She befriended the other servants and even Gia became a sort of mentor and mother figure for her, teaching her the Priyan language and customs, and nursing her if she ever became sick or wounded. 

Lady Cassia was a fair employer, all under her were well-paid and enjoyed benefits many servants in Tora never had. It was a comfortable life.

Over time, Auriel had learned more and more of the evil deeds of the King of Tora. At first, she hadn't believed the rumors the servants would discuss about Tora. She just couldn't believe the jovial man she had known for ten years, the man who had treated her as a daughter, was as awful as people said.

But as more and more proof was brought to Lady Cassia from the spies she had sent to find her brother, Auriel began to believe that the King she knew had been a mask. That under his boisterous nature lay a viper. Whispers in the Toran Court suggested that the King himself had orchestrated the fall of House Rosa and had framed them to gain House Rosa's holdings. A way to tip the political balance away from the House of Lords. 

Then it happened, just after her twentieth birthday, Auriel learned that the King of Tora had died. August, her first and only love, had ascended to the throne and had married a lady from a noble house of little consequence. The House of Lords had picked the least powerful house possible for August to marry, a useless attempt to wrend some power back from the royal family, now grown excessively powerful from House Rosa's wealth and holdings. 

Auriel knew the day would come, but she didn't expect her own response to the news- disinterest. The years had numbed her romantic feelings for August, and his betrayal during her trial had sown seeds of hatred in her heart for him. A hatred that now festered in her. Her family had died because he had lied. She would've been sold to a horrible life of slavery if not for the kindness of a stranger. It had all been August's fault. One word from him and it all could've been avoided. 

She had no doubt August's kind heart had been poisoned by the late King. She just hoped that now that August ruled, he would avoid committing the same horrible atrocities his father had.

"Auriel my dear, are you all right? You seem to be doing your chores with a certain... fervor today?" Gia asked, the two of them sitting next to a large tub scrubbing linens together. Auriel realized that she had scrubbed a blanket so hard that the fibers were beginning to wear thin. She mentally chastised herself for letting her anger reflect in her work.

"Sorry, it's just the news from Tora. I'm afraid it's put me in a sour mood."

Gia nodded in sympathy, "Of course dear, I understand. But you need not let the past keep you from a happy future. You are pretty and have plenty of men who would gladly court you."

That was true. Over the years, Auriel's frail body had grown strong and shapely. Her once porcelain skin was now golden though still lighter than native Pryians'. She was an imposing sight with her pitch-black hair and noble air. The years of hard work had failed to dull her confidence, quite the opposite. People were drawn to her, and many men had sought her affection. 

But her heart had filled with distrust. After their engagement was announced, Auriel had allowed herself to become completely infatuated with August. And she had felt it, down to her soul, that he loved her in return. He had shown it in so many ways.

Now, she couldn't bring herself to become infatuated again, for fear of heartbreak. August's betrayal had nearly broken her, she would not give that part of herself to anyone again.

"No... I think I shall live out my days here, unwed. If I marry I might have to leave the palace, and as you once told me, I'm safe here."

Gia scoffed, "That was years ago. You look completely different from the child who left Tora. No one from there would recognize you now."

Auriel shrugged. 

"Perhaps. But it's best to be safe. And I have no desire to marry."

Gia sighed but said nothing. They had talked many times about Auriel marrying, but each time Auriel assured her she would not.

After the laundry was done, Auriel was called to Lady Cassia. The lady was sitting in her study, a pile of scrolls opened next to her. Auriel bowed at the entrance.

"Auriel! Come in child. I have news that you should know."

Auriel stepped into the study.

"If it is about the coronation and wedding, I already know. Gia told me this morning."

"Yes, the new king... I assumed you had learned of that already. I have different news. Are you familiar with a Count Burgess?"

Auriel thought. She recognized the name. She was pretty sure Count Burgess was in the House of Lords in Tora. She had a vague picture in her mind of a man with red hair and a bushy red beard.

"Yes... I think so. He's in the House of Lords and is over... commerce? I believe."

Lady Cassia nodded. "Yes, he is the head of the Trade Guild and handles most of the commerce that comes out of Tora. He is coming here as part of a trade delegation. We expect him tomorrow." 

Auriel nodded. Toran nobles had visited the palace in the past, routine delegations, and Auriel had always taken care to avoid them. She wouldn't hide from them per se, but she would make sure not to draw any attention to herself. 

"Thank you for letting me know. I will make sure to stay unnoticed while he's here..."

"It's not just that he may recognize you. We believe he is the direct link between the late king and the slavers in Priya. The slavers have pointed their fingers at Burgess as the one they do transactions with."

Auriel's blood ran cold. If Count Burgess was that deeply involved in the slave trade, he was probably the one who coordinated her selling. That awful trip, the wagon full of children, the boy that died... that would all be directly linked to Count Burgess.

"I... I don't think..." Auriel stammered.

"I wouldn't have allowed him to come under normal circumstances, I would've turned his convoy away. But he said his reason for the delegation was the abolition of the slave trade. That the new king opposes slavery and wishes to do anything to assist with stopping the trade."

August opposed slavery? Perhaps... perhaps he hadn't been tainted by his father. Perhaps he was trying to make recompense for the evils of his father.

"I wanted you to know this before the delegation so you could be prepared for whatever Count Burgess has to say. I don't trust him... but I have to do whatever I can to stop the enslavement of innocent people."

Auriel nodded. She understood the Lady's position. If August was indeed trying to abolish the slave trade, House Cassia had to accept their help, they couldn't do it without August's support. 

So she swallowed her hate, her distaste for anything to do with Tora or August, and promised to stay as far away from Count Burgess as possible.