sleeplessrose

[sleeplessrose]

It was nearly unfair, how kind he could be when the world was being so deeply unkind to them. Aurora couldn't help but smile slightly, knowing the admission of jealousy was partially from him. Whoever he was about to propose to, she would be envious of, too, but a small part of her hoped she would never find out who the woman was. Still, she had no idea who he was, only that they were of similar age: her parents hadn't wanted her to find any reasons to talk her way out of getting engaged to whomever it was. "Just that he's about my age; I may have freaked out slightly when the idea had gotten into my head that he might be a decade or so my senior." Aurora wondered the same for him, whether he knew who he was betrothed to, but she wasn't sure if she wanted any information on the woman who he was going to spend the rest of his life with. "I know we keep saying we'll leave each other alone, but, I suppose, perhaps we should really mean it this time. For the sake of our futures, that is, not that I would ever want to leave you alone. Anyway, I thought ... perhaps, if you wanted to spend one last night together, before we have to ..." she trailed off, hoping he'd accept the offer.

The roaring of music and partygoers did nothing to keep his attention away from Rose. His gaze hadn't left her and much less now that she had something to share with him. A feeling he had only felt in small waves before now all came at once. It couldn't even be contained with just one word, it was a mix of jealousy and heartbreak and defeat. Even when all of this was transpiring inside of him, he still felt he owed it to her to convey some level of optimism. "He is a lucky man; A man everyone should envy." His lighthearted comment gave way to his feelings but they weren't sentiments he hadn't said before. And anyone with even the smallest of knowledge on who Rose was would agree. "Have your parents told you who he is yet?" If her parents were anything like his father, the answer was likely no, but that didn't stop him from asking in the case that she did. With the knowledge of any information on her future fiancé, he could see if this was a man suitable for her. Maybe that could put him into a final ease in letting her go.

[sleeplessrose]

The way they'd left things at the hospital had led Aurora to believe that perhaps she and Phillip could continue on as friends. She would've accepted this fate, had she been able to bear the thought of only having him as a friend in her life, which she was working on accepting, until her parents had revealed that she'd be meeting her future fiance the week after Halloween. It left her in a panic, in practical cold sweat every time she found herself able to sleep, waking up with the thought of being married to someone truly awful. Any time she wasn't spending attempting to be cheered up by her fairies was instead spent crying over her fate. It was the trio who had convinced her to go to the party, to get some closure with Phillip before having to accept the true fate that was facing her.

As she filled her empty glass with a colored beverage from an array across a table, Aurora felt a small tap on her arm, coming from none other than the boy whom she'd been both hoping and dreading to see. "Good evening," she greeted politely, a natural smile coming to her lips as she caught sight of him. He looked painfully handsome, an exact picture of the kind of husband she'd dreamt for herself as a girl. "Thank you, I'm glad I did, too. Luckily, I had my aunts to help nurse me back to health." She paused, not wanting to come to the sad conclusion they had to so soon, but knowing it might be easier to begin with the stipulation that this might be their last conversation. "I was hoping I'd see you here, actually. There's something I wanted to talk to you about." Aurora paused, only taking a small sip of her drink to give her a moment and gather the courage to speak. "I believe I'm meeting my fiance soon."

-timeskip to hotel transylvania halloween party-

The amount of times Rose passed through Phillip's mind became less frequent, and though it pained him to let her go, he had to. His days were now concerned with his father, business deals, and his upcoming marriage, they didn't leave much room for pining, especially not for pining girls who were also engaged to someone else. It was a unique torment to think of her that much anyway, the feelings that never seemed to diminish didn't have any place in his life. So Phillip went on with his routines, hoping that there could be a day when his longing wouldn't plague him, that day certainly didn't feel like it was coming up anytime soon but he believed it was possible.

It was a certain acceptance for him to even want that to happen when just a year ago he clung onto every minute he could share with Rose like his life depended on it. However, the resignation to an easier life did already make a difference to the sight of the familiar blonde. It was bittersweet seeing her just as it had been for the past year but with some sense that both their futures could be alright, it wasn't as unbearable. Phillip gave her arm a light nudge as he inched closer and gave his usual polite greeting. "It's good to see you again," his words were genuine as was the smile on his face. "You look much better than you were in the hospital, I'm glad you recovered alright."

[sleeplessrose]

HANNAH DODD edit .

[sleeplessrose]

Aurora had heard of the people who'd hunted those who were magical before, though she hadn't been aware of just how that would translate into action. This had been brutal--it must've been one of their more deadly attacks, from what the older woman had said. Of course, she knew her fairies were on the list of those who could be hunted, though Aurora couldn't quite tell herself what had been wrong with her for years, the hyper-realistic nightmares that had plagued her. "I've heard of them," she commented, though Aurora guessed she would probably know more if it hadn't been for her life of confinement. "You think the borders will open?" The blonde sat up a bit, suddenly more interested in their conversation than ever. It had been off the Isle that Aurora had been able to sleep, to feel like she could wander without being forced to stay within her four walls. She'd never thought of herself as the kind of person to run away, but it certainly wasn't out of the question, depending on who her parents were going to make her marry. "I used to live off the island, with my aunts," she explained, "I'd enjoyed it, but when we'd heard about the borders closing, I'd wanted to come back. I don't see my parents a lot, but it was the option of having them close --not being able to even be near them had been unimaginable, so I'd asked to come back, but ... as they say, the grass is always greener elsewhere."

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Her positivity was something Mal admired in her, wondering how long she could have that outlook on life until the harsh realities of the world soured it. The fae herself had once experienced a life where she saw the world as her oyster and that everything had a reasonable purpose. That mindset was ripped from her as was her mother's wings. While it was Aurora's father that Maleficent had to thank for that, this wasn't the time to start revealing her own tragic backstory. "Doesn't mean they shouldn't also be making sure you're alright." It was a job she'd taken on herself, plotting herself beside the bed with her eggroll still in hand. "Of course, my treat." There was a lot more coming but she reserved her thoughts for after the blonde had eaten something. Instead, the conversation shifted to the very thing that had brought Aurora into harm's way which the raven-haired woman knew more about than she let on at first. It was time she knew the truth or at least, that part of it and the reality many of the Isle residences faced. "Not the individuals but the group behind it is that of hunters," she began, finishing the snack she'd snagged. "This isn't the first time and it won't be the last. They usually only want those who are different, who are... magically inclined, if you will." That was one way of putting it but from the very same curse she'd placed, she knew Aurora would understand. "This is the first time I've seen them take so many risks by opening fire with so many humans around but it shows promise for the borders opening. Something good to come of this unnecessary slaughter, I suppose." Though Mal didn't see it as quite an even trade, they needed the breakthrough.

[sleeplessrose]

Though Aurora had the feeling he wasn't particularly fond of his father, it was still sad, knowing that Phillip didn't have much time left with him. Perhaps that was the reason he wanted his son married so soon: so he could witness it. "I'm sorry to hear that," she said sincerely. A flinch of her hand nearly reached for his, as though to offer her slightest show of comfort--her conscience got the best of her, deeming the gesture entirely inappropriate as Aurora simply wove her fingers behind her back. "I'm at least glad you were able to avoid all that, whatever the reason. Even if you did manage to exit unharmed, it was still a painful sight to see."

He was perhaps one of the only people with whom she did feel safe to discuss the events of the night. Aurora had always felt that way around Phillip, never stopping to worry about his intentions with her. "No, I was simply trying to leave, and I wound up sustaining a terrible fall, and ... there were people everywhere, trying to go out this small exit, which turned out to be a rather large hazard," she explained. It was simply a case of being at the wrong place at the wrong time, unfortunately for the blonde. "But, otherwise, everything is well. My parents did come by, briefly, though really only to tell me that we'll be discussing my engagement once I'm released, and home," Aurora admitted; despite the prior knowledge from Mal that she would be married soon, it was the first she'd heard it confirmed from her parents themselves.

Phillip's spirit had risen in contentment knowing that, even for a brief moment, he could see Rose and be around her. It was bitter in knowing he'd eventually have to face the world without her in it once again but he could leave that for the future, right now he was simply invested in how she'd been since their last meeting. He'd walked alongside her on their way to her room, trying not to get in the way of the busy nurses and doctors. He shook his head at her inquiry towards his health, "There's no need to worry over me any longer, I'd been occupied with my father so I was unable to attend the festival at any capacity. He is as stubborn as he is ill, there's not much I can do about him now."

Had he not been worrying over his own father's health, perhaps he would have gone to the festival. Instead, his efforts over the last few days had been towards begging a sick man to change the plans for his marriage. Phillip had been hoping that with his father's illness worsening, perhaps there would be some compassion could come about. That just maybe, by some miracle, his father would gain some sense into seeing how forcing his only son into marriage might be foolish. But rather than postponing the wedding for his own wishes, it had been for not wanting to have the festival's attacks to overshadow the wedding. His thoughts had been too set on his father when they should be dedicated towards his present company, "I do hope your injuries weren't targeted by anyone in particular. But If you do not wish to talk about that night, I understand completely."

[sleeplessrose]

She should've denied him with the first offer she had to let him go, but Aurora couldn't seem to bring herself to simply sending Phillip home. He'd come all the way to check on her when he had no obligation to do so, and the company would be nice, after all. In her current state, Aurora instead couldn't help but fall into the trap laid for her that would likely leave to a far more difficult goodbye later on. "I suppose just a moment would be acceptable," she agreed. At the very least, she would have long enough to hear how he was doing, if he was in fact still planning to be engaged or if it had somehow been postponed after all this time. "Though, with the current state of things around here, I don't think the nurses are entirely concerned with an unapproved visitor. I think that may be the least of their worries." Aurora started toward her temporary residence, gesturing for her visitor to follow. "Are you alright, after the other night? You weren't injured, or anything? Admittedly, I'd been terribly worried, thinking you might've been, and there was no way for me to know, really. But, I do hope you were unharmed, and everything else is going well for you, otherwise," she confessed, hoping he might give any indication of both his physical and, more importantly, relationship status.

This was as much as he should have done, made sure she was okay and ensured that she was under caring watch. It would be sensible to leave now, as he was already defying their agreement so any time spent longer in her presence would be to throw salt in the wound. But the larger part of him didn’t exactly align with sensibility, "I could stay for a moment, if that’s what you wish. I wouldn’t want you to be in that room all alone, and I’d very much like to hear all about the book you’ve read.” It was easy for him to throw away months of progress, in fact he did it with some eagerness because he really did want to cherish any second spent with her. It was a bit doomed, in a way, taking up as much of her time knowing she could dismiss him as she had every right to, but he had to at least try to find a way to prolong this visitation. “At the very least, let me accompany you to your room so that if you do get in trouble, I may take the blame for it."

[sleeplessrose]

Aurora had never seen the inside of a hospital in her conscious memory, but it was awfully lonely to be experiencing it by herself. Not only had she been wandering off alone when she'd been nearly trampled in the sea of people trying to flee the boardwalk, but her parents hadn't yet paid her a visit, either. She hadn't been expecting them to, but it would've been a nice surprise, she thought, to have them beside her as she healed. Instead, her first visitor was an unexpected one, the woman who had been slowly but surely piquing Aurora's curiosity every time they encountered one another. She had no idea how Mal had found her here, but she couldn't deny the pleasantry of company and food other than what they could manage to serve here in such trying times. "They're trying their best," she reminded her, positive that they had more mouths to feed now than ever. "I have a bit of a headache, but I'm sure it'll fade. The food will help, too, so thank you." Though Aurora hadn't wanted to get into the politics of it all, she had to admit that everything had seemed rather unprovoked. "Is that who was responsible for all of this? Do you know ... was there a reason for all of it?"

- timeskip -

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Things had changed. Maleficent's motives were shifting and her plan to manipulate the blonde had now taken a different form. While what initially were preparations to learn everything she could about the girl to destroy the very ground she walked on had become quite the opposite. When Mal caught word that she'd been hurt in the attack not a moment was spared, coming to her room once the sun had vanished from the sky and the waiting room had faded to only a few stragglers. There had been no sign of Stephen himself, not to anyone's surprise that he hadn't come by to visit his only child, the man not giving his time for even her. Now it was the very woman who wanted him dead that stood at his daughter's bedside. "The food here is abysmal," the raven-haired woman said while setting a sack of Chinese Takeout on the overbed table. "How are you feeling? I hear it was quite the fireworks show today." A mild way of putting the tragedy that had actually occurred; Mal still unsurprised by the evergoing war between those like her and the hunters who wanted to mount them. "Just goes to show that the hunters are the real monsters out there if you ask me," she quipped while snagging a vegetable eggroll from the bag.

[sleeplessrose]

It'd seemed her feeble attempt at an escape hadn't gone as planned, as the name she'd given him to call her had been called not once, but twice. Aurora feared that having him within reach once again would be too much for her heart to bear, but so was the pain and pleading in his voice. Though she remained strong, keeping in her path ahead toward her room, it seemed her plans to avoid him were being forcefully intervened as Phillip physically stopped her in her tracks. The face before her was one she'd only dreamt of in the past few months, hoping he could remain there forever while she knew he couldn't be hers while they were awake.

"You came to find me," she stated the obvious, the gesture one that she was wrapping her head around. He still thought of her as she did of him--perhaps she would've taken the same mission had she not been stuck in her own hospital room. "I'm alright, I just needed to get out of there--my room, I mean. It's terribly lonely, and I'd just finished my book," Aurora explained, peering over her shoulder to be sure that none of her nurses were looking for her after she'd managed to slip out. "You certainly don't have to stay on my account, though, I--I should probably be getting back to my room, before I'm in trouble with the nurse."

"Rose?" With the very luck that caught him in the woods when he had met her, Phillip had come across her once again. He'd nearly succumbed to the tranquility in sensing that if she wasn't here, she was safe at home. But when his eyes caught a glimpse of familiar golden locks from the receptionist's desk, he refused to let go of the sight and tried to decipher if what he was seeing was an illusion. Though it could have been likely he was seeing her now as he often saw her in nearly everything since their parting, this time he was quite certain she was real and he was going to chase her down to prove it. "Rose, please," Begging for her to stop, he thought that maybe for a second their eyes hadn't met and she didn't know who it was following her.

He'd sped up enough that he'd been able to catch up in her path before she could, finally under the cold hospital lights he'd been able to see her in the close proximity he'd been missing for the months now. "I apologize, I am aware we agreed that we wouldn't see each other again but I had to know if you were alright. I've gone to every clinic searching for you but none of them had your name in their system. This one didn't either..." He knew it didn't help that he didn't have her last name but certainly the system had to have something under 'Rose'. But Phillip didn't let this confusion take away his focus from the fact that she had been injured. "Are you alright? Shouldn't you be resting? Why are you out of your room?"

[sleeplessrose]

who: aurora & @dreamyphillip where: echo island hospital

Perhaps this had been why her fairies had kept her inside for so long. For how long she wanted to believe that people were good, that the dangers they'd warned her of were simply falsities to keep her content with what had already been decided of her, it had unfortunately been all along true. It was how she'd wound up in the hospital, alone, after being nearly trampled while people had begun to flee from the boardwalk and to safety. With her limbs scraped, and a cut on her head that had thankfully been stitched, Aurora quietly slipped out of her bed, hoping that the nurses wouldn't notice her absence while she simply wanted to take a stroll down the hall, just to get out of the room she'd been cooped up in for hours.

If anyone were to find her, she would be in trouble, but Aurora could hardly care. There were far too many people in the hospital for anyone to be worried about one missing patient with minor wounds when there were bigger problems to take care of. She'd nearly made it to the desk near the elevator when she saw him--Phillip, speaking to the nurse behind it. Her socks suddenly glued to the floor, she could hardly believe the sight of him: he was clearly fine, thankfully, but she couldn't imagine what he'd be doing here, now, if he didn't need to be. She met his eyes for what felt like an eternity, but could only hope was a split second, not long enough for him to recognize her. Perhaps this was all a dream, and that was all Aurora could hope as she spun on her heel, deciding that leaving her room was a terrible idea after all.

[sleeplessrose]

BRIDGERTON (2020-) S03E01 “Out of the Shadow”

[sleeplessrose]

[sleeplessrose]

Perhaps it was dangerous, not telling her fairies where she was going, but she hardly thought any of them would permit her to accept the invitation to see the older woman's company. Aurora was simply intrigued by her, and how it seemed she'd found success against the odds in the way that she hoped to herself, if married life was as unfulfilling as she'd been warned. Even if she didn't need one, it was a good idea to begin to seek out a job, simply for the purpose of having just that: purpose in her life. It was late for a meeting, but Aurora still showed up, a bit bewildered by the security that needed to escort her inside. It was beyond impressive to her, the blonde's face in a constant expression of awe as she found her way to the main office. "No, thank you for having me," she insisted as Mal greeted her, finding a seat across from the desk. "Oh, I don't--I'm okay, thank you, though." Aurora had never had even a taste of alcohol before, though she didn't particularly want to start now. "This place is incredible," she gushed, "I can't believe ... this is all yours?"

- timeskip -

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Perhaps it was risky bringing her enemy's daughter into her place of business but other things were at play. She'd been peeling back layers of understanding to see if Aurora possessed the same vicious nature as her father. That's how she determined the girl was a victim all the same, having not suffered a loss of physical wings but her ability to fly. Maleficent had determined now that she wished to open an opportunity up to the blonde. What future might await them after this meeting was unknown but she knew this would act as a starting point. Many of her employees had gone home for the night besides those guarding the entry points, including escorting her guest into the office. The raven-haired woman got to her feet, moving around her desk like a snake in the grass so that she could formally greet her. "Welcome to Chaneque Oil. Please, make yourself comfortable," she said while gesturing for her to take a seat. "Thank you for coming by. What do you want to drink? I usually finish my day off with a brandy myself." Mal had already made her way to the bar cart to prepare a glass for herself along with whatever her guest requested. "I make sure it's always stocked, you never know what kind of drink the day calls for."

[sleeplessrose]

Aurora hadn’t meant to cause it stir at the bookshop. There had been few places her fairies had told her were safe to be at, and this had been one of them. It was quite nice, to wander around the aisles anonymously, like she hadn’t a care in the world while she scanned the spines. Asking them to go search for titles had been irritating in the past, but now, she could at least handle herself to stop in the one shop and come back home. That was what they’d expected of her, and what she'd planned for herself until now. Nothing had happened before on a simple stop at Rose's that was notable as this. But, when she heard her future title, Aurora couldn’t help but spin around and hope the man was wrong.

“I’m sorry?” Aurora asked, praying this wasn’t truly him. She’d hoped for someone more kind looking, perhaps like Phillip. Someone who could take care of her through the years, and wouldn’t approach her out of the blue to ruin her parents’ plan. “No, you—I’m sorry, you can’t be. Did my parents send you? Nor that … if you’re telling the truth, I’m so sorry, but I just have to verify, that you know who I am, and you're telling the truth."

//closed starter @sleeplessrose

Gaston had his usual flowers at hand, ones LeFou had picked because he couldn't be bothered to drop by a flower shop to buy such delicate items of waste anyway. He didn't understand why flowers had to be something women considered romantic, but perhaps he'd play the game as long as Belle found it charming. Despite his antics with many women, he was still set on marrying Belle, and he didn't care how long it took. After all, he was also taking his time enjoying his experience as a bachelor anyway.

Upon opening the door, the front desk was empty, so he looked around for the brunette beauty until he stumbled upon someone familiar instead. With his flower in hand, he figured he'd mess with her. She was too gullible for her own good, and he wanted to have some fun.

"Hey, fiancée," he teased, offering the flowers to Aurora. Though she wasn't the one he was going to marry, Gaston assumed she would believe it if he said she was. Was it a sick prank? Definitely. Did he enjoy it? More than ever. "What's that look on your face? Aren't you happy to see me?" he chuckled slightly.

[sleeplessrose]

Something had changed over the time in which Aurora had been let out of her cottage, and she couldn’t pretend like the boy who seemed to pop out of every corner didn’t exist. Morie was good company; regardless of where he came from, and even if he made her feel a tad uneasy, she was starting to think perhaps that was her own fault. Maybe her was simply better at being social than she was, and it was about time that she caught up. She didn't have many friends, though Aurora desperately wished to begin to change that--who was she to deny a friend who had practically fallen into her lap?

“Morie,” she greeted with a grin, her walk barely taking her out of the forest before he could suggest that they find their way somewhere else. Aurora had read quite a few books in her time in the cottage, including some things about the stars, though she hadn’t found enough significant to warrant needing someone examining her own readings. “I could come with you to see your readings,” she offered. “I’d love to know your make-believe, yes. Sounds rather exciting to me.” With little control over her future to begin with, Aurora didn't know if she wanted to meddle with someone who could predict it for her. "Where's this festival being held?"

//closed starter @sleeplessrose

Morie had been unusually upbeat lately. Suffice to say, he was infatuated—delighted—and it felt as if his heart was now truly alive, even after all these years. While tasked with checking up on Aurora, he figured he wouldn’t bother hiding this time. Morie set out to greet her during her random walks, completely unbothered by his spontaneous presence.

"Hi, Aurora," he greeted, nonchalant yet still exuding positivity. Aurora, as usual, returned his greeting and began to ask questions. "You know what? I heard there’s a festival in town. They’re talking about magic stones and tarot cards," Morie said, sounding oddly excited, but he was simply trying to make his job easier for himself. If he was to watch over her, he might as well spend some time with her. "I've always been curious. Do you want to know your make-believe fate with me?" he asked, smiling slightly.

[sleeplessrose]

"Oh, I don't care about anything business-related," she clarified, though that might've been true for other people who were willing to suffer through marrying a stranger. It might've been worth it for that reason, had she held any interest in anything like that, but all Aurora wanted was to please her parents, for them to welcome her back into their lives. "It's quite complicated, and has to do with family things that I wouldn't want to burden or bore you with," Aurora explained, hoping the woman would accept the surface as an answer.

It was admirable, for her to have committed so much to her work instead of a personal life. Aurora felt like she had the exact opposite issue, never having kept a job and her entire future riding on who she was going to marry. "Well, I think the best life would probably have a balance of the two. But, I don't think you need romantic love to be happy--I just mean something else that fills your soul. That's what I thought marriage might do for me, but, if I'll have to grow to love him, then, perhaps, I'll fill my time with other interests, or passions." At least, that's what she'd been telling herself, in the time since she and Phillip had to part.

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Maleficent wished it was so easy to open one's eyes to the truth but after years of being told one version of the story, it becomes difficult to believe another. She knew the unveiling of what lay behind the curtain could bring about chaos but their daughter deserved to know. There was blood on her parents' hands and she could see clearly now that even Aurora wasn't safe from them. In fact, the blonde had her wings clipped too as she was forced to participate in their narrative for her instead of her own. Mal gave a deep exhale at the words she couldn't agree with. "I think that's not for anyone else to decide but what do I know?" A tight smile formed to keep the true thoughts to herself.

She nodded in understanding at the explanation of what brought forth this marriage. There was motive in everything even making your child marry someone they didn't love. "Interesting that they think that marriage was a business arrangement of that sort." She figured any relationship with only that basis wouldn't end well. Still, it wasn't her place to say her opinions so outright, there would be time for that later. "And that's what you want, I assume? To take over and grow the company? You don't really need a man to do that though, do you?" Just because it was their dream for Aurora didn't mean she needed to agree. Mal had experienced something similar but she had been able to take over on her own and expand where her father couldn't. "It's quite alright," she assured her with a more genuine smile than the one she had on before. "I have been, yes. Only once but now that seems like forever ago. Since then I've only been comitted to my work." That was something that she never had to worry about leaving her.

[sleeplessrose]

HANNAH DODD FOR BRIDGERTON SEASON THREE PRESS

[sleeplessrose]

Aurora was beginning to see what the other woman was getting at, but she still struggled with what she was meant to do when it came to defying her parents like that. She didn't even know them that well anymore to know how she was supposed to tell them that she wouldn't be doing precisely what she had been told what to do from when she was born. If she wanted to have any kind of relationship with her parents, this was what she had to do. "If that's what their parents decide, I suppose so," she suggested, though each defense she had was getting less convincing.

She couldn't help but laugh a bit at the remark, finding it rather comedic that she had just been to an engagement party that her aunts thought was for a pre-determined match. "Business advantage, I think. So that we can take over what they've started and combine resources to make it even more successful." At least, that's how the fairies had described it to her when she'd begun to question her parents' motives. "Have you ever been in love before? I'm sorry if that's ... you don't have to answer that, if it's too personal," Aurora blurted, before retracting her question as she'd forgotten her manners.

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It was as Aurora spoke that she unraveled the very thing that Maleficent was getting it. That was precisely why she understood why the blonde was trapped and it wasn't for the right reasons. "You said it right there, I am the one making orders. My hand is not forced," she repeated. If she had chosen another path she believed her father would've understood but the loss of her mother gave a different motive. That was when she knew she wanted to take over the company and turn it into something else entirely. She'd turned Chaneque Oil into what she wanted as well as developing her father's dream further. "I don't think anyone is born to be married to someone they don't love, do you?" It wouldn't matter what reason it might be for, she couldn't find any that was fair to the girl. That was the precise problem with her father.

The woman gave her a confused look and even looked around as if to see if anyone else noticed the strange coincidence though they were alone. "You've got me be kidding, is that so? What're the chances of that?" She hummed thinking now that it was obvious but leaving it to the girl to find out for herself. Whether it was from her or when she was walking down the aisle. What mattered was the principal of it all, their daughter deserved freedom to love who she wanted. "Does everyone marry off their children these days? What is it they expect to get out of it all anyway?" She asked with an arched brow while swirling her champagne in thought.