Chapter 36
Aurora entered her father's chamber with her mother at her side. The moment Eleanor crossed the threshold, she froze. Her breath caught in her throat.
Owen lay motionless upon the bed.
Pale.....Thin.......Far too still.
He looked nothing like the powerful Duke who had once ridden into battle without fear.
Tears immediately filled Eleanor's eyes.
Although Philip had done his best to feed the unconscious Duke broth, it had been impossible. Owen could not swallow properly, and there was no modern medicine to help him.
Aurora's heart clenched.
There must be another way.
Perhaps she could create something like an intravenous drip. It would be difficult.... Dangerous.
But she had to try. She refused to lose him.
Eleanor slowly sat beside the bed and took Owen's hand in both of hers.
The sight alone was enough to break Aurora's heart.
"Owen, my love..." Eleanor whispered.
Tears rolled freely down her cheeks.
"You have to wake up.", Her voice trembled, "I can't live without you."
She pressed his hand against her face, "Aurora needs you. The duchy needs you. I need you."
A sob escaped her lips, "Please... I'm begging you... open your eyes."
Aurora looked away. The pain in her mother's voice was unbearable. Quietly, she left the room.
Philip followed without a word.
Julianne remained behind to comfort the Duchess.
"Philip, let's go to the study."
Once inside, Aurora sat at her desk and quickly began writing. Several minutes later, she handed him a list.
"See if you can obtain these items. I need them today."
Philip studied the paper.
A tightly sewn pig bladder or oiled animal skin
Thin, flexible animal gut, cleaned and dried
A sharpened quill tip or a thin silver tube crafted by a blacksmith
Philip frowned, "My Lady... what exactly are these for?"
Aurora's expression hardened, "To save my father."
The determination in her voice startled him.
"And while you're at it, ask Turner to escort me to the palace immediately."
Philip bowed, "At once, My Lady."
A short while later, Turner informed her that the carriage was ready.
Before leaving, Aurora carefully wrote a letter.
Every word felt strangely liberating........Painful.........But liberating.
Once finished, she pressed the Ambrose seal into the wax.
The engagement was over.
At least in her mind.
The carriage journey to the capital was quiet.
Emily sat across from her while Turner rode beside the carriage.
Aurora stared out the window. Farmers worked their fields. Children chased one another through the streets. Merchants opened their shops.
Life continued.........Peaceful.........Ordinary.......Beautiful.
For a moment she found herself comparing this world to her previous life.
Modern cities......Technology.......Cars.........Telephones.......The internet.
So much progress and yet also pollution.
Noise........Stress......Disease.
Both worlds had their flaws; both worlds had their beauty.
A bittersweet smile touched her lips and then her thoughts drifted elsewhere.
To Lucian.
And immediately the smile disappeared.
She cringed.
The memories still made her want to bury herself underground.
The endless letters and the gifts. The desperate attempts to gain his attention. She had humiliated herself countless times.
But she could no longer blame Lucian.
Not entirely.
He had never loved her. And she had refused to accept it. The fault was hers as much as his. What hurt most was knowing she had wasted so many years chasing someone who was looking at somebody else.
Bella.
Always Bella.
**************'*********
The carriage rolled to a stop outside the royal palace.
A butler greeted her immediately.
"Good morning, Lady Aurora. Welcome."
"Good morning."
"His Majesty is expecting you. This way, please."
Aurora followed him through the grand halls until they reached the throne room.
Inside, the King sat upon his throne while nobles gathered to present petitions and disputes.
The moment Aurora entered, every eye turned toward her. Whispers spread immediately.
Her dress...No jewels...No elaborate hairstyle...No excessive decorations...It was simple...Elegant.
And completely inappropriate by noble standards.
Aurora ignored them, "Good morning, Your Majesty."
She bowed gracefully.
The King's face brightened, "Good morning, Lady Aurora."
His eyes softened, "You've grown into quite a beautiful young lady."
Aurora smiled politely, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I would like to request a private audience."
A nobleman immediately stepped forward.
"Surely Lady Aurora can speak before the court."
Several others nodded.
The King gestured toward them, "These are my trusted advisors. You may speak freely."
Aurora took a steadying breath. Then said the words.
"I wish to discuss my engagement to Crown Prince Lucian."
The room instantly fell silent.
Every noble suddenly looked interested.
At that exact moment, Lucian arrived.
The doors opened.
"Crown Prince Lucian!" , The announcement echoed throughout the hall.
Lucian stepped inside.
His eyes immediately found Aurora.
And for a moment, he forgot how to breathe. She looked beautiful.
No jewels...No ornaments...Nothing flashy.
Yet somehow, she seemed more radiant than ever. His gaze lingered longer than it should have.
Aurora never looked at him once.
The realization irritated him more than it should have.
"Perfect timing," the King said.
"Lady Aurora was just discussing the engagement."
Lucian straightened.
"Then perhaps I should remind Lady Aurora that marriage arrangements cannot proceed until after her coming-of-age ceremony."
Aurora ignored him completely.
Lucian's jaw tightened.
She didn't even glance his way.
Not once.
Instead, she turned to the King, "Your Majesty."
Emily handed Aurora the sealed letter.
Aurora accepted it.
Then held it out. "This letter formally declares that the House of Ambrose is dissolving the engagement between Crown Prince Lucian and myself."
The room erupted. Gasps echoed from every direction. Several nobles nearly fell out of their seats.
The King starred.
Lucian starred.
Neither could believe what they had just heard.
"Lady Aurora," the King said carefully.
"Do you understand what you are saying?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"You wish to end the engagement?"
"Yes."
Lucian finally spoke. "You want to break our engagement?"
Still....She did not look at him.
The dismissal stung far more than he cared to admit.
"Lady Aurora," the King continued, "You are young. This is not a decision to make lightly. Perhaps we should wait for the duke and duchess to discuss the matter."
Aurora lifted her chin.
"Your Majesty, with my father's severe injuries and my mother's ongoing recovery, I have been entrusted with the administration of the Ambrose Duchy. I have discussed the matter with the duchess, and she has accepted my decision."
The room exploded into whispers.
Shock...Disbelief...Confusion.
At fifteen years old, Aurora had become the acting ruler of the most powerful duchy in the kingdom.
"Everyone out!"
The King's voice thundered through the room.
The nobles scattered immediately.
Within moments, only the King, Lucian, Aurora, and Emily remained.
The King rubbed his forehead. Exhausted already.
Then he looked at Aurora, "You loved Lucian."
His voice softened, "What changed?"
Lucian wanted that answer too. More than he cared to admit.
Aurora finally spoke, "I used to love him."
The words hit Lucian like a punch.
Used to.
Past tense.
"I realized I do not wish to stand between two people who love one another."
The King frowned, "What do you mean?"
Aurora's answer came immediately, "Prince Lucian loves Bella Palsen."
Silence......Absolute silence.
Then the King's expression darkened. Anger flashed across his face.
He had warned Lucian repeatedly. Repeatedly and yet his son had ignored him.
Before the King could speak, Lucian exploded, "Are you certain this is about Bella?"
His voice was sharper than intended, "Or is it about that knight constantly at your side or him?"
Aurora finally turned toward him. Confusion filled her eyes.
"What are you talking about?"
Lucian's temper snapped. Days of frustration boiled over.
"I saw you!" , His voice echoed through the room, "I saw you in another man's arms!"
Aurora starred. Completely stunned and then realization dawned.
The garden...Turner...The hug.
And suddenly she felt angry, very angry.
"Are you serious?"
Lucian clenched his fists.
"You think I wouldn't notice?"
Aurora laughed. Not because it was funny. Because it was absurd.
"You've spent years ignoring me. "
The words were sharp.
Painfully sharp.
"And now you're upset because someone offered me comfort while my parents were fighting for their lives?...........For years you wanted this engagement to end...now I am granting you that wish.....I'm walking away"
Lucian froze.
Aurora's eyes burned with hurt.
"Where was this concern before?"
The question hit harder than any sword.
For the first time, Lucian had no answer.
The King groaned. This was becoming a disaster.
"Someone, fetch the Queen."
Perhaps she could salvage this catastrophe.
Because, at the moment, his son looked jealous.
Aurora looked furious.
And the engagement was hanging by a thread.
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