Chapter 140
Aurora didn't remember leaving the palace.
She didn't remember climbing into the carriage.
She didn't remember the journey to the medical centre.
All she remembered was one sentence.
By the time she reached his room, her heart was pounding so violently she could hardly breathe.
She stood outside the door.
Her trembling hand rested against the wood.
For the first time in many years...
Aurora was afraid.
Not because Turner had awakened.
But because everything had changed.
Slowly...She knocked.
A weak voice answered, "Come in."
Aurora opened the door.
Turner was awake.
The morning sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating his tired face.
He looked thinner,Paler. The scars of the mine were still visible.
Yet the moment their eyes met...
He smiled.
A genuine smile, "So...I survived after all."
Aurora let out a broken laugh.
Then, before she could stop herself, tears spilled down her cheeks.
She crossed the room in hurried steps and carefully wrapped her arms around him.
"I'm sorry...", Her voice trembled, "I'm so... so sorry."
Turner closed his eyes.
Slowly, despite the pain in his body, he lifted one arm and hugged her back.
"I know."
Aurora shook her head desperately.
"No.You don't."
She pulled back just enough to look at him.
"I wasn't here.When you woke up...I should have been here."
Turner smiled gently. "You were exactly where you needed to be."
Aurora lowered her gaze."I wasn't."
Turner reached out and gently wiped away one of her tears.
"You've always tried to carry everyone. Even when it breaks you."
Silence settled between them.
Finally...
Aurora whispered, "I got married."
Turner nodded, "I know."
She looked surprised.
"The nurses have absolutely no respect for patient confidentiality."
Despite everything...
Aurora laughed. "They really don't."
The laughter quickly faded.
"I wanted you to hear it from me."
Turner nodded, "I'm listening."
Aurora took a long, shaky breath.
"I married Lucian."
"I know."
"It wasn't because I forgot you."
Turner's expression softened."I never thought it was."
Aurora looked out the window.
"The Duchy was dying. The mines were closed. The workshops had stopped. We couldn't feed everyone."
She swallowed hard.
"I promised myself......if I was ever given another chance......I'd choose my people first."
She looked back at him.
"My marriage gave the kingdom a way to help. The schools opened in every duchy. The kitchens are feeding families. The workshops are working again. The children..."
A small smile appeared through her tears.
"They're laughing again."
Turner listened quietly. Every word filled him with pride.
"You changed the kingdom."
Aurora shook her head."We changed it."
She looked at him.
"You nearly died saving those miners. You believed in me before I believed in myself. You were always there."
Her voice broke."I don't know if I betrayed you."
Turner was silent.
Then...Very quietly...He asked, "Can I tell you something?"
Aurora nodded.
"When I was trapped beneath that mountain...I thought every day might be my last. I kept thinking about everyone I would never see again..................My Mother. My friends.The people of Emberforge."
He smiled sadly, "And then...I realised......the face I couldn't stop seeing......was yours."
Aurora stopped breathing.
"I realised somewhere along the way......I had fallen in love with you."
Tears rolled freely down Aurora's face.
Turner laughed softly.
"I know. I'm terribly slow. I should've realised much earlier."
Aurora covered her mouth to stop herself from crying aloud.
"I'm sorry."
Turner shook his head.
"No.....Don't apologise."
He looked directly into her eyes.
"If you had chosen me...I would've been the happiest man alive."
Aurora closed her eyes.
"But..."
He looked toward the open window.
"I also know what it means to grow up with nothing...I know what it's like to watch your mother wonder if there'll be enough food tomorrow...I know what hunger feels like."
His voice became steadier.
"You've made sure children won't have to live that life anymore."
He smiled.
"So tell me...How could I ever ask you to choose me......when you've chosen an entire kingdom instead?"
Aurora completely broke.
She knelt beside his bed.
"I never wanted to hurt you."
"I know."
"I wanted everyone to be happy."
"I know."
"I wish..."
She couldn't finish.
Turner gently took her hand.
"You once told me...'Family never leaves each other behind.'"
He smiled.
"You never left me behind. You simply carried more people with you."
Aurora rested her forehead against his hand and cried.
Not quietly. Not elegantly.
She cried for the future they would never have.
For the life that almost existed.
For the friend she had nearly lost.
After a long while...
Turner gently lifted her chin.
"Promise me something."
Aurora nodded.
"Be happy."
Her lips trembled.
"I'll try."
"No."
He smiled warmly.
"You've spent years trying. Now......actually be happy."
She laughed through her tears.
"I'll miss you."
Turner chuckled.
"You'll see me every week."
Aurora blinked.
"What?"
"I'm still Captain but I will become the Royal Guard one day... .I fully intend to annoy Your Majesty and Her Majesty for many years."
Aurora laughed so hard she cried even more.
"Good....I'd miss that."
Outside the room...
Lucian stood motionless.
He hadn't meant to overhear.
But once he heard Aurora crying...
He couldn't bring himself to interrupt.
Every word Turner spoke settled heavily upon his heart.
There was no bitterness.
No jealousy.No anger.Only love.
The kind of love that placed another person's happiness above its own.
Quietly...
Lucian lowered his head.
He whispered to himself,
"I'll spend the rest of my life proving that his sacrifice wasn't in vain."
Inside the room...
Turner gently squeezed Aurora's hand one last time.
"My Queen..."
He smiled.
"Go build the future you dreamed of."
Aurora kissed his forehead.
Then whispered through fresh tears,
"Thank you......for teaching me what true love really looks like."
Neither of them looked back as she walked toward the door.
Because they both knew...
Some goodbyes hurt too much to watch.
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