Chapter 7
After finishing the last of his paperwork, Crown Prince Lucian set down his quill with a sigh of relief. At last, he was free. The stack of documents that had occupied his entire morning had finally been completed.
"Your Highness," Sir Theo Finch said with a smile, "you look far happier than you did an hour ago."
Lucian chuckled as he rose from his chair, "Perhaps because I am."
Theo raised an eyebrow but wisely chose not to comment. The two men headed toward the royal stables. As the stable hands prepared their horses, Lucian found his thoughts drifting to only one person.
Bella.
A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Over the years, he had tried countless times to persuade King Edward to break off his engagement to Aurora Ambrose. The engagement had been arranged when Aurora was five and Lucian was ten.
To Lucian, it had always been a political arrangement. Nothing more. No matter how many times he pleaded, however, the King remained firm. The Ambrose Duchy was too important to the kingdom. The engagement would remain.
As the years passed, Lucian's frustration slowly transformed into resentment. Aurora was much younger than him and, from his perspective, hopelessly immature.
Whenever they attended banquets or tea parties, she always seemed to compete with Bella. She copied Bella's fashion choices, sought attention wherever she could, and somehow managed to create unnecessary drama.
At least, that was what Lucian believed.
Every encounter left him exhausted. Every meeting strengthened his conviction that Bella was the woman he truly wanted by his side.
Before leaving the city, Lucian stopped at a jeweller's shop.
After several minutes of browsing, his gaze landed on a delicate gold hair ornament decorated with soft pink gemstones shaped like flower petals. Immediately, he thought of Bella.
"Wrap this one."
The jeweller smiled knowingly, "An excellent choice, Your Highness."
Lucian found himself looking forward to seeing Bella's reaction. Upon arriving at the Palsen Estate, he was escorted through the manor and into the garden.
The afternoon sunbathed the flowers in golden light. At the centre of the garden sat Lady Bella Palsen.
Lucian paused.... Bella looked beautiful. Her soft cream gown complemented her golden hair, while her gentle smile seemed to brighten the entire garden. For a moment, the stress of royal duties simply melted away.
"Good afternoon, Lady Palsen."
Bella rose gracefully and curtsied, "Good afternoon, Your Highness."
Lucian took her hand and pressed a light kiss against her knuckles. A faint blush coloured Bella's cheek. The sight made his heart flutter.
"Please, have a seat," Bella said warmly. "I was delighted to receive your message. I've had your favourite tea and biscuits prepared."
"You shouldn't have troubled yourself."
Bella laughed softly, "It wasn't any trouble at all."
As they settled into their seats, servants poured tea and arranged the biscuits before them. The atmosphere felt easy... Comfortable....Natural. Everything Lucian wished his meetings with Aurora could have been.
"You know," Lucian said, "you don't need to call me 'Your Highness' when we're alone."
Bella smiled, "Then what should I call you?"
"Lucian.", The way he said it caused Bella's blush to deepen.
She poured tea into his cup before offering him a plate of biscuits.
"Thank you, Bella."
Lucian gestured toward Theo, "I also brought you something."
Theo stepped forward and presented a velvet box. Bella's eyes widened as she carefully opened it. Inside rested the golden flower hairpiece. The pink gemstones sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight.
"Oh, Lucian...", Her voice softened, "It's beautiful."
She carefully lifted the ornament from the box, "I love it."
Lucian felt surprisingly pleased by her reaction.
"You spoil me too much."
"I don't think that's possible."
Bella laughed, and for a moment, both forgot about their responsibilities, titles, and obligations.
Watching from a short distance away, Bella's lady-in-waiting, Vivian, smiled politely.
Yet unlike Lucian and everyone, she knew a side of Bella few people ever saw.
Behind the sweet smiles and innocent expressions was a young woman who rarely tolerated rivals.
Especially when it came to matters of the heart.
"How have you been?" Bella asked after a while.
"Busy with my duties"
"You've been busy lately. The war at the border must be demanding."
"It is demanding, but it's my duty."
"And what about Lady Aurora?" Bella asked carefully, "I was surprised when I heard today's tea had been cancelled."
Lucian sighed heavily, he felt irritation creeping into his voice, "You know how much I dislike those meetings."
Bella lowered her gaze, "Lucian..."
"I find Lady Aurora overwhelming at times."
Bella stirred her tea thoughtfully, "Perhaps."
Lucian frowned, "Perhaps?"
Bella smiled gently, "She is younger than us. Sometimes she's impulsive and craves attention. She is also the only child of the Dutch and Duchess; they have spoilt her."
Lucian nodded, "Exactly."
"But..." Bella continued softly, "she is still your fiancée. And one day she may become our future Queen."
The words were spoken kindly, reasonably. Yet they subtly highlighted every flaw Bella believed Aurora possessed.
Lucian's expression darkened, "I don't care about titles."
Bella looked up, "You should."
"No.", Lucian's voice was firm, "I care about you."
Bella's breath caught. For a moment, neither spoke. The sounds of birds and rustling leaves filled the silence.
"I've spent years trying to break this engagement," Lucian said quietly, "You know how I feel."
Bella's fingers tightened around her teacup, "Lucian..."
"You and I grew up together.", His eyes never left hers, "You understand me better than anyone."
Bella's heart raced.
"You would make a wonderful Queen. You are kind, generous and mature."
A faint smile appeared on her lips, "And what if the King never changes his mind?"
"Then I'll keep trying.", The determination in his voice was unmistakable, "I won't give up, we can't have a spoilt brat to rule by my side, who does not care for the kingdom."
Bella lowered her gaze to hide the satisfaction shining in her eyes.
The afternoon passed quickly. Filled with laughter, conversation, and moments that made Lucian forget the burdens resting on his shoulders.
When it was finally time to leave, Bella accompanied him to the garden gate. As Lucian mounted his horse, he looked back one last time.
Bella stood smiling beneath the sunlight. For a moment, she looked almost angelic.
Lucian smiled and rode away. His thoughts remained filled with Bella's laughter and warm smile.
Completely unaware that fate had already begun changing the course of his future.
And equally unaware that the Aurora he remembered no longer existed.
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