Chapter 1: A Child in the Cage (2)
Aurora
Aurora stood there, blinking in confusion. "Don’t I need to be pretty for the event?"
Lord Ashford - Aurora’s Stepfather
"Aurora, you only need to look pretty for me, not for anyone else."
Lord Ashford's words were blunt and direct but Aurora was too innocent to understand the twisted meaning behind them.
Lord Ashford was well aware of this because he was the only one who moulded her in this way and raised her in a way that she would only obey his command and follow his instructions.
Aurora
"Why, father?" she asked innocently
Lord Ashford - Aurora’s Stepfather
"Because you are mine, Aurora. You belong to me."
Aurora
"Um, Okay," She couldn’t understand the meaning behind his words.
Lord Ashford - Aurora’s Stepfather
"Tell me, who do you belong to?" he asked, his dark eyes staring at her.
Aurora
"Aurora belongs to father." She obediently repeated what was taught to her.
Lord Ashford - Aurora’s Stepfather
"Good girl, tonight, you must listen to me very carefully."
Lord Ashford - Aurora’s Stepfather
"You don’t want anyone talking to you, do you?"
Lord Ashford - Aurora’s Stepfather
"Strangers are dangerous. You know that, don’t you?"
Aurora
Aurora nodded slowly, frowning as if trying to understand. "Yes… dangerous. But why—"
Lord Ashford - Aurora’s Stepfather
"Exactly," he interrupted. "So tonight, I want you to act like a little girl."
Lord Ashford - Aurora’s Stepfather
"Don’t talk to anyone. Don’t smile. Don’t let anyone come near you."
Lord Ashford - Aurora’s Stepfather
"If they do, you should let me know immediately. You can shout, alright?"
Aurora
Aurora looked puzzled but nodded obediently. "Okay, Father. I’ll do what you say."
Lord Ashford - Aurora’s Stepfather
"Good girl," he said, standing up and turning to Lucy. "Now, do what you need to. I don’t want anyone to notice her."
Lucy, clearly uncomfortable, began adjusting Aurora’s appearance whereas lord Ashford went out to instruct his servants to get a carriage ready.
She dulled the makeup, mussed the hair just enough, and changed her gown to a plain and old one.
Lord Ashford - Aurora’s Stepfather
"Derek, get the carriage ready." he came out in the hallway where Derek was waiting for him.
Derek
"Sure, my lord" he bowed slightly.
Derek
"But are you sure about taking Lady Aurora to the King's Banquet?" He asked carefully
Lord Ashford - Aurora’s Stepfather
"Do I have any other options?" irritation was clear in his voice.
Lord Ashford - Aurora’s Stepfather
"If not for King making it mandatory that all girls between ages 16-20 should attend the banquet, I would never let her step out of this mansion."
Aurora
Aurora looked at herself in the mirror, tilting her head. "I look funny."
Lord Ashford returned by this time and was satisfied with Aurora’s look now.
Lord Ashford - Aurora’s Stepfather
"That’s the point," the Duke said firmly. "You need to blend in, Aurora. No one should want to talk to you."
Aurora
"But why?" she asked, turning to him with genuine confusion in her wide eyes. "Why can’t I just be me?"
Lord Ashford - Aurora’s Stepfather
The Lord’s expression darkened again. "Because, Aurora, the world isn’t as kind as you think."
Lord Ashford - Aurora’s Stepfather
"If you stand out, people will try to take you away. You don’t want that, do you?"
Aurora
Aurora’s eyes widened in horror. "No, Father! I don’t want anyone to take me. I’ll do what you say, I promise."
Lord Ashford - Aurora’s Stepfather
He softened once again, placing a hand on her shoulder. "That’s my good girl. Just behave, and everything will be fine."
Lord Ashford - Aurora’s Stepfather
"Stay by my side and don’t speak unless I tell you to. Do you understand?"
Aurora
"Yes, Father," she whispered, clinging to his every word.
Lucy - Aurora’s maid
Lucy stepped back, pity clear in her eyes as she looked at Aurora. "She’s ready, my Lord."
Lord Ashford - Aurora’s Stepfather
"Good," he said. Then, with a cold glance at the maid, he added, "If she draws any attention tonight, you’ll regret it."
Lucy - Aurora’s maid
Lucy lowered her gaze. "Yes, my Lord."
Aurora
Aurora, oblivious to the tension in the room, smiled sweetly at her father. "Are we going now? Will it be fun?"
Lord Ashford - Aurora’s Stepfather
Lord Ashford smirked, patting her head. "We’ll see, Aurora. Now, remember what I said. Stay quiet. Stay with me. Don’t let anyone near you."
Aurora
"Yes, Father!" Aurora chirped, her excitement bubbling over once again as if nothing serious had been said at all.
With one last look at the maid, lord Ashford turned on his heel and led Aurora out of the room, his grip on her arms firm as if he were leading her not to a royal event but into another cage.
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