Chapter 7

Aurora felt bad for raising her voice but she could not bear to hear her mother blame herself for their current living situation when she knew her father was fully responsible for the struggles they endured. She was angry at the man for walking out of their lives even though she wasn't aware of the reason behind his doings. But her mother was a loving and caring mother and wife, she didn't deserve the treatment in which she received from the man. In Aurora's eyes, the man was a superficial ungrateful, and selfish person. 

It pricked her heart to know Ella wouldn't be around long enough to see her succeed. She looked down at her frail figure and her blue depts welled with tears. Her once vibrant eyes were distant and her sun-kissed skin was as pale as a ghost. Her jet black silky hair was grey and her lips were dried and stripping. She was beyond recognition.

She tucked Ella into bed after giving her the final dose of the medication. Ella held onto Aurora with her shaking hands.

"Thank you," Ella said with tears flowing down her pale cheeks. "I just hope one day you will find it within you to forgive me."

"Forgive you?" She said staring down at her puzzled. "What are you trying to say?"

"I couldn't let them do it." Her speech became slurred as she spoke. "I-i c-couldn't."

She fell into a deep slumber as the medication took its effect. Aurora could hear the woman's soft snores that brought comfort to her. She pecked her forehead and looked at the woman one last time before entering her small room. 

Her cold gaze landed on Violet who was engrossed in doing her makeup in front of the mirror. 

"Could you at least help our mother out while you are here?" Aurora folded her arms across her chest. "Or am I asking too much of you? Don't forget she is your mother as well."

"And the reason we are fatherless." Violet turned in her chair to face her younger sister. 

"How naive of you to say such things about mother. We are all to be blamed for fathers disappearance."

"Don't be stupid Aurora." She scowled. "Explain to me why our mother was nowhere in sight after our fathers' disappearance."

"She was out there searching for dad." Aurora frowned.

"Is that what she told you?" Violets eyes welled with tears.

"What are you suggesting violet," Aurora said. "That our mother had something to do with dad's disappearance?"

"I wouldn't put it past her Aurora she is sneaky and secretive and that's why our grandparents weren't fond of her." Violet lay on her bed with a sigh. 

"Did you ever allow yourself to think that maybe she was the only one against the useless training they forced us to do?"

"Us?" Violet laughed bitterly. "Sister there was no us. They chose you to undergo all that training. It's just a pity that all their hard work was in vain."

Aurora clenched her jaws tightly and her jugular veins would have been evident if it weren't for her hair. "I don't need your pity. It took me a short while to figure you out. You are as selfish and foolish as they were."

"At least I don't run around town like a headless chicken searching for a job when I should have been married."

"Aren't you older than I am? Why are you unmarried?"

"This messed up family is the reason I'm unmarried. The incident with dad and our worthless mother."

Aurora felt enraged at her sister. How could she use such gruesome words against her mother? It was truly a calamity how much she portrayed similar behavior to their grandparents. Aurora couldn't recall when Violet had a good relationship with Ella. She was always rude to the woman. Ella couldn't scold her about her behavior since their grandmother would find means of insulting her. Aurora felt bad for her mother but she knew there wasn't much she could do about it. After all, she was only a child that should be seen and not heard. 

Aurora felt the urge to struct the naive girl across her cheeks. Every nerve in her body encouraged her to walk over to her bed and teach her a valuable lesson. But she knew her mother wouldn't oppose bad behaviors within the clause household. The woman thought both girls that love, peace, and kindness were the way forward. 

Aurora was scared to see the disappointed look in the woman's eyes. hitting Violet physically would also hurt her mother's mental and emotional state. She decided to keep herself calm. She took in a deep breath and counted to ten before exhaling.

 She slumped onto her bed where she drifted off to neverland where she had peace. Where her dad was still present in the picture. Where her mother's health was in good condition and she was vibrant and happy. Where she had the perfect grandparents and her sister wasn't as stuck up and lazy as the current one. Where they had a warm and cozy place to call home. Where her village doesn't believe in mythological creatures and females had a voice. A world where women could make their own decisions. A place where they wouldn't be enslaved or ruled by an evil King. A place where their wages could cover their living expenses. A place where life was perfect. But Aurora knew no place like in her dreams existed. Those pictures were crafted in her head.

She laid all night staring at the deteriorating ceiling with tear-filled eyes.  Her stomach twisted in knots and rolled loudly. She felt weak and worthless but she knew the reason why she felt that way. She went an entire day without eating which meant she wouldn't be able to have a good night's rest. 

Her mind drifted back to what her mother said earlier. Was the medication-taking full effect? Or was she trying to tell her something? Aurora worked her brain until she was exhausted and a faint pain began to develop in her head. She tried in vain because figuring out what her mother was trying to say was like pushing water up a hill.