Chapter 139
Several days had passed since the royal wedding.
For the first time in months...
The Kingdom of Sylvaris felt peaceful.
The mountain remained closed while engineers worked tirelessly to reinforce the damaged tunnels. According to their latest estimates, it would still take several months before mining could safely resume.
The loss of the mines continued to weigh heavily upon Emberforge.
Yet instead of waiting for disaster...
Aurora had refused to stand still.
The once-quiet workshops of Emberforge had come alive again.
The sound of hammers striking wood echoed throughout the estate.
Carpenters worked from sunrise until sunset.
Tables.
Beds.
Bookshelves.
Dining sets.
Kitchen cupboards.
Simple furniture for ordinary families.
Elegant furniture for noble estates.
Nothing was wasted.
Aurora walked slowly through one of the workshops with Owen and Lucian beside her.
She smiled as one carpenter proudly held up a newly finished dining table.
"My Lady, what do you think?"
Aurora ran her fingers across the polished wood.
"The craftsmanship is beautiful."
The older carpenter scratched the back of his neck.
"I've never made furniture before."
"You've built homes for years," Aurora replied warmly.
"Furniture is simply another way of building them."
The man laughed.
"I never thought of it that way."
Owen folded his arms proudly.
"The orders have already exceeded our expectations."
Lucian nodded.
"People from three duchies have already begun placing orders."
Aurora smiled.
"We'll keep the prices affordable."
One merchant looked surprised.
"But, Your Majesty, the nobles will gladly pay more."
Aurora shook her head.
"Not everyone buying furniture is a noble."
She looked toward a young couple examining a small wooden crib.
"Commoners deserve beautiful homes too."
The young mother immediately burst into tears.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Aurora smiled gently.
"Raise your child well."
"That's all I ask."
Meanwhile...
Across the kingdom...
School bells rang.
Children hurried into classrooms carrying slates beneath their arms.
The school Aurora had built in Emberforge had become the model for the rest of the kingdom.
Now...
Every duchy had opened its own school.
Lucian had personally approved the royal decree.
Brian had supervised construction in the Vale.
Anton organized supplies through Riverwatch's ports.
Isaac arranged farmland donations to feed the children.
Charles funded books and writing materials from Barrett merchants.
Katherine and Selene had personally visited each school before opening day.
Together...
They had accomplished what many believed impossible.
For the first time in Sylvaris' history...
Education belonged to everyone.
Not only the wealthy.
Inside one classroom, a little girl proudly held up her slate.
"Look!"
"I wrote my name!"
Her father, a former miner, wiped away his tears.
"I never learned to write."
He smiled proudly.
"But my daughter will."
Outside, Lucian watched quietly.
Aurora joined him.
"I think this is my favourite sound."
Lucian smiled.
"What?"
"Children laughing."
He looked toward the schoolyard.
"I think.....it's becoming mine too."
Aurora smiled.
Without realizing it...
The kingdom had already begun changing.
Later that afternoon...
Aurora returned to the manor.
Emily entered the drawing room.
"My Lady, Lady Katherine and Lady Selene have arrived."
Aurora laughed.
"They certainly know how to appear uninvited."
"They said if they sent an invitation, you'd refuse."
Aurora sighed dramatically.
"They know me too well."
A few moments later...
Selene burst into the room.
"Aurora!"
Aurora nearly spilled her tea.
"My goodness!"
"Must you announce yourself to the entire kingdom?"
Selene grinned.
"If I don't shout, you hide behind paperwork."
Katherine smiled apologetically.
"We missed you."
Aurora embraced both of them warmly.
"I missed you too."
The three settled into the garden beneath a large oak tree.
Tea was served.
Fresh pastries disappeared almost immediately.
Selene happily reached for a third scone.
Aurora raised an eyebrow.
"That's your third."
Selene looked offended.
"I've only had two."
Katherine pointed at the empty plate.
"The evidence disagrees."
Selene gasped dramatically.
"I've been framed."
Aurora laughed.
"You'd make a terrible criminal."
"I know."
"I'd probably confess immediately."
The three burst into laughter.
For a while...
They simply enjoyed being together.
No politics.
No assassins.
No disasters.
Just friendship.
Eventually Katherine became thoughtful.
"Aurora..."
"We've been thinking."
Aurora looked up.
"Oh?"
"The schools provide meals."
"They do."
"But there are still families who struggle to eat."
Aurora nodded quietly.
Selene leaned forward excitedly.
"So..."
"We want to help."
Aurora smiled.
"How?"
"We'd like to start community kitchens."
Katherine continued.
"Warm meals."
"For widows."
"For orphans."
"For anyone struggling until they can get back on their feet."
Aurora's eyes slowly filled with emotion.
"You really want to do this?"
Both young women nodded.
"We're fortunate."
Katherine smiled gently.
"We should use that fortune to help others."
Aurora reached across the table and squeezed both their hands.
"I'd be honoured to help."
Selene grinned.
"Excellent."
"Now you can't escape us."
Aurora laughed.
"I was never escaping."
For the first time...
She realized she was no longer carrying the kingdom alone.
She had friends.
True friends.
People who wanted to build a better future beside her.
Just then...
Rapid footsteps echoed across the garden.
Alistair hurried toward them.
His usually calm expression had completely disappeared.
"My Lady!"
Aurora stood immediately.
"What is it?"
Alistair smiled.
A genuine smile.
One filled with relief.
"Captain Turner..."
Aurora's heart stopped.
"...has awakened."
For one long moment...
She simply stared at him.
Unable to breathe.
Unable to speak.
Then...
Without another word...
Aurora ran.
The teacup slipped from her hand and shattered upon the stone path.
Neither she nor anyone else looked back.
Only one thought echoed through her mind.
Turner is awake.