Chapter 17
Sir Turner jumped from his horse the moment he reached the estate gates.
Ignoring the crowd of royal knights, nobles, and curious onlookers, he searched frantically for one person.
"Philip!", The urgency in his voice immediately sent a chill through everyone's heart.
Philip hurried forward, "What is it, Sir Turner?" he asked, fear already creeping into his voice.
Turner's face was grim, "The Duchess has been injured."
Philip's face drained of all colour, "What?!"
The word escaped him before he could stop it. Several gasps sounded from the crowd.
Even the Crown Prince stiffened.
"Where is the Duchess?" Philip asked anxiously.
Before Turner could answer.
Lucian stepped forward, "Explain what happened."
Turner barely spared him a glance. "Philip, the Young Duchess needs the medical bag from beneath her bed. Emily knows which bag."
Philip's heart nearly stopped. The Young Duchess? Medical bag? Injured Duchess?
Nothing made sense.
Lucian's expression darkened, "Why are you ignoring me?"
Turner remained focused on Philip.
The Crown Prince stepped closer, "Where... is... Lady Aurora?"
His voice was calm. Too calm. The kind of calm that came just before panic. For the first time, concern flashed across his face. His thoughts immediately went to the worst possibility.
Had Aurora been attacked? Was she injured? Or worse...No.
No, that couldn't be true. Not Aurora. Not before he had even figured out what is going on.
Turner finally looked at him. But before he could answer, another sound echoed through the road.
Hooves.... Fast.... Urgent.... Everyone turned.
A carriage appeared in the distance, racing toward the estate. Several Ambrose knights escorted it.
"Open the gates!" one of the knights in front shouted.
The estate guards reacted instantly. The massive gates swung open. The carriage thundered through the entrance. The atmosphere immediately became tense. Every knight reached for his weapon. Every servant held their breath. The carriage came to an abrupt stop.
Before anyone could react, the door flew open. Emily came running. Anne was right behind her. Their faces were pale with worry.
Sir Turner rushed forward and carefully lifted Duchess Eleanor from the carriage.
A collective gasp swept through the crowd. The Duchess's gown was stained with blood.
Not much.... But enough. Enough to make everyone panic.
"Duchess!" Philip cried.
The Crown Prince and the young dukes stared in confusion. If the injured person was the Duchess...Then where was Aurora?
Brian frowned. Something wasn't adding up.
"Sir Alistair," Philip called urgently, "where is Lady Aurora?"
Alistair looked equally confused, "What do you mean?"
"Where is she?"
Alistair blinked, "She instructed us to return to the estate. She said she would meet us here."
Philip's anxiety doubled.
"When was that?", Brian asked
"Roughly fifteen minutes ago."
A heavy silence followed. Fifteen minutes. Fifteen minutes was more than enough time for something terrible to happen.
Charles exchanged a worried look with Brian.
Isaac swallowed nervously.
Even Lucian felt a knot forming in his stomach.
No one wanted to voice the thought that had entered their minds. What if Aurora never made it back?
Brian turned sharply, "Send knights to search the road—"
Before he could finish speaking, the thunder of approaching hooves echoed once more. Everyone spun around. A lone rider appeared at the end of the road, racing toward the estate. The horse moved at full speed. The rider's brown hair danced in the wind. For a moment nobody breathed.
Then Emily let out a gasp, "My Lady!"
Relief flooded through the crowd. Aurora slowed her horse and rode through the gates.
Completely unharmed. The tension that had gripped everyone's chest finally eased.
Even Lucian found himself releasing a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
Aurora brought her horse to a stop in front of Sir Turner. Before she could dismount, Turner reached up and effortlessly lifted her from the saddle.
Emily rushed forward, "Oh, My Lady!"
She grabbed Aurora's hands, "I thought something terrible had happened!"
Aurora blinked in surprise, "I'm fine, Emily."
Emily looked ready to cry, "Everyone thought you were injured!"
Aurora glanced around and noticed the pale faces. The anxious expressions.
The worried knights. The Crown Prince. The gathered dukes. The royal guards.
Why was everyone staring at her as though she had returned from the dead?
Aurora turned back to Emily, "Where is Mother?"
"The Duchess is in her chambers," Emily replied quickly.
"Should I summon the physician?"
Aurora shook her head, "No. Bring boiled water and have my medical bag sent to her room immediately."
Emily nodded, "Yes, My Lady."
Aurora started walking toward the entrance before stopping. Only then did she fully notice the crowd all staring at her. Some looked relieved. Others confused.
A few looked annoyed.
Aurora raised an eyebrow, slowly. "What exactly is everyone doing at my estate?"
An awkward silence followed.
Then Isaac pointed dramatically at her. "Well, for starters, we thought you were dead."
Aurora froze, "...What?"
The silence that followed was immediately broken by Philip, who covered his face and groaned. The day had somehow become even more complicated.
Auroras outfit
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