Chapter 69
Three days before Aurora's departure, an invitation arrived from Lady Selena Alexander.
"Tea at the Alexander Estate."
Aurora smiled.
She had expected a quiet afternoon.
Instead, she walked into cheerful chaos.
Selena stood in the middle of the sitting room with several sheets of paper in her hands while Katherine sat nearby trying—and failing—to stop laughing.
"There she is!" Selena announced dramatically. "Our brave traveler."
Aurora laughed.
"I've only agreed to study, Selena. I'm not marching off to war."
"You've clearly never met merchants," Selena replied. "They're far more terrifying."
Katherine burst into laughter.
Aurora shook her head.
"I've missed the two of you already."
"As you should," Katherine said proudly.
The three girls embraced warmly before taking their seats.
Servants poured fragrant tea while plates filled with pastries, fruit tarts, and honey cakes were arranged before them.
Selena suddenly slid several pages across the table.
Aurora blinked.
"...What is this?"
"My shopping list."
Aurora looked at the thick stack.
"This isn't a shopping list."
"It is."
"It looks like a royal decree."
Katherine leaned over.
"I helped."
Aurora looked horrified.
"That's even worse."
Selena grinned mischievously.
"I need silk."
"Fine."
"And porcelain."
"Reasonable."
"And tea."
"Of course."
"And fans."
Aurora nodded.
"So far, so good."
"And embroidered robes."
Aurora sighed.
"I expected this."
"And hair ornaments."
"Mmm."
"And jade bracelets."
Aurora continued reading.
"...Two folding screens?"
"One for my room."
"The second?"
"In case the first feels lonely."
Katherine nearly fell out of her chair laughing.
Aurora stared at Selena for several long seconds.
"You know ships have weight limits?"
Selena waved her hand dismissively.
"Details."
Aurora flipped another page.
"...You want an entire tea set."
"It matches my curtains."
"You don't even know what your future curtains will look like."
"I'll buy curtains to match the tea set."
Aurora slowly lowered the pages.
"I suddenly understand why your father has gray hair."
Even the servants struggled to hide their smiles.
Selena placed a hand dramatically over her heart.
"I cannot believe you would insult me before I even receive my gifts."
Aurora reached across the table and gently pinched her cheek.
"I adore you both."
Her voice softened.
"I'm going to miss this."
The laughter slowly faded.
Katherine reached across the table and squeezed Aurora's hand.
"We're going to miss you too."
Selena nodded.
"The kingdom will feel quieter without you."
Aurora smiled gently.
"I promise I'll write."
"You'd better."
"I'll send letters often."
"You'd better."
"I'll even tell you embarrassing stories about learning foreign customs."
"You definitely better."
They laughed again.
Aurora's smile became softer.
"And you two must write back."
"We will."
"No excuses."
"None."
Aurora looked from one friend to the other.
"And when you return..."
She smiled teasingly.
"...you both must attend my wedding."
Selena replied dramatically.
Aurora laughed.
Katherine smiled knowingly.
The three friends raised their teacups together.
"To friendship."
"To safe journeys."
"And," Selena added with a grin, "to bringing me every single thing on that list."
Aurora groaned.
"I knew there was a catch."
Their laughter echoed through the Alexander Estate long after the tea had ended.
The following afternoon, the Queen held a farewell tea at the Royal Palace.
Nearly every noble lady in the capital attended.
The Queen had personally organized the gathering to wish Lady Aurora Ambrose and Lady Katherine Indigo success on their journey.
Aurora wore a simple pale-blue gown, while Katherine chose soft lavender.
Both looked elegant without appearing overly extravagant.
The Queen embraced Aurora warmly.
"You have made this old woman proud."
Aurora smiled.
"I'll return with enough knowledge to make Your Majesty even prouder."
"I have no doubt."
Nearby, noble ladies surrounded the two young women, offering blessings, advice, and small farewell gifts.
Some handed Aurora beautifully bound journals.
Others embroidered handkerchiefs.
Several older duchesses pressed tiny good-luck charms into her hands.
Bella watched everything from across the garden.
Smile after smile.
Blessing after blessing.
Gift after gift.
It should have been her. She should have been the center of attention.
Not Aurora.
Not again.
She maintained her graceful smile, but inside, jealousy twisted tightly around her heart.
Lady Marissa smiled warmly.
"Lady Aurora truly has everyone's affection."
Bella's fingers tightened around her teacup.
"It appears so."
"I shall miss seeing her at our gatherings."
"So shall I."
The lie slipped from Bella's lips effortlessly.
The Queen eventually called for silence.
"My ladies..."
She looked lovingly at Aurora and Katherine.
"The future of this kingdom belongs not only to brave men upon battlefields......but also to brave young women willing to seek knowledge beyond our borders."
The garden erupted into applause.
Aurora lowered her eyes modestly.
Bella applauded as well.
Every clap felt heavier than the last.
Go.
Leave.
Stay away for as long as possible.
With Aurora gone, Bella believed she would finally have uninterrupted time with Lucian.
She had no idea...
...that sometimes absence makes the heart far louder than presence ever could.
The last of the nobles had begun leaving the palace.
Servants moved quietly through the grand hall, clearing away teacups and empty dessert plates as the evening slowly settled over the palace.
Emily and Katerine waited near the entrance, speaking with the palace servants while Aurora prepared to leave.
She had almost reached the grand staircase when a familiar voice stopped her.
"Aurora."
She closed her eyes for the briefest moment. Then turned.
Lucian stood at the end of the corridor. He looked as though he had been waiting.
"What is it, Your Highness?"
The formality in her voice wasn't lost on him.
"I was hoping to speak with you."
"I've already said my farewells."
"I know."
She waited.
He stepped closer, "Just a few minutes."
Aurora glanced toward the entrance, where Emily was beginning to look for her.
"...Very well."
She walked toward one of the palace balconies overlooking the moonlit gardens.
Lucian followed. Neither spoke until they were alone. The silence stretched between them. Tomorrow...
Aurora would sail east.
Lucian rested his hands on the marble railing, "I suppose this is goodbye."
"For now."
"You'll be gone for months."
"Perhaps."
"And you'll return...", He smiled bitterly, "...different."
Aurora looked at him, "I certainly hope so."
His smile disappeared, "I've spent the last few weeks realizing just how little I knew you."
She said nothing,
"I thought I understood who Aurora Ambrose was.", He laughed quietly, "I didn't."
"I knew the girl who followed me. I never stopped to know the woman standing beside me."
Aurora's expression remained unreadable, "You've finally realized that."
"I have."
Silence.
Lucian looked toward the gardens below, "When you reach the East..."
His jaw tightened, "You'll meet remarkable people...Nobles. Scholars. Generals. Princes."
His voice became quieter, "And they'll see you."
Aurora frowned.
"They'll see your kindness. Your intelligence, the way you make everyone around you feel welcome."
He smiled faintly, "They'll hear you speak. They'll watch you smile. They'll discover the woman I was too blind to see."
He turned toward her, "And they'll fall in love with you."
Aurora folded her hands in front of her, "That sounds like their problem."
A small laugh escaped him, "It becomes mine."
She sighed, "Your Highness—"
"No." , His voice was gentle but firm, "Please...Let me finish."
For a long moment, Aurora remained silent.
Lucian drew a slow breath, "I know I have no right to ask anything of you...The engagement is over. You owe me nothing. I understand that."
His blue eyes met hers, "But I'm still going to ask."
Aurora raised an eyebrow, "You've never been very good at accepting no."
"No", He smiled faintly, "I haven't."
His smile slowly faded, "When you're in the East..."
He hesitated, "...don't fall in love."
Aurora stared at him, "...Excuse me?"
"I know.", He ran a hand through his hair, "It sounds unreasonable. It sounds arrogant. It sounds possessive."
"Because it is.", She blinked.
"I'll spend every day wondering where you are. What you're doing. Whether you're smiling....Whether someone else is making you laugh."
His voice lowered, "And I hate that."
Aurora watched him quietly.
"The thought of another man discovering everything I've only just begun to appreciate..."
He looked away, "...drives me mad."
Silence.
"I know you'll have suitors...You're beautiful. You're clever. You have a heart kinder than anyone realizes."
His expression softened, "The East will see all of that...And some fool is going to fall hopelessly in love with you.
Aurora couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips, "You have a rather low opinion of eastern gentlemen."
"I have an even lower opinion of my competition."
She almost laughed...Almost.
Lucian stepped a little closer. Not enough to invade her space. Just enough that she could see the sincerity in his eyes.
"So don't bring one home."
Aurora looked at him as though he'd lost his mind, "...You're serious."
"Completely."
"You don't get to tell me who I can love."
"I know ", His answer came immediately, "I know I don't."
He lowered his head, "But I'm asking anyway."
His voice became almost pleading, "Wait for me...When you return...I'll court you properly. I'll show you the man I should have been years ago."
"And I'll make you fall in love with me."
Aurora shook her head, "You're remarkably confident."
"No.", He smiled sadly, "I'm terrified. I'm terrified you'll come back smiling at another man. I'm terrified he'll know your favourite flowers.....books......the way you wrinkle your nose when you're annoyed..."
His voice caught, "And he'll cherish all the things I overlooked."
Aurora felt something tighten in her chest.
Lucian continued quietly, "So yes...I'm jealous. I'm possessive. And for the first time in my life..."
He looked directly into her eyes, "I'm afraid."
She held his gaze for several long moments.
Finally, she spoke, "I cannot promise you that I won't meet someone."
His expression tightened.
"I won't promise that I won't change."
Another painful silence.
"But...", She continued, "I can promise you one thing."
Hope flickered in his eyes.
Aurora's voice remained calm, "I won't make any decisions simply because someone asks.....If anyone wishes to earn my heart..."
She looked at him steadily, "...he'll have to earn it."
Lucian smiled.
It wasn't victory.
Not even close.
But it was enough.
"I can live with that."
Emily's voice echoed from the corridor, " Lady Aurora! The carriage is ready."
Aurora looked toward the entrance, "I have to go."
Lucian nodded, "I know."
She turned to leave.
"Aurora."
She paused but didn't look back.
"I'll be waiting."
She remained silent.
"No matter how long you're gone."
Still, she said nothing.
"And when you come home..."
A smile touched his lips, "...don't be surprised if I'm the first man waiting at the docks."
Aurora finally glanced back over her shoulder.
Her expression remained cool, "We'll see whether you're still worth waiting for."
Then she walked away.
Lucian watched until she disappeared beyond the palace doors.
Only when she was gone did he allow himself to whisper into the empty corridor,
"No prince... no duke... no scholar from the East..."
A determined smile slowly formed.
"I'm not losing you again."
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