Chapter 27
The moment Aurora disappeared through the doorway; silence settled over the room.
Lucian's gaze remained fixed on the door long after she had gone.
A strange feeling settled heavily in his chest. Part of it was concern.
Duke Ambrose was one of the kingdom's greatest nobles, a man who had spent years defending the borders while others enjoyed peace within the capital. If something happened to him, it would not only affect the Ambrose Duchy but the entire kingdom.
Yet another part of Lucian's thoughts lingered in Aurora. She had not looked surprised.
Not even for a moment. The news that her father had returned unconscious and injured should have shocked her, yet she had immediately began issuing orders.
Move the Duke.
Prepare hot water.
Settle the injured soldiers.
Ready clean sheets.
Every instruction had been calm, precise, and immediate. As though she had already known.
Lucian frowned. How did she know?
The question refused to leave his mind. Even more frustrating was the fact that Aurora had once again shut him out. She had thanked them politely.
Dismissed them politely. Then proceeded as if they were strangers. As if he were merely another noble visiting the estate and not her fiancé. The realization irritated him far more than it should have.
"She's becoming quite skilled at throwing us out," Charles chuckled.
"At least she is polite about it now.", Brian folded his arms thoughtfully.
"Did either of you notice that she wasn't surprised?"
The room fell silent.
Lucian's expression darkened, "I noticed."
"She reacted as though she was expecting it," Brian continued.
"Almost like she already knew Duke Ambrose would return injured."
Lucian's eyes narrowed. The same thought had crossed his mind.
And he didn't like it. Not because he suspected Aurora of anything.
But because every day seemed to reveal another side of her that he had never known existed.
The Aurora he remembered would have cried, panicked, and demanded everyone's attention.
The woman they had just witnessed was composed under pressure, capable of treating injuries, leading investigations, commanding knights, and managing an entire duchy.
It was unsettling.
And, if Lucian was being honest with himself, increasingly impressive.
"Whatever she's hiding," Lucian said quietly as he stood, "I intend to find out."
Brian exchanged a knowing glance with Charles.
For the first time in years, the Crown Prince seemed genuinely interested in Lady Aurora.
And that realization was perhaps the most surprising thing of all.
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