Chapter 28
Aurora hurried upstairs toward her father's chambers.
Although the Duke and Duchess shared a bedchamber, the Duchess also maintained her own private suite whenever she needed solitude. At present, she was resting there while recovering from her recent ordeal.
Aurora's heart pounded as she approached the door.
She had been so focused on caring for her mother and managing the estate that she had barely allowed herself to think about her father.
But now reality was waiting behind that door. Her hand trembled slightly as she pushed it open. The moment she stepped inside, all the colour drained from her face.
The duke lay motionless on the bed.
Pale.
Still.
Far too still.
For one horrifying second, Aurora's heart stopped.
"Dad..."
Fear gripped her chest like an icy hand. The room suddenly felt suffocating. She had already lost her parents once in her previous life. The thought of losing her father again—after finally being given another chance—filled her with terror.
Aurora forced herself to move. Panic would help no one. She hurried into the adjoining washroom and scrubbed her hands thoroughly before returning to the bedside.
With trembling fingers, she carefully removed her father's shirt. The sight beneath made her stomach twist. Bruises covered his body. Old cuts were beginning to heal.
A deep stab wound marked his side. Several smaller wounds stretched across his abdomen and chest. Signs of countless battles. Signs that he had nearly died protecting his people.
Aurora swallowed hard.
How much pain had he endured?
How close had death come?
She gently brushed a strand of hair from his forehead, "Shhh, Dad," she whispered softly.
Her voice cracked, "I'm here now."
A tear escaped before she could stop it, "You're going to be fine. You have to be."
Standing nearby were Philip and Sir Turner.
Emily held a tray containing medical supplies while Anne stood ready to assist.
The room remained silent except for the duke's shallow breathing. According to the soldiers, the duke had collapsed shortly after being wounded.
He had never regained consciousness. That fact haunted Aurora. The wounds alone did not fully explain his condition. Something felt wrong. A chilling sense of unease settled over her.
What if there was an injury they couldn't see?
What if he had struck his head?
What if there was internal bleeding?
Without modern equipment, there was no way to perform scans. No way to see inside his skull. No way to know if she was missing something important. The uncertainty terrified her.
Aurora took a deep breath and focused. One step at a time.
She carefully removed the crude stitches from the stab wound. The flesh around it was inflamed and poorly sewn. Whoever had treated him had saved his life—but barely.
With steady hands, she cleaned the wound thoroughly before stitching it again.
Every movement was precise. Every stitch deliberately.
Philip and Turner watched in stunned silence. Neither had ever seen Aurora work before.
The young lady who once spent her days attending lessons and social gatherings now moved with the confidence of an experienced healer.
Her concentration never wavered. Her hands never shook. It was almost frightening.
Emily and Anne exchanged knowing looks. They had seen this side of Aurora before.
Even so, it still amazed them. A strange feeling stirred in Anne's chest.
Jealousy.
Not malicious jealousy.
Simply envy.
Aurora possessed knowledge no one else seemed to have.
Knowledge that saved lives.
Knowledge that made people look at her with admiration.
Yet despite that, Anne also felt proud. Proud to serve someone so extraordinary.
After what felt like hours, Aurora finally finished.
Exhaustion immediately hit her.
Her shoulders ached. Her eyes burned. She had barely slept. Barely eaten.
And yet there was still so much to do.
"Philip," she said quietly, "help wipe the duke down."
"Of course, My Lady."
The maids quickly changed the sheets while Turner carefully lifted the duke and settled him back onto the freshly made bed.
For a brief, moment, the duke looked peaceful. As though he were merely sleeping.
Aurora sat beside him and took his hand. It felt cold. Too cold.
"Please wake up soon, Dad.", Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"Mother needs you.", She paused, "And I need you too."
For a moment, she thought she felt his fingers twitch. Her head snapped up. Hope surged through her chest. But nothing happened.
Only silence. A painful silence. Had she imagined it?
Or was he fighting to return to them? The mystery only deepened.
Reluctantly, Aurora stood and went to check on her mother. The Duchess appeared much improved.
Julianne greeted Aurora warmly, "My Lady, the Duchess awoke not long ago."
Relief flooded Aurora's chest.
"How is she?"
"Much better. She managed to eat some soup and take her medicine."
Aurora smiled, "That's wonderful."
Julianne's eyes softened, "Your mother spoke of you the entire time she was awake."
Aurora's heart warmed. Despite everything, she was grateful. Grateful to have her parents. Grateful for this second chance to make things right. Even if she lived every day fearing she might lose them.
After ensuring the Duchess was comfortable, Aurora made her way toward the soldiers' quarters.
Emily and Anne followed closely behind.
The afternoon sun was warm, but Aurora barely noticed. Fatigue weighed heavily upon her. Her legs felt like lead. Yet she continued walking. People were counting on her.
As they approached the makeshift infirmary, a familiar voice greeted her.
"Good day, My Lady."
Aurora looked up.
Alister stood near the entrance. His face brightened the moment he saw her.
A small smile appeared on Aurora's lips, "Good day, Alister."
The young knight looked exhausted himself. Dark circles rested beneath his eyes.
He had clearly been helping care for the wounded.
Aurora felt a surge of appreciation. These soldiers were more than servants.
More than subordinates.
They were family.
Friends.
People who had bled for the duchy. People who deserved care. As she entered the infirmary, several wounded soldiers immediately tried to sit up.
"Don't move," Aurora said firmly. The authority in her voice surprised even her.
"Lie down. We will come to you."
The soldiers obeyed at once. Many looked relieved simply to see her and others watched with hope in their eyes. Word of Aurora's healing abilities had spread throughout the estate. To some of them, she was beginning to seem almost miraculous.
Aurora moved from bed to bed.
Examining wounds.
Changing bandages.
Checking fevers.
Giving instructions.
Occasionally offering words of encouragement. Every grateful smile she received helped ease the heaviness in her chest.
Still, a lingering anxiety remained. Her father remained unconscious. The theft investigation continued, an enemy lurked somewhere in the shadows. And war still raged beyond the duchy's borders. The peace surrounding her felt fragile.
Temporary.
Like calm waters before a storm.
As Aurora finished treating another soldier, she glanced out the window. Something felt wrong.
For the briefest moment, she thought she saw a figure standing among the distant trees. Watching....Waiting.
Her heart skipped a beat.
But when she looked again, the figure was gone.
Only the wind moved through the branches.
Aurora frowned, had she imagined it?
Or was someone truly watching the estate?
A chill crept down her spine.
Whatever was coming...
She had a feeling the worst was far from over.
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