Chapter 67
Nearly six months had passed since Aurora's coming-of-age banquet.
Grand Emberforge Duchy had changed.
The once-empty school echoed every morning with the laughter of children learning their letters. The blacksmith workshop rang with the steady rhythm of hammers striking steel, while the sewing workshop buzzed with women chatting happily as they stitched dresses from Aurora's designs.
For the first time in years, hope had begun to settle over the Duchy.
Aurora stood on the balcony of the manor, watching children race toward the school, their little satchels bouncing against their backs.
A gentle smile spread across her face.
"This..."
She rested her hands on the stone railing.
"...is only the beginning."
Behind her came familiar footsteps.
"You've been standing here for nearly half an hour."
Aurora turned.
Her father stood in the doorway with a cup of tea in one hand.
"Daddy."
She smiled before accepting the cup.
The duke stood beside her, following her gaze toward the village below.
"They're happy."
"They are."
Silence settled comfortably between them.
After a while Aurora spoke, "Daddy..."
"Hmm?"
"I want to ask something."
Owen immediately looked at her.
His daughter rarely hesitated before speaking.
"What is it?"
Aurora drew in a slow breath, "I want to leave Grand Emberforge Duchy"
The teacup nearly slipped from his hand.
"You...what?"
"I want to study."
The duke frowned, "We have scholars here."
Aurora shook her head, "They've taught me everything they know."
"You've already learned enough."
"No", Her answer was gentle but firm, "I've learned enough to begin."
She looked toward the school again.
"I know how to organize people. I know how to improve trade. "I can sketch designs. I can build businesses.... But there is always more to learn"
She lowered her eyes, "I cannot heal my people."
Her voice softened, "I know medicine..."
Then she stopped herself, "...or rather, I know pieces of it. I want to truly understand it."
She looked back at him, "I want to study herbs. Surgery. Poisons. Diseases....I want to learn irrigation. Architecture. Trade. Engineering.............I want to bring knowledge back to Grand Emberforge Duchy."
Owen remained silent.
Aurora stepped closer, "If I stay...I'll always manage what already exists. But if I leave...I can return with knowledge that changes everything."
The duke stared at his daughter for a long moment.
Then..."No."
Aurora blinked, "No?"
"Absolutely not ", He folded his arms.
"Someone tried to murder you. You've barely recovered. And now you expect me to let my sixteen-year-old daughter sail across the ocean?"
Aurora sighed, "I knew you'd say that."
"Because I'm your father."
"And because you're stubborn."
"I'm not stubborn."
Aurora raised an eyebrow, "Really?"
"Really."
At that exact moment Eleanor walked onto the balcony.
"What are you two arguing about this early?"
Aurora smiled sheepishly, "Nothing."
The duke answered at exactly, the same time.
"She wants to sail across the ocean."
Eleanor froze, "I'm sorry......she wants to WHAT?"
Aurora quickly tried to explain, "Mother, listen first."
"Oh, I'm listening.", Eleanor folded her arms, "So far I've heard enough....You survived an assassination. You climbed ladders, while injured. You nearly gave your father a heart attack three separate times."
Silence
"And now.. You wish to cross an ocean?"
Aurora looked from one parent to the other, "I'm beginning to think neither of you trusts me."
"We trust you ", Her parents answered together, "We don't trust the world."
Aurora couldn't help laughing, "You planned that answer."
"No."
"We've just been married long enough."
Even Owen laughed.
Aurora stepped forward and hugged them both.
"I know you're worried. But I'm not asking because I'm running away. I'm asking because I want to come back."
They looked at her.
"I want Grand Emberforge Duchy to become the greatest Duchy in the kingdom. I want our farmers to prosper. I want every child to read. I want physicians in every village. I want no mother to lose her child because help arrived too late. I want our people to live."
Tears shimmered in Eleanor's eyes, "My darling..."
Aurora smiled, "I can't build that future if I stop learning."
Silence settled over the balcony.
Finally, Owen spoke, "What if..."
He paused, "...you didn't travel alone?"
Aurora blinked, "What?"
"The Grand Emberforge Duchy merchant fleet sails to the Eastern Empire twice each year. They've asked for noble representatives before. I always refused."
He looked thoughtfully toward the horizon.
"But perhaps... This time. It would be different."
Aurora's eyes slowly widened, "You mean..."
"I mean...", He sighed, "I'm considering it."
Before Aurora could squeal with excitement, he quickly raised a finger.
"I said considering."
She immediately wrapped both arms around him, "That's practically a yes."
"It absolutely is not."
"It sounds like one."
"It isn't."
"It is."
"It isn't."
Eleanor laughed, "You two really are the same person."
The duke looked horrified, "I refuse to accept that."
Aurora grinned, "Too late, Daddy."
The following week, letters were sent to trusted merchants.
The Eastern Empire had agreed to receive Lady Aurora Ambrose as an honoured student under several respected physicians, scholars, and merchants.
During her stay she would study medicine, herbal remedies, trade, engineering, agriculture, diplomacy, and manufacturing, while accompanying Grand Emberforge Duchy's merchants to establish stronger trade routes between the two nations.
When the news spread through Grand Emberforge Duchy and the kingdom, the people were both proud and heartbroken.
Their young lady was leaving...
...so that one day she could return and build a better future for them all.
That evening Aurora stood once again upon her balcony.
The cool breeze lifted her hair as she looked toward the endless horizon.
Beyond that sea...A new world waited.
She smiled softly.
"Wait for me...When I return...I'll come home with enough knowledge to change our future."
Far away, beyond the setting sun...
Destiny quietly began preparing for her arrival.
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