The journey back remained uneventful and Aurora didn't know what to say about it. She chose not to think too much about Prince Brian and Prince Charles. Even though the two of them were her cousins and it was likely that they would see each other again next year, there was still a long time before it was time.
On the other hand, Aurora was spending her time studying under her mother's watch. She was supplementing her knowledge of various matters.
When she got back, Duchess Isabella went to give her report to the royal family.
Aurora didn't know how Duchess Isabella did it, but it was confirmed that Aurora would be the one leading the negotiation from the next year. Of course, she still has to give the report back to the Royal Family and the others.
It wouldn't be an easy work.
Duchess Isabella glanced at her daughter who waited for her in the carriage and furrowed her eyebrows. "If you have time, you should have walked around the palace and find His Highness the crown prince."
Aurora's body stiffened and then she replied, "Mother, one couldn't enter the palace arbitrarily without any notification."
Her mother was able to ask for an attendance with the Queen because of her position as one of the kingdom's diplomat. On the other hand, Aurora wouldn't be able to do that because she was only the young daughter of Duke White.
Even with her status as the future crown princess, she still wouldn't be allowed to enter the palace so freely.
"You can make the notification," Duchess Isabella replied coldly.
Aurora took a deep breath. "I will remember, Mother."
"Good." Duchess Isabella walked to the carriage and added, "This engagement is not easy to get. You have to make sure to hold onto it properly."
Hold onto it properly?
Aurora could only bowed to her mother but didn't answer to her mother. The engagement that has been arranged by the nobility was not so easy to be broken.
But she also knew that what her mother wanted was for her to please the crown prince and deepened their relationship. It was just that this was not something that could be done overnight.
She could only try.
After the trip to the palace, they went back to Duke White's Mansion and this time, Duke White was present.
"How's the negotiation this time?" Duke White asked after Duchess White came down from the carriage.
"Nothing special, it's going well and the negotiation is in our favor," Duchess Isabella replied curtly.
Duke White nodded when he heard that.
He didn't pay much attention to the negotiation because he was busy with his own territory's management. But he still needed to know how much water would be for them this year because his territory was also beside the lake.
It wouldn't do him any good if he didn't know.
"I'll give you the report later." Duchess Isabella didn't really want to work so much, but she had to do this.
This was very tiring and she really wanted to live freely. In the previous two years, she managed to dump it all to the Queen as she was able to do this job well. This year, she had no other choice but go with her daughter to give example.
"Good." Duke White nodded. "You can rest for today."
"Yes."
Aurora heaved a sigh of relief in her heart. If her father were to ask her to study again, Aurora felt that her head would explode. Her mother had already taught her so many things on the way that her head felt a bit uncomfortable now.
"I'll go back to my room, Father, Mother."
Excusing herself, Aurora made her way to her bedroom. On the way, she saw Adela's servant waiting in front of the study room.
"Adela is studying?" Aurora asked.
The maids bowed. "Yes, Eldest Miss, Second Miss is now studying."
Adela is studying?
Aurora looked at the closed door and slowly looked away. In the past Adela was unable to study because her body condition was not very good. But after two months not seeing each other, has Adela's situation gotten better?
It should have been a good thing, but for some reason Aurora thought about the changes of Adela she had seen before.
'It should be fine.'
Aurora shook her head and made her way to her room.
No matter what, Adela is still her younger sister.