Chapter 54
Once Aurora reached the estate, she was surprised to find the Duke, Duchess, servants, and knights all waiting outside to welcome her home.
The moment she stepped down from the carriage, Eleanor rushed forward.
"My darling, you're home!" the Duchess cried, pulling Aurora into a tight embrace.
Aurora laughed softly despite the sting in her healing wounds and hugged her mother back.
"I only spent a few days at the palace, Mother."
"It felt like years," Eleanor replied immediately.
Before Aurora could answer, strong arms wrapped around both of them.
Owen had joined the hug.
For a brief, moment, father, mother, and daughter stood together.
Safe. Together. Home.
Aurora felt warmth spread through her chest.
After everything that had happened, it was a feeling she had nearly forgotten.
"You are crushing my patient," Owen grumbled.
"Patient?" Eleanor scoffed. "You were the one unconscious for weeks."
"I was merely resting."
"You almost died."
"A slight inconvenience."
Aurora burst out laughing.
The surrounding servants quickly looked away, trying not to laugh as well.
Eleanor narrowed her eyes.
"Perhaps I should let the physician know you're fully recovered and ready for sword practice."
Owen immediately looked offended.
The servants failed to suppress their laughter.
Even Philip coughed suspiciously into his hand.
The duke glared at everyone, "Traitors."
That only made them laugh harder.
For the first time in days, Aurora felt completely relaxed.
The Duchess eventually shooed Aurora toward the manor.
"You are going straight to your room and resting."
"Mother—"
"No arguments."
Aurora opened her mouth.
Eleanor raised an eyebrow.
Aurora immediately closed it again.
"Good choice," Owen said.
Aurora stared at her father, "You could have helped me."
"I value my life, Aurora."
The duke wisely retreated before either woman could attack him.
The first thing Aurora did upon reaching her room was ask Emily to prepare a bath.
Soon she was soaking in warm lavender-scented water, allowing her exhausted body to relax.
For the first time since the attack, she could breathe.
The warm water soothed her aching muscles, though her wounds still throbbed whenever she moved too quickly.
The memory of the knife flashed through her mind.
The blood.
Emily's screams.
Turner's terrified face.
Lucian carrying her through the palace.
Aurora closed her eyes.
A shiver ran through her.
She had come far too close to death.
Again.
Slowly, she pushed the memories away.
She was alive.
That was what mattered.
After tending to her wounds and changing into one of her comfortable dresses, she headed toward the study.
By now, neither the servants nor the knights reacted much to Aurora's unusual clothing.
At most, they exchanged amused looks and accepted that Lady Aurora would always do things differently.
When she entered the study, however, her father was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, Philip entered carrying several folders.
The moment he saw her, he froze.
"Lady Aurora," he said slowly, "what exactly are you doing out of bed?"
Aurora smiled sheepishly.
"How have you been, Philip? Did you miss me?"
Philip stared at her. Then sighed. Deeply. Painfully.
"As much as I missed the peace and quiet."
Aurora gasped dramatically, "How hurtful."
"You were stabbed less than a week ago."
"And yet here I am."
"Unfortunately."
Aurora placed a hand over her heart, "Emily, did you hear that? Philip has become cruel while I was gone."
Emily entered behind her, "He has always been cruel."
Philip looked horrified, "I provide food, tea, shelter, and endless patience."
"And yet," Emily replied thoughtfully, "still cruel."
Aurora nodded solemnly, "Very cruel."
Philip immediately decided he was outnumbered, "Why are you here?"
Aurora's smile softened, "I wanted to see how the duchy is doing. And I wanted to know what Father has discovered."
Philip's expression darkened slightly.
"The duke is in the dungeons."
Aurora frowned, "Interrogating Eric?"
Philip nodded.
The light mood faded.
Everyone knew the investigation was becoming serious.
Someone had stolen from the duchy.
Someone had betrayed them.
And someone had tried to murder Aurora.
The thought left an uncomfortable silence hanging in the room.
Aurora finally spoke, "I don't suppose Father would appreciate me visiting the dungeons?"
Philip looked horrified, "Absolutely not."
Aurora sighed dramatically.
"Then perhaps you can bring me tea and pastries while I review the reports."
"Now that sounds like a much better idea."
Philip handed her several documents.
"And yes, your invoice books arrived."
Aurora's eyes brightened, "Excellent."
Philip led her to the couch and fussed over the cushions until she was comfortable.
"There."
"I am capable of sitting down by myself."
"I have my doubts."
Aurora narrowed her eyes.
Philip simply ignored her.
Soon he left to arrange the tea.
Aurora immediately began reading through the reports.
Most people assumed she wanted information about the duchy's workforce.
Only Aurora knew the real reason.
She was studying the number of children living throughout the duchy.
Their ages.
Their families.
Their circumstances.
She wanted to build schools.
She wanted children to have opportunities beyond what this world currently offered.
The skills reports were equally important. Every person had value. Every skill could strengthen the duchy.
She simply needed to see the bigger picture.
A short while later, Philip returned with tea and pastries.
Aurora immediately recruited him into helping organize her notes.
Emily sighed, "You truly are Duke Owen's daughter."
Aurora considered that, then smiled, "That might be the nicest thing you've ever said to me."
For the next several hours, the three worked together. Tea was poured and pastries disappeared.
Documents were sorted into neat piles.
And although laughter occasionally filled the study, a lingering tension remained beneath the surface.
Because somewhere below the manor, in the cold stone dungeons, Duke Owen Ambrose was questioning Eric and the captured men.
And everyone knew that when the duke finally emerged...
He would not be bringing good news.
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