Chapter 5

Next Morning

Aurelia woke up before everyone. Showered, dressed up and went down.. Only the head chef and Janet was there..

"You're awake? "

Aurelia nodded.. Janet monitored her closely while making breakfast for her and served her.. She noticed how Aurelia's mothers blanket was again back on her like before..

"Are you missing your mom? "

Aurelia stopped mid bite.. Then looked at Janet..

"Yes.. Extra much.. Specially after papa sided with someone else.. "

Janet looked at her with pity..

"He didn't mean to hurt you.. He was just being fair.. "

Aurelia looked at Janet with squinted eyes..

"It would have been fair if he judged what was happening.. If I am ever wrong, I say it.. But if I didn't, means I wasn't lying or making it up.. "

She put down her toast and sipped her milk in anger..

"I think I made someone mad.. "

Aurelia looked behind to see her father standing.. She said nothing and looked at her plate.. He came beside her and sat with her..

"Let's go for horse ridding.. "

He proposed and she looked at him weirdly..

"It's 6 in the morning.. Horses are sleeping.. "

He hummed and smiled..

"Then I'll be your horse.. Now come.. Get on me.. "

He turned and showed his back.. A small smile formed on her face as she climbed on his back..

"Now let's get going.. "

He held her leg securely before sprinting out, making her laugh on the way..

After Herman’s impromptu gallop through the halls with Aurelia on his back, the estate slowly began to stir with life.

"Meadow.. Go to Meadow, horsie.. "

Herman complied with her and they were in the courtyard.. Herman let her down and pulled her to his chest..

"Is my princess okay now? "

Aurelia nodded with a bright smile.. He fixed the shawl on her and hugged tightly..

"I am sorry about yesterday.. But it was a lesson for you.. "

She looked at him confused..

"What lesson? “

Her innocent eyes looked up at him with genuine curiosity..

Herman exhaled, brushing a soft strand of hair from her cheek as he knelt down to her eye level. His hands rested gently on her shoulders, grounding her.

"A lesson in choosing when to speak and when to watch," he said gently. "Not because your voice doesn’t matter—it always does—but because sometimes silence reveals more than words ever can."

Aurelia’s brows pulled together. “But I was speaking… and nobody listened. They just believed what she said.”

Herman nodded slowly. “I know. And that’s the hardest part. You told the truth, but sometimes people get blinded by politeness, or charm, or the need to be neutral. That doesn’t mean they don’t love you. It means they don’t see clearly yet.”

Her shoulders sagged a little. “But you didn’t see either.”

That truth hung in the air for a long moment.

“I didn’t,” Herman admitted. “I saw a conflict, and I thought if I stood in the middle, it would keep everyone steady. But in trying to stay fair, I forgot to trust the one I know best.”

She blinked up at him. “Me?”

“You,” he confirmed, pulling her into his chest again. “You’ve always been bold, fierce, honest… even when it’s not easy. That’s your mother in you.”

The mention of her mother made Aurelia’s eyes sting again.

“But Papa,” she whispered, “I don’t want to always be strong. Sometimes I want someone to be strong for me.”

That broke something inside Herman.

He tightened his arms around her.

For a moment, she just stood there. Letting herself melt into his embrace.

"Then let me be that person. "

An unknown voice rang and both of them looked at the person.

"THEO!! "

Aurelia got out of her fathers arm and practically jumped on Theo who luckily didn't fall back. Theo chuckled as he caught her, spinning her around once before setting her gently on the ground.

"Hey, Lilian" he greeted, brushing his hand over her head. “Someone’s grown taller since I saw him last.Also! Why are so late this year! Owen reached here a week ago! ” Aurelia beamed, holding on tightly to his arm.

“Sorry sorry.. But my school started vacation a week later than Owen.. But I am staying longer than him.. "

Herman walked toward them, a little stiff at first, then softened as he extended a hand toward Theo. “I didn’t know you were visiting today..Norman didn't inform me anything..”

Theo shook his hand firmly.

“Dad said it would be a surprise..Also we came early in the morning to surprise her... I figured you'd be up by now. Guess I underestimated how fast she wakes up now.. "

He gestured to Aurelia with a fond smile.

Aurelia looked between them both, her excitement making her bounce in place.

“You two talk. I’m going to go give Meadow a carrot!”

She darted off toward the stables, shawl fluttering behind her.

Herman crossed his arms, watching her go with a small smile. “She was fussing about your arrival.. "

Herman laughed and patted his back..

"I know.. "

His eyes stayed on her back for some time before he looked at Herman..

"But I was serious.. I'll always be that someone for her.. Someone who will stay strong for her.. "

Herman could help but smile at his words..

"You're only nine, Theo.. But I am impressed seeing your sincerity.. Aurelia is only 7 years old.. She is so naive and kind that it scares me sometimes.. What if the world crushes my precious daughter? "

Herman was lost in his thoughts.. He completely forgot that he was talking to a 9 year old rather than an adult.. But somehow Theo understood the weight of his words..

"It won't.. I'll be there to shield her.. "

Herman didn't say something and watched as Aurelia ran back and grabbed Theo's hand..

"Let's go in!! "

She dragged him with her and he let her while admiring her with love..

Inside the manor, the morning light streamed through the tall windows, casting golden patches across the marble floors. Aurelia tugged Theo through the hallway like a whirlwind, her joy bubbling over with each step.

“You have to see my room! I decorated it myself!” she chirped, her shawl trailing behind her like a cape.

“Yourself?” Theo raised an eyebrow. “Should I be worried?”

Aurelia giggled. “Only if you don’t like fairy lights, flower vines, and… dragons!”

“Dragons?” Theo’s eyes widened with mock fear. “Guess I better be brave.”

She led him through a pair of double doors and into her room, which was exactly as she described—soft pink and cream tones layered with whimsical touches: a handmade dreamcatcher, a shelf full of books, and tiny paper dragons hanging from the ceiling.

Theo stood in the middle of the room, slowly turning. “Wow… it’s like a magical forest in here.”

Aurelia smiled proudly. “Mama used to say my room should feel like my heart. So I made it full of dreams.”

Theo looked at her quietly for a moment, then smiled. “She would’ve loved it.”

A softness washed over her features. “You think so?”

“I know so.”

There was a comfortable silence before Aurelia reached into a drawer and pulled something out.

“Here. I made this for you. Oh wait! “

She quickly opened the drawer again.. Rumbling through something and then attaching it.. Took her a minute before she stood in front of him again.. She forwarded her hand and opened her palm..

It was a little friendship bracelet—woven with clumsy but colorful threads, with a tiny silver bead shaped like a sword at the center.

Theo blinked in surprise. “You made this?”

She nodded quickly.

"Yes! I had this sword charm but didn't knew where to put it.. But now that you are my protector, you should have it! I saw it in one of Mama’s old journals. It said, ‘A protector must always wear something made by the one they protect.’ So I made one.”

Theo’s throat tightened as he slipped it on. “Then I’ll never take it off.”

Just then, a knock came at the door, followed by Janet’s gentle voice. “Breakfast is being served in the dining hall, little miss.”

Aurelia clapped her hands. “Come on! You have to try the chef’s strawberry pancakes. They’re magic!”

Theo grinned, letting her lead him out again. “Magic pancakes? This house really is a forest of dreams.”

Aurelia giggled and they entered the dining room.. But her smile vanished as she saw her.. The problem wasn't her but the place she was sitting.. Beside Herman and Owen on the other side.. She looked at Aurelia and seeing her blank expression, she quickly stood up..

" I.. I am sorry.. I'll move.. "

She quickly got up but Aurelia stopped her..

"No stay.. "

She moved to the other side of Herman and sat down with Theo beside her..

Silea's eyes fell on Theo.. A new face and someone close with Aurelia..

"I am Silea.. Who are you? "

She initiated the talk and Theo gave her a polite smile..

"I am Theodore.. Nice to meet you.. You must be Silea, whom uncle Vance adopted? "