Chapter 63
It had been a week.
Every morning, Aurora visited the little school before beginning her work.
The laughter of children now echoed through the once-empty building. Two teachers sent by the King and Queen had settled in well, and lessons were progressing better than Aurora had ever imagined.
One morning, the Duchess watched the children eating during their break and smiled softly.
"Some of these families barely have enough to feed themselves," Eleanor said quietly. "If we could provide one warm meal a day... it would ease their burden."
Aurora looked at the children eagerly eating bowls of stew and fresh bread.
Some ate slowly, trying to make every bite last.
Others smiled so brightly it made her chest ache.
"Let's do it," Aurora replied without hesitation.
The Duchess squeezed her daughter's hand proudly.
That afternoon, Aurora stood outside the classroom, watching children laugh as they shared their meal.
For the first time...
They weren't worrying about being hungry.
They were simply children.
A warm smile spread across Aurora's face.
Later that morning, Aurora walked toward the old stable that was slowly being transformed into a blacksmith workshop.
The steady sounds of hammers, moving timber, and cheerful conversations filled the air.
The men immediately stopped to greet her.
"Good morning, My Lady!"
"Good morning," Aurora greeted with a smile.
Across the room, Alistair was directing several workers as they arranged workbenches, furnaces, and tool racks.
"How is everything coming along, Alistair?"
He wiped the sweat from his forehead and grinned.
"We're nearly finished, My Lady."
Aurora looked around with satisfaction, "It looks wonderful."
Alistair smiled proudly, "You know... this was a brilliant idea."
Aurora shook her head modestly, "It isn't much."
"It is ", He looked around the busy workshop, "You've given these people hope."
His voice softened, "I've served this Duchy for years... and I've never seen the people smile this much."
Aurora smiled gently, "Do you know what makes me happiest every morning?"
Alistair chuckled, "I don't."
"Standing by my bedroom window."
He looked confused.
"Watching little children holding their parents' hands while they hurry to school."
She laughed softly, "Some are practically dragging their parents because they're so excited."
Alistair laughed, "I've never noticed."
"You should ", Aurora smiled warmly, "Sometimes happiness hides in the smallest moments."
Three days later...
It was Aurora's sixteenth birthday.
She woke to the wonderful smell of fresh pastries drifting through the manor.
Breakfast had become a celebration.
The dining table overflowed with her favourite foods.
Her parents had filled the room with beautifully wrapped presents.
Philip had personally ordered every one of Aurora's favourite dishes from the kitchens.
The servants couldn't stop smiling as they watched the duke sneak extra pastries onto Aurora's plate.
"Dad...", Aurora laughed, "I can serve myself."
"I know.", He added another pastry anyway.
"I'm practicing."
"Practicing what?"
"Spoiling my daughter."
Eleanor sighed dramatically, "And here I thought we were raising a refined young lady."
"We are", Owen grinned, "I'm simply undoing all your hard work."
The entire room burst into laughter.
Aurora smiled...
But behind that smile, another memory surfaced.
Her last modern-day birthday , she had died on her birthday, surprising the birthday dates were not the same, she has been living this life for almost 10 months now.
Her thoughts drifted to another world.
Sarah would have decorated the entire dining room.
Mike would have wrapped the newest medical journals because he knew exactly what would make her happiest.
Her grandparents would undoubtedly argue over who had bought the best gift.
She smiled through the memories.
Then...
Dante.
Sweet, patient Dante.
She remembered how he'd apologized for being late because of an emergency patient.
"I'll meet you at your parents' house," he had promised with that familiar smile and he called her.
Normally they travelled together.
Not that day.
Her chest tightened. She would never see any of them again.
A single tear rolled down her cheek.
Emily noticed immediately, "My Lady?"
Aurora smiled gently, "Emily... could you buy me three potted flowers?"
"Of course."
"What flowers?"
Aurora handed her a small list.
"Forget-Me-Nots."
Emily nodded.
"White lilies."
Another nod.
"And gladioli."
Emily smiled, "I'll return before supper."
That afternoon, the flowers arrived. Aurora personally arranged them across her balcony.
The servants quietly withdrew, sensing she wished to be alone.
Aurora gently touched the tiny blue Forget-Me-Nots.
"Dante..."
She smiled sadly.
"These will remind me of you."
She moved to the white lilies.
"Mum..."
"The peace you always gave me."
Finally, she rested her hand on the gladioli.
"Dad..."
"You were always my strength."
She smiled through fresh tears.
"You may not be beside me anymore.....but as long as these flowers bloom......a part of you will always stay with me."
Emily quietly wiped away her own tears, not understanding what Aurora meant.
Moments later she hurried back.
"My Lady!"
Aurora immediately stood, "What happened?"
"The servants from the workshop came."
Aurora's heart lurched, "Is someone hurt?"
"I... don't know."
Without another word Aurora hurried toward the workshop.
The moment she opened the large doors—
"Happy Birthday!"
The room erupted.
Children waved colourful handmade flags.
The blacksmiths cheered.
The servants applauded.
Her parents stood at the front beside Philip, Turner, Alistair, Emily, Anne, and dozens of smiling faces.
Aurora froze.
Tears instantly filled her eyes.
"My goodness," Eleanor laughed. "Don't cry now or you'll frighten the children."
"The duke already managed that," Philip replied.
Everyone burst into laughter.
Aurora laughed through her tears, "I'm not crying..."
She wiped her eyes, "I'm just...So happy."
Owen pointed dramatically toward the enormous birthday cake.
"Enough speeches. The children have waited long enough."
"The children?" Eleanor laughed. "I think the biggest child here is standing beside me."
Everyone looked at the duke. He innocently shrugged.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
Even the children giggled.
The courtyard soon filled with laughter, cake, and endless conversations.
Children excitedly told Aurora stories, waving their little hands so enthusiastically that several nearly dropped their cake.
The adults watched with warm smiles. Hope had finally begun returning to Emberforge.
Turner quietly stepped beside Aurora, "I like seeing you smile."
Aurora looked up, "I always smiled."
He shook his head, "Not like this."
His blue eyes softened, "This smile reaches your eyes."
Aurora felt warmth spread across her cheeks. She looked away shyly.
"Thank you."
Several people noticed the exchange.
Philip smiled knowingly.
Emily nudged Anne.
The Duchess exchanged a glance with Owen.
Neither of them said a word.
But they silently prayed...That perhaps one day...
Aurora might find someone who loved her smile exactly as it was.
That evening, after soaking in a warm lavender bath, Aurora wrapped a robe around herself and gently towel-dried her damp hair as she stepped into her bedchamber.
She took one step—Then stopped.
A figure stood motionless beside the open balcony doors, silhouetted against the moonlight.
Her heart lurched. Instinctively, she reached for the small bell on the bedside table.
The man stepped into the light.
"Lucian.". Her voice lost all warmth, "What are you doing here?"
He offered a small, apologetic smile, "I wanted to wish you a happy birthday."
Aurora stared at him in disbelief, "We have doors for that."
She folded her arms across her chest. "You should consider using one."
A quiet chuckle escaped him, "I had a feeling you wouldn't let me in."
"You were right."
She pointed toward the balcony, "So kindly leave the way you came."
Instead, Lucian took a cautious step forward.
Aurora instinctively stepped back.
Then another.
Until the cool stone wall met her back.
Only then did Lucian truly look at her.
Her dark hair was still damp from her bath, loose waves resting against her shoulders.
A single droplet traced the curve of her neck before disappearing beneath the collar of her robe.
The soft fragrance of lavender lingered in the air.
For a brief moment...
Everything else faded.
"You smell..." He swallowed, almost embarrassed by his own words. "...like spring."
Aurora's expression didn't soften. It hardened.
"Lucian.", Her voice was calm.
Cold, "Move."
He stopped.
His gaze finally lifted from her to meet her eyes.
"When I saw you ..." he said quietly, "...you had been stabbed."
His voice cracked, "When I saw all that blood..."
He looked away, struggling to steady himself.
"I thought I'd lost you."
Silence settled between them.
"I've faced battlefields," he continued. "I've watched men die beside me, and I never faltered."
A bitter smile crossed his face, "But seeing you lying there..."
He shook his head, "I've never been that afraid."
Aurora listened without interrupting.
"I don't understand what's happening to me anymore."
His voice was barely above a whisper, "The woman I thought I loved... the future I thought I wanted..."
He looked at her, "Everything feels uncertain now."
Without thinking, he lifted a hand.
As though he wanted to brush a damp strand of hair away from her face.
His fingertips stopped inches from her cheek.
Aurora caught his wrist before he could touch her.
Her grip wasn't forceful.
But it was unwavering.
"Don't."
Lucian froze.
Aurora slowly lowered his hand.
"Your confusion does not give you the right to cross my boundaries."
Each word was measured.
"You entered my room without my permission. You cornered me. And now you're trying to touch me."
She looked him directly in the eyes.
"If you truly wish to earn my respect...Then begin by respecting me."
The words struck harder than any sword.
Lucian stared at her.
For the first time...
He truly understood.
This wasn't the timid young woman who had once followed him from banquet to banquet.
This was a woman who knew her worth.
And expected others to know it too.
Shame settled heavily in his chest, "...I'm sorry."
Aurora remained silent.
"I shouldn't have come this way."
Another pause, "And I shouldn't have stood so close." His apology was genuine.
Not offered to soothe her anger. But because he finally understood what he had done.
Aurora pointed toward the balcony, "Please leave."
Lucian nodded, "I will."
He stepped back immediately, putting several feet between them.
Before climbing onto the balcony, he looked at her one last time.
"Happy birthday, Aurora."
There was no expectation in his voice.
No plea. Only quiet sincerity. Then he disappeared into the night.
Aurora remained where she was, listening until his footsteps faded across the rooftop.
Only then did she walk to the balcony. She closed the doors. Turned the lock.
And rested her forehead against the cool glass.
She let out a slow, unsteady breath.
Somehow...
The room felt quieter than before.
And for reasons she couldn't yet explain...
So did her heart.
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