so many questions swirling in her mind, Aurelia decided to take matters into her own hands. She got out of bed, and slipped on a gown and a cloak.

Halbjorn lifted his head from his morning feast of raw venison and perked his ears up till big his head as if to ask what's going on.

"It's ok Halbjorn. Stay. I'll be back soon." Aurelia told him before closing the door behind her.

Once she was out into the hallway. Aurelia casted an invisibility spell on herself and she made her way to the throne room.

When she arrived at the throne room, she was surprised to find it empty. She listened closely for a moment. It sounded as if voices were coming from the council chamber. Quietly she made her way closer to the door.

She could hear her father's voice. "Justiciar, you have remained quiet. What is your opinion on this matter? Surely you know her better than most. Would you not agree that allowing Aurelia time to adjust would be in her best interest?"

Aurelia's breath caught as she pressed her ear against the door. What are they talking about? Why is my father addressing Ondolemar specifically?

After a moment of silence she heard Ondolemar's calm and measured voice. "I would agree with the High King and council. A longer engagement would allow Lady Aurelia the time to prepare for the role she is to assume. This union is, after all, as much a partnership as it is a symbol. Strengthening that partnership before the wedding can only benefit bath parties-and the goals of the Dominion."

Aurelia froze. Her heart beating out of her chest. Engagement? The Dominion? Her thoughts raced as the pieces began to fall into place. So it's true… she thought to herself.

Aurelia returned to her chambers, and slipped into her bed as if she had never left. Halbjorn sensing something was wrong, climbed onto the bed and laid down beside her. Aurelia absentmindedly stroked the fur on his back as her mind continued to swirl. A wedding. A union. Strengthening a partnership. Surely they don't mean…

Her hand stop against Halbjorn's fur. She thought back to the kiss with ondolemar. The way he had looked at her. Could it really be possible? Is he the suitor?

Halbjorn shifted beside her, letting out a soft, rumbling growl as if sensing her distress. Aurelia sighed and rested her cheek against his warm fur. "What am I supposed to do, Halbjorn?" she whispered. "If it's him… if I'm right…"

She couldn't bring herself to finish the thought. Halbjorn nudged her hand with his nose, offering silent comfort.

Aurelia reached over to the table at the side of her bed to grab the goblet of tea Seraphine had prepared for her. It smelled of lavender and chamomile. As Aurelia took a sip she was surprised when it tasted of sweet roll frosting. Oh no, Aurelia thought. This is exactly what happened before when Sheogorath appeared before her.

"By the Divines…" she muttered under her breath. Halbjorn sensing her tension, let out a low growl, his ear twitching.

Aurelia glanced towards the center of the room, half expecting to see the Daedric prince of madness lounging in her favorite chair again. The room, however, remained quiet and still. Aurelia let out a sigh of relief and rubbed her eyes in an attempt to relieve the tension she was feeling.

She opens her eyes, but notices her room feels… off. The bed is suddenly on the ceiling, her belongings are upside down, and Halbjorn is standing sideways on the wall.

Sheogorath appears beside her. "Hello dear Princess! You mortals are so boring in the mornings. I thought I'd stop by and shake things up!" The prince of madness said with a wide, mad grin. He snapped his fingers, and everything in the room was as it had been before.

"Sheogorath," Aurelia said, sitting up straighter in bed. "What do you want this time?"

He placed a hand over his heart as if wounded. "Want? Want? Is it so hard to believe I simply missed our delightful little chats? Honestly, Aurelia, you wound me with your lack of trust!"

Sheogorath spun on his heel, as he examined the room, running a finger along the edge of the tray Seraphine had set up. "Although," he continued, "if you insist on accusing me of having ulterior motives, well… you wouldn't exactly be wrong!"

Aurelia folded her arms, narrowing her eyes. "Of course you have a motive. You always do."

He grinned wider, his eyes glinting with mischief. "You're catching on, my dear! Clever girl. I've come because…" He trailed off dramatically, looking out the window as if waiting for a cue. Then, with a flourish, he turned back to her. "You're about to find yourself at the heart of something rather interesting. And by interesting, I mean chaotic. And by chaotic, I mean absolutely delightful!"

Aurelia groaned, leaning back against her pillows. "Can't you ever just leave me out of your schemes?"

"Oh, but that would be so boring!" Sheogorath replied, snapping his fingers. A small, glowing sweet roll appeared in his hand. "Besides, you're much more fun when you're in the thick of things. Now, eat this, and let's have a little chat about your future!"

Aurelia hesitated a moment, before taking the sweet roll. "Fine. I'll bite."

Sheogorath's grin widened. "Oh. I knew you had a sense of humor tucked away somewhere, my dear! 'I'll bite' she says!" He cackled, as if he had just heard the greatest joke in all of Tamriel.

Aurelia rolled her eyes, but couldn't suppress the faintest twitch of a smile. "You're impossible."

"And yet," Sheogorath, wagging a finger at her, "you keep indulging me. It's almost like we're friends! Isn't that delightful?" He leaned in closer. "Go on princess, take a bite. You'll find it's more than just a snack-it's an experience."

The sweet roll sat in her hand, its frosting glistened in the light. It shouldn't have seemed so tempting-not after Sheogorath's maddening antics-but the longer she stared at it, the harder it was to resist.

Aurelia opened her mouth and took a bite. Sheogorath's grin widened, his eyes sparkled with mischief. The flicker of genuine amusement in his eyes was overshadowed by a deep, unsettling sense of knowing as though he had just set something in motion that even he didn't understand, but couldn't wait to watch unfold.

The room seemed to ripple and dissolve around her. Colors swirled around her as she was pulled into sheogorath's vision. When her surroundings solidified, she found herself in the council chamber.

Her father's voice echoed through the chamber, "Justiciar, you have remained quiet. What is your opinion on this matter? Surely you know her better than most."

Aurelia's eyes darted to Ondolemar. He sat at the table, his expression calm but his eyes flickered with hesitation. As he began to respond, she felt a presence to her right. She turned to see Elenwen watching Ondolemar with an intensity that made Aurelia's stomach churn.

Sheogorath's voice rang from behind her. "Oh look at her! Sizing him up like a sweet roll! What do you think my dear? Could it be admiration? Or perhaps something a bit more?" His wild laugh echoed through the chamber.

Aurelia frowned. Elenwen's gaze was cruel and scrutinizing every word, every gesture that Ondolemar made.

"She's judging him…" Aurelia muttered as she gazed at Ondolemar.

"Ah, what sharp instincts you have!" The Daedric prince exclaimed as he lounged in a chair that hadn't been there moments ago. "But aren't you curious? Why so much interest in your dear Justiciar?"

Ondolemar's golden skin began to crack, with flickers of firelight flowing within them. His hands began to twitch subtly.

Aurelia reached for his hands, but before she could touch him, the vision began to dissolve as Sheogorath's laughter echoed around her.

Suddenly, Aurelia was back in her chambers. Halbjorn was sprawled out beside her, snoring softly. For a moment, everything seemed normal. Then she spotted him—Sheogorath lounging in her favorite chair.

"Ah, there you are, dear Princess!" he said brightly, as though he hadn't just bent reality around her. "I do hope you've enjoyed the ride. Though, if I'm being honest, I thought your reactions could use a bit more flair. Perhaps next time, some screaming? A faint? Oh! Or a full dramatic soliloquy about destiny and madness!"

Aurelia stared at him, clutching the blankets in disbelief. "What in Oblivion just happened? Was that… real?"

"Real? Fake? What a boring way to look at things," Sheogorath replied. "Let's just say… it was truthful." He said with a mischievous grin.

"why did you show me any of this? Is this all just a fun game to you?" Aurelia asked.

The Daedric Prince chuckled, leaning forward conspiratorially. "Game? Oh, no games here, my dear. Only stories. And you, my clever little mortal, are in the middle of a very juicy one. Love, betrayal, secrets, forbidden kisses—all the makings of a masterpiece!"

Aurelia tilted her head to the side. "You're here because of... Ondolemar and I?"

"Why of course, my dear!" He exclaimed. "But that Justiciar? All order, all duty-no chaos, no fun!" Sheogorath waved his arms dramatically. "But you, my dear, have begun to... lets say unravel him. And I-your favorite daedric prince-am here to help you with the chaos. Drive the mer a little mad, eh?"

"I don't wish to drive him mad, Sheogorath. Besides I would miss the way his mask starts to slip and his recovery." She remarked playfully.

Sheogorath threw his head back in laughter. "Oh, you clever little thing! Playing with his composure like that. Not driving him mad, you say? Just a little fraying at the edges, hmm?" He leaned closer, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Admit it, my dear-you enjoy watching him unravel."

Aurelia smirked. "Perhaps. But chaos isn't always about destruction. Sometimes it's just a moment of honesty amidst all of the lies."

The Daedric prince paused, stroking his chin. "Honesty? What an odd little mortal you are, finding truth in chaos." He grinned slyly, before continuing. "And isn't it wonderful how honest he may become… when everything he clings to-order, reason, duty-starts slipping through his fingers."

Aurelia's playful expression softened. "I just want to see the real him…"

Sheogorath tilted his head, his grin widening. "Ah, the mortal heart. So sentimental, so complicated, so… messy. You want to see him but what if you don't like what you find, hmm?"

Aurelia hesitated, his words leaving her head spinning, "I-"

The prince interrupted her with a wave of his hand. "Oh. Don't fret dear princess. I'm sure it'll work out splendidly. Or disastrously. Either way, I'll be watching!" He winked at her, his grin widening. "After all chaos and love? The two best flavors in your world!"

Before Aurelia could say anything back, the Daedric prince snapped his fingers and disappeared, leaving behind only the faint smell of cheese.

Aurelia laid her head back against the soft pillows at her back. "By the nine, Halbjorn. I'm going insane aren't I?"

Halbjorn, still half asleep let out a soft growl, before falling back asleep. Deciding to let her Sabre cat continue to enjoy his slumber, Aurelia left her room to go somewhere she could clear her head. A good book will distract me, she thought to herself.