I wouldn't describe myself as a people person. I was great with people, no doubt about that. I knew how to pull the friendliest persona when needed.
But there's always a catch.
"Lakelore is a beautiful place, but it's no heaven. I've visited more enchanting places. Even with his ever busy schedule, my father never misses our weekly trips around the continent."
I was great with people,
"Oh please, with my mother's boutique growing more popular by each day, we get invitations from nobles around the globe, it's almost like a norm."
But I didn't necessarily have to like them.
"Please ladies, let's not dwell on this baseless arguments any longer, my tea has gone cold. Don't you agree Violet?"
With a light brush of my hair and a soft chuckle, I pick up my teacup and bring it to my lips, eyeing the group of ladies through the rim of my cup as the rich taste of honey and lemon tickles my taste buds.
The Aurora always held gatherings in the form of tea parties every end of the week. Bride candidates shared in their respective groups littered the vast gardens of the vicinity, discussing heavens knows what as soft giggles float in the air, along with the suffocating scent of perfume and pretence.
It was at times like this I missed the Milliana sisters more. I couldn't sit this one out in my room because it was a mandatory event.
On my left sat Josephine Willow, the daughter of the most successful merchant in the capital.
On my right,Racheal Pullit; daughter of the renowned designer Grace Pullit.
And last but certainly not the least was Miranda Bonvellia; daughter of the chief general of the royal army.
"I believe that the conversation has indeed swerved in the wrong direction, mind we talk about something else?" I say, and Miranda nods her head in agreement, visibly satisfied with my response.
Although, I don't think the others share the same sentiment. I could clearly feel Josephine's glare drill holes into the side of my skull, hiding her disdain under a tight smile.
Racheal only giggled, but the lines between her brows told a different story.
"I heard a rumour about a couple siting on the grounds last week." She says in a soft whisper, like it hadn't already spread to every listening ear in the Aurora.
"Oh yes, I heard it too. No wonder there seemed to be more gaurds around than usual." Racheal adds, snapping her fingers like she'd solved the world's biggest mystery.
"It's a shame really." Miranda sighs, "They had to restrict us from sending and receiving any letters from our families because of that." She says sorrowfully, and Josephine expresses her anger with a dramatic flip of her hair.
"Right?!, I haven't heard from my father in a whole week!"
"Oh Lady Josephine, are you sure it's your father you're really worried about…" Racheal muses and Josephine's jolts in her seat, suddenly growing anxious.
"W-What do you mean?" She stuttered, but Rachel's smile soon curved into a knowing smirk, propping her elbows in the table as she rests her head in her palm.
"We both know you're more worried about your fiance, since you've been sending letters to him under the name of your father."
And as Racheal drops the big bombshell, I roll my eyes as a gasp slips out of Josephine's mouth, the colour draining from her cheeks as she fumbles over her words.
Rachel's chuckles in amusement, enjoying her struggle. Miranda held a blank expression, nonchalantly sipping her tea as she was obviously unaffected by the news as well.
It was no shocking discovery, if I were to be honest, letters sent under false names was a common tactic to evade the Aurora's strict rules. Since they couldn't go through the actual contents of the letter it was easy to disguise it as a message to their families. It's one of the many loopholes in the institution's system, the most convenient too.
But with the new restrictions, they had successfully patched the hole….or so they thought..
"So what!" Josephine huffs out, fed up of Rachel's constant teasing. "It doesn't matter anyways, I can't send any letters to my fiance or my father."
"I wouldn't be too sure about that. "
The ladies perk up at the sound of Miranda's voice, but I continue to keep my gaze low, only watching her from my peripheral vision.
"Paramour pigeon." She states simply and the other's share a confused look before turning back to her. Miranda holds up her hand, taking her time to finish her tea, while her sharp eyes do a double take of our environment before speaking again.
"A lot of rumours circulate the Aurora, and following the couple siting and the ban on letters, another rumour has surfaced."
"What rumour?" Racheal takes it upon herself to ask.
"In the Aurora there's a secret room, and in that room lies a box. The box is called the Paramour pigeon. Apparently, it was once used in the early years to exchange secret letters between couples." Miranda explained further, and Josephine let out a scoff.
"How would a mere box deliver letters from miles away?" A logical question, but no one prepared the ladies for what was said next.
"Magic."
Josephine's gasped.
Racheal dropped her cookie, but they couldn't laugh off Miranda's words as her expression showed no hint of jest.
A moment of silence passed, and it wasn't until the hourly bell echoed through the field did they snap out their trance.
Finally.
Without wasting anymore time, I stood from my sit and bid the ladies farewell, Only Miranda bothered to acknowledge me, and as I sauntered away from their table, I heard Josephine voice…
"Does it really work?"
I stopped in my tracks, knowing the question was directed to Miranda. Looking over my shoulder, I catch Miranda's shrug and her curt reply of;
"Who knows."
My lips curve, a hint of smirk.
I know.
Facing forward, I make my way back to the main building, glancing at the guards that decorated the grounds like garden gnomes. It was really a shame, all their efforts were directed at the wrong place.
If only they knew what was going on right under their noses.
I quickly make my way up the grand staircase, wordlessly admiring the portraits of women that hung on the walls.
They were the past headmistress's of the Aurora, a total of thirty judgemental faces greets me as I ascend the winding stairs.
One of the portraits catch my attention, and I slow to a stop. Judging from vibrant colors, and the modern design of the frame, it was the most recent one.
The portrait of youngest headmistress in the history of the Aurora.
Lucia Scwhann, Strawberry blonde hair, pale skin, a pointed nose, sharp cut jaw, droopy blue eyes and a seductive smile on her heart shaped lips. She was an ethereal beauty, and even from her portrait I could feel her daring confidence and wit.
I briefly scope out my surroundings, grateful for the fact that most of the girls were still busy outside.
Returning my gaze to the portrait, I reach for the frame, tipping the edge to the side. Behind it, was a faded carving of a pigeon with a letter in it's mouth.
Keeping the portrait still with my right hand, I go ahead and press my left palm against the carving, pushing that portion of the wall in with a sharp click.
Straightening up, I take a step back as the border around the portrait slides upwards, revealing the secret door. The door slides open at my welcome and I make my way in.
"Oh look who it is."
I'm greeted by a soft velvet voice dripping with mocking amusement, violet eyes staring at me with keen interest.
"My damsel in distress."