Chapter 124
It had been several days since the rescue.
The manor was quieter than usual.
Although the sounds of rebuilding echoed throughout Emberforge, an air of exhaustion lingered over everyone.
Aurora had settled into a routine.
Every morning she visited the medical centre.
Every afternoon she buried herself in ledgers.
Every evening she checked on Captain Turner before finally allowing herself a few hours of sleep.
Which, according to Emily...Was still far too little.
Elsewhere...
Katherine Indigo folded another invitation shut before letting out a frustrated sigh.
"I've sent Aurora three invitations this week."
Selene Alexander raised an eyebrow, "And?"
"And she's declined every single one."
Selene rolled her eyes dramatically, "Of course she has."
"She's probably working."
"Exactly" , Selene stood abruptly, "Which is why invitations clearly aren't working."
Katherine looked at her suspiciously, "What are you planning?"
"We're going to kidnap her."
Katherine blinked, "...Excuse me?"
"Temporarily."
"That's still kidnapping."
"Only a little."
Katherine couldn't help laughing, "You are impossible."
"So I've been told."
Less than an hour later...
Their carriage rolled through the gates of Emberforge Manor.
Philip greeted them with his usual dignified smile.
"Lady Katherine. Lady Selene."
"It's lovely to see you both again."
Selene smiled brightly, "Good afternoon, Philip. We're here to rescue Aurora."
Philip didn't even blink, "I assumed as much."
Katherine laughed, "Has she refused everyone again?"
Philip sighed with the patience of a man who had raised Aurora almost as much as her parents had.
"She has declined invitations, forgotten lunch twice, and convinced herself that tea is a perfectly acceptable substitute for dinner."
Selene folded her arms, "See? I told you."
Philip smiled knowingly, "You'll find her in the study."
"Naturally. Where else would she be?"
The study door burst open.
"AURORA AMbrOSE!"
Aurora jumped so violently that the quill slipped from her fingers, sending a large ink blot across the ledger.
She stared at the page.
Then slowly lifted her head.
"My God, Selene!"
She placed a hand dramatically over her heart, "Do you have to shout like that?"
Selene folded her arms, "Well, how else was I supposed to get your attention?"
She looked around the room.
Ledgers.Maps.Reports.More ledgers.
"...Actually, never mind. You probably wouldn't have heard me otherwise."
Aurora looked down guiltily, "...Fair point."
Katherine stepped inside, smiling warmly.
"Good afternoon, Aurora."
Aurora immediately smiled back.
"Katherine, I'm happy to see both of you."
Selene pointed accusingly at her, "Liar."
Aurora blinked, "What?"
"If you were happy to see us, you would have accepted one of our invitations."
Aurora opened her mouth. Nothing came out.
Selene grinned triumphantly, "I win."
Aurora sighed dramatically, "I've been busy."
"You've been hiding."
"I have not."
"You absolutely have."
Aurora looked hopefully toward Philip.
Philip calmly turned around and examined a bookshelf with great interest.
"Philip..."
"I saw nothing, My Lady."
"...Traitor."
"The Duchess pays me."
Aurora groaned, "Everyone betrays me eventually."
Selene walked over and pulled the ledger away from Aurora, "Enough."
Aurora reached for it, "No. I was working."
"Exactly" , Selene tucked the ledger behind her back, "Now you're not."
Aurora narrowed her eyes, "I could simply take it back."
"You could ", Selene smiled sweetly, "But then I'd shout again."
Aurora immediately surrendered, "...You fight dirty."
"I learned from the best."
"Come on," Selene said cheerfully, "We're having tea in the garden."
Aurora hesitated, "I really have a lot to—"
"No" , Selene held up a finger, "That wasn't a request."
Aurora looked toward Katherine, "You aren't helping."
Katherine smiled apologetically, "I've agreed with her."
Aurora gasped, "Both of you?"
"We're worried about you."
The humour faded slightly.
Katherine gently touched Aurora's hand, "When was the last time you rested?"
Aurora looked away, "...Yesterday?"
Selene raised an eyebrow, "For how long?"
Aurora thought carefully, "...I blinked."
Selene stared at her.
Katherine covered her mouth to hide a laugh, "That isn't rest."
"It counts a little."
"It really doesn't."
Aurora sighed dramatically, "You two are beginning to sound like my parents."
Selene smiled proudly, "Excellent. That means we're doing something right."
A few minutes later they were seated beneath one of the large oak trees in the manor gardens.
Fresh tea steamed gently in delicate cups.
For the first time in days...
Aurora wasn't holding a medical report.
Or a ledger.
Or a list of supplies.
She almost didn't know what to do with her hands.
Katherine watched her quietly, "How are you?"
Aurora gave a tired smile, "Tired. Exhausted. Ready to collapse."
She laughed softly, "I suppose that's three answers."
Selene studied her face, "You know..."
Aurora looked up.
"The dark circles under your eyes are becoming rather fashionable."
Aurora deadpanned, "Thank you...I've worked very hard on them."
Katherine laughed.
Selene nodded thoughtfully. "I think another week and you'll frighten small children."
Aurora couldn't help laughing, "For wonderful friends, you're both surprisingly rude."
"We know."
"It's one of our best qualities."
The laughter slowly faded.
Katherine became more serious,"How is Captain Turner?"
Aurora's smile softened, "Better...He has colour in his face again. The fever has gone. But..."
She looked down at her teacup, "He still hasn't woken up."
A heavy silence settled between them.
"We've all been praying for him," Katherine said gently.
Aurora nodded, "I know...And thank you."
Selene reached across the table and squeezed Aurora's hand, "He's stubborn."
Aurora smiled faintly, "Very. He'll wake up. I hope so."
After a few quiet moments, Katherine spoke again.
"We also heard about the duchy's finances."
Aurora sighed, "So the whole kingdom knows now."
"Only because people are worried." Aurora nodded slowly, "We're trying to find a solution. But every answer seems to create another problem."
Selene frowned, "Is it really that bad?"
Aurora looked toward the distant mountains.
"The mines are still closed. The workshops are slowing. We're running out of supplies. And every day costs more money."
Neither Katherine nor Selene knew what to say.
Finally...
Katherine smiled gently, "You've solved impossible problems before."
Aurora gave a small, weary smile, "I hope I can solve this one too."
The three friends sat quietly beneath the oak tree.
For a little while...
There were no ledgers.
No politics.
No rescue efforts.
No impossible decisions.
Just three young women sharing tea.
And for the first time in many days...
Aurora allowed herself to simply be a friend.
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