Chapter 29; The shift
975 Words
The morning light filters through the heavy drapes of Princess Aurora’s chamber, casting long golden streaks across the polished floors. The air carries the scent of fresh parchment and ink as a sealed letter rests upon her desk, bearing the unmistakable crest of Eldermere.
Aurora, still in her silk nightgown, breaks the wax seal with practiced ease. Her sharp eyes scan the lines, her lips curving into a knowing smirk as she absorbs her father’s message.
My dearest daughter,
The time has come. The war is upon us. Vynra and the Riverlands have made their move, and Eldermere stands on the precipice of battle. We await your return with our allies. The Mercia soldiers ride back with you, and their numbers will give us the strength we need to crush our enemies once and for all. Your duty has not been in vain. The marriage you brokered has served its purpose.
We expect you to arrive swiftly, with the reinforcements in tow. There is no turning back now.
King Maises of Eldermere
Aurora stares deeply at the paper, a smirk creeping at the corner of her lips. If this isn’t a case of killing two birds with one stone then what is it, she scoffs.She lets out a slow, satisfied exhale, tapping the parchment against her palm. This is it. Everything is going according to plan. Mercia’s forces will ensure Eldermere’s victory, and soon, her father’s enemies will be nothing but ashes on the battlefield.
A knock sounds at her door,Queen Eleanor steps inside, dressed in regal blue and gold, her gaze unreadable. “The soldiers are ready, Princess Aurora,” she announces. “Come, it is time to inspect the men who will ride with you to Eldermere.” Aurora sees Phillip standing motionless at the door so she bows to greet him, he nods in response.
Aurora inclines her head, smoothing out the fabric of her gown before following the queen and Phillip through the castle’s grand corridors.
On the vast training grounds outside the castle, one hundred thousand Mercia soldiers stand in disciplined rows, armor gleaming beneath the morning sun. Their banners ripple in the cold wind, the sigils of Mercia blending with Eldermere’s own as a symbol of their alliance.
Aurora surveys them with the gaze of a conqueror. This is power. This is what will secure Eldermere’s dominance.
“Magnificent,” she murmurs.
Queen Eleanor watches her closely. “Mercia has honored our word, Princess. But we expect Eldermere to keep its end of the bargain.”
Aurora turns to her with a confident smile. “And we shall, Your Majesty. Mercia has nothing to fear from Eldermere. Our kingdoms are now bound by blood and steel.”
Queen Eleanor studies her for a long moment before nodding. “Then I trust we shall see you victorious upon your return.”
Aurora inclines her head respectfully, but inwardly, she is already planning how Eldermere will crush its enemies with the might of Mercia at its back.
She turns to face Phillip, who looks absentminded and lets out a pretentious smile “What about your wife, your grace? Does her company soothe you?”
“Of course” he clears his throat “I find her quite interesting, sister-in-law.”
“And why has she not accompanied you this morning, is all well?”
“She rests, dear Aurora, she needs it.” Phillip clears his throat again, hoping Aurora gets the picture.
She smiles and nods, deciphering his cryptic message.
Later that day, Aurora strides into Jasmine’s chambers, finding the young woman seated at the vanity, staring blankly at her reflection.
“Jasmine,” Aurora says sharply.
Jasmine flinches, quickly rising to her feet. “Your Highness.”
Aurora’s gaze sweeps over her, searching for any sign of weakness. “Did you bed the prince last night?”
Jasmine’s cheeks flush, and she hesitates. “No.”
Aurora’s expression darkens. “You fool. You are treading on dangerous ground, Jasmine. If you do not play your role convincingly, this entire plan could crumble. Do you understand what is at stake?”
Jasmine swallows hard. “I understand.”
“Good. Because soon, we will retrieve Bianca—and then, we will have no use for you anymore.”
Her words hit Jasmine like a slap.
No use for her? As if she were nothing more than a tool to be discarded once they had what they wanted?
Suddenly something shifts inside her. She is not a pawn. She is not an instrument for Eldermere’s deceit.
For weeks, she has been a prisoner to her own fear, torn between duty and the truth. But as she stands here now, staring into Aurora’s cold, calculating eyes, she makes a decision that changes everything.
She will love Phillip properly.
She deserves happiness.
And Phillip is the only man who can give it to her.
Jasmine lifts her chin, her heart beating wildly in her chest. She has spent too long being afraid. Now, she is ready to fight for what she wants. Now she’s ready to fight for her love.
By evening, the court of Eldermere mounts their horses, their banners raised high as they prepare to depart England’s borders. The vast army of one hundred thousand Mercia soldiers moves in formation, a sea of steel and power stretching as far as the eye can see.
Aurora watches from atop her steed, her heart thrumming with satisfaction. Soon, they will be home. Soon, war will begin. Soon her mother will reunite with her in Mercia, safe from the wrath of Eldermere.
Jasmine stands on the castle balcony, watching them disappear into the horizon. She clenches her fists.
She will not be discarded. She will not be forgotten.
Whatever happens next, she will carve her own fate—and she will make Phillip hers.
- Writer
