Chapter 35
After taking a bath, Aurora dressed in a simple white and green gown, one of her newest designs.
As Emily helped fasten the buttons, Aurora studied her reflection.
Yesterday had been complete chaos, her father's return. The corruption within the duchy. The endless responsibilities pressing down on her shoulders.
Yet despite everything, she couldn't abandon her sewing. It was one of the few things that still brought her peace.
At least one dress a day, she thought. With Emily's help, I can manage that.
Or at least she hoped she could.
Aurora made her way to her father's room. Philip was already there, quietly monitoring the duke's condition.
Seeing her enter, he immediately stepped aside.
"Philip, please help me change Father's bandages."
"Of course, My Lady."
Emily carefully placed the tray of medical supplies beside the bed.
Aurora's smile faded as she looked at her father.
Duke Owen looked far too still and far too pale. Every time she entered this room, fear squeezed her heart.
What if he didn't wake up?
What if she had missed something?
What if she lost him again?
Aurora forced those thoughts away. She carefully removed the old bandages and inspected the wounds. Thankfully, there were no signs of infection.
Relief flooded through her.
Once she finished, she adjusted his blanket and gently squeezed his hand.
"Wake up soon, Father," she whispered.
Her voice trembled slightly, "I still have a hundred questions to ask you."
Philip looked away, pretending not to hear.
Giving her privacy.
Giving her dignity.
Giving her hope.
A short while later, Aurora headed toward her mother's chambers.
As she stepped onto the balcony, she found Duchess Eleanor sitting comfortably with a shawl draped around her shoulders.
Sunlight danced through her silver hair.
Aurora smiled. For the first time in days, her mother looked healthier.
"Good morning, Mother ", The Duchess turned toward her.
"Good morning, my dear ", Then her eyes widened.
The Duchess starred.
And stared.
And stared.
Aurora immediately became nervous.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"What," Eleanor asked slowly, "are you wearing?"
Aurora blinked.
"My dress?"
"That is not a dress."
Aurora gasped dramatically, "Mother!"
"It looks unfinished."
"It is finished!"
"It looks plain."
"It is elegant."
"It looks suspiciously comfortable."
Aurora pointed at her mother, "Exactly!"
The Duchess looked horrified, "A noble lady should not describe her clothing as comfortable."
Aurora laughed, "Mother, those giant gowns are death traps."
Eleanor placed a hand over her chest, "Death traps?"
"One strong gust of wind and you'll end up halfway across the kingdom."
Philip, standing nearby, suddenly coughed into his fist.
Suspiciously.
Aurora narrowed her eyes, "You're laughing."
"I would never."
"You are."
Philip looked toward the sky, "I see birds."
"Traitor."
Emily burst into laughter.
The Duchess shook her head, "And where are your jewels?"
Aurora touched her ears, "No jewels."
The Duchess looked scandalized, "Your hair accessories?"
"No."
"Necklace?"
"No."
"Bracelets?"
"No."
"My dear child, did you lose a bet?"
Aurora groaned, "Mother."
The Duchess looked genuinely distressed, "You look naked."
Aurora starred.
Philip starred.
Emily starred.
Then all three burst into laughter.
Even the Duchess struggled not to smile.
"Mum, I don't need enough jewellery to finance a small kingdom."
"A little sparkle never hurt anyone."
Aurora raised an eyebrow, "Tell that to the poor servant carrying all of it."
Eventually breakfast arrived. The conversation softened.
Aurora's smile faded slightly as she studied her mother's healing wound.
"How are you feeling today?"
The Duchess gently touched her shoulder, "Much better."
Then her expression softened, "I wanted to thank you."
Aurora blinked, "For what?"
Eleanor reached across the table and took her hand, "For saving my life."
Aurora's chest tightened, "Mum..."
"No.", Tears shimmered in the Duchess's eyes, "I know how serious my injuries were."
Aurora looked away. The memory still terrified her.
The blood.
The panic.
The fear of losing her mother. Even now, it haunted her.
"You're my mother," Aurora whispered, "There is nothing to thank me for."
Eleanor squeezed her hand, "I'm proud of you."
Aurora's throat tightened.
"I didn't realize you had such an interest in medicine."
"When you're fully recovered, I want to continue studying."
The Duchess smiled, "You'll be Queen one day. Why would you need to study medicine?"
Aurora's stomach twisted. Here it comes.
"About that..."
Eleanor narrowed her eyes.
Aurora immediately became nervous. Her mother knew that tone.
"What have you done?"
"I haven't done anything."
"That answer makes me even more worried."
Philip suddenly became very interested in the curtains.
Emily stared at her shoes.
Cowards.
All of them.
Aurora took a deep breath, "I want to break off my engagement to Prince Lucian."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Even the birds seemed shocked.
Eleanor blinked, "Excuse me?"
Aurora laughed nervously, "There it is."
"Why?"
Aurora looked down at her tea, "Because he loves someone else."
The words hurt more than she expected. Even though she had never loved Lucian. Even though she wanted freedom.
It still hurt, because in her previous life she had spent years chasing a man who never truly saw her.
"I don't want to come between them."
Eleanor studied her carefully, "Are you sure?"
"I am", Aurora smiled softly, "I'll meet someone someday that will love me, the way dad loves you."
Someone kind.
Someone warm.
Someone who chose her.
The thought of Dante flashed through her mind.
A familiar ache followed.
She missed him. More than words could express. For a moment, sadness settled over her heart. Then she forced herself to smile.
"But right now, I need to focus on the duchy."
"Did your dress for the banquet arrive?"
Aurora groaned, "Unfortunately."
"And?"
"I'm not attending."
The Duchess immediately frowned, "Aurora."
"You need me here."
"No."
"Mother—"
"No."
Aurora sighed. The battle had begun.
"I insist."
"You need rest."
"And I insist."
Aurora rubbed her forehead.
Emily and Philip quietly retreated.
Neither wished to be caught in the crossfire. Wise decision.
"If you refuse to attend," Eleanor said sweetly, "I shall force myself to attend instead."
Aurora starred...That was emotional blackmail. Pure emotional blackmail. Her mother smiled innocently.
Aurora narrowed her eyes, "You planned this, it's blackmail."
"Perhaps."
"That's unfair."
"Perhaps."
Aurora groaned, "I'll go."
Victory flashed across Eleanor's face.
"But if anything happens, you'll send word immediately."
"I promise."
"Mother."
"I promise."
"Mother."
"Ladies' honour."
Aurora finally sighed. Defeated.
After breakfast ended, Aurora's anxiety returned.
The time had come. She clasped her mother's hand.
"Mother... there's something else."
Eleanor immediately looked suspicious, "Aurora, what have you done now?"
"I haven't done anything."
"That sentence never brings good news."
Aurora couldn't help laughing. Then her smile disappeared.
"Father has returned from the border."
The Duchess instantly brightened, "That's wonderful news!"
She began to rise from her chair, "We should have had breakfast together."
Aurora tightened her grip on her mother's hand.
The Duchess froze.
Fear immediately entered her eyes.
"Aurora?", Her voice trembled.
Aurora felt her own heart break, "Mother..."
The words felt heavy.
Painful.
"Father was injured."
The colour drained from Eleanor's face.
"He is stable," Aurora quickly added. "I treated his wounds myself."
The Duchess slowly sank back into her chair.
Tears filled her eyes.
Shock.
Fear.
Heartbreak.
All at once.
"He hasn't woken up yet," Aurora continued softly. "But he's alive."
Silence.
The Duchess simply stared ahead.
Pale.
Terrified.
Aurora moved beside her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
For the first time since waking, Eleanor looked fragile.
Not a Duchess.
Not a noblewoman.
Just a wife terrified of losing the man she loved.
"Mother," Aurora whispered gently, "I need you to be strong."
Tears rolled down Eleanor's cheeks.
She nodded silently.
Unable to speak.
Aurora squeezed her hand, "Come."
Her own eyes stung with tears, "Let's go see Father."
Together, mother and daughter walked toward the duke's chambers, holding tightly to one another as if letting go would cause the world to fall apart.
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