Chapter 15
Aurora arranged for tea and pastries to be served in the garden and sent word for her mother to join her.
Before the Duchess arrived, she turned to Emily and handed her a neatly written list.
"Emily, I need everything on this list purchased as soon as possible."
Emily scanned the page and frowned, "My Lady... these look like medical supplies."
"They are."
Emily looked up immediately, a feeling of unease settled in her stomach, "My Lady, is someone ill?"
Aurora glanced toward the manor, "We will need them soon."
Emily's anxiety deepened.
Aurora continued before she could ask another question. "Ask Anne to make sure my father's chambers are thoroughly cleaned. I want extra towels, fresh linens, blankets, and basins placed in his room."
Emily's face paled. "My Lady... is something wrong with the duke?"
Aurora's expression softened. Not wrong. Just inevitable. She remembered the sight of her father returning from war. Broken. Unconscious. Covered in blood. The memory still haunted her.
"Not now, Emily," Aurora said quietly. "Please trust me and complete the errand."
Emily wanted to ask more questions, but the Duchess was already approaching.
She bowed and hurried away.
A few moments later, Duchess Eleanor joined her daughter beneath the garden gazebo.
"Aurora, dear", The Duchess smiled as she took a seat, "I was surprised when I received your invitation."
Aurora poured tea for her mother, "I thought we could spend some time together."
The Duchess raised an eyebrow, "Is this not the hour you spend with His Highness?"
Aurora nearly rolled her eyes. "I informed the palace that I wished to spend the afternoon with my mother."
The Duchess looked pleased, then suspicious, "You are not neglecting your duties because of me, are you?"
Aurora nearly laughed, "Mother, I am not neglecting anything."
"Good."
"I simply wished to avoid the tea parties, and I am sure the prince is busy with his duties. I would not like for him to neglect the kingdom."
The Duchess paused, "Oh?"
Aurora shuddered dramatically, "Do you know how exhausting noble gossip is?"
The Duchess hid a smile.
Aurora continued, "On one occasion, Lady Margaret is secretly meeting a baron. The following week Lord Theodore is supposedly courting three women. Then everyone spent an hour discussing whether someone's gown was the wrong shade of blue."
The Duchess laughed softly, "It isn't quite that bad."
Aurora stared at her, "Mother, I was mocked for wearing a slightly darker shade of lavender at a spring gathering."
The Duchess winced, "That did happen."
"Exactly.", Aurora took a sip of tea.
Aurora thought, I survived assassination attempts in one life, medical school in another, and somehow noble tea parties remain the most terrifying experience.
The Duchess burst out laughing. Even a nearby servant struggled to hide a smile.
"You exaggerate."
"I do not."
Aurora leaned closer, "These women are vultures."
The Duchess raised an eyebrow, "Vultures?"
"They have eyes and ears everywhere."
Aurora lowered her voice dramatically, "I wouldn't be surprised if they knew how many times we visit the powder room."
The Duchess immediately choked on her tea, "Cough! Aurora!"
Aurora quickly handed her a napkin, "See? You know I'm right."
"That is hardly ladylike conversation."
Aurora smiled innocently, "I learned it from observing society."
The Duchess shook her head, trying not to laugh. After a few moments, Aurora's smile faded. The atmosphere became more serious.
"Mother..."
The Duchess immediately noticed the change, "What is it, dear?"
Aurora placed her teacup down, "There is something I need to tell you."
Concern flickered across Eleanor's face, "What happened?"
"I have been reviewing the Duchy's ledgers."
The Duchess nodded, "And?"
"There are serious discrepancies."
Eleanor frowned, "What sort of discrepancies?"
Aurora took a deep breath, "The Head Cook and Head Maid have been stealing from the Duchy."
Silence.
The Duchess stared at her. Surely, she had misheard, "What?"
Aurora nodded, "I have evidence."
For several moments, Eleanor couldn't speak. The Head Cook and Head Maid had served the family for years. They had attended celebrations. Family gatherings. Important events. They were trusted.
"They are practically family," Eleanor whispered.
Aurora's heart tightened. That was exactly why betrayal hurt so much.
"They have been working with an outsider," Aurora said quietly. "The thefts have been ongoing for almost three years."
The Duchess slowly lowered her gaze. Three years. Almost the entire duration of the duke's absence. While Owen fought for the kingdom... Someone had been draining the Duchy's wealth. The realization made her feel ill.
Aurora reached across the table and gently squeezed her mother's hand, "I know this is difficult."
The Duchess nodded slowly, "It is."
For the first time, she realized just how much responsibility had fallen onto her daughter's shoulders.
"You intend to take this to the Sheriff?"
"Yes."
"And you believe he will listen?"
Aurora hesitated. That was the problem. Would he?
The Duchess looked at her sympathetically, "Aurora."
"Yes mother?"
"You are fifteen."
Aurora winced.
"You are known throughout the kingdom as a young lady whose world revolved around the Crown Prince."
That stung because it was true. The old Aurora had spent years proving everyone right.
The Duchess sighed, "Many people will struggle to believe you understand estate management."
For the first time that afternoon, uncertainty crept into Aurora's heart. Her mother wasn't wrong. In her previous life, she had become a joke. A lovesick noblewoman chasing after a prince.
Would anyone take her seriously? Would the Sheriff dismiss her? Would people think she was acting out for attention?
The doubts lingered. But only briefly.
Aurora straightened her shoulders. "If I don't try, nothing will change."
A faint smile appeared on Eleanor's face. There was determination in her daughter's eyes. A determination she had never seen before.
Aurora turned to Philip, who stood nearby, "Philip, send a letter to the Sheriff."
"Yes, My Lady."
"Request a private meeting regarding theft within the Duchy. Do not include details."
Philip nodded, "It shall be done."
The Duchess studied Aurora quietly, "You still intend to proceed?"
"Yes."
Even if she failed. Even if no one believed her. She had to try.
The Duchess smiled sadly. "You truly have changed."
Aurora simply smiled. Perhaps she had.
After a moment, Eleanor changed the subject. "I have already accepted several tea invitations."
Aurora groaned.
The Duchess laughed, "Would you like to join me?"
Aurora looked horrified, "Mother."
"Yes?"
"I would rather audit tax records."
The Duchess laughed so hard she nearly spilled her tea. That answer alone proved her daughter was no longer the same spoilt girl.
"Very well," she said between laughs. "I shall suffer through the tea parties alone."
"You are very brave, Mother."
Their laughter echoed through the garden.
Neither noticed the figure hidden among the distant trees. Watching.... Waiting....
Listening.... The man's eyes remained fixed on the Duchess and her daughter.
Word had already spread through the estate. The former Head Cook and Head Maid had been arrested. Locked away in the dungeons. The investigation was moving far too quickly.
Far too close. If they spoke... Everything could unravel. The man's jaw tightened. He needed to act and soon.
Because dead witnesses told no stories.
As the afternoon sun warmed the gardens, an invisible threat crept ever closer to the Grand Emberforge Duchy.
And neither Aurora nor her mother realized just how much danger they were in.
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