"You don't have to force yourself if you're still tired, Adela," Duke's White interrupted Aurora's thoughts.
Adela quickly shook her head. "I want to get healthier, Father. That way, I can spend more time with Mother and Father and help Father."
Duchess Isabelle smiled brightly when she heard her daughter's words while Duke White nodded his head in approval. The weak body of Adela has always been the sore point for the two of them.
It was just that they never mentioned it and always tried their best to treat Adela as normal.
But no matter what, they would always give a lot of convenience for Adela.
Because they were afraid that something would happen to her.
Duke White then glanced at Aurora. "Now that your engagement has been established, you will take over your mother's role and some others. Tomorrow, you will go to Red Kingdom."
Red Kingdom, the kingdom her mother used to come from.
The diplomatic relationship was maintained by the Queen and Duchess Isabella who used to be the princess of Red Kingdom. No one would be more suitable than the two of them to maintain this relationship.
Adela heard Duke White's words and looked at Aurora.
Her eyes flickered slightly.
On the other hand, Aurora only nodded elegantly. "Yes, Father, I understand."
Duchess Isabella looked at her first daughter and then said, "I will review your study after this. Follow me to the study room."
Review her study?
It was more like Duchess Isabella would only take a look at the report given by the teachers about her. She was too lazy to ask questions personally about Aurora's study and would usually not do anything like that.
"Yes, Mother."
"Finish your dinner first."
After that, they no longer talked and the dinner ended in such a manner. Adela was brought back to her room, Duke White went to his study for his work while Duchess Isabella and Aurora went to the study room.
Aurora waited for her mother as she looked through the report given by the teachers for her study.
In terms of study, Aurora has been doing very well.
"Your study shows that you're already good enough." Duchess Isabella was satisfied that her daughter was really smart and had done better than her at the same age.
As for envy?
There was none.
Duchess Isabella never liked these things and had long hoped there would be someone to replace her.
Now that her daughter was proven to be capable enough, why not?
"Thank you, Mother," Aurora said unhurriedly.
Duchess Isabella put down the book in her hand. "Rest well. Tomorrow will be a long journey to Red Kingdom."
The distance between Yellow Kingdom to Red Kingdom was quite far. The road has been fixed in the past few years, but it would still take some time to go by carriage.
"Yes, Mother."
After that, Duchess Isabella didn't care about Aurora anymore and walked away.
Aurora looked at the door and sighed.
She left the study room and walked towards her room. As she passed by her younger sister's room, Aurora paused for a moment.
"Adela, are you sleeping?" Aurora asked in a low voice.
The door opened and Adela looked out in confusion. "Sister?"
Aurora looked at Adela in front of her and showed a faint smile. "I'll be going to the Red Kingdom for a while, so I won't be reading you any story at night. Don't be lonely without me, ok?"
Reading story?
Adela's eyes widened in surprise. She then shook her head quickly. "Sister, you don't need to read me stories! I'm no longer a child and can sleep even without you reading me stories?"
Sleep?
Aurora blinked her eyes and looked at her younger sister. The reason why she read Adela books at night was because Adela was bored and couldn't spend her time with her sister.
The only time the two sisters spent their time together in the past was through this reading activity.
But…
'Does her sickness this time mess with her memory?'
Aurora was not sure, but she still raised her hand and rubbed Adela's head. "Go to sleep quickly. It's late."
Adela obeyed and said, "Yes sister."
The door was closed again and Aurora took a deep breath. She wanted to ask some questions to Adela, but she felt that this was not the right time. Besides, she was about to leave tomorrow.
Shaking her head, Aurora made her way to her room and then moved to her bed.
She knew very well that her parents' expectation of her was really high because her sister's body was weak. It meant that all of the responsibility as the heir would fall on Aurora's shoulder.
And her being a girl meant that if her study was good enough, she would be selected for an important position.
This important position was naturally the crown princess.
They have never asked her what she wanted because it was unnecessary.
Aurora also knew that it was impossible for her to refuse the arrangement. If she tried to refuse, they would only punish her and then proceed with what they had arranged before.
The question given to her has never been a question.
Even if the tone seemed to be question, it was more like informing her about what she had to do.
Aurora clenched her bedsheets before releasing it.
This kind of life… was very tiring.
…
The next day, Aurora woke up early and her mother was busy arranging the servants to prepare for their departure.
"Les, you stay with me," Aurora said to her maid.
"Yes, Miss."
Aside from Les, who had followed Aurora ever since she was young, there were several other maids, servants, and even knights.
The journey to Red Kingdom was by no means a safe journey.
There were bandits on the way and if those people had no eyes, they would attack their carriage and cause trouble midway.
Though, those who saw their family's crest would usually not dare to make a move.
After all, Duke White's reputation was still very high.
If they dared to offend Duke White, they had to be prepared to face the wrath of two kingdoms at once.
Unless they wanted to seek death, they would not do something like that.
"Before we arrive, I would have to tell you a few things, Aurora," Duchess Isabella said and looks at her daughter. "The most common negotiation between Red Kingdom and Yellow Kingdom is about water distribution."
Water distribution.
It was the most common topic because the biggest water source came from the river in Red Kingdom to Yellow Kingdom and two other kingdoms. There was a big lake in the middle of the four kingdoms, which would be divided for the use of four of them.
There was a lot of dispute because of the water use.
If the lake water was used too much, the lake would be dry and the other kingdoms would be dissatisfied.
Because of this, there were already a lot of dispute in the past.
Aurora raised her head. "Do you want me to take over of this negotiation, Mother?"
"Not yet, but I want you to be familiar with it," Duchess Isabella replied calmly. This matter was usually arranged by her, but she was tired dealing with those politicians.
She hoped to hand it over to her daughter as soon as possible.
As for Aurora being too young?
It was not a problem.
This daughter of hers is mature enough.