Chapter 86
The very next morning...
Instead of Emily gently waking Aurora as she usually did, the bedroom door burst open without warning.
"Aurora!"
The Duchess swept into the room like a general marching onto a battlefield, Emily following close behind with a tray of freshly brewed tea.
Aurora groaned dramatically and buried herself deeper beneath the blankets.
"Mmm... five more minutes..."
"No!" Eleanor declared, planting both hands firmly on her hips. "This matter is far too important for sleeping."
Aurora slowly pulled the blanket down until only one sleepy eye was visible.
"...Mother."
"I want details."
Aurora blinked, "What details?"
"Every single detail", The Duchess marched straight to the bedside.
"What did His Majesty say?"
Did he compliment your dress?"
Did you compliment his?"
Did he smile?"
Did you smile?"
Did he hold your hand?"
Aurora stared at her mother in complete disbelief, "...Mother, you were with me at the palace."
"Yes, so, but you took a walk with the king?"
"May I wake up first?"
"No ", The Duchess smiled brightly, "All you have to do is open your second eye."
Emily bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from laughing.
Julianne wasn't nearly as successful. She burst into laughter.
Aurora groaned again and dropped back onto her pillow.
"I survived surgery... sword training... two years studying overseas..."
She covered her face with both hands, "...yet somehow I cannot survive one morning with my own mother."
Eleanor smiled innocently, "You inherited your dramatic side from your father."
Aurora sighed, "May I at least wash my face?"
The Duchess pretended to consider it, "Hmm..."
Aurora looked hopeful.
"...Very well."
Aurora released a relieved breath.
"But" Eleanor continued sweetly, "I'll help you get ready while you tell me everything."
Aurora's eyes flew open, "Mother!"
"What?"
"You absolutely cannot!"
"Oh, I absolutely can."
Emily quietly looked toward the ceiling, "My Lady... I fear you're fighting a battle you cannot win."
Julianne nodded sympathetically, "Her Grace has already planned this interrogation."
Aurora looked at Emily desperately, "Help me."
Emily immediately shook her head, "I'm terribly sorry, My Lady... but I value my employment."
Julianne raised her hand, "And I value my life."
The Duchess folded her arms triumphantly, "Excellent. Now..."
She leaned closer, "...start talking."
Aurora sighed dramatically, "There really isn't much to tell."
"There is always something to tell."
"We walked."
"And?"
"We talked."
"And?"
"And?" Aurora looked around helplessly.
Emily suddenly became fascinated by the teapot.
Julianne inspected the curtains with great interest.
Traitors.
Aurora rubbed her forehead, "He asked about the hospital."
"And?"
"I told him about the apprentices."
"And?"
"We discussed medicine."
"And?"
Aurora stared, "Mother... why does every answer require another question?"
"Because you keep giving me incomplete answers."
Aurora sighed, "He arranged for four royal physicians to come to Emberforge."
The Duchess blinked. "He did?"
Aurora nodded, "They'll help train physicians and travel through the duchy treating patients."
For the first time, Eleanor fell silent. A warm smile slowly spread across her face.
"He remembered what matters to you."
Aurora looked away. "I suppose he did."
The Duchess watched her daughter carefully, "You've been smiling since you woke up."
Aurora froze. "I have not."
"You have."
"I was smiling because I slept well."
Emily coughed softly.
Julianne quickly turned it into a fake sneeze.
The Duchess smiled knowingly, "My dear..."
She gently tucked a loose strand of Aurora's hair behind her ear.
"I didn't ask whether you had fallen in love."
Aurora looked up.
"I wanted to know whether you enjoyed yourself."
Aurora was quiet for several moments.
Finally, she answered honestly. "...I did."
Eleanor smiled. "That's all a mother needs to hear."
Aurora suddenly wrapped her arms around her mother, "Thank you."
The Duchess hugged her tightly. "For what?"
"For letting me choose my own future."
Eleanor kissed the top of her daughter's head, "There was never another choice."
Downstairs...
Meanwhile, the Duke entered the dining room expecting his usual peaceful breakfast.
He looked around.
"...Philip."
"Yes, Your Grace?"
"Where is everyone?"
Philip calmly poured tea, "Her Grace is currently interrogating Lady Aurora regarding last night's dinner walk"
The duke nodded knowingly.
"Ah." He took his seat. "Better Aurora than me."
Philip almost smiled. "I imagine so."
The duke leaned across the table conspiratorially, "Philip..."
"Yes, Your Grace?"
"Where's that expensive chocolate your mistress confiscated yesterday?"
Philip froze. "Your Grace..."
"You know the one.... The imported one."
He looked around. "The one hidden in the pantry."
Philip sighed. "You are forbidden from having it."
Owen looked deeply offended. "Philip... we've survived wars together."
"Yes."
"We've defended this duchy together."
"Yes."
"We've covered for each other countless times."
"Also, yes."
"So.."
The duke grinned. "...what Eleanor doesn't know won't hurt her."
Philip smiled politely. "It most certainly will hurt me when Her Grace discovers who gave it to you."
The duke clicked his tongue. "Coward."
Philip folded his hands. "I prefer the term experienced."
"I sometimes wonder whose side you're on."
"The Duchess's."
"...Traitor."
"Alive traitor, Your Grace."
Just then, Eleanor's voice echoed down the staircase.
"Owen!"
The duke immediately sat bolt upright, "I wasn't asking for chocolate!"
Philip quietly slid the hidden box farther under the table, "A wise decision, Your Grace."
The duke sighed dramatically. "I used to rule this manor."
Philip smiled. "No, Your Grace......You merely believed you did."
The nearby servants lowered their heads, desperately trying not to laugh.
Upstairs, Aurora's laughter echoed through the manor as her mother resumed her endless questions.
For the first time in a long while...
The Ambrose estate felt filled with nothing but warmth, laughter, and the quiet happiness of a family simply enjoying one another.
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