Chapter 112
The palace was quiet.
Far quieter than it had been in days.
Lucian sat alone in his study, another rescue report spread open across his desk.
He had read the same page three times.
Not because he hadn't understood it...
Because he was searching for a name that wasn't there.
Nothing.
He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his tired eyes.
"They broke through the eastern section..." He murmured softly.
His finger slowly traced the final line.
Captain Turner remains unaccounted for.
Silence filled the room.
He set the report aside and stared out the window.
His thoughts weren't on the mines.
They weren't even on the kingdom.
They were on a young woman sitting hundreds of miles away.
Aurora.
He wondered if she had slept.
If she had eaten.
If she was still blaming herself.
He remembered the way she had looked on the mountain.
Covered in blood that wasn't her own.
Hands shaking.
Eyes filled with tears she refused to shed until she thought no one was looking.
His chest tightened.
"I should have stayed."
A knock interrupted his thoughts.
"Enter."
Theo stepped inside carrying another stack of reports.
"They're from Emberforge, Your Majesty."
Lucian accepted them.
Another rescue report.
Another supply report.
Another list of injuries.
He sighed.
"The duchy is holding together."
Theo nodded.
"Barely."
Lucian looked over the pages.
"The medical centre is treating more than two hundred patients."
"The palace physicians are working around the clock."
"The food supplies are running low again."
Theo folded his arms.
"They're surviving......but only just."
Lucian looked toward the window once more.
"I can't stop thinking about her."
Theo smiled faintly, "I suspected as much."
Lucian gave a tired laugh.
"I keep wondering...Has she eaten today? Has anyone made her rest?"
Theo raised an eyebrow, "You could simply send another report requesting an update."
Lucian slowly shook his head, "No."
He stood, "I don't want another report. I want to see her."
Theo studied him for a moment, "This is about more than the rescue."
Lucian didn't deny it.
He walked toward the map of the kingdom hanging on the wall.
His gaze rested on Emberforge.
"So much has happened. I don't even know where we stand anymore."
Theo remained quiet.
Lucian continued softly, "She smiles at me now. She speaks to me. But..."
He hesitated, "I don't know if she's simply being polite. Or if..."
His voice trailed away.
Theo finished the sentence for him, "...or if there's room in her heart for someone else."
Lucian nodded.
His thoughts drifted to Turner.
The knight who had willingly walked into a collapsing mine.
The knight Aurora had begged not to go.
He closed his eyes, "I don't know what he means to her. And I don't know..."
He looked down at his hands, "...whether I even want to know."
Theo walked closer, "Your Majesty...If Captain Turner survives......nothing changes."
Lucian frowned, "What do you mean?"
"You still have to earn Lady Aurora's trust."
Theo smiled gently.
"Whether Turner lives or not......whether she loves him or not you cannot force her heart."
Lucian nodded slowly, "I know."
"And if she chooses someone else?" , Theo asked quietly.
Lucian remained silent for several moments.
When he finally answered...
His voice carried both sadness and acceptance, "Then.....I'll spend the rest of my life respecting her choice."
Theo smiled proudly, "Now you truly sound like the king your father hoped you would become."
Lucian let out a slow breath, "Theo."
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Have my horse prepared."
Theo blinked, "We're returning to Emberforge?"
Lucian nodded, "I'll review the medical centre. I'll inspect the supply situation."
He smiled faintly, "And..."
Theo chuckled, "...you'll make sure Lady Aurora has actually eaten."
Lucian couldn't help smiling, "Something tells me......she'll need reminding."
As Theo left to prepare the horses, Lucian looked once more toward the west.
Toward the mountains.
Toward Emberforge.
Toward the woman who had quietly become the first person he thought about every morning...
...and the last person he worried about every night.
He only hoped...
He wasn't already too late.
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