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A Run-In with Lord Turpilius
Arriving back at the palace, Aurora was almost immediately whisked to her wardrobe to begin preparations for the ball. The girl was becoming accustomed to her tall shoes and make-up for official functions, and she was coming to enjoy the womanly figure that her dresses created. When the ladies had finished, the Empress examined their handiwork. The gown was purple and billowing, giving the girl a tiny waist. For once Aurora had put her foot down and requested a gown in a color other than blue or white. The dressmaker had raised her eyebrows but said nothing.
"You look radiant," Anna told her.
"I do, Anna. Thank you." Aurora wasn't vain, but she did like how she looked tonight.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor Consort is here to escort you to the ball."
Aurora went to the door to find Devrim standing handsomely in his wide trousers and royal dress-coat. He was to be thirteen the next month, but with the care of his entourage, he appeared every bit of twenty. It
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Empress of the World A Chance to be Normal
"I got you!" Alaron called. The five-year-old aimed the wooden sword at Cafer's stomach."Well done, my boy! We'll make an emperor of you yet." Cafer laughed as he tousled the boy's sandy brown hair."Thanks, Uncle Cafer! I've been practicing." Alaron said proudly."I can tell," Cafer agreed. The pair had been playfully sparring in the large nursery that the twins still shared. Cafer visited often, happy to ingratiate himself to the young prince. He doted on the boy heavily, but no one could criticize him for treating the young prince well."Mairwen, did you see that?" Alaron asked his sister. Mairwen peeked up from behind her easel. She was positioned by the large window, painting broad strokes with her new oils."I saw it, brother," she answered kindly. "You did well.""But..?" Alaron could sense his sister's hesitance. Although her blue eyes had seemed far
Empress of the World A Familiar Sound
Just as Aurora was preparing for bed that evening, she heard a knock on the wall. The Empress knew the sound well. Butterflies formed in her stomach. It had been nearly a year since she had heard that knock. Devrim had told her that it wasn't proper for him to visit her in the night anymore. He didn't want anyone who knew the truth to talk badly of Aurora or ruin her reputation. Devrim always looked out for her. The Empress smiled slightly as she recognized her friend's tapping."What was that?" asked Anna. The sisters had been preparing Aurora for her royal slumber. As the oldest and most conscientious of the ladies-in-waiting, Anna was always the most concerned about Aurora's safety and well-being. She took a tentative step toward the wall to investigate."It's nothing." Aurora stopped her. "Sometimes these old walls just do that. No need to worry about it. Goodnight ladies!" The girl began to forcefully push Anna toward the door.&
Empress of the World A Charming Dance Partner
The days up until the ball went quickly. Despite the twins begging, they would not be allowed to attend. "You must be at least fifteen," she reminded them. "Or fourteen with a familial escort." Aurora conveniently left out that she had been attending balls since she was barely eleven. There was no need to complicate things.Devrim spent as much time as he could with the Empress, even attending an afternoon of tea with her and some of the noble ladies that he easily could have skipped. When Aurora commented on his constant presence, he responded, "My days with you are growing short. I want to enjoy the time with my best friend." The girl's heart had melted at his words, and she had happily let him follow her like a puppy.When the big day came, Aurora could hardly wait for evening to arrive. She dressed early in her royal gown and paced her room, running over every possibility in her mind. What if no one asked her to dance? What if everyone asked her?! What if she met t
Empress of the World A Magical Evening
Aurora thrilled at the touch of Sir Iorwerth. Something about him was electrifying. She couldn't look away. As they began to dance, Aurora struggled to make conversation. Sir Iorwerth took the lead."I don't think I caught your name," he said."It's because I didn't give it." The Empress decided giving no name was safer than lying. She was pleased to see her answer amused her dance partner."I love a good mystery. You are more intriguing every moment, my lady." Iorwerth held her tighter. "Is this your first dance?""It is in a manner of speaking." Aurora answered vaguely. His touch on her back made her feel warm, giving her a sense of euphoria. Is this what love felt like? She blushed heavily."I am honored you have chosen to spend your time with me. Dancing with you just feels natural.""I agree. It's quite enjoyable.""I think you've ruined me for dancing with anyone else, my lady. Please allow me another turn about the room."
Empress of the World Who was He?
"May I have this dance?" The man with the grey eyes had asked. Aurora opened her mouth to speak."She is currently engaged to dance with me. Please try again later," Sir Iorwerth said. Aurora felt a surge of energy from his hand into her back, and she lost control of her body. Sir Iorwerth smiled at her dotingly and turned them toward the middle of the dance floor. The man in the mask was undeterred. He followed them."You should allow the lady to speak for herself," he insisted. "Would you like to dance?" As was customary, the man in green tapped Sir Iorwerth on the shoulder to prove his intentions. A visible streak of lightening leapt from Sir Iorwerth and ran up the other man's arm. The man in the mask jerked away and cried out."Stay back!" Sir Iorwerth hissed, his face distorted as his eyes flashed. For a moment, Aurora felt his power over her weaken, and she found the strength to pull away from her dance partner.The grey-eyed man saw the look on hi
Empress of the World Revisiting the Vault
Late that evening, Devrim and Aurora met at the appointed spot in the hidden tunnels. Since the night five years prior, they hadn't tried to re-enter the mysterious vault."Do you think it's still there?" Devrim wondered aloud."Where else would it be?""I don't know, but we've been by the Council's room a few times since that day, and the tunnel wasn't there.""Then I suppose we'll have to make it appear." Aurora was confident. She ran her fingers against her golden necklace at her collar bone. "And I am pretty sure this is the key."They made their way through the secret passages to the Council's meeting chamber. Under Chief Zan no secret council meetings had been held, so they had not come this way often. As Devrim suspected only a smooth glow stone wall could be seen. "It's right here somewhere." Aurora recalled."Maybe this isn't such a good idea." Devri
Empress of the World Opposition- Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures
Aurora laid out the events of the night before with Sir Iowerth. The Council listened with great interest and some discomfort. Cafer alone seemed unperturbed.When she was finished, Zan took the floor. "Sir Iowerth was apprehended shortly after these events. He swears he never entered the ballroom. After some…intense conversation in the dungeon, he says that he entered the palace grounds, but was hit from behind when his retinue went to board his horse. He awoke in a hall close to the ballroom, and we found him as he claimed he was trying to get his bearings.""Do you believe him?" Devrim asked. Over the years, the Council had come to allow his questions and even respect his opinions."I cannot sense any deceit in him. He seems a rather simple-minded man," Zan concluded."Then how do you explain what happened?" Ezer wanted to know.The Empress cleared her throat. "I may have an explanation, but I must ask the Council to have an open mind."
Empress of the World Another Problem with the Councilman
Weeks passed, and the intruder at the ball was never caught. Although Aurora was sure of what she experienced, as no further occurrences of magic appeared, she let herself move on. As promised, she returned the book to the vault after memorizing as much as she could. Security tightened around the royals. The biggest change in the palace was with Devrim. After the incident, he trained harder, studied harder and carved out time each day to spend with Aurora.The boy had difficulty with how close he had come to losing the girl he loved. Unknown to the Empress, he had sworn to protect her at all cost. Until he died or someone took his place at her side, he would not let any harm come to her. Aurora enjoyed the attention. Their lives had never been separate, but now she could not imagine a day going by without seeing Devrim's smile. Now that Aurora had told him that she would not marry anyone until the twins were grown, he also spent more time around the royal heirs.
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