V

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Arc V Chapter 18

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26th Ignis Solar 753 AAC

“... ... ...” Aurora’s body was lost for words following her revelation. Understandably so, if she might add. There was genuine surprise written across all her face, genuine incredulity. “Are you seriously telling me that you are Aurora von Schwarz? You? A doll?”

Little Aurora nodded vigorously, her voice filled with absolute confidence, “I am, believe me. I am telling you the truth.”

Her body crossed her arms. “So you claim. Please, elucidate me, tell me, what reasons do I have to believe you? What reasons do I have to believe the word of a talking doll in the middle of the night?”

“Hmm ...” Little Aurora fell silent, musing. “I guess, ... you might have a point there.” Her point was valid. She was now indeed a doll, which was problematic for a variety of reasons.

Her body continued, “Furthermore, should you tell the truth, and you are me, then, who am I?”

“What do you mean?” Little Aurora was confused.

“You tell me you are Aurora von Schwarz, but there might be a small, little, tiny problem. I am also Aurora von Schwarz.” Tall Aurora touched her chest, pointing at herself. “You say you are Aurora. And I say I am Aurora. Do you see the problem? Who is the real one? Or are you trying to tell me there are suddenly two of us?”

“That ... is ... an excellent ... question, ... actually.” Little Aurora tilted her head, pondering their new conundrum. This was a genuine problem. Somehow, there were now not one, but two Auroras! Inconceivable! How was this possible? Who was the real one? Or was there even a real one? Or were they both equally real? Or was there one less real and one more real? “...”

Tall Aurora crossed her arms impatiently. “I am still waiting for your answer.”

“...” Little Aurora lowered her gaze, her dolly fingers fidgeting. “Well, ... I don't ... I don't have an answer, but ... but ... but you must believe me, I am really you! I am not lying! I would never lie! I am a good girl.” Her arms were gesticulating wildly, adding much childish credibility to her words.

“Hmm ...” Tall Aurora fell silent, her gaze probing her faithful doll.

“Pleashe, believe me~.” Little Aurora begged, a hint of desperation entering her voice.

“Hmm ...” tall Aurora continued pondering her case. Eventually, though, a heavy sigh escaped her lips. “Aurora, tell me, what is our mother's name? Should you be truly me, then you surely know the answer.”

“Oh ...” Little Aurora clenched her tiny fists, her spirit returning. She was testing herself. What a supremely smart move of herself. Of course, she would know the answer. “This is easy. Mama's name is Felicia!”

Tall Aurora nodded, satisfied with her answer. “Correct. Next question, what is our brother's name?”

Another easy question. There was a certain pattern recognisable here. Little Aurora raised her tiny hand to respond. “His name is Tiberius.”

“Correct. Now my last question, who is our best friend” Tall Aurora narrowed her eyes.

“Our ... best friend?” Little Aurora raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, who is our best friend?”

“Hmm ...” Little Aurora tilted her head. The question sounded very much like a trick question. How disingenuous! Her little head had an idea, however. “What about Friedrich? He always tries to comfort us when sad! He even played dolls with us when younger! Less so, these days, but he used to.”

“Yes, but no. He is father's retainer. So, of course, Friedrich would be nice to us, the future heiress of the House von Schwarz. He merely does what is expected of him as a loyal retainer and considering his high sense of duty.”

“Oh, do you think so?” Doubt befell little Aurora. Perhaps tall Aurora was right. Once again, her taller self proved surprisingly persuasive. “I never thought about it this way, but I guess you are probably right. Friedrich is indeed father's retainer. And he has indeed always been an honourable man.”

Little Aurora returned to her prior ruminations. Who else then could be their best friend? Mother? Sadly, Mama died. The same was the case for her brother. Father? He probably didn't count ... After all, he was her father ... He had changed after mama's death. Geralt? No, he was more of a tutor and teacher. Not a friend in the strictest sense. Stahl and Clarissa? Ditto. They were rather teacher figures than friends. “Hmm ... What about Maria? She has always treated us well. Not to mention, she often tucked us in before sleeping!”

“... ... ...” Tall Aurora merely blinked, wholly unimpressed. “Listen, you realise that Maria is our personal maid, don't you? It falls well within her duties to treat us well and tuck us in, considering her eminent position. I wouldn't expect anything less from her. Her actions are merely par for the course.”

“...” Little Aurora's hopes deflated, her shoulders hanging low. The situation was slowly growing critical. She was running out of friends. In fact, she already did. She had always been a lonely girl. She didn't have many friends beside her ... doll ... ... ...

“...” Her eyes widened as realisation struck. How could she have been so blind? It was so obvious. Little Aurora raised her timid hand, pointing at herself. “It is of course me! It is our doll!”

...

...

...

“... ... ...” At last, tall Aurora nodded, her eyes closed. “I guess this settles this matter beyond any reasonable doubt, you are really me, or at least, a part of me. Now the only question that remains is, how is it possible that there are two of us? And why are you inside our doll?”

That was another excellent question ...

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