Chapter 95
The news of the second collapse swept through the capital like a storm.
Before the sun had disappeared beyond the western hills, every noble household knew the same terrible truth.
Captain Turner had disappeared beneath the mountain.
No one knew whether he was alive.
No one knew how many miners remained trapped.
Only that the rescue had become a disaster of its own.
Inside the Diamondstead estate, servants rushed through the halls with frantic purpose.
Lanterns.
Blankets.
Medical supplies.
Coils of rope.
Shovels.
Every available wagon was being loaded.
Charles strode through the entrance hall, fastening the leather straps around his gloves.
"Double the supplies," he ordered without slowing. "If another duchy needs assistance, we'll have enough to share."
"Yes, Your Grace."
"Prepare every spare horse."
"Immediately, Your Grace."
He reached for his riding cloak.
"Charles!" , Bella's voice echoed through the hall.
He stopped. For only a heartbeat. Then turned.
She hurried toward him, her face pale, her breathing uneven, "...You're leaving."
"I have to."
"No." , She caught hold of his arm before he could move again.
"No."
Charles looked at her hand before raising his eyes to hers, "Bella."
"Please..." , Her voice trembled, "Don't go."
"There are still people trapped beneath that mountain."
"They're Emberforge's people!"
Her words came out almost desperate.
"Let Duke Owen save his own people."
Charles stared at her. A silence settled between them.
Then he spoke, "They aren't just Emberforge's people."
His voice was quiet, "They're ours."
Bella shook her head violently, "No, they aren't. They belong to another duchy."
"They belong to this kingdom."
His gaze never left hers, "And as long as they are citizens of this kingdom...they are my responsibility."
Her eyes filled with tears, "But you could die."
"So could they."
"They're miners!"
"They're fathers."
His voice grew firmer, "They're husbands. They're sons. They're men whose families are standing outside that mountain hoping someone brings them home."
Bella stepped in front of the doorway, blocking his path.
"I won't let you go."
Charles actually, laughed. A hollow sound. More disbelief than amusement.
"You won't let me?"
"You would risk your life..." , Her voice cracked, "...for strangers."
"They aren't strangers." ,His expression changed.
"When floods destroyed our western villages...Duke Owen sent food before I asked. .....When my horse threw me during the royal hunt...Turner carried me back himself."
"When my sister nearly died..."
His eyes softened.
"Lady Aurora never left her bedside. She slept in a chair for two nights because she refused to leave her patient."
Bella fell silent.
Charles looked past her toward the waiting horses.
"You ask why I have to go.", His jaw tightened, "I owe them."
Bella felt something twist painfully inside her.
Every name he spoke...
Owen.
Turner.
Aurora.
Not once...
Had he spoken hers.
"I don't care about them!"
The words escaped before she could stop them.
"I care about you!"
Charles slowly looked back at her, "And they care about the people waiting for them."
Bella shook her head, "You don't understand."
"No."
Her breathing became uneven.
"You don't understand.", Her voice rose.
"Ever since this happened...You haven't stopped talking about Emberforge...About Turner...About Aurora."
Her eyes glistened, "You've looked more frightened for them than you've ever looked for me."
The accusation lingered in the air.
Charles was silent.
That silence hurt her more than denial ever could.
"So it's true...", she whispered, "They matter more."
"No.", Charles answered calmly, "They need me more."
Bella stared at them , "You always defend them. They're your friends. They're your family."
"And what am I?"
His eyes softened, "You are someone I hoped would understand."
A tear slipped down her cheek, "I understand perfectly."
She laughed bitterly, "If Lady Aurora were standing here asking you to stay.....You'd refuse her too?"
Charles didn't hesitate, "Yes."
Bella searched his face. She wanted to find uncertainty.
Even a flicker.
There wasn't one.
"If Turner were trapped..." , Charles continued quietly, "...Aurora would still send every knight she had...If Duke Owen were buried beneath that mountain...He would tell his daughter to save everyone else first."
His eyes met hers, "That is why people would follow them into fire."
Bella lowered her gaze.
Charles stepped closer.
He gently brushed away one of her tears, "I know you're frightened."
"I am. I don't want to lose you."
His smile was sad, "And I don't want another little girl to lose her father because I chose comfort over duty."
Bella clutched his wrists, "I finally have someone who chose me."
Her voice broke, "I can't watch you ride toward death."
For the first time...Charles hesitated.
His heart ached for her.
But only for a moment.
He gently freed himself, "If I stay..."
He glanced toward the open doors, "...I would never be able to look at myself again."
Bella whispered, "So...You choose them."
Charles looked at her for a long time.
Then quietly answered, "I choose the man I want to be."
Those words shattered what little hope she had left.
He lifted his cloak onto his shoulders.
As he passed her, he paused.
Without turning around, he said quietly, "I hope one day......you'll understand that love should never ask someone to abandon their duty."
Then he walked away.
The great doors opened.
His knights were already mounted.
Charles swung effortlessly into the saddle.
"Ride."
The horses surged forward.
Bella ran after him.
"Charles!"
Her voice cracked across the courtyard.
"Please!"
He never turned.
Never slowed.
Within moments, the riders disappeared into the gathering darkness.
Bella stood motionless.
Watching the empty road. Watching the dust slowly settle.
As though, if she waited long enough...
He might come back.
Instead...
Her knees buckled.
She collapsed onto the cold stone.
Tears streamed freely down her face, "...Please come home."
Hidden in the shadows, an elderly maid watched in silence.
After a long moment, she sighed.
"Love built on possession fears every goodbye."
She looked toward the empty gates.
"But love built on honour understands why someone must leave...even when it breaks their heart."
Far ahead, Charles urged his horse into an even faster gallop.
The cold wind lashed against his face.
His thoughts were not on the road.
They were on the mountain.
On Owen.
On Aurora.
On Turner.
And on the terrible possibility...
That by the time he arrived...
He might already be riding toward a farewell instead of a rescue.
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