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Finding Her Voice
The nursery was quiet as Aurora and Devrim entered. Having recently been fed, the twins were being cared for by nurses and other attendants. Nanny stood in the middle of the nursery overseeing the work. The princess was surprised, "Nanny, what are you doing here?"
Nanny curtsied and chuckled lightly. "Hello, Your Majesty! I am taking care of my new charges."
"What about me?"
"The new Empress does not need old Nanny here. You will be receiving ladies-in-waiting later today."
"Oh," the girl said sadly. The thought had not occurred to her that she might have to give up her Nanny. Her small lips quivered for a moment. "Take good care of my brother and sister! I'll be checking on you."
"Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you." Nanny bowed her head. Aurora hugged her caretaker for the last time. It was a tender moment, and Devrim felt like he was intruding. He cleared his throat awkwardly, bring
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Empress of the World An Unconscionable Suggestion
The other Councilmen looked nervous as Cafer stood at the end of the long table to address the future empress. The tension in the air was thick, but the Chief of the Council did not show his emotion. This girl was merely a child with power, and he would direct her in the proper way. Soon she would have to see his wisdom, as her mother had."Your Majesty, we received news that you have visited the nursery." Cafer began with a fact. If he could get her to agree to small things, perhaps he could coax her to his way of thinking."We have," the princess acknowledged."Then you are aware of the great danger facing us.""I do not follow you, Chief Cafer." Aurora scrunched her eyebrows.The chief humbly spread his hands, "Your mother did not name an heir.""She did not have a chance." Aurora countered."Traditionally the first born inherits the t
Empress of the World A Makeover and a Surprise Meeting
"Hold still, please, Your Majesty." "Your Majesty, please hold your arms out so I can pin the sleeves." "Which sash would you prefer, Your Majesty." On and on the servants and new ladies-in-waiting went. They poked and pinched the girl with pins and fingers. Aurora quickly lost interest in their nips and tucks. Instead she decided to focus on her three new lady attendants. They were all very eager and very…similar. All three were in their teens and stair steps of each other. Aurora finally decided they must be sisters. When she asked their names they curtsied and replied in turn. "I'm Anna." "I'm Bella." "And I'm Candela!" The third replied enthusiastically. 'At least they are in alphabetical order. I wonder if they have any more sisters at home,' Aurora thought. Their appearances were nearly identical. Each had chestnut eyes and rich, creamy skin. They had long broad noses and beautiful soft pink mouths. The only differences b
Empress of the World Leading up to the Announcement
The morning leading up to the public announcement of Empress Zephyra's death was filled with hustle and bustle. A carefully selected crowd was allowed into the palace courtyard to witness the event. In addition, town criers were set in strategic places around Valiant to spread the news. Other messengers were dispatched to carry the announcement along with the two royal edicts to all the parts of the globe. The first edict pronounced a week of mourning in honor of Zephyra's passing. The second edict declared a week long holiday in honor of the new Empress, her marriage, and her children, the new heirs. "Is this really necessary? Why would people want to mourn someone most of them didn't like?" Aurora asked. She had no delusions about people's opinion of her mother. She had been sneaking around for years, hearing snippets of conversations never meant for her ears. Cafer could understand her concern. "It's not about affection. It is about respect. They will show respect
Empress of the World The Secret Passage
The wall swung open in the Empress's chamber with barely a whisper. Devrim peeked out his head with a mischievous grin. "Are you ready?" He asked. Aurora had been awaiting his gentle knock on the wall for what seemed like an eternity. She was clad in old play clothes that Nanny had made for her the year before. They were well-worn and comfortable. Anna had thought it strange when the princess had requested the clothes from her old room, but the lady had decided not to dwell on the mystery. It was not worth her position to question her mistress's quirks. Ducking her head into the passageway, Aurora winked at her co-conspirator."Let's go!"The pair were careful to not close the passage until they found the hidden latch that would open it from the inside. "That's what I was looking for last night," Devrim said sheepishly. "I thought I was back at my own room. We should probably mark our way as we go." The boy pulled out a piece of chalk and marked the girl's passage with
Empress of the World The Power to Name
As the week went on, the Castle Valiant became even more sealed to the outside world than it already was. Only a few servants were allowed to interact with those who brought goods and services from Valiant and of those, any who spoke out of turn were promptly dismissed. Aurora noticed that the attendants who had been present during the twins' birth had been replaced with new nurses. Even the wet nurses seemed unfamiliar. When she commented on it to Nanny, the woman refused to look up from her knitting. "Chief Cafer took care of everything." In a lower tone she added, "Anyone who might have spoken out has been appropriately compensated." "What about you, Nanny? Were you compensated?" The rotund woman lay a finger aside her nose, "No. Old Nanny knows how to keep a secret." Aurora wondered if compensated meant paid to keep silent or something else, but was too afraid to ask. She didn't like that Cafer did these things without her knowledge. After she went agains
Empress of the World The Vault
It was the evening before the coronation and presentation of the twins to the world. It would be a full and tiring day, and Aurora knew she should sleep. But knowing and doing are two different things. The princess sent her maids away after dinner and lay down on top of the blankets on her bed in her under clothes. It was far too much work to put on her night clothes, and yet in her exhaustion she knew she could not rest. Reaching for her collar bone, she ran her fingers along the delicate golden necklace which her father had given her. Her mind was empty and full all at once.A soft knock from the wall caught Aurora's attention. She sighed and sat up with a groan. Throwing on a thick green robe, she pulled the switch and allowed Devrim to enter."I can't sleep," the boy said when he saw her upset glare. "I don't suppose you want to go exploring?" The princess continued her death-stare. "Please? Devrim begged. "We didn't go last night, and there is still so much to see
Empress of the World The Coronation
When Aurora awoke, the night before seemed like a strange dream. Had it really happened? There wasn't time to dwell on her thoughts as a dozen servants burst in the room. "Good morning, Your Majesty!" Anna said brightly. "It's coronation day!" said Bella. "And don't forget the babies' naming ceremony." Added Candela. The fog in Aurora's mind slowly cleared as she had a light breakfast brought in on a tray. The sisters ushered their mistress into a tub of warm water and scrubbed her hair and skin until they shone. They dressed her carefully. While the announcement of Zephyra's death had been given to a crowd from a great distance, the coronation would be held in the throne room with some of the most notable royal families. Aurora and Devrim would be viewed at close range, which would be a truer test if they could pass for a more mature Empress and Emperor Consort. The ladies-in-waiting wrapped thick cloth around Aurora's torso, giving her a more womanl
Empress of the World Dawn of a New Empress
After a wardrobe change, Aurora and Devrim took their places behind the curtain at the front of the throne room. The baby naming ceremony was important in the life of a royal child, and the tenth day was always when the names were bestowed. The fact that this day coincided with the coronation seemed ordained by the Fates. While the nobility was treated to music, hors d'oeuvres, and entertainment in the grand ballroom, the servants transformed the throne room. The deep blue was removed and replaced with more white and gold: the colors of a bright future. Across the royal seal above the thrones, a white veil covered the crown. It represented hope and health. Everything was set.Nanny and another nurse brought the twins to their adoptive parents. The new rulers each received one baby in their waiting arms. Handing the baby girl to Aurora, Nanny could help but admire the new Empress's strength. She couldn't resist tucking a stray hair behind Aurora's ear. "I'll be watching
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