Chapter 116
The medical centre was finally beginning to settle.
The frantic rush of stretchers and shouted orders had slowed to a steady rhythm of nurses changing bandages and doctors checking wounds. Outside, families waited beside lanterns and small fires, praying for good news.
Inside, Aurora moved from bed to bed, exhaustion visible in every step.
She adjusted a miner's bandage, checked another patient's breathing, and quietly reassured a frightened wife that her husband would recover.
Only when the last patient in the ward had fallen asleep did she allow herself to pause.
A shadow fell across the doorway.
Lucian stood there, dust still clinging to his boots.
He had spent the morning speaking with miners, their families, the nurses, the doctors, and every soldier helping at the medical centre.
"Aurora," he said softly.
She looked up in surprise, "Lucian... you came again."
He stepped inside, "I wanted to check on the people. On the medical centre..."
His voice lowered, "...and on you."
Aurora managed a faint smile, "Thank you."
Lucian studied her carefully, "Have you eaten?"
"Not yet. I will soon."
He raised an eyebrow, "That sounds suspiciously like 'no.'"
Despite everything, a small laugh escaped her, "I've been busy."
"Are you finished checking on the patients?"
"For now." She rubbed her tired eyes. "I still need to inspect the supplies."
"The supplies can wait ten minutes."
"Lucian—"
"You won't help anyone if you collapse from exhaustion." His tone wasn't commanding.It was worried.
Aurora hesitated before finally nodding, "Ten minutes."
Outside, Theo had already prepared a small table with tea.
Neither of them spoke much at first.
The silence wasn't uncomfortable.
It was simply tired.
After a moment, Lucian poured tea into her cup, "You've done enough for one day."
Aurora stared into the steaming liquid, "There are still people trapped."
"And there are people alive because of you."
She looked away, "That doesn't make the waiting easier."
Lucian understood exactly what she meant.
Neither of them said Turner's name. They didn't need to.
Then the sound of galloping hooves shattered the quiet.
Both of them looked up.
A rider raced through the gates, his horse lathered with sweat.
Aurora was already on her feet.
"More survivors," she said, hurrying toward the entrance.
Lucian followed.
Several wagons rolled into the courtyard behind the rider.
Soldiers jumped down and began unloading injured miners.
Aurora immediately took charge.
"Ward Three for the head injuries."
"The fever cases to the eastern wing."
"Careful with that stretcher—his ribs are broken."
Lucian watched her move through the chaos with practiced confidence.
For a moment, he forgot she was only eighteen.
She looked like someone who had been carrying lives in her hands for years.
When the immediate rush had passed, Isaac finally dismounted from one of the wagons.
Lucian walked toward him, "Report."
Isaac removed his gloves slowly.
The expression on his face made Lucian's stomach tighten.
"This was the last group from the forgotten shaft," Isaac said quietly.
Relief flickered through Lucian.
Then Isaac added, "Everyone has been accounted for..."
He hesitated, "...except Captain Turner."
Lucian's jaw tightened, "Is Brian searching for him?"
"Already."
"Charles went with him. They took rescuers, a doctor, and a nurse."
Lucian looked across the courtyard.
Aurora was still speaking with a physician, completely unaware.
He closed his eyes briefly, "She needs to know."
Hours later, after the final patient had been settled, Lucian found Aurora organizing medical records.
"Aurora."
She looked up immediately. Something in his expression made her go still.
Isaac stepped into the room behind him.
Aurora's heart began pounding, "What happened?"
Lucian closed the door quietly, "We have an update from the mountain."
Her fingers tightened around the ledger.
Turner.
The name screamed through her mind.
Lucian took a slow breath, "The miners from the forgotten shaft have been rescued."
Relief flooded her chest so suddenly she almost swayed.
Then she saw the look on Isaac's face.
And the relief vanished.
"But?" she whispered.
Lucian's voice was gentle, "Captain Turner is still inside the mountain."
The room seemed to tilt.
Aurora stared at him, unable to process the words.
Isaac stepped forward quickly, "Brian has already gone after him. Charles is with him.They have rescuers and medical support. They're searching the forgotten shaft now."
Aurora lowered herself into the nearest chair before her knees gave out.
For several seconds, she couldn't breathe.
Lucian knelt beside her, "Aurora."
She shook her head, "He went back..."Her voice trembled.
"He thought there were still miners trapped." Isaac nodded sadly, "He didn't know the others had already been rescued."
Aurora covered her mouth with trembling fingers.
Images flashed through her mind.
Turner smiling beneath the tree.
Turner giving her his cloak.
Turner carrying her after the attack.
Turner promising he would always be there.
Tears filled her eyes.
"He went back alone..."
Lucian's chest ached at the sound of her voice.
He wanted to promise Turner would be found.
He wanted to promise everything would be alright.
But he was a king, and kings learned that some promises could become lies.
So instead, he said the only honest thing he could.
"Brian is one of the best rescue commanders in the kingdom."
Isaac nodded firmly, "If anyone can bring him back, it's Brian."
Aurora looked down at her hands.
For the first time in days, she felt truly helpless.
Not as a healer.
Not as a duchess.
Just as someone waiting for a person she cared about to come home.
And all she could do was pray that Turner was still alive when Brian reached him.
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