Contents
34: Eternally Yours
Overview
After resting, Aurora recommits to her duties. Encouraged by Elsie’s gift of the first tomato and Tilly’s affirmation, she visits Caspian’s room and discovers a tender letter that helps her let go. Aurora publicly apologizes to the household, vows to pull the light daily, and departs to begin her reign in earnest.
Summary
Aurora wakes to Elsie, who gifts her the first tomato grown at their cottage thanks to the glare line and mirrors. The success softens Aurora’s grief and shame, and Elsie urges consistency: bury Caspian, pull the light, and fight the Frost. Aurora agrees to rise, bathe, and eat.
While dressing, Aurora discovers the sentient gold handkerchief she had abandoned; she apologizes, and it forgives her. In the bath, Aurora admits she cannot bring Caspian back and resolves not to neglect her duty for grief. She prepares herself to face the household.
On the way to breakfast, Aurora detours to Caspian’s small childhood room to feel connected to his own struggles. She notices a pen by his journal, opens it, and finds a new entry addressed to her. In it, Caspian confesses fear, love, and acceptance of mortality, urging their story to outlive them and promising to meet her “in the endless after.”
Fortified, Aurora addresses the assembled staff, openly apologizing for her absence and vowing never to miss pulling the light again. They share breakfast, including the precious tomato. Aurora entrusts Caspian’s journal to Elsie for safekeeping and prepares her sleigh with roses.
Tilly arrives, returning Aurora’s own words through the looking glass: whenever lost, she is as she should be. When asked what she sees, Tilly replies, “I see the Starmaker,” moving Aurora to tears. Aurora boards the sleigh, affirms her identity, and sets out, declaring that her reign truly begins today.
Who Appears
- AuroraGrieving new Starmaker; apologizes for neglect, reads Caspian’s letter, recommits to pulling the light, and begins her reign in earnest.
- ElsieAurora’s sister; brings the first tomato, encourages consistency, supports Aurora at breakfast, safeguards Caspian’s journal.
- CaspianLate Starmaker; posthumously addresses Aurora in a heartfelt journal letter, helping her accept duty and loss.
- TillyAngel with a looking glass; echoes Aurora’s past encouragement and affirms, “I see the Starmaker,” restoring Aurora’s confidence.
- InaHousehold leader; receives Aurora’s apology and readies breakfast and roses for Aurora’s departure.
- FrederickPalace staff member; welcomes Aurora back and pulls out her chair at breakfast.
- ConstanceAurora’s companion who eats hay; sits with her at breakfast, a small note of normalcy amid grief.
- Gold handkerchiefSentient cloth; forgives Aurora after being neglected, symbolizing mended attention to small duties.