Chapter 133
The study had never felt so peaceful.
Owen stood beside the window, watching the evening sun disappear beyond the mountains.
Behind him, Eleanor smiled as she folded Aurora's letter once more.
"I've read it three times already," she admitted.
Owen chuckled.
"I noticed."
She walked over and slipped her hand into his.
"Our little girl..."
Owen smiled softly.
"She's getting married."
Eleanor laughed through tears.
"Do you remember when she insisted she would never marry?"
Owen nodded.
"She also insisted she'd become a knight."
"And a doctor."
"And a blacksmith."
"And a dressmaker."
"And a teacher."
They both laughed.
Then the laughter faded.
Owen looked toward Aurora's school through the study window.
"I'm proud of her."
"So am I," Eleanor whispered.
"Do you think she'll be happy?"
Owen smiled., "I think......for the first time......she chose her own future."
Eleanor leaned her head against his shoulder.
"That's all I ever wanted."
Amelia burst into Edwards without knocking.
Edward looked up from his book.
"Judging by that smile......someone either declared war......or Lucian finally found his courage."
Amelia laughed, "Our son is getting married."
Edward immediately stood, "She said yes?"
Amelia nodded excitedly, "She said yes."
Edward let out a long sigh of relief.
"I was beginning to think he'd die of overthinking."
Amelia laughed harder.
"So was I."
Edward smiled warmly.
"Aurora will make a wonderful queen."
Amelia nodded.
"And Lucian will become a better king because of her."
Edward slipped an arm around his wife.
"I think the kingdom just became much brighter."
Isaac pointed dramatically, "Look at him."
Charles blinked, "Why is he smiling like that?"
Brian looked between them.
Then his eyes widened, "No..."
Lucian nodded once, "She accepted."
Silence.
Then—
Isaac shouted loud enough to scare half the birds out of the nearby trees.
"I KNEW IT!"
Charles immediately laughed.
"About time!"
Anton walked over and embraced Lucian.
"I'm genuinely happy for you."
Brian smiled, "You earned this."
Isaac folded his arms proudly, "So...When's the wedding?"
Lucian smiled, "Soon."
Charles grinned, "I suppose I'd better prepare my speech."
Isaac groaned, "Please don't."
"I'm going to."
Anton sighed dramatically.
"This wedding may not survive Charles."
The group burst into laughter.
For the first time in weeks...
Every one of them smiled without worry.
The moment Aurora's letter arrived, Selene ripped it open before Katherine could stop her.
"Selene!"
"What?"
"You can't just—"
Selene gasped, "KATHERINE!"
"What?"
"Read it!"
Katherine quickly took the letter.
Her eyes widened, "Oh..."
"My..."
"She's getting married!"
Selene practically bounced around the room, "I told you!"
Katherine laughed, "You tell everyone they're getting married."
"Not everyone."
"Most people."
The girls laughed.
Then Katherine smiled softly, "I'm happy."
"So am I."
Selene folded the letter carefully.
"I think......Lady Aurora deserves to be loved."
Katherine nodded.
"More than anyone."
The room was silent.
Bella stared at the invitation resting on the table.
Her fingers trembled.
"No..."
She whispered, "No..."
The engagement.
Official.
Approved.
Announced.
Aurora Ambrose.
Future Queen.
Bella slowly sank into the chair.
Years.
She had spent years believing Aurora would always remain beneath her.
The desperate girl chasing Lucian.
The embarrassing rival.
Now...
Aurora had become everything Bella had wanted.
And she had done it by walking away.
A bitter laugh escaped Bella's lips.
"I lost."
For the first time...She allowed herself to admit it.
Not because Aurora had defeated her.
Because Lucian had finally seen what had always been standing in front of him.
Bella closed her eyes.
A single tear rolled silently down her cheek.
Outside...
The kingdom celebrated.
Inside...
One dream quietly came to an end.