Chapter 71
The day of Aurora and Katherine's departure finally arrived.
The harbour, usually filled with the sounds of merchants bargaining and sailors shouting orders, was unusually quiet. Even the sea seemed calmer, as though it understood the weight of the day.
The Grand Emberforge merchant ship stood proudly at the docks; its sails neatly folded as sailors loaded the last of the supplies. Crates of books, medical texts, clothing, and gifts from the Duchy were carefully carried aboard.
Almost the entire Duchy had gathered to see them off.
The schoolchildren Aurora had fought so hard to educate stood together in two neat lines, each child clutching a small bouquet of wildflowers they had picked themselves.
Some of the younger children could not stop crying.
The older ones tried to be brave, though their red eyes betrayed them.
The farmers' wives had spent the previous evening baking fresh bread, sweet buns, dried fruit, and biscuits for Aurora's journey. Each bundle was wrapped carefully in embroidered cloth.
One elderly woman stepped forward first.
"My Lady," she said, placing the warm loaf into Aurora's hands. "It isn't much... but every mother worries when a child travels far from home."
Aurora's eyes immediately filled with tears.
"Thank you."
Another woman handed her a knitted blanket.
"My daughter sleeps better with this. Perhaps... it will help you when you miss home."
Aurora hugged the elderly woman without hesitation.
"Thank you... I'll treasure it."
Soon the children surrounded her.
"My Lady!"
"When will you come back?"
"Will you write to us?"
"I'll learn all my letters before you return!"
"I'll be the best reader in class!"
Aurora laughed through her tears as she knelt before them.
"I expect every one of you to study hard."
"We will!"
"And when I return..."
She smiled warmly.
"...I want every single one of you to show me how much you've learned."
The children nodded enthusiastically.
"We promise!"
Nearby, Emily quietly wiped away her tears while trying not to let Aurora notice.
As Duke Owen had insisted, Emily would accompany Aurora on the journey.
"My daughter will not travel halfway across the world without someone there to scold her," he had declared.
Emily had laughed then...
Now she could barely smile.
Katherine stood nearby saying her own goodbyes to Duke Indigo and Duchess Indigo.
Unlike Aurora's emotional farewell, Katherine's family somehow managed to laugh through their tears.
"Don't come back with an emperor," Duke Indigo warned dramatically.
"I make no promises," Katherine replied with a mischievous grin.
Her mother gently smacked her arm.
"Behave yourself."
"I always do."
The entire harbour erupted into laughter.
Even Aurora smiled.
Some things would never change.
Nearby stood Turner.
Quiet.
Still.
His hands rested behind his back, but his fingers remained tightly clenched.
He had polished Aurora's sword himself before dawn.
Now he stepped forward and held it out respectfully.
"My Lady..."
Aurora accepted it gently.
"You looked after it?"
"I always will."
Their eyes met.
"So..."
Turner's voice was unusually quiet.
"...come home safely."
Aurora smiled sadly.
"I promise."
She reached out and hugged him.
Turner froze for a brief, moment before carefully returning the embrace, as though afraid she might disappear if he held her too tightly.
"I'll protect the Duchy until you return," he whispered.
Aurora nodded.
"I know you will."
Standing a short distance away, Lucian watched the scene in silence.
His chest tightened...He wished...Just once...
That Aurora would smile at him the way she smiled at everyone else.
Taking a deep breath, he finally walked toward her.
The harbour gradually fell silent.
Aurora turned to face him.
"Your Highness."
Lucian gave a small smile.
"I came to wish you a safe journey."
"Thank you."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Finally, Lucian held out a small leather-bound journal.
"I thought... perhaps you could record your travels."
Aurora looked at the gift in surprise.
"It's blank."
"I know."
"So, you may fill it with memories."
Aurora gently accepted it.
"Thank you... Lucian."
Hearing her speak his name without bitterness made his heart ache even more.
"I'll write to the Queen," Aurora said softly.
Lucian nodded.
"I know she'll look forward to every letter."
He wanted to say so much more...Wait for me. Come home safely. Don't forget me.
Instead, he simply smiled.
"I hope you find everything you're searching for."
Aurora looked at him quietly.
"I hope so too."
The ship's horn echoed across the harbour.
It was time.
Duchess Eleanor could hold back her tears no longer.
She rushed forward and embraced Aurora tightly.
"My little girl..."
Aurora buried her face against her mother's shoulder.
"I'll miss you, Mother."
"Oh, darling...", Eleanor's voice trembled, "Promise me you'll eat properly."
"I promise."
"Don't stay up all night studying."
"I promise."
"And don't climb onto rooftops or mountains."
Aurora laughed through her tears, "I promise."
Duke Owen stepped forward next.
His eyes were red, though he stubbornly refused to let anyone point it out.
He pulled Aurora into his arms, "I'm proud of you."
Those four words broke what little composure Aurora had left.
"I'll make you proud, Daddy."
His voice cracked, "You already have."
Father and daughter remained locked in their embrace for several long moments before he gently kissed her forehead.
"No matter how far you travel..."
He smiled through his tears.
"...Grand Emberforge will always be your home."
Aurora nodded, "And you will always be my family."
With one final look at everyone she loved...
Aurora climbed the gangplank beside Katherine and Emily.
As the sails unfurled and the great ship slowly pulled away from the harbour, hundreds of hands waved from the shore.
Children shouted.
Servants cried openly.
The farmers removed their hats.
Knights stood proudly at attention.
Aurora remained at the railing until the harbour became smaller and smaller.
She raised one hand and whispered so softly that only the wind carried her words.
"I'll come home."
No one on the shore heard her.
But every heart there believed it.
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