Chapter 68
The news spread through the kingdom far quicker than anyone had expected.
Lady Aurora Ambrose, the only daughter of Duke Owen Ambrose, would be leaving the Grand Emberforge Duchy to study in the Eastern Empire.
She would accompany the Duchy's merchant fleet and spend two years studying medicine, trade, engineering, agriculture, diplomacy, and manufacturing before returning home.
Every noble house spoke of nothing else.
Some admired her.
Some mocked her.
Others wondered if she would ever return.
Yet four people heard the news very differently.
Lucian stood motionless in his study, the report still clutched tightly in his hand.
He read the same sentence again.
"...Lady Aurora Ambrose will depart in three weeks."
Three weeks.
Only three weeks.
His chest tightened, "So soon..."
Theo stood quietly nearby, watching his master.
"Your Highness..."
Lucian slowly lowered the letter, "I've only just begun."
Theo understood immediately.
Lucian had finally found the courage to court Aurora....and now she was leaving.
For two whole years.
"What if..." Lucian whispered.
"What if she meets someone else?"
The words escaped before he realized he had spoken those words our aloud.
Theo looked away.
The Eastern Empire was filled with scholars, princes, generals, merchants, and noble families.
Lady Aurora was beautiful, kind and intelligent.
Someone would certainly notice her.
Lucian closed his eyes.
Two years...
She would no longer be the sixteen-year-old girl he remembered.
She would return as an eighteen-year-old woman.
Would she still reject him?
Or worse...
Would she return already belonging to another man?
That thought made something inside him twist painfully.
"I finally realized what I wanted and fate has decided to test me."
Theo hesitated before speaking, "If your feelings are sincere, then wait for her."
Lucian looked toward the palace gardens.
"I will."
His voice was quiet...but determined.
"I'll become a man worthy of standing beside her."
Her fingers traced the rim of her teacup.
"For two years."
The uncertainty that had haunted her heart these past months finally began to disappear.
Aurora would be gone.
Gone.
No accidental meetings. No flowers. No schools. No chances for Lucian to fall even deeper.
Bella almost sighed in relief, "This is exactly what I needed."
She looked toward the Royal Palace.
Two years...More than enough time.
She would attend every royal banquet. Every hunt, Every tea party, Every celebration. She would be at Lucian's side for everything.
Slowly...Patiently...She would remind him of the years they had shared together.
By the time Aurora returned...Lucian would surely have proposed.
Bella smiled sweetly, "Distance weakens affection."
She took another sip of tea, "And memories fade."
For the first time in weeks...
Bella finally believed she was winning.
She never noticed the slight crack forming in the porcelain cup she held.
Turner remained silent after hearing the news.
Very silent....Too silent.
Alistair watched him sharpen the same sword for nearly an hour.
"You've sharpened that blade three times."
No reply.
"You'll shave the steel away at this rate."
Still nothing.
Finally, Alistair sighed, "You like her."
Turner's hands stopped. He stared at the blade.
"...She's, my lady."
"That's not what I asked."
Silence.
Alistair folded his arms, "She's leaving."
"I know."
"For two years."
"I know."
"You may never get another chance."
Turner looked down at the sword, "I was never meant to have one."
His voice was calm......too calm. "I am a knight. My duty is to protect her. Not ask for her heart."
Alistair walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You know...Sometimes protecting someone also means letting them chase their dreams."
Turner gave a faint smile, "I know."
He looked toward the manor where Aurora's room overlooked the gardens.
"I'll protect this Duchy. I'll protect her family...And..."
He quietly slid the sword back into its sheath.
"When she comes home...I'll still be here."
It wasn't a promise to Aurora.
It was a promise to himself.
Katherine burst into Aurora's room without warning.
"Aurora!"
Emily jumped in fright, "My Lady!"
Aurora looked up from the mountain of books spread across her desk.
"Katherine?"
The young lady threw her arms around Aurora.
"We're going to the Eastern Empire!"
Aurora blinked, "We?"
Katherine nodded enthusiastically.
"Father agreed!"
"He said if Duke Ambrose approves, I may study etiquette, languages, music, and diplomacy there too!"
Aurora laughed, "You convinced Duke Indigo?"
"I cried."
Aurora laughed harder, "You manipulated your father?"
"I prefer the word persuaded."
Aurora raised an eyebrow, "You cried."
"...I cried beautifully."
Emily covered her mouth to hide her laughter.
Aurora shook her head, "You truly are impossible."
Katherine grinned, "And now you'll have company."
She linked her arm through Aurora's.
"We're going on an adventure!"
Aurora smiled, her excitement finally beginning to outweigh the sadness of leaving.
For the first time...
The future didn't feel frightening.
It felt exciting.
Neither young woman noticed Emily quietly smiling to herself.
Perhaps...
Lady Aurora wasn't leaving alone after all.
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