Chapter 84
The palace dining room had been prepared far more simply than Aurora had expected.
Instead of the grand banquet hall reserved for royal feasts, the King had chosen one of the smaller private dining rooms overlooking the palace gardens.
Golden sunlight streamed through the tall windows, illuminating fresh flowers arranged in crystal vases, while candles flickered softly despite the lingering daylight.
Only a handful of people had been invited.
King Lucian.
Queen Amelia.
Duke Owen and Duchess Eleanor.
Lady Aurora.
Lady Katherine.
Lady Selene.
The atmosphere felt warm rather than formal.
Aurora immediately relaxed.
Perhaps this wouldn't be as awkward as she had imagined.
"My dear Aurora," Queen Amelia said warmly as she embraced her. "Welcome home."
Aurora smiled and curtsied.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Nonsense."
The Queen gently squeezed her hands. You've called me 'Aunt Amelia ' since you were little."
Aurora laughed softly. "I wasn't sure whether that privilege still existed."
"It most certainly does."
Behind them, Owen chuckled. "Good. I dislike formal dinners."
Eleanor looked at him knowingly. "You dislike wearing formal clothes."
"I dislike both."
Everyone laughed.
Even Lucian smiled.
He had been watching Aurora ever since she entered the room.
Not openly. Just enough to notice that she seemed far more comfortable than she had during the banquet earlier that afternoon.
She wasn't forcing smiles anymore.
She was simply......being herself.
Dinner passed pleasantly.
Katherine entertained everyone with stories from China. "I accidentally offended an elderly merchant on our first day."
Queen Amelia blinked. "What happened?"
"I tried to compliment his beard."
Aurora covered her face. "Please don't."
Katherine ignored her. "Apparently, I actually called him an old goat."
Selene burst into laughter.
"And Aurora had to apologize for me. I apologized for an hour. I bought his entire stall to make peace."
Even Lucian laughed.
"So that's why you returned with twelve porcelain tea sets."
"They were apology tea sets." Aurora shook her head.
"They were unnecessary tea sets."
"They were beautiful."
"They were expensive."
"They were discounted."
"They weren't!"
"They became discounted after I apologized."
The table erupted into laughter.
Lucian found himself watching Aurora more than listening to the conversation.
She laughed freely now.
Two years ago......he couldn't remember the last time he had seen her laugh like this.
After dessert, the Queen stood.
"I believe Katherine promised to show me those embroidered silk fans she brought from the East."
"I did."
"Selene, will you join us?"
"Gladly."
Queen Amelia looked toward her son with suspicious innocence.
"Lucian."
"Yes, Mother?"
"I imagine Lady Aurora would enjoy seeing the roses in bloom."
Lucian tried not to smile. "I imagine she might."
Queen Amelia nodded once. "Excellent."
Before anyone could protest, she swept Katherine and Selene away.
Owen leaned toward Eleanor, "I believe we've just been dismissed."
"We have."
The Duke chuckled, "I suddenly feel unnecessary."
"You usually are."
"My own wife..."
The adults wandered toward another section of the gardens, leaving Lucian and Aurora alone beneath the evening sky.
For several moments...Neither spoke.
The palace gardens glowed beneath hundreds of hanging lanterns.
The scent of blooming roses drifted through the evening breeze.
Finally...Lucian broke the silence. "I hope you enjoyed dinner."
Aurora nodded. "I did."
"Katherine hasn't changed."
"No." Aurora smiled. "She still manages to offend people in three different languages."
Lucian laughed, "I noticed."
Silence settled again. This time...It wasn't uncomfortable.
Lucian reached inside his coat and removed a sealed leather folder.
Aurora looked at it curiously. "I thought we agreed..."
He smiled. "...no jewellery."
Aurora laughed softly. "I'm relieved."
"So am I." He handed her the folder. "This isn't a personal gift."
She accepted it.
"It's a royal appointment."
Aurora opened the seal.
Her eyes widened.
Royal Medical Office.
She quickly unfolded the first parchment.
Then another.
Then another.
Four appointments.
She looked back at Lucian. "...Four royal physicians?"
He nodded. "They've accepted permanent assignments to Emberforge."
Aurora starred. "I don't understand."
"I've read every report you've submitted "
She blinked. "You've read them?"
"Everyone." His voice was calm.
"You've been treating patients from sunrise until long after sunset... You've trained apprentices...You've established clinics...You've opened schools....You've created herbal gardens....You've done the work of an entire medical council."
Aurora lowered her eyes. "I only did what needed to be done."
"And you've exhausted yourself doing it."
She fell silent.
"A kingdom," Lucian continued quietly, "should never depend upon one young lady to care for an entire duchy."
He pointed toward the documents.
"One physician specializes in surgery."
"Another in childbirth."
"The third in herbal medicine."
"And the last has spent years training apprentices."
Aurora slowly ran her fingers over the royal seal, "They'll save hundreds of lives..."
"I hope they'll save yours as well."
She looked up. "My life?"
"You finally deserve people to help carry your burden."
Aurora felt something tighten painfully inside her chest.
This wasn't an extravagant necklace. It wasn't an expensive dress.
He had listened. He had seen the work she was doing and found a way to support it.
She closed the folder carefully. "...Thank you."
Lucian smiled. "You're welcome."
As they continued walking, two young noblemen approached.
"Your Majesty."
"Lady Aurora."
The younger of the two smiled warmly.
"We've heard remarkable stories about your medical school."
Aurora inclined her head politely. "Thank you."
"My younger sister dreams of becoming a physician."
"I would be delighted to meet her."
Before the young lord could continue, Lucian spoke pleasantly. "Lord Ashford."
The nobleman straightened. "Yes, Your Majesty?"
"I believe Lady Aurora's schedule is rather full at present."
Aurora looked sideways at him.
Lucian continued with an innocent smile.
"However,...I'm certain she would gladly advise your sister once her current projects are complete."
The young lord immediately nodded. "Of course."
"We wouldn't wish to inconvenience Lady Aurora."
After they departed, Aurora looked at Lucian.
"You handled that rather cleverly."
"I did?"
"You delayed him without refusing."
Lucian looked genuinely thoughtful. "I merely organized the conversation."
Aurora raised an eyebrow. "Organized?"
"Yes."
Theo, who had quietly appeared several paces behind them, coughed loudly.
"Your Majesty."
Lucian turned. "Yes?"
"That was jealousy."
Lucian looked scandalized. "It was diplomacy."
Theo folded his arms. "It was jealous diplomacy."
Aurora couldn't stop herself from laughing. A genuine, bright laugh escaped her lips.
Lucian smiled.
Mission accomplished.
They walked a little farther before stopping beneath an old oak tree.
Lucian's expression became serious. "Aurora..."
She looked at him. She remained silent.
"I won't pressure you. I won't ask you for promises."
He smiled softly. "I'll simply continue being there for you."
Aurora studied him quietly.
For the first time...She believed he truly meant every word.
Yet...Her heart remained unsettled.
Lucian looked at her carefully. He didn't understand. But he respected it.
"I won't ask about him."
Aurora looked up in surprise. "You won't?"
He smiled. "When you're ready...You'll tell me. If you're never ready...I'll accept that too."
Aurora felt an unexpected warmth spread through her heart.
Not love.
Not yet.
But respect.
Perhaps...The beginning of trust.
She looked at him for a long moment. "You've changed."
"So have you."
They both smiled.
Small smiles. Honest ones.
At the palace gates, her carriage waited.
Emily had already climbed inside.
Aurora turned back toward Lucian.
"Thank you..." She hesitated. Then quietly said, "...Lucian."
His heart skipped.
It was the first time she had spoken his name without formality.
She climbed into the carriage.
As it rolled away, Theo stepped beside the King with a grin.
"You smiled."
Lucian didn't even try to deny it. "She called me Lucian."
Theo laughed. "At this rate, Your Majesty, you'll celebrate every little victory."
Lucian watched the carriage until it disappeared beyond the palace gates.
"I intend to."
Inside the carriage, Aurora rested her head against the window.
The moonlight danced across the glass.
Her fingers tightened around the folder containing the physicians' appointments.
She whispered so quietly that even Emily couldn't hear, "Dante..."
A single tear slid down her cheek. "Am I betraying you?"
Silence answered her.
Then she remembered his smile.
His patience.
The way he had always placed her happiness before his own.
A sad smile touched her lips.
"You'd probably scold me for overthinking this."
She looked up at the stars beyond the carriage window.
"I miss you."
Closing her eyes, she held the folder against her heart.
"I don't know what the future holds..."
"But I hope......wherever you are......you're still smiling."
Outside, the carriage continued toward Emberforge.
Behind her...
A king had taken his first true step toward earning her trust.
And ahead...
Neither of them knew what fate still had waiting.
Please vote