Chapter 24
Lucian woke early the next morning. After dressing, he skipped his usual training session and headed straight for the throne room. His mind was restless.
The events at the Grand Emberforge Duchy replayed repeatedly in his head.
The theft.
The murders.
The attack on Duchess Eleanor.
And most confusing of all... Aurora.
The Aurora he had known for years and the Aurora he had met yesterday felt like two completely different people. The question still there, was Aurora pretending to love him in public.
As he walked through the palace corridors, he nearly collided with Queen Catherine.
"Good morning, Mother."
The Queen smiled warmly, "Good morning, Lucian. Where are you off to so early? You look far too serious for this hour."
"I have a meeting with Father. We need to discuss Lady Aurora."
The Queen's expression softened, "That poor girl. I heard there was a theft at the Duchy. Is she alright?"
"She is fine," Lucian replied. "But Duchess Eleanor was injured during an attack."
The Queen froze, "What?"
Concern immediately filled her eyes, "I had tea with Eleanor just yesterday. How badly is she hurt? Must we send a royal physician? "
"Her condition is stable. Aurora treated her personally."
The Queen blinked in surprise. Aurora treated her? The more she heard about recent events, the less sense anything made.
She had always known Aurora could be immature, sweet, kind, spoilt and stubborn, but she had never believed the girl was malicious.
In truth, the Queen had always secretly preferred Aurora over Bella.
Aurora brought life into every room she entered. She laughed too loudly, spoke too quickly, and often acted before thinking. Exhausting? Certainly.
But she was genuine.
Bella, on the other hand, was elegant, graceful, and perfectly mannered.
Sometimes... too perfect.
"You are her fiancé," the Queen said firmly. "You should be supporting her while Duke Ambrose is away."
Lucian opened his mouth to respond, but a messenger hurried toward them.
"Your Majesties, I have a letter from the Ambrose Estate."
Lucian accepted the letter. A strange sense of unease settled in his chest. Breaking the seal, he unfolded the parchment. The moment he finished reading, his expression stiffened.
The Queen frowned, "What is it?"
Lucian lowered the letter, "Lady Aurora has cancelled our tea meetings indefinitely."
"What?", The Queen looked genuinely shocked, "Why?"
"The letter states that she is occupied with important matters and cannot continue the meetings at this time."
For several seconds neither of them spoke.
The Queen slowly took the letter and read it herself.
The wording was respectful.
Polite.
Cold.
Far colder than Aurora had ever been toward Lucian.
"Lucian..."
"Yes, Mother?"
"If she cannot come to the palace, then you should visit her."
The Crown Prince sighed.
"Mother—"
"No.", The Queen cut him off, "The girl nearly lost her mother yesterday. Whether you realize it or not, she needs support!"
What she didn't say was that she feared something else. For years Aurora had chased after Lucian. Now she was walking away.
And suddenly, for the first time, Lucian seemed to be paying attention.
"Now go," the Queen said. "And eat something. I know you skipped breakfast."
Lucian gave a resigned nod, "Yes, Mother."
A few minutes later, he entered the throne room. The atmosphere inside was heavy. The King sat upon the throne while nobles lined both sides of the hall.
Standing near the centre was the Sheriff. The man looked nervous...Very nervous.
Lucian stepped forward and bowed, "Good morning, Father."
The King nodded, "Lucian. I assume this meeting concerns the situation at the Grand Emberforge Duchy."
"It does."
The room fell silent.
Lucian's gaze swept across the nobles before settling on the Sheriff.
"A few days ago, Lady Aurora requested assistance regarding theft within the Duchy."
The Sheriff's shoulders stiffened.
"She sent an official request for investigation."
Murmurs spread through the hall.
"However," Lucian continued, "the request was delayed."
The Sheriff quickly stepped forward, "Your Majesty, it appeared to be a routine theft. I had more urgent matters requiring my attention."
Lucian's eyes hardened, "A routine theft?"
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
"Lady Aurora is the future Queen of this kingdom."
The Sheriff swallowed.
"When she requests assistance, that request should not be ignored."
The King's expression darkened. Several nobles exchanged uneasy looks. Lucian rarely displayed anger. Which made it far more frightening when he did.
"Furthermore," Lucian continued, "yesterday four individuals were murdered."
The hall erupted.
"What?"
"Four murders?"
"Impossible!"
The King immediately rose from his throne, "Silence!"
The room became deathly quiet.
Lucian continued, "The former head cook, the former head maid, and two kitchen staff members were murdered."
The Sheriff went pale.
The King looked equally disturbed.
Four murders.
Inside one of the kingdom's most important Duchies. This was a disaster.
"And during the pursuit of the killer," Lucian said, "Duchess Eleanor Ambrose was attacked and seriously injured."
Complete silence followed.
The King slowly sat down.
His face had become grim, "How is the Duchess?"
"Stable."
A small amount of tension left the King's shoulders, "Good."
"Lady Aurora is currently overseeing her treatment."
The King's eyes widened slightly, "Personally?"
"Yes."
The nobles began whispering again.
The stories they had heard about Lady Aurora did not match the woman Lucian was describing.
The King raised a hand for silence, "Has the Sheriff's Office begun its investigation?"
The Sheriff visibly trembled, "Your Majesty, I—"
Before he could finish, Lucian interrupted, "Lady Aurora has lost confidence in the Sheriff's Office."
The words struck the room like a hammer.
"She has requested Duke Brian Vale's assistance instead."
The King's expression darkened further. This was dangerous.
If word spread that one of the Great Duchies trusted Duke Vale more than the Crown's own officials, public confidence in the kingdom would suffer greatly.
"Father," Lucian continued, "I will personally assist Duke Brian in this investigation."
Several nobles looked surprised.
Others looked thoughtful.
The King studied his son carefully.
Lucian spoke of duty.
Responsibility.
Politics.
Yet not once had he mentioned that Aurora was his fiancée. Not once. Which made the King suspect the matter had become more personal than Lucian realized.
Finally, the King spoke, "The Sheriff's authority is suspended until further notice."
The Sheriff's legs nearly gave out beneath him.
"From this moment forward, all investigations related to this matter or other matters will be overseen by Head Knight Sir Simon."
"Yes, Your Majesty.", Sir Simon stepped forward and bowed.
The King looked down at the trembling Sheriff. "You have embarrassed the Crown."
The words carried enough weight to make the man visibly shake.
"Do not disappoint me again."
The Sheriff lowered his head, "Y-Yes, Your Majesty."
The King then turned to Lucian, "Keep me informed and no further harm should come to either the Duchesses."
"I will.", Lucian bowed before turning toward the doors.
As he left the throne room, Theo followed close behind.
For the first time in years, Lucian felt something he could not quite understand.
Aurora had stopped chasing him.
And somehow, that bothered him far more than it should have.
Please vote