Making certain that her fingers had no trace of ash upon them, Aurora sat in a chair, ankles crossed as the Steward entered.  A scholar and a clerk, the man was gray, as were most of the advisers Father surrounded himself with, who had served for years and had become comfortable in their positions.  He was portly, enjoying the feasts of court too often over the years to keep a young man's trimness, and his robes, however expertly tailored, could not disguise a prodigious gut or triple chin.<br/><br/>"Princess, I was informed that you had returned to us most unexpectedly.  Peace has not collapsed?"<br/><br/>"No," Aurora said.  "But proof has fallen upon us, once again, if we needed more, that we may but propose, and the Sun and Moon dispose.  I am no longer a suitable bride for any prince of our good and gentle cousins, having been. . .assaulted, and robbed of my virtue, along the road."