Chapter 128
The clash of steel echoed across the palace training grounds.
Lucian parried Brian's sword before stepping back.
"Again," Brian called.
Lucian barely had time to recover before Anton lunged toward him.
"You call that footwork?" Anton laughed, "It looked more like you tripped."
"I didn't trip," Lucian muttered.
"You almost did," Isaac grinned from the sidelines.
Charles folded his arms, "I've seen old grandmothers move faster."
Lucian sighed, "I invited all of you here for training."
Brian lowered his sword with a smirk, "And we're training...Mostly your patience."
Theo, standing nearby with his arms folded, failed to hide his smile.
Several knights quietly chuckled.
Lucian rubbed his forehead, "I regret inviting all of you."
"You say that every time," Anton replied, "And yet you keep inviting us."
"Because apparently I enjoy suffering."
That earned a round of laughter.
After another hour of training, everyone finally settled beneath the shade of a large oak tree while servants brought cold water and fresh towels.
Isaac collapsed onto the grass dramatically, "I've decided."
Brian looked over, "What now?"
"I'm retiring."
"From what?"
"Exercise."
Anton snorted, "You exercise twice a month."
"Exactly."
"I'm exhausted."
Charles shook his head, "Bianca is going to kill you."
Isaac smiled dreamily, "Probably...But she'll look beautiful while doing it."
Everyone laughed.
Brian looked toward Charles, "Speaking of weddings..."
Charles smiled, "Father finally approved the date."
Anton grinned, "So it's official?"
Charles nodded proudly, "Bella and I will be married in the spring."
Isaac immediately reached over and shook his hand, "Congratulations."
Brian smiled warmly, "I'm happy for both of you."
Theo nodded, "You deserve some happiness after everything that's happened."
Charles smiled, "Thank you."
For a moment, the group simply enjoyed the peaceful silence.
Then Brian looked toward Lucian, "Any progress with Emberforge?"
The atmosphere changed immediately.
Lucian's smile faded.
He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees, "I may have found a solution."
Five pairs of eyes turned toward him.
Lucian took a slow breath, "Theo discovered an old royal charter."
Theo nodded.
"It allows the Royal Family to invest personal wealth into a Grand Duchy under very specific circumstances."
Anton frowned, "What circumstances?"
Lucian hesitated, "If the Grand Duchy becomes directly tied to the Royal Family."
Silence.
Brian was the first to understand, "You mean..."
Lucian nodded, "If Aurora became Crown Princess......Mother and Father's personal estates could legally rebuild Emberforge."
Isaac slowly whistled, "That would solve almost everything."
"It would," Lucian admitted quietly, "But..."
Charles raised an eyebrow, "But?"
Lucian looked away, "It feels wrong."
The others exchanged glances.
"What feels wrong?" Brian asked.
Lucian sighed, "I don't want Aurora believing I'm asking her to marry me because her duchy needs saving."
His voice was unusually quiet, "I don't want it to feel like a trap. I don't want it to become another political arrangement...I..."
He paused, "I want her to know I'd still choose her even if Emberforge were the poorest duchy in the kingdom."
Silence settled over the group.
Isaac smiled softly, "You really do love her."
Lucian laughed bitterly, "I suppose I always did. I was simply too blind to realise it."
Isaac leaned back against the tree, "If I weren't already hopelessly in love with Bianca......I'd probably be jealous."
Anton laughed, "Now that's the Isaac we know."
Isaac shrugged shamelessly, "What?.My fiancée is perfect."
Charles groaned, "He's starting again."
Brian smiled before turning back toward Lucian, "Then don't make it about politics."
Lucian looked at him.
Brian continued calmly, "Tell Aurora exactly what you just told us."
Lucian frowned, "What?"
"Tell her you love her. Tell her you want to help carry her burdens. Tell her you know she may never love you again......but you'd still spend the rest of your life trying to earn that chance."
The words lingered in the air.
Theo smiled faintly, "That's probably the first romantic thing I've ever heard come out of your mouth."
Brian rolled his eyes, "I have my moments."
Charles nodded thoughtfully, "But before you speak to Aurora......you need to speak to Duke Owen."
Lucian looked surprised.
Charles continued, "He isn't just the Duke. He's her father. He nearly lost her. He watched her bleed. If you're serious......go to him first."
Lucian remained silent.
Charles smiled, "Tell him the truth. Tell him that yes, this marriage could save Emberforge......but that isn't why you're asking. Tell him you love Aurora. Tell him you'll protect her. "Tell him you'll let her remain exactly who she is. A ruler. A healer...A woman with dreams bigger than herself."
He chuckled, "And promise never to stop her from reorganising the kingdom."
Anton laughed, "You'd better promise that...Otherwise she'll reorganise you."
Everyone burst into laughter.
Even Lucian couldn't help smiling.
Isaac leaned forward, "You know..."
Lucian looked at him, "For years we watched Aurora chasing after you. We all thought she'd never stop."
He smiled gently, "Now...You're the one chasing her."
Lucian nodded quietly, "I know. And I'd chase her for the rest of my life......if that's what it takes."
No one laughed this time.
Brian stood and rested a hand on Lucian's shoulder, "Then stop thinking like a king."
He smiled, "And start speaking like a man."
For the first time in many days...
Lucian felt something he hadn't allowed himself to feel.
Hope.
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