13 Battling at the breakfast table

[AURORA WRIGHT. Town of Friendship, Southern Vales, Avalon Sanctuary. Yellow Day, 13th Week of Winter, Year 5008 of the Avalon Calendar.]

Aurora examined herself in the mirror. Arranging her clothing to ensure nothing was out of place. The outfit she put on had been chosen for her by her handmaid who had also proceeded to start helping her dress, until Aurora had ordered her to stop.

The central piece of the outfit was a long-sleeved purple dress, whose shade started off as violet at the neck line and shoulders, then gradually darkened till it reached a near black colour at the ankle level hem. Over the dress, she wore a silver, long sleeved, hooded cloak, which also ended at just below her ankle. The hooded cloak could be drawn closed by an attached purple belt.

Aurora had decided to forgo the shoes and headwear offered. Instead choosing to wear the soft brown boots and silver crochet cap, which Gabriel had bought her the previous day. Although they were of inferior quality to the rest of the outfit, she still wore them to signify her independence and remind her of Gabriel.

Finally, Aurora lifted up a thick silver necklace, the links of which were made in such a way as to resemble fish scales. She hesitated before putting it on as doing so required she place the necklace Tristan gave her, under her dress.

Giving herself one more look-over in the large mirror, Aurora gave herself two thumbs up. Then rang a silver bell to call for a maid.

Within moments, Aurora's handmaid arrived, bowed her head and wordlessly escorted Aurora from the third floor which contained bedrooms to the second floor that was the main living area of the Wright manor. Aurora could smell the aroma of fresh breads, chesses and fruits which were the preferred morning foods of the nobility. She followed her nose as much as the maid and entered the private family dining room.

She was greeted by the four people already there. All four stood up as she entered and remained standing till she was seated. Aurora's fellow breakfast diners were members of her family who were part of her generation. However, none came close to her status as first heir. As such the breakfast conversation consisted of everyone being extremely polite towards her.

"I see I'm late for breakfast," said an attractive girl who looked to be of similar age to Aurora.

The other four breakfast diners stood up and waited for the new arrival to sit, just as they had when Aurora had entered. The girl was clearly of high status.

"I'm Aurora," Aurora introduced herself to the newcomer who had sat directly opposite her.

"I already know that," stated the strawberry blonde girl.

"I have amnesia," Aurora explained. "So, I can't remember people or my relationship to them. Are you a member of my family?"

"I thought your amnesia was only a story," the girl's green eyes were full of disdain. "Oh well, that excuses why you don't know me then. I'm your sister-in-law, Diana Wright. My husband is Terrence Wright, who everyone know is the rightful first heir of the Wright family."

Aurora was disheartened by this statement. It seemed that not only were there unknown strangers trying to kill her. But she even had enemies within her own family.

"You shouldn't speak that way Lady Diana," said the large overweight youth directly to Aurora's right. "Lady Aurora is the first heir of the Wright family."

"Lord Brandon is correct," agreed the girl seated directly to Aurora's left. "We all respect Lord Terrance and I, Vivian Wright, am envious of Lady Diana's many contributions to our Wright family. However, Lady Aurora was named first heir by the head of our family. She holds that title unless our patriarch deems otherwise."

Aurora was grateful for the backing. Though she clearly noted the different tones taken by the two youths. The young man Brandon was clear in being confrontational, directly setting himself up as a member of the Aurora support club. Meanwhile, the young girl Vivian was merely stating facts. Even praising Diana and her husband. This showed that her support was conditional on whoever had the most senior backing.

"Aren't you going to say anything Lady Aurora?" asked Diana in a mocking tone. "Or does amnesia take away your wit as well as your memories."

Aurora suddenly stood up and swished her fingers in front of her nose as if clearing away a bad odour.

"Lady Diana," Aurora began. "Your lateness for breakfast is excusable. However, what is not excusable is your bad hygiene. Please wash your mouth properly before you start a conversation. The stench of your breath is the only thing more noxious than your words."

Aurora knew she had won when everyone present, except for Diana and Viviane, smiled at her speech. She decided that it was best to leave while she was winning and left the private dining room.

Aurora was already at the ground floor and heading towards the manor guard house, when she realised that she had barely eaten breakfast.

Damn, she thought to herself. She had been too busy internally gloating, that she didn't even bring any food with her.

"Aurora," she heard someone call.

She turned towards Brandon, who was holding a tray of breakfast delicacies. Now that he was standing instead of slouched in a chair, Aurora realised just how large he truly was. Easily clearing the two meter mark in height.

"Lord Brandon," Aurora warmly replied, while she began planning on how to liberate some of Brandon's food for her own.

"You don't remember me?" the youth frowned.

"I'm sorry," apologised Aurora. "My amnesia means I hardly remember myself."

"Here," Brandon presented the tray of food before him. "I knew you hadn't eaten enough before you left. So, I took some food down for us to share. No one ever questions the fat guy when he takes food away with him."

"That's very thoughtful," smiled Aurora.

"It's the sort of thing I always do for you," stated Brandon. "Um… I think it was great how you walked out like that. It really put Lady Diana in her place. You even emphasised your point by not taking any food with you. To imply that even the food was somehow tainted by Lady Diana's odour."

"Well, that was the plan," lied Aurora. "I was then simply going to the kitchen to get more food."

"The kitchen food is for the staff," said Brandon. "It doesn't taste as good."

"Thank you for rescuing me then," Aurora smiled.

She picked up a cinnamon scroll and pondered Brandon's statement. If the food offered in the kitchen wasn't as good as that given to the nobles, then the only reason that her previous day's breakfast at Tristan's manor had tasted so nice, was because Gabriel had reserved it for her in advance. Which meant that he planned their whole meeting in advance. Although she had already decided that Gabriel wasn't some broody mastermind, she still had to admit that he was nonetheless a very skilled planner.

"Shall eat outside?" Brandon asked, shying away from the curious gazes of the people who walked pass.

"Of course," Aurora smiled realising that Brandon was the self-conscious type.

She led Brandon into one of the backyard garden alcoves to enjoy the spoils of her breakfast battle victory.

"So, you really don't remember me at all?" asked Brandon.

"I'm sorry," apologised Aurora.

It was clear that Brandon and the previous person who had been in this body, had shared some kind of friendship. However, Aurora had no memory of it.

"We've been friends since childhood," explained Brandon. "I was always shy and you were the first friend I made. You said you needed a bodyguard and I was the biggest kid at school. So, we've kind of hung around each other since then.

I was with you the night your ran off to explore. I wanted to stop you, but I knew there was no way you'd listen. You were too head strong. So instead I helped you by getting you a dress, that was plain enough for you to pass as a maid. I didn't think it would work. You're far too pretty not to stand out. I think none of the maids reported you simply due to fear, as opposed to not recognising you.

When I found out that you had gone missing. Then later, that some people were trying to kidnap you. I really panicked. Thankfully Knight Theo found you before a disaster happened. Or maybe he didn't… I mean, you have lost your memory now.

Though it's good that you're safe. I guess now I'll have to befriend you all over again."

"No need," said Aurora. "Since awakening. I've made two friends. Prince Tristan Laurel and Lord Gabriel Amoureux. Now I've made a third friend; Brandon Wright."

"Crown Prince Laurel and the famous Lord Amoureux," Brandon smiled. "Wow! I'm in some pretty prestigious company then."

Aurora laughed, and the duo returned to their meal. Unfortunately, they were soon interrupted by the arrival of Diana, alongside a blonde male who bore a family resemblance to Aurora.

"Good morning little sister," the blonde man who looked to be in his early twenties warmly greeted her.

"Good morning Lord Terence," Brandon spoke the words to the man, but his eyes looked towards Aurora.

She immediately deduced that Brandon had said the greeting in case she was unaware of who the man was.

"Good morning Brandon," replied Terrence in a tone which seemed to be genuinely friendly.

Aurora didn't know whether her brother was a good actor or was in reality a nice person. It was quite possible that he didn't share his wife's bitterness.

"Good morning brother Terrence," said Aurora. "Hello again Lady Diana."

"From you're address it's clear that the rumours were true," frowned Terrence. "Apologies little sister if my greeting was overly familiar and made you uncomfortable. I was told you have amnesia but I thought perhaps a familiar face such as mine might jog some memories."

"It's alright Terrence," said Brandon. "She couldn't even remember me."

"Really?" Terrence seemed shocked. "But you two have been friends since… forever. I wish there was someway I could help with your memories."

"How about challenging Aurora to a Mystical Beast battle?" suggested Diana. "You used to tell me when we first met, how proud you were that your little sister was walking in your footsteps. How you much she enjoyed battling with you."

"We used to battle?" asked Aurora. "But, I don't have a contracted Mystical Beast."

"You don't need to contract a Mystical Beast to battle," explained Terrence. "You can borrow someone else's like we used to when we were younger. It wasn't a real Beast Master contest of course. We couldn't use our magic to assist the beasts. It was simply ordering the beasts to do a move and see who won."

Aurora was suddenly excited. Ever since she had seen Gabriel use magic, she had wanted to try something that would have been impossible on Earth. Commanding a Mystical Beast, even if it wasn't hers, sounded like fun.

"I definitely want to battle," Aurora smiled.

"Excellent," said Terrence. "I'll organise everything. We'll meet up at the Arena district this afternoon. Though it'd be a bit unfair if you battled me. So I'll find you a different sparring partner."

"I can't wait," Aurora hugged her brother, who warmly hugged her back.

His natural reaction was exactly like those she'd received from her cousin Ken and other close male relatives. It was affectionate and completely non-possessive nor aggressive. She was sure that regardless of his wife's attitude, Terrence truly cared for her.