Chapter 78
Aurora sank slowly into the warm bath, letting the scented water wash away weeks of travel and months of study. She closed her eyes and sighed in contentment.
"I'm finally home..."
The familiar fragrance of lavender filled the room, soothing every tired muscle. For the first time in two years, she allowed herself to simply relax.
China had taught her countless things—medicine, languages, trade, discipline, patience—but nothing compared to the comfort of returning home.
Tomorrow...
Tomorrow it would be time to work.
There were schools to improve, workshops to expand, new medicines to introduce, and trade routes to strengthen.
But today...
Today she simply wanted to be Aurora—the daughter who had finally come home.
After her bath, Anne helped her dress in a comfortable pink and cream-colored gown. Emily had finally been ordered to rest after the exhausting journey, despite insisting she was perfectly capable of continuing her duties.
Aurora smiled.
Some things never changed.
She made her way onto the balcony overlooking the gardens.
The afternoon breeze carried the scent of fresh flowers, and birds chirped happily from the trees.
"I missed this place."
A knock came at the door.
Philip entered carrying a silver tray filled with steaming tea and several of Aurora's favourite pastries.
He smiled warmly, "Lady Aurora."
Aurora's face immediately brightened, "Philip!"
He carefully placed the tray on the small table, "How are you feeling?"
Aurora dramatically slumped into the chair, "Tired..."
Philip laughed, "I asked how you were, not how the journey defeated you."
"It definitely defeated me."
"And yet you still look ready to start rebuilding the entire Duchy."
Aurora grinned mischievously, "You know me too well."
Philip chuckled, "I've watched you grow up. Someone has to keep up with your endless ideas."
Aurora poured two cups of tea before handing one to Philip.
"Philip..." He looked surprised, "What is it?"
"When we're alone... please just call me Aurora."
He nearly dropped his teacup, "My Lady, that would be highly inappropriate."
She pouted, "What if I insist?"
"I would still feel uncomfortable."
Aurora leaned forward with an innocent smile. "What if I make it an official order?"
Philip sighed dramatically, "I knew sending you to study would make you more troublesome."
Aurora burst into laughter, "I'll take that as a compliment."
He shook his head, "Very well..."
He hesitated before smiling.
"...Aurora."
"There! Doesn't that sound much better?"
"It feels like your father is going to appear from behind a curtain and dismiss me from service."
Aurora laughed so hard she nearly spilled her tea.
"I promise not to tell him."
"That is exactly what worries me."
Both of them laughed.
For the next two hours they spoke as old friends rather than steward and young lady.
Philip leaned forward, completely captivated.
"Their tea ceremonies are unlike anything in our kingdom," Aurora said. "The room falls silent as the host prepares the tea. Every gesture is slow and intentional, almost meditative. They believe rushing the process diminishes both the tea and the moment."
She smiled wistfully.
"I discovered an astonishing variety of teas. Some carried the perfume of blooming jasmine, others the sweetness of dried peaches or plums. There were soothing herbal infusions, delicate white teas harvested from the youngest buds, rich black teas aged to deepen their flavour,
and rare blends reserved for honoured guests. Every province seemed to have its own traditions, recipes, and methods, making each cup feel like a journey through a different part of the empire."
"You can blend teas?" Philip asked in surprise.
"Oh, yes," Aurora replied with a bright smile.
"It's quite common. In fact, I brought home several recipes. Imagine the delicate fragrance of lavender paired with jasmine, or the gentle sweetness of chrysanthemum infused with honey. Some blends are meant to calm the mind, others to aid digestion, improve sleep,
or simply be enjoyed during different seasons. Every tea has its own character, purpose, and story."
Philip blinked in astonishment.
"I've served tea my entire life," he admitted, "yet I never imagined there were endless ways to prepare it. To think there's an entire tradition and philosophy built around a single cup..."
Aurora nodded, her enthusiasm unmistakable.
"The tea ceremonies were unlike anything I'd ever witnessed. Every movement had meaning, every gesture reflected respect and mindfulness. It wasn't simply about serving tea—it was about creating a moment of peace and connection."
She paused before continuing.
"Their approach to medicine fascinated me just as much. They don't wait for illness to appear before taking action. Their physicians believe the body should be kept in harmony through proper nutrition, medicinal herbs, breathing exercises, movement, and daily habits.
Prevention is considered just as important as the cure itself."
Philip shook his head in quiet wonder.
"The more you tell me, the more I realize how much there is beyond our own kingdom."
Philip looked impressed, "You've returned with far more than books."
"I've returned with hope."
Just then footsteps approached. Philip immediately stood.
The Duchess entered the balcony. The moment Eleanor saw her daughter, her eyes softened.
"There you are."
Philip bowed respectfully, "I'll leave the two of you."
"Thank you, Philip."
As he disappeared inside, Anne quietly replaced the empty teapot with a fresh one before excusing herself.
The Duchess walked over and hugged Aurora tightly, "I missed you so much."
Aurora smiled into her mother's embrace, "I missed you too, Mum."
Eleanor refused to let go, "You are never travelling again."
Aurora blinked innocently, "Really?"
"Really."
Aurora pretended to think, "That's unfortunate."
"Why?"
"I was hoping to visit Spain next."
The Duchess gasped dramatically, "Absolutely not!"
Aurora laughed, "I hear their architecture is beautiful."
"No."
"And Italy has wonderful art..."
"No."
"And perhaps Egypt after that?"
The Duchess folded her arms, "Young lady, you have used up your travelling privileges for one lifetime."
Aurora grinned, "What if Daddy says yes?"
"He won't."
"He usually does."
"Not this time."
Aurora laughed until tears shimmered in the corners of her eyes, her joy so infectious that it filled the room.
The afternoon slipped away as the two of them talked without pause, Aurora eagerly sharing stories from her journey across the East.
She spoke of bustling silk markets awash in brilliant colours, mist-shrouded mountains that disappeared into the clouds, and ancient temples carved into towering cliffs centuries ago.
She described musicians whose unfamiliar instruments produced hauntingly beautiful melodies, vibrant festivals where thousands of lanterns drifted into the night sky like glowing stars, and exquisite dishes bursting with flavours she had never imagined.
Eleanor listened with rapt attention, her eyes sparkling with wonder as though she were experiencing the journey alongside her daughter.
Every tale Aurora shared painted another vivid picture, and with each smile that lit her face, Eleanor's heart swelled with quiet pride.
Her little girl had left as a curious young lady and returned as a confident, worldly woman.
"You've seen so much."
"I wish you could have seen it too."
"Perhaps one day."
Aurora reached across the table and squeezed her mother's hand.
"One day we'll travel together."
The Duchess smiled warmly, "I'd like that."
After another hour Eleanor stood.
"We're holding your welcome banquet at the palace."
Aurora sighed dramatically, "I've barely unpacked."
"Exactly why you should rest."
"I surrender."
"Good.", The Duchess kissed Aurora's forehead.
"I'll have dinner sent to your room."
"I love you, Mum."
"I love you more."
With one last smile, Eleanor disappeared inside.
As evening settled over the estate, Aurora stepped quietly onto the balcony once more.
Three familiar potted flowers stood neatly together.
She gently touched the tiny blue Forget-Me-Not.
"Dante..."
A soft smile appeared.
"You would have loved China."
"The mountains were breathtaking, and the physicians there spend their entire lives perfecting medicine. Every day I wished you could have stood beside me so we could argue over treatments together."
She laughed quietly through misty eyes.
"You probably would have corrected half my notes."
Her fingers moved to the elegant white lilies.
"Mum... Sarah..."
"I finally understand why you loved beautiful things."
"The paintings... every brushstroke tells a story."
"The porcelain... every vase carries history."
"I thought of you every single time I visited an art market."
She gently touched the tall gladiolus.
"Dad... Mike..."
"You would have spent months speaking with the blacksmiths."
"Their steel, their engineering, their irrigation systems..."
She smiled proudly.
"You would have loved every moment."
Aurora looked up at the stars.
"I miss all of you."
"So much."
"But...", She took a slow breath.
"I'm happy."
"I've found another family."
"I've kept my promise."
"And I think..."
She smiled softly.
"I'm finally becoming the person you hoped I would be."
A cool breeze brushed against her face, almost like a gentle embrace.
Aurora closed her eyes.
"Goodnight."
Exhaustion finally caught up with her.
She climbed into bed, and within moments, sleep claimed her, while outside the moon watched quietly over the daughter who had finally found her way home.
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