Chapter 58
Aurora stepped onto the balcony, where afternoon tea had already been prepared with quiet elegance.
A polished silver tea service rested upon a small table, surrounded by delicate porcelain cups and an assortment of freshly baked pastries.
The late afternoon sun- bathed the balcony in warm shades of gold, its light dancing across the marble floor, while a gentle breeze carried the sweet fragrance of blooming roses from the sprawling gardens below.
For a fleeting moment, the world felt wonderfully peaceful.
Both the Duke and Duchess were already seated, deeply engaged in a discussion.
Aurora smiled softly.
"Emily, I want a marriage like my parents'."
Emily followed Aurora's gaze toward the couple. Even after all these years, they still looked completely enchanted with one another.
"Do you know they're considered the most devoted couple in the entire kingdom?" Emily said with a teasing smile. "Some even claim they fell in love all over again after the duke returned from the border."
Aurora watched the couple, a wistful smile touching her lips before fading just as quickly.
"They're fortunate," she murmured.
Emily glanced at her. "You sound envious."
Aurora let out a quiet laugh, though there was a trace of melancholy behind it.
"Perhaps I am." Her gaze never leaving the gardens. "To love someone so completely... and to be loved just as deeply in return." She smiled softly. "I hope that one day, I'll have something like that."
"You and half the kingdom," Philip replied from behind them.
Both girls jumped.
"Good grief, Philip!" Emily clutched her chest. "When did you get here?"
"A while ago," Philip replied calmly.
"You walk too quietly," Aurora accused.
Philip shrugged, "Years of surviving your father's moods. One learns."
Aurora laughed while Emily covered her mouth to hide a giggle.
As soon as the duke spotted Aurora, his face lit up.
"Mum, Dad."
"Come sit, dear," Eleanor said warmly.
Aurora settled into the chair beside her mother.
Before she could say another word, Owen pointed dramatically at the untouched pastries.
"Your mother refused to let me eat a single pastry until you arrived."
The duke looked genuinely wounded.
Aurora blinked.
"You survived a battlefield but not delayed pastries?"
"Those are two entirely different levels of suffering," Owen replied solemnly.
Eleanor rolled her eyes. "Don't listen to him. He already stole two while I wasn't looking."
"I was conducting quality inspections," Owen protested.
"For the fifth time?" Eleanor asked.
"Quality control is very important."
Aurora burst out laughing while Philip quietly looked away, clearly trying not to laugh himself.
"You see what I endure?" Eleanor said.
"Every day," Aurora agreed.
"Traitors," Owen muttered.
The Duchess reached over and gently squeezed her husband's hand, immediately melting his fake indignation.
Aurora watched them and smiled.
Even now, after injuries, sleepless nights, near-death experiences, and all the chaos surrounding the Duchy, they still looked at each other as though no one else existed.
It was the kind of love Aurora admired most.
The kind of love she secretly wished for.
Eleanor suddenly pulled out several sheets of paper.
"Now, these are the colours I've chosen for your coming-of-age banquet."
The peaceful atmosphere vanished instantly.
Owen groaned.
Aurora stared at the mountain of sketches, fabric samples, seating plans, flower arrangements, and guest lists.
"Oh no."
"Oh yes," Eleanor replied with a sweet smile.
For the next several hours, mother and daughter discussed every possible detail.
Flowers, music, food, decorations, table settings, guest seating, dress designs.
Aurora quickly realized that running an entire Duchy was somehow less exhausting than planning a noble banquet.
At one point, Owen attempted to escape.
Unfortunately for him, Eleanor caught him before he made it three steps.
"Sit."
The duke immediately sat back down.
Aurora and Philip exchanged amused looks.
"Father," Aurora whispered, "for someone feared across the kingdom, you're surprisingly obedient."
Owen leaned closer.
"That's because your mother is far scarier than any enemy, I've ever faced."
Eleanor heard every word, she smiled.
The duke looked suddenly nervous.
Aurora laughed so hard she nearly spilled her tea.
Just then, Turner arrived to deliver several reports.
The moment he stepped onto the balcony, Owen stood.
"Excellent timing, Turner."
The knight blinked, "My Lord?"
"You're needed."
"Needed for what?"
"Anything."
Without another word, Owen shoved several documents into Turner's hands and escaped to the far side of the balcony.
Aurora couldn't help laughing.
Turner looked down at the stack of papers, completely confused.
Philip chuckled.
"Congratulations."
"For what?"
"You just saved the duke."
Turner looked even more confused.
Aurora wiped tears of laughter from her eyes.
Meanwhile, Owen sat comfortably with a pastry in hand, finally free from banquet discussions.
For the first time in days, the balcony was filled with warmth, laughter, and peace.
And for a little while, the troubles of the kingdom seemed very far away.
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