Chapter 61
Lucian sat alone in his study, replaying every word of the conversation he had with Duke Ambrose.
For the first time in his life, he had absolutely no idea what to do.
How did one court Aurora?
With Bella, it had always been simple. They shared afternoon tea, strolled through the royal gardens, and he occasionally bought her jewellery or flowers. Bella loved beautiful things, and those gifts had always brought a smile to her face.
But Aurora...
He frowned.
Aurora wasn't the same girl anymore.
Buying her jewels felt......wrong.
She designed her own dresses.
She spoke passionately about schools, trade, and helping the people of Emberforge.
She smiled more brightly at children than she ever had at nobles.
She looked happiest when discussing ways to improve the lives of others.
What did a woman like that want?
Lucian let out a long sigh, "Theo."
Theo, who had been quietly organizing documents nearby, immediately straightened.
"Yes, Your Highness?"
Lucian looked at him with complete seriousness, "How does one court a woman?"
Theo nearly swallowed his tongue, "What?"
Lucian didn't smile, "How."
Theo blinked several times, "Your Highness... are you asking me?"
"Unless there's another Theo hiding beneath my desk."
Theo instinctively bent down to look underneath it, "There isn't."
Lucian pinched the bridge of his nose, "I know."
Theo scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, "Well... I've never courted anyone either."
Lucian sighed, "So, we're both useless."
Theo coughed to hide his laughter, "I suppose... yes."
Silence settled over the room.
Then Theo suddenly snapped his fingers, "Is this about Lady Aurora?"
Lucian nodded, "Yes."
Theo smiled, "Then why not ask Her Majesty? She spent years with Lady Aurora. If anyone understands her, it's the Queen."
Lucian considered the suggestion.
A slow smile appeared, "That... is actually an excellent idea."
Theo folded his arms proudly, "I do have intelligent moments."
"They're rare."
Theo dramatically clutched his chest, "Your Highness... you wound me."
For the first time in days, Lucian laughed, "Come."
Theo looked confused, "Where are we going?"
"To seek the greatest expert in the kingdom....The Royal Matchmaker?"
Lucian shook his head, "My mother."
"Good morning, Mother."
The Queen looked up from the embroidery resting neatly in her lap. Morning sunlight filtered through the palace garden, making the colourful threads shimmer in her hands.
"My son.", A warm smile spread across her face.
"This is a surprise."
Lucian raised an eyebrow, "I've visited you before."
She gave him a knowing look, "Only after your father threatened you."
Lucian looked mildly offended, "That's not true."
"Oh?"
She began counting on her fingers.
"When you were twelve, you broke your father's favourite hunting bow."
"That was an accident."
"When you were fifteen, you lost three royal horses."
"They came back."
"When you were nineteen, you insulted the ambassador."
"I merely said his beard looked... distinguished."
The Queen laughed, "You called it 'heroic shrubbery.'"
Lucian cleared his throat, "...I may have."
The Queen chuckled softly, "So, tell me, my dear son."
She folded her embroidery onto her lap, "Which disaster brings you to me today?"
Lucian sighed, "Actually...It's about Lady Aurora."
The Queen's smile faded. Her embroidery came to a complete stop.
"What about Lady Aurora?"
"I met with Duke Ambrose."
She waited patiently.
"I asked for his permission to court Lady Aurora."
Silence....Complete silence. The Queen simply stared at him.
Lucian shifted uncomfortably, "Mother?"
She blinked once. Then twice, "You... did what?"
"I asked Duke Ambrose if I may court Aurora."
Slowly, the Queen set her embroidery aside, "My dear son..."
She reached across the table and gently held his hand, "I love you more than anything."
Lucian smiled faintly.
"But you are becoming far too old to play with a woman's heart."
His smile disappeared, "I'm not playing."
"No?", She studied him carefully, "You loved Bella yesterday."
"I thought I did."
"And today?"
Lucian lowered his eyes, "I... don't know."
The Queen remained silent, allowing him time to gather his thoughts.
Finally, he spoke, "I don't know how to explain it."
"Then don't try to explain it perfectly."
He sighed, "When Aurora was younger.....she constantly chased after me."
The Queen smiled knowingly, "I remember."
"She always tried to gain my attention."
"She did."
"I found it irritating."
"I know."
"But now...", He frowned, "She doesn't even look at me."
The Queen listened quietly.
"When she smiles......it isn't because of me.........When she laughs.... I'm not the reason. I watched her at the school she built."
A small smile appeared on his face, "She looked......happy."
His voice softened, "Truly happy. I don't think I've ever seen that Aurora before."
The Queen's eyes filled with quiet understanding, "And how did seeing her happy make you feel?"
Lucian hesitated, "It made me happy."
She nodded gently, "And when she was attacked?"
His face lost its colour. His voice caught in his throat.
"I...I thought I was going to lose her."
The Queen squeezed his hand, "There it is."
Lucian looked at her, "I still don't know what this feeling is."
The Queen smiled sadly, "My son... love does not always arrive like lightning."
She looked toward the blooming roses in the garden.
"Sometimes it arrives quietly. So quietly that you don't notice it until you've nearly lost the person standing beside you."
Lucian frowned, "This isn't love, Mother...At least... I don't think it is."
She chuckled softly, "You would be surprised."
He remained silent for a long moment before finally speaking again.
"I need your help."
"My help?" , She looked genuinely surprised, "And how exactly do you need my help?"
"I want to court Aurora properly."
The Queen couldn't hide her astonishment.
"Well...", She laughed warmly, "That is certainly a sentence I never expected to hear from you."
A faint smile tugged at Lucian's lips, "I don't know where to begin."
The Queen leaned back thoughtfully, "You've spent years observing Lady Bella. ..........Now it's time you truly observe Aurora."
Lucian listened carefully.
"She isn't interested in expensive jewellery anymore," the Queen continued. "She would rather see a classroom full of smiling children than a vault full of diamonds."
He nodded, "I noticed that."
"She doesn't care for grand gestures. She values sincerity. She admires kindness. And more than anything..."
The Queen smiled knowingly, "...she appreciates someone who truly listens."
Lucian absorbed every word, "So.....No extravagant necklaces. No jewelled tiaras. No trying to impress her with wealth."
He gave an embarrassed cough, "I may have been planning exactly that."
The Queen laughed, "I know."
"So, what should I do?"
She smiled warmly, "Start simply.... Flowers."
Lucian blinked, "Flowers?"
"Fresh flowers from the palace gardens. Not because they're expensive, but because you thought of her."
She smiled affectionately.
"And when you give them to her. Do not expect anything in return. Don't give them to win her heart...Give them because seeing her smile makes you happy."
Lucian lowered his head, deep in thought.
For the first time...
He wondered if he had mistaken familiarity for love...
...and whether he was only now beginning to understand what it truly meant to care for someone.
Perhaps courting Aurora wasn't about making her notice him.
Perhaps...
It was about finally learning to notice her.
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