Chapter 77
The ship had finally docked.
The harbour was unusually crowded.
Standing proudly at the front of the dock were Duke and Duchess Ambrose, beside Duke and Duchess Indigo and the young Duke Isaac Indigo.
Turner and Alistair stood a respectful distance behind Duke Owen. Although this was a joyous occasion, neither knight allowed their guard to drop. The duke had made it very clear that after everything that had happened two years ago, no chances would be taken with Aurora's safety.
Aurora had written weeks before, requesting several empty carts to transport all the books, herbs, equipment, gifts, and supplies she had collected during her years in the East.
Not far away stood Duke Anton Alexander.
Beside him was King Lucian, accompanied by Theo.
Today was more than a family reunion.
Today marked history.
For the first time, two noble ladies from the kingdom had travelled across the sea to study abroad and were returning home.
Everyone waited eagerly.
The gangplank was lowered.
Before anyone could say a word—
"Katherine!" the Duchess Indigo cried.
Katherine ignored every bit of noble etiquette.
She gathered up her skirts and ran down the gangplank.
"Lady Katherine!" a sailor called nervously. "Please slow down! You'll fall!"
"I've waited two years!" she shouted over her shoulder. "Falling can wait!"
Her parents laughed through their tears as Katherine threw herself into her mother's embrace.
Tears streamed freely down both their faces.
Isaac chuckled.
"I suppose I don't get a hug?"
Without releasing her mother, Katherine stretched out one arm.
"You may have half a hug."
Isaac laughed before joining the embrace.
Watching the Indigo family made many of the servants wipe away tears.
Then...The entire harbour seemed to fall silent.
Aurora appeared.
She descended the gangplank with calm elegance, Emily following faithfully a few steps behind.
She was no longer the sixteen-year-old girl who had left the kingdom.
Before them stood an eighteen-year-old woman.
Her posture was graceful.
Her movements carried quiet confidence.
Her eyes held wisdom far beyond her years, yet they had lost none of their warmth.
The gentle sea breeze lifted a few strands of her dark hair as she stepped onto the dock.
Every conversation stopped.
Even the sailors paused their work.
Turner's breath caught.
He simply stared.
Was this truly Lady Aurora?
She had always been beautiful...
But now...
She carried herself with such confidence and elegance that she seemed almost untouchable.
For a brief, moment, he forgot to breathe.
Lucian felt, exactly the same.
His heart pounded painfully against his chest.
During the past two years he had imagined seeing her again countless times.
None of those imaginings came close to reality.
She was...
Beautiful.
Not merely because of her appearance.
There was a quiet strength surrounding her that drew every eye.
He suddenly understood why his mother had once said that true beauty came from within.
His longing, carefully hidden for two years, surged painfully inside him.
"Aurora..."
Before anyone else could move—
"Aurora! My baby!", Eleanor burst into tears and hurried forward.
Aurora's composed smile instantly disappeared.
"Mother!"
She hurried toward her.
The two women embraced tightly, neither caring about the watching crowd.
"I missed you so much," Eleanor whispered through her tears.
Aurora held her mother just as tightly.
"I missed you too, Mother."
"I missed your hugs..."
"I missed your tea..."
"I even missed you fussing over me."
Eleanor laughed through her tears.
"I shall make up for two years' worth of fussing."
"Oh no..." Aurora groaned dramatically. "I've only been home for one minute."
"I know," Eleanor smiled sweetly, "I've planned the next twenty years already."
Owen finally walked over, pretending to look offended.
"Ahem."
Aurora looked at him innocently.
"Daddy "
"I believe," Owen said dramatically, "that I also missed someone."
Aurora laughed, "Daddy."
She wrapped her arms around him, "You've become sentimental in your old age."
"Old?" ,Owen looked horrified, "I am still young!"
Eleanor folded her arms.
"You groan every time you stand up."
"That is because chairs are getting lower."
Aurora burst into laughter, "I missed you both so much."
Owen gently kissed the top of her head before pulling both his wife and daughter into one large embrace.
"My princess is finally home."
For several long moments...None of them moved.
They simply stood together, grateful to have one another again.
Eventually Eleanor stepped back. Her eyes landed on Emily.
Without hesitation, she pulled the surprised maid into a warm hug.
Emily froze, "Your Grace..."
"Emily," Eleanor said softly.
"You brought my daughter home safely", Her voice trembled, "Thank you."
Emily's own eyes filled with tears.
"It was my honour."
"No."
Eleanor gently squeezed her hands.
"It was far more than your duty. You looked after our daughter when we couldn't. We will never forget that."
Emily lowered her head, unable to stop the tears.
"Thank you... Your Grace."
Turner watched quietly.
Seeing the Duchess embrace a maid without caring about status reminded him once again why House Ambrose inspired such fierce loyalty.
Lucian finally stepped forward.
"Lady Aurora."
Aurora turned.
She bowed gracefully.
"Your Majesty."
Katherine and Emily bowed as well.
Lucian returned the bow—a gesture that surprised many of the nobles watching.
His eyes never left Aurora.
"You've returned safely."
"I have."
"I trust your studies were successful?"
"They were, Your Majesty. I learned more than I ever imagined."
Lucian smiled softly, "I can see that."
For a moment...Neither of them spoke. There were so many words left unsaid.
Theo quietly cleared his throat.
Anton Alexander hid a smile before speaking.
"Welcome home, Lady Aurora... Lady Katherine."
The ladies greeted Duke Anton warmly.
Aurora then greeted the Indigo family once more.
"Your Grace," she smiled, "I owe all of you several stories."
The Duchess Indigo laughed, "And we expect every single one of them."
Aurora smiled, "I promise."
"We shall arrange tea very soon."
"I'll need several pots," Katherine added.
"I have two years' worth of embarrassing stories about Aurora."
Aurora looked horrified, "Katherine..."
"What?"
"You promised!"
"I promised nothing."
Everyone laughed.
Finally, Owen clapped his hands.
"I believe my daughter has spent enough time standing on a dock."
He looked toward the waiting carriages.
"The young ladies must be exhausted."
Everyone agreed.
As the Ambrose carriage began its journey home, Eleanor immediately resumed two years' worth of mothering.
"Did you eat properly?"
"Yes."
"Did you sleep enough?"
"Mostly."
"Were you ever cold?"
"Sometimes."
"Were you ever sick?"
"Mother..."
"Were you lonely?"
Aurora reached across and held both of her parents' hands.
"Mum... Dad...I'm fine."
She smiled warmly, "You can both see I'm healthy."
Owen smiled proudly, "You look stronger."
Aurora grinned, "I had no choice. My teachers were terrifying."
Eleanor gasped, "They overworked my daughter!"
Aurora laughed, "No. They simply refused to let me be lazy."
Owen chuckled, "Good teachers."
"You are not helping," Eleanor complained.
Laughter filled the carriage all the way back to the Duchy.
As they approached the estate gates...
Aurora noticed a crowd stretching farther than she could see.
The schoolchildren stood in neat rows.
The blacksmiths.
The seamstresses.
The workshop craftsmen.
Servants.
Knights.
Farmers.
Families.
People from every corner of the Duchy had gathered.
The carriage stopped.
Aurora stepped down.
For one heartbeat...
Silence.
Then—
Thunderous applause erupted.
Cheers echoed across the estate.
"Welcome home, Lady Aurora!"
"Our Lady has returned!"
The children waved little flags excitedly.
Several rushed forwards before their parents gently stopped them.
Aurora's eyes immediately filled with tears.
She had never expected......to be welcomed home like this.
She smiled through those tears and waved to everyone.
"Thank you..."
"Thank you all..."
Her voice trembled with emotion.
"I've missed every one of you."
The cheers grew even louder.
Owen watched his daughter proudly.
Two years ago, Aurora had left seeking knowledge.
Today...
She had returned to a home that loved her.
And, standing quietly among the cheering crowd, Turner couldn't take his eyes off her.
For the first time, he allowed himself one impossible wish.
If only... she could look at me the way she smiles at everyone else... just once.
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