My Doppelganger Mate

Chapter 3

Seventeen Years Later

"These corsets are killing me. Am I to be in them throughout the evening? I can barely breathe!" Aurora complained as she tried to secure her stance while the maids dressed her up.

"Unless you've decided not to look beautiful tonight," Aria replied, checking herself in the mirror for the hundredth time.

"Beautiful?" Aurora scoffed. "To who? For who? It’s not like we’re allowed to freely mix with the boys. Not that it concerns me—actually, I never fancied them anyway."

"Hmmm, and why is that, my darling sister?" Aria teased.

"The only description I can make out of guys are the guards and our father. I’m not curious about what men in the outside world look like. She never allows us to leave the kingdom anyway."

"You never tried fence-jumping with your maid before?" Aria asked naughtily. "You’ve never sneaked out just for a peep?"

"I told you I haven’t, but you’ve failed to believe me. The only thing that interests me is martial arts, and our father’s bodyguard teaches me that. I can protect myself. So can our father. I don’t need any man," Aurora said, adjusting her dress.

"You should do that someday though. You’ll be grateful you did," Aria said, tugging at her sister’s cheek before walking out of her chambers.

"I am not like you, Aria. And pray you don’t get caught someday," Aurora said, rolling her eyes.

"I pray, I pray, sissy," Aria replied, smiling.

"This is so uncomfortable!!!" Aurora complained again. "Why are there so many pins in my hair?" she asked the maid styling her hair.

"My princess, you have quite a lot of hair, and the style ordered by the queen requires a lot of it," the maid replied curtly.

"Change it. I don’t love the style. The pins are hurting me. Just make me decent—not too catchy or attention-grabbing, please," Aurora instructed.

"But, my lady, the queen won’t allow this—"

"She’s my mother. I’ll talk to her," she replied, smiling. "You have nothing to worry about."

***

Aurora is a free-spirited and intelligent young lady with a striking resemblance to her father. Her heterochromia made her beauty stand out—her left eye was hazel, while her right was ocean blue. Her jet-black hair flowed down her back, and she had a well-defined body. From childhood, she took a keen interest in martial arts and sword fighting, and before she turned seventeen, she was already a master.

Aria, on the other hand, had a more ladylike character than Aurora. She was rebellious and inquisitive, always curious about what lay beyond the four walls of their kingdom. Although they had a striking resemblance, what set them apart was Aurora’s heterochromia. Aria had the perfect body of their mother and shared her ocean-blue eyes. She was often tagged the most beautiful of the two, mostly due to her passion for fashion.

***

"Aurora," Gaia called while walking into her room. "I just left Aria’s room now, and she’s looking as breathtaking as ever."

"Definitely she will. She is the beauty," Aurora answered nonchalantly.

"I think I need an explanation as to why your hair is still undone?" Gaia asked, turning to face the maid.

"My Queen, I—"

"Mother, I didn’t want that hairstyle. The clips and pins are too much. It’s not comfortable. The clothes I’m in—I can barely breathe—but I’m willing to hold on just for the night. I asked her to change the hairstyle for me," she added on a final note.

"It’s fine, my dear. You still look amazing in your teal-green dress. I love it!" she complimented her, placing a soft kiss on her forehead. "To the ballroom in five, darling. Better not be late! Your uncle Adrian is here," she added before walking out of the room.

***

As Gaia exited, Aurora took her gloves from the maid and put them on herself. She needed to meet with her uncle before heading to the event—he always had some crunchy teas to spill. She readjusted her dress and quickly made her way out of the room.

As she walked through the hallway, she met Aria.

"Where are you headed with my face looking that way on you?" Aria asked.

"At least you have mine dolled up on yours," she replied. "Uncle Adrian is here. I need to see him before the ball. There are some things I need to ask him. He’s closer to our father and mother—perhaps he might have answers to my questions."

"What questions?" Aria asked.

"Stop it. Don’t be inquisitive," Aurora said, walking away. "Ouch! Aria, stop that!"

"I did nothing," Aria said, smirking.

"You just pinched me!" Aurora retorted.

"I only pinched my heart," Aria replied again.

"You know what happens when you do that," Aurora muttered, rubbing her arm. She didn’t like how it always felt real.

"Oops, sorry," Aria said, winking. "I have no idea. See you, sissy," she said with a wave and walked away.

***

"Uncle?" Aurora called softly as she gently walked into his chamber. He was sitting by his study table, perusing an old book. He looked much older now than she remembered, but still bore a striking resemblance to their father. His royal blue robe and black trousers complemented him perfectly for the night.

"Oh my sweet, there you are. How have you been?" he asked, smiling, his arms open, ready to embrace her.

"I’m fine, Uncle. And you? How are Aunt Kathy and my cousins? Are they coming?"

"Yeah, definitely. Their carriage is already on its way. My brother and I have some political issues to debate before the ball, which is why I arrived early," he explained.

"Come, take a seat," he said, pulling out a comfy stool from under the mattress. "I haven’t seen Aria around. Not surprised to see you alone, actually," he added.

"Uncle, you know she does have her own way of showing love to you. We both love you a lot," Aurora replied.

"You’re right. That’s true," he said, smiling. "So what has brought you? What is it you want to learn again today?"

"How can you make that out so fast?" Aurora asked, surprised.

"I’ve been your uncle before you knew I was. I know that look."

"Uncle, you’ve known my parents long before us. I’m curious as to why we’ve been restricted from leaving the four walls of this kingdom. I believe it’s a necessity and part of the exposure needed to rule a kingdom."

"Aurora," he called gently. "Your parents are in the best position to answer that. However, I believe whatever they do is for your own good. Gaia is only trying to protect what she cherishes most."

"They never give answers, Uncle. They don’t."

"Perhaps the time is nearer than you think," he replied. "It’s time for the ball, darling. We’ll finish this later. Can’t wait to see Aria," he added, smiling.

Although she never wanted this, she obliged and followed suit.