Chapter 21
That evening, the dukes returned to their respective estates, while Crown Prince Lucian made his way back to the royal castle, utterly exhausted from the day's events.
The ride home had been silent. For the first time in years, Lucian found himself unable to stop thinking about Aurora. The image of her kneeling beside the bodies in the dungeon replayed over and over in his mind.
The calm way she examined the victims. The confidence in her voice. The cold determination in her eyes. It was nothing like the Aurora he thought he knew. By the time he arrived at the royal stables, a dull headache had settled behind his eyes.
As he dismounted, Sir Theo Finch stepped forward to take the reins, "Your Highness."
"Theo," Lucian greeted tiredly.
"Did you inform His Majesty about the murders?"
"Yes, Your Highness. The King wishes to speak with you tomorrow morning. But..." Theo hesitated. "Did you discover what happened at the duchy?"
Lucian rubbed his temples, "Not enough."
His thoughts drifted briefly to the attack on Duchess Eleanor and the mysterious mastermind hiding in the shadows.
"Arrange a meeting with the sheriff as well. First thing tomorrow morning."
"At once, Your Highness.", Theo hesitated before adding, "Lady Bella is waiting for you in the drawing room."
A small smile appeared on Lucian's face. At least one thing today would be peaceful.
"Thank you, Theo."
Entering the drawing room, Lucian immediately spotted Lady Bella seated gracefully beside the fireplace. She wore a soft yellow gown that complemented her golden hair perfectly. The warm glow of the fire made her appear almost angelic.
As though sensing his presence, Bella looked up.
Her face immediately brightened, "Your Highness.", She rose and curtsied elegantly.
"Bella.", Lucian stepped forward and gently lifted her hand, placing a kiss upon her knuckles.
"How are you?", A faint blush coloured Bella's cheek.
"I should be asking you that."
The two took their seats opposite one another. Bella studied him carefully. He looked tired. Far more tired than usual.
"I was worried about you."
Lucian raised an eyebrow., "Worried?"
Bella nodded, "I heard the kingdom's knights rushed to the Grand Emberforge Duchy. When I learned you had gone with them, I couldn't stop thinking about it."
Her voice carried genuine concern. Or at least it sounded genuine.
Lucian's expression softened, "There was an incident at the duchy."
"A serious one?", She asked
Lucian hesitated. He wasn't sure how much he should reveal, "There was theft involved."
Bella's eyes widened slightly, "Oh dear."
She lowered her gaze, " Lady Aurora made such a scene that everyone had to rush there. She should know that demanding attention this way is immature?"
The question sounded innocent enough. But she intended to point out how immature and demanding Aurora was, by exaggerating on a small incident.
Lucian frowned slightly, something about the statement felt unfair. For once he first time he felt that Aurora was being judged unfairly.
"It's more complicated than that."
Bella blinked, surprised by his response. Normally Lucian would have immediately agreed. Realizing her mistake, she quickly smiled.
"Of course. Forgive me. I shouldn't judge without knowing the details."
Her voice remained gentle. Understanding. Perfectly reasonable.
Lucian relaxed, "Let's not talk about that. How was your day?"
Bella sighed softly, "A little lonely, if I'm honest."
That answer immediately tugged at Lucian's heart.
"I spent most of the day worrying about you, the war, the stress that you under."
"Worrying about me?"
Bella laughed softly, "Who else would I worry about?"
Lucian couldn't help smiling. For a moment, the exhaustion of the day faded.
Bella leaned forward slightly, "You always rush into dangerous situations."
"There wasn't much danger."
"There was enough.", Her voice lowered, "I don't know what I would do if something happened to you."
The sincerity in her eyes caused Lucian's heart to soften. No matter how difficult things became, Bella always seemed to understand him. The two sat quietly for a moment.
Then Bella brightened, "Oh, my gown for Lady Selene's coming-of-age banquet arrived today."
"Did it?"
She nodded excitedly, "I can hardly wait for you to see it."
"I'm sure it will be beautiful."
Bella smiled before taking a delicate sip of tea, "I only hope the banquet goes smoothly."
"What do you mean?", She hesitated.
Just enough to seem reluctant. "Well..."
Lucian waited.
"I simply don't want Lady Selene's special day ruined."
Lucian immediately understood the implication, "Bella..."
Bella quickly waved her hand, "Oh, I'm sure everything will be fine."
Then she added quietly, "I only hope Lady Aurora behaves herself not like the last event she attended, fighting with a waiter."
The room fell silent. For some reason, Lucian found himself remembering the girl he had seen earlier that day. The girl investigating murders. The girl who had medical skills, trying to save her mother. The girl who had looked utterly exhausted yet refused to stop searching for answers.
For the first time, he didn't immediately agree with Bella, "I don't think she will cause any problems."
Bella froze for a fraction of a second. The reaction was so brief that most people would have missed it.
Then she smiled warmly, "I hope you're right."
The conversation drifted to lighter topics after that. Yet throughout the evening, Lucian's thoughts kept returning to the Grand Emberforge Duchy.
To the murders.
To the attack.
To the mastermind still hiding in the shadows.
And most of all...To Aurora.
Eventually, Bella rose from her seat, "It's getting late. I should return home."
Lucian escorted her to the entrance, "Travel safely."
Bella smiled, "Goodnight, Your Highness."
"Goodnight, Bella."
After she departed, Lucian stood alone in the corridor. For the first time in years, thoughts of Bella were not the last thing on his mind before bed. Instead, he found himself wondering what Aurora would uncover next.
Meanwhile, back at the Grand Emberforge Duchy, Aurora finally allowed herself a moment to breathe. After taking a bath and changing into a simple nightgown, she sat beside her mother's bed.
The room was quiet except for the crackling fireplace. Duchess Eleanor slept peacefully. Aurora gently brushed a strand of hair from her mother's face. The fear she had suppressed all day slowly surfaced.
She had nearly lost her mother...Again...A lump formed in her throat. In her previous life, she had watched her family slip away one by one. In her second life, she had lost Sarah and Mike forever. Now fate had almost taken her mother from her once more.
Aurora carefully took her mother's hand, "I won't let anything happen to you," she whispered.
The promise was soft. But absolute. Only when she was certain her mother was resting comfortably then did Aurora finally allow her eyes to close.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges.
New investigations.
New enemies.
But for tonight, she simply remained by her mother's side.
A daughter keeping watch over someone she loved.
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