Chapter 60
Several days had passed since that evening.
Duke Owen spent most of his time riding between Emberforge and Riverwatch Duchies, meeting frequently with Duke Alaric Alexander. Together, they worked tirelessly to devise a plan to dismantle Lord Bracken's network and trace the ships used to smuggle innocent women across the sea.
Every new report uncovered another horrifying secret.
Every missing woman had a family waiting for her return.
And every discovery only strengthened Owen's resolve.
Meanwhile, life at the Ambrose Estate slowly returned to a new normal.
Every morning, Aurora resumed her routine.
She began with light exercise before meeting Turner in the training yard for sword practice.
The first morning Owen decided to resume his own training, he walked into the courtyard expecting to find it empty.
Instead...
Clang!
Steel met steel.
Aurora and Turner were sparring.
The Duke froze.
"...Absolutely not."
Aurora lowered her practice sword with an innocent smile.
"Good morning, Father."
"No."
"You don't even know what I was going to ask."
"I don't need to."
Turner wisely took two very careful steps backward.
Emily and Anne exchanged knowing glances.
This was about to become a father-versus-daughter battle.
"I've recovered enough to train," Aurora argued.
"You were stabbed!"
"And now I'm healing."
"You nearly died!"
"And that's exactly why I need to become stronger."
Owen folded his arms.
"No."
Aurora folded hers.
"Yes."
The two stubborn Ambroses stared at one another.
Emily quietly whispered to Anne, "Should we fetch the Duchess?"
Anne shook her head.
"No... let them wear each other out first."
Turner coughed into his fist, desperately trying not to laugh.
After nearly twenty minutes of arguing...
The Duke sighed dramatically.
"I have officially lost."
Aurora beamed.
"I learned from the best."
Owen pointed a finger at her.
"I regret teaching you how to argue."
The courtyard erupted in laughter.
Even the Duke couldn't hide the smile tugging at his lips.
"Fine," he finally conceded. "You may train..."
Aurora's face lit up.
"...but only under Turner's supervision."
Turner immediately bowed.
"Understood, my lord."
"And if she even sneezes too hard, training ends."
Aurora groaned.
"Father..."
"No negotiations."
She sighed dramatically.
"You're impossible."
"So I've been told."
Three days remained until Aurora's coming-of-age birthday.
The Duchess was positively glowing with excitement.
Dressmakers came and went.
Florists filled the manor with fresh blooms.
Servants hurried through the halls carrying decorations.
Eleanor personally inspected every ribbon, flower arrangement, and menu.
Nothing less than perfect would do for her only daughter's coming-of-age celebration.
Although the Duchess continued attending noble ladies' teas, Aurora politely declined every invitation sent her way.
She had no desire for idle gossip or forced smiles.
Still, Eleanor couldn't help but worry.
She silently prayed that Aurora's banquet would help her reconnect with ladies her own age and perhaps form genuine friendships.
Aurora, however, had devoted herself to another dream.
Convincing the farmers and villagers to send their children to school had proven far more difficult than she had imagined.
Many feared education was only for nobles.
Others worried their children would neglect farm work.
Some simply didn't trust change.
Thankfully, Emily and Anne visited the homes personally.Patiently...Kindly...They spoke with every family.
Explained Aurora's vision. Answered countless questions.
Slowly, hope replaced fear.
To help everyone understand, Aurora organized a small gathering at the makeshift school.
Today was that day.
The villagers arrived wearing their finest clothes.
The children stood stiffly beside their parents, clearly instructed to behave.
Some looked terrified.
Others stared around with wide, curious eyes.
Aurora welcomed every single family personally.
She greeted each guest with a warm smile.
She offered tea, juice, pastries, and freshly baked bread.
She knelt to speak with the children at eye level.
"What do you like doing?"
"Can you already write your name?"
"Would you like to learn stories about faraway places?"
Within minutes...
The frightened children were giggling.
One little boy proudly announced he could count to twenty.
Another little girl shyly handed Aurora a daisy she had picked that morning.
Aurora accepted it as though it were the most precious flower in the world.
The nervous parents visibly relaxed.
They hadn't expected the future Duchess to laugh with their children, chase one little runaway around the yard, or patiently answer dozens of questions.
Watching from the side, Owen smiled quietly.
Beside him stood Eleanor, Philip, and Turner.
"Look at her," Eleanor whispered proudly.
Owen nodded.
"I've never seen her laugh this freely."
Turner couldn't take his eyes off Aurora.
She looked completely at ease.
No masks. No court etiquette. Just genuine happiness.
Emily, Anne, and the maids joined in with games, laughter, and conversation.
For the first time...
It truly felt like the beginning of something wonderful.
Word of Aurora's school soon reached the palace.
The King and Queen were delighted.
So impressed were they that they immediately appointed two teachers to assist Aurora.
During one of their evening dinners, they spoke proudly about her achievements.
Lucian listened in stunned silence.
"A school?" he repeated quietly.
The Queen smiled.
"Yes."
"Lady Aurora wishes every child in Emberforge to read and write."
Curiosity settled heavily in his heart.
The next day...Lucian arrived at the Ambrose Estate with Theo.
Standing quietly near the entrance, he watched the lively scene unfold.
Children laughed.
Parents smiled.
Aurora knelt beside a little girl, helping her hold a piece of chalk.
A little boy tugged gently on her sleeve.
Another child proudly showed her a crooked drawing. Aurora praised every single one.
Lucian had never seen this side of her.
She wasn't performing.
She wasn't trying to impress anyone.
She simply... belonged.
A strange warmth settled in his chest.
Philip noticed him first.
"Good day, Your Highness."
Lucian nodded politely.
"Good day."
"If you'll follow me, the Duke and Duchess are just over there."
Philip led him across the courtyard.
As Lucian approached, his eyes immediately landed on Turner standing beside Owen.
His jaw tightened. His blood boiled with quiet jealousy. Why was Turner always near Aurora?
"Good day, Duke. Duchess," Lucian greeted with a respectful bow.
"Your Highness," Owen replied warmly.
"Welcome."
"Good day, Your Highness," Eleanor greeted politely.
Since Aurora had left the palace after the attack, Eleanor hadn't spoken privately with Lucian.
She wasn't quite sure how to address him now that the engagement had ended.
Thankfully, Owen had continued meeting with the Crown Prince regarding border affairs and matters of state.
It spared everyone unnecessary awkwardness.
Lucian's gaze drifted back to Aurora.
"Lady Aurora has done remarkable work."
Owen smiled proudly.
"When she first brought me this idea, I thought she'd lost her mind."
Lucian blinked.
"You did?"
"I absolutely did."
The Duke chuckled.
"But now..."
He watched Aurora laugh as three children tried to teach her a clapping game.
"I trust her judgment completely."
Lucian smiled faintly.
"I was hoping to discuss something with you privately."
"Of course."
Owen nodded.
"Let's go to my study."
Turning toward Philip, he added,
"Please have some tea prepared"
The heavy oak door closed behind Lucian with a muted thud. For a moment, neither man spoke. The crackling fire was the only sound in the room.
Duke Owen walked to the table near the window and poured two glasses of whiskey before offering one to the Crown Prince.
Lucian accepted it with a quiet nod.
Owen gestured toward the chair opposite him.
"Please, have a seat, Your Highness."
Lucian sat, though he had never felt less like a prince. He had stood before enemy armies without his pulse quickening.
Now, facing Aurora's father...His hands felt unusually heavy.
Owen settled into his chair, studying him in silence.
"What brings the Crown Prince to my study?"
Lucian drew a slow breath, "My engagement to Lady Aurora was arranged for political reasons."
Owen nodded once, "I know...It has now been dissolved. I know that as well."
The duke's eyes remained fixed on him, "I assume you're not here to question House Ambrose's loyalty."
A faint smile touched Lucian's lips, "Never."
His expression quickly grew serious again.
"I'm here...", He hesitated.
The words, so effortless on the ride here, suddenly became difficult to say.
"...to ask for your permission...", Another pause., "...to court Lady Aurora."
Silence settled over the room. Not the comfortable kind. The kind that demanded honesty.
Owen simply looked at him. Of all the conversations he had expected to have today... This had never crossed his mind.
Finally, he spoke, "I was under the impression..."
His voice remained calm, "...that you loved Lady Bella Palsen, the whole kingdom knows."
Lucian let out a quiet breath, "So was I."
The answer caught Owen's attention.
Lucian stared into the amber liquid in his glass, "For years, I convinced myself that what I felt for Bella was love."
He gave a humourless smile, "I chased that belief so relentlessly that I never stopped to question it."
His fingers tightened around the glass, "But these past few weeks..."
His thoughts drifted to Aurora. Her laughter as she played with the children. The kindness she showed strangers without expecting recognition. The quiet strength she carried despite everything life had demanded of her. The way she smiled...Even after having every reason not to.
Lucian looked up.
"I'm beginning to realize..." His voice softened. "...I never truly saw Aurora."
The confession hung heavily between them, "I knew her title. I knew her family's influence. I knew the young woman who followed me from one banquet to another."
He swallowed, "But I never knew...", His expression filled with regret, "...the woman she actually was."
Owen remained silent. Listening. Watching...
"I want to know her.", Lucian's voice carried a quiet conviction.
"Not as my fiancée. Not as a political alliance. But as Aurora. I want the opportunity to earn her trust. To understand her....And if she'll allow it..."
He met Owen's eyes.
"I want to win her heart."
For a long moment... The duke said nothing. Then—
"What I'm hearing...", Owen said slowly, "...is that you're trying to understand your own heart."
Lucian nodded, "I am."
"And what of Aurora's?", The question struck harder than expected.
Lucian lowered his eyes.
Owen continued, "She no longer loves you."
The words were neither cruel nor accusatory.........Simply true.
Lucian closed his eyes briefly, "I know."
The duke leaned forward, "And if her heart already belongs to someone else?"
Lucian's jaw tightened. The thought alone hurt more than he wished to admit.
Images flashed through his mind. Aurora laughing with another man. Looking at someone else the way she had once looked at him. His chest tightened painfully.
After a long silence, he answered, "If..."
His voice caught for the briefest moment, "If another man is the one who brings her happiness..." He forced himself to continue, "...then I'll step aside."
Owen watched him carefully.
Lucian looked toward the fire, "I've spent years asking Aurora to fit into the future I wanted and ignoring her."
A faint, sorrowful smile crossed his face., "If I truly care for her..."
He looked back at the duke, "...then this time, her happiness has to matter more than mine."
The room fell silent once again. Owen slowly set his glass down. The man sitting before him wasn't the same Crown Prince who had once overlooked his daughter.
There was humility in him now, regret. And perhaps...Love. Not the infatuation of youth. Not obligation. Something quieter. Something deeper.
Finally, Owen spoke, "You have my permission to court Aurora."
Relief flickered across Lucian's face. But before he could thank him—
Owen's expression hardened. His eyes became those of a father.
Not a duke.
"If.", His voice was low. Steady, "If my daughter gives you that chance..."
He leaned forward, "...do not waste it."
Lucian listened without interruption.
"You've already broken her heart once." The words landed with devastating force." I watched her smile while pretending she wasn't hurting, was being humiliated. I watched her convince herself she simply wasn't enough because you had another woman in your heart."
His jaw tightened, "No father should ever have to witness that."
Lucian lowered his head, "I know."
"No.", Owen's voice sharpened, "You don't. If you did..."
His gaze never wavered, "...you would understand why, should you hurt her again..."
The air in the room seemed to grow colder. "I won't care whether you wear the crown......or sit upon the throne. I will spend the rest of my life making certain you regret it."
Silence.
Lucian slowly rose to his feet. He bowed—not as the Crown Prince. But as a man asking for the chance to love another man's daughter.
"I wouldn't expect anything less."
A small smile touched Owen's lips.
For the first time that evening...
He believed Lucian finally understood what it meant to love Aurora.
Not because she was promised to him.
But because she was worth fighting for.
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