Chapter 66
The following morning dawned bright and peaceful after the success of Aurora's coming-of-age banquet.
For the first time in months, the Duchess entered Aurora's sitting room carrying a neat stack of elegant invitation cards tied together with pastel ribbons.
Aurora looked up from the estate accounts spread across the table.
"What is all that?" she asked cautiously.
Eleanor smiled far too innocently, "Your social life."
Aurora immediately frowned, "I don't want one."
The Duchess ignored her and placed the invitations neatly on the table.
"It seems the young ladies of the kingdom have suddenly remembered that Lady Aurora Ambrose exists."
Aurora sighed dramatically, "Can I pretend I'm ill?"
"No."
"Hide in the workshop?"
"No."
"The school?"
"No."
"Behind Father?"
Before Eleanor could answer, Owen walked into the room carrying a cup of tea.
"Don't drag me into this," he said, taking a careful step backwards. "I've learned never to stand between your mother and one of her plans."
Eleanor smiled sweetly, "Wise decision, husband."
Aurora laughed, "You abandoned me."
"I value my life," Owen replied with complete seriousness.
Even Emily struggled to hide her smile.
Eleanor picked up one of the invitations.
"Lady Selena Alexander is hosting an afternoon tea tomorrow."
Aurora recognized the name immediately.
Lady Selena had always been polite to her, even when the other noble ladies whispered behind her back.
"I suppose I should start attending these gatherings again," Aurora said after a moment.
Both of her parents looked at her in surprise.
"So easily?" Owen asked.
Aurora nodded thoughtfully.
"If I want the duchy's businesses to grow, I need to build relationships with the noble families. Trade isn't built on contracts alone—it begins with trust."
Owen exchanged a proud glance with Eleanor.
"My little girl has become frighteningly sensible."
"I learned from the best," Aurora replied with a grin.
Owen immediately straightened his back.
"You hear that, Eleanor? She inherited my wisdom."
The Duchess rolled her eyes.
"No, dear. She inherited your stubbornness."
Emily couldn't help laughing.
Aurora simply smiled.
"Very well," she said, picking up Lady Selena's invitation. "Please send word that I shall attend."
The following afternoon, Aurora arrived at Lady Selena Alexander's estate.
The beautiful garden had been transformed into an elegant setting, with white tables beneath flowering trees, delicate porcelain tea sets, and soft music drifting through the warm afternoon breeze.
Lady Selena welcomed Aurora warmly.
"Lady Aurora, I am delighted you accepted my invitation."
"Thank you for inviting me."
As Aurora greeted the other guests, she noticed that the atmosphere was... different.
There were curious glances. Admiring smiles. A few jealous looks.
But none of the open mockery she had once endured.
Her recent accomplishments had changed the way society viewed her.
She was no longer simply the Crown Prince's former fiancée.
She was becoming known as the young lady who had opened a school for common children, revived her duchy's economy, and stood beside her father as he rebuilt House Ambrose.
During the afternoon, Aurora found herself seated beside Lady Katherine Indigo.
"I've been meaning to speak with you," Katherine admitted with a warm smile.
Aurora tilted her head, "Have you?"
Katherine nodded, "I wanted to apologize."
Aurora looked surprised, "For what?"
"I listened to gossip instead of forming my own opinion." Katherine lowered her eyes for a moment. "That was unfair to you."
Aurora smiled gently, "Then let's leave the gossip in the past."
Katherine looked up hopefully, "So,... may we start over?"
"I would like that."
The two young ladies spent the rest of the afternoon talking.
They discovered a shared love of books, flower gardens, and sketching designs. Katherine confessed she could barely sew a straight line despite years of lessons, causing Aurora to laugh.
"I'm relieved," Aurora teased. "I thought I was the only noble child who occasionally lost arguments with a needle when I was younger, but I have learnt to sew and design outfits."
Katherine laughed so hard she nearly spilled her tea.
For the first time since arriving in this world...Aurora realized she was talking to someone without pretending.
Without guarding every word.
Without wondering what hidden motive lay behind each smile.
When the tea party ended, Katherine hesitated before speaking.
"Lady Aurora..."
"Yes?"
"I hope this won't be our last conversation."
Aurora's smile softened, "I hope not either."
As the carriage carried Aurora back to the Ambrose estate, she looked out of the window with a small smile on her face.
Perhaps...
Not every friendship in this world was destined to end in betrayal.
And perhaps...
She had finally found her first true friend.
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