CHAPTER 12 – Lady

Brynn’s household was on hold at dawn. He had ordered Luke to assemble every member and worker of the family in the mansion’s hall.

Aurora didn’t know what was going on; she was with her mum in her room earlier, getting her belongings ready to leave the mansion, when a servant had asked that she and her mother join the rest in the mansion’s hall, “The master’s command,” they had been told.

With no one left behind, the hall was packed full with workers, standing still, and familiar faces Aurora recognized as Brynn’s family: Theodore and Bianca, seated around a circular table.

Brynn came in minutes later, accompanied by Luke.

Both men looked stern, as though they were competing for who did it the most.

“I am going to make this quick,” Brynn said, standing in front of the main chair of the table, looking at the workers in front of him.

“Aurora dear,” He called, “Come to me.”

Aurora, not sure of what was happening, slowly walked to Brynn.

“Henceforth.” His voice echoed in the hall, reaching every corner, sending cold shivers down the workers’ spines. “Aurora here, identifies as part of this family.”

Moira slightly shook as her eyes widened. Bianca’s face remained unhinged, while anger began to brew within her.

Aurora looked at Brynn with uncertainty. She wasn’t sure if what Brynn did was the best move, but she trusted his lead anyway, after all, he is the master of the house.

Theodore scoffed in disbelief.

“She must be addressed as ‘Lady’,” He continued, “And anyone, I repeat anyone, who threatens her,” He looked at Theodore, “And her mother,” He looked at Bianca, “Will answer to me.”

‘Lady Aurora?’ she thought to herself.

It felt weird to her hearing, but since she had been given it, she might as well learn to grow into it, because the name had come to stay.

No one dared to make a noise,

“Aurora, my dear,” He turned to Aurora, “Get yourself ready, we’re both heading out in thirty minutes.”

He turned to Luke, “Thirty minutes, prepare to fly.”

“Now disperse.” He ordered, and only after he had walked away with Luke following him did everyone start to leave and return to their duties.

Brynn was in his room, getting ready to head out.

“What was the meaning of that?” Bianca’s voice came out angry, but she dared not raise her voice.

Brynn didn’t answer, his back turning against her.

“The last time you did something like that was for our children,” She said, and Brynn stiffened, “And now you do it for Aurora? Haven’t you taken this atonement a bit too far?”

Brynn continued what he was doing.

“She is long gone, Brynn. Get over it and stop losing yourself to a pathetic human.” She sounded.

“Don’t you ever dare to utter such dehumanizing words in regards to Aurora.” He swiftly turned to look at Bianca, lifting his finger in warning, his eyes filled with anger and danger.

Bianca was shocked; she froze. She had never seen him in such a state before. She felt stripped of her title as the master’s wife.

“A disrespect to my daughter,” He said, “Is a disrespect to me.” He grabbed his phone and stormed out of the room.

“But she isn’t our daughter.” Bianca silently said as she regained her sense of self.

Aurora was already dressed before the thirty-minute expiration. She gently walked towards the mansion’s entrance, as she checked for any details that looked out of order in the gown she wore.

Workers bowed their heads in greetings to the new lady, and she greeted them back, trying to get used to her new title.

Just then, she could see Bianca coming towards her from the other wing of the mansion.

“Greetings, mother.” Aurora greeted, bowing her head slightly.

Bianca looked at her with a disdainful look, her hand itched to put it across Aurora’s face, but she knew better than to cross her husband.

“So the master called you daughter,” Bianca said coldly, “And you automatically think that that makes me your mother?”

Aurora swallowed in tension as she didn’t meet Bianca’s eyes.

“Do I look like your pathetic and filthy mother?” Bianca asked, her eyes filled with anger towards Aurora, a human who came into her home in less than three days and now has taken charge of her home.

Aurora clenched her fist. If it were to be where she came from, she would have given this woman a taste of her fighting lessons for calling her mother names.

She didn’t answer, but her head remained bowed.

“Answer me!” Bianca shouted, “Do I look like your pathetic and filthy mother?”

“N…no, madam,” Aurora said.

‘Of course, never in a thousand years would you look like my mother, and she isn’t pathetic and filthy.’ She thought to herself.

Her thoughts were the only place she could defend her mother, as long as this mansion was concerned.

“Hold that thought for when next you decide to open up the gutters, you call a mouth to call me mother,” Bianca said as she walked past her.

After taking a few steps forward, she stopped and turned her head to her side, where Aurora was. “How lucky you are that the master favours you,” She said, “You are walking on fragile land, child, and I would advise you to watch your steps.”

She continued her steps, “Filthy human.” She blurted out.

Aurora stood straight, wondering where she had gone wrong.

Her only offense was visiting her mother.

“Lady Aurora.” Luke called from behind her and bowed his head, “The jet is ready.”