The Duke's Bed Warmer

Chapter 103: Wearing The Armour

The mood of the party slowly began to change. The women drank, ate, and laughed together.

"To the East Garden Workshop!" Marguirete raised her glass.

"To the workshop!" The rest of them echoed.

"To Alina!"

Alina lifted her glass and drank. She was overwhelmed, tears brimming in her eyes. She had never expected that there would come a time when a group of women will be cheering for her. She had never expected that she would change the lives of so many women including her own, after being sold like an item.

She looked around and her eyes stopped on Austin who was laughing with Lord Whitmore.

This wouldn’t have been possible without you. It’s you who gave me wings to fly.

She raised her glass slightly towards him, a silent toast.

Suddenly, Marguerite grabbed Evelyn’s hand and pulled her onto the grass.

"Come on!"

Alina laughed and joined them. Soon, all of them were dancing freely, without any rehearsed steps or rules. The garden was filled with the sound of music, laughter, and joy.

Nearby, Audrey walked up to Austin and lightly touched his arm.

"Dance with me," she said softly. "The musicians are playing the Astorian waltz. It would look proper."

"I have something to discuss with..."

Audrey looked genuinely hurt. He had refused dance with her for the second time now.

"One dance only," she insisted. "It would look..."

"Not tonight."

She endured the rejection with a smile. But when she saw Austin looking at Alina, who was spinning under Marguerite’s arm and laughing, something inside her broke.

And in that moment, she understood that she would never be able to take Alina’s place in his heart. Even now, when things were not perfect between them...he still looked at Alina like that.

A tear fell down on her cheek. She glanced at Austin who was still looking at Alina, not even noticing his childhood friend and fiancé’ standing beside him with tears in her eyes.

She quickly wiped her tear, fixed her smile, and and walked back to her guests like nothing had happened.

After dancing for nearly an hour, Alina stepped aside to catch a breath. She walked towards the fountain, where there were less people.

"Miss Ashworth."

Dorian appeared beside her, holding a glass.

"Congratulations on your achievement."

"Thank you," Alina replied.

His eyes then moved to her dress.

"This dress is very beautiful," he said. "It was completely torn, and still you managed to make it even more beautiful than the original."

Alina looked at him, surprised.

"How do you know it was torn?"

Dorian gave her a small, awkward smile.

"Well...I tried to stop her but she is Audrey. No one can stop her."

Alina laughed at the absurdity.

"See...this is what I want to make you understand," Dorian continued. "This castle is becoming increasingly hostile towards you. First the chair at lunch and now the dress."

"I know," Alina replied. "Every day, there is something new."

"That’s why you should come to Astoria," Dorian said. "In Astoria, you wouldn’t need gold thread because no one would cut the dress in the first place."

He gave his offer again. Alina neither accepted nor refused.

"I’m thinking about it," she said. "But I haven’t decided yet."

"Take your time," he said, bowing slightly. "Enjoy your evening."

Then he walked away.

"I need a break," Alina muttered to herself.

She walked to a quiet corner of the garden which was completely empty. She leaned against the wall, exhausted both mentally and physically.

A moment later, Austin came and stood beside her. He leaned against the wall too, close enough that their shoulders almost touched.

They stood in silence for a while, looking out at the garden.

"I chose the red color for the dress because..." he paused. "Because the first time you wore red, the whole room went quiet. I wanted to hear that silence again."

Alina kept her eyes on the garden. She didn’t have the courage to look at him after she had spent the whole evening holding herself together.

"But Audrey tried to take that from you," he added.

"I didn’t let her," she finally spoke.

He smiled.

"You took it back and made it even better," he turned and looked at her. "You turned the ruined dress into the most beautiful thing in the garden tonight."

"I told you, didn’t I?"

They didn’t speak for the next few minutes. Then, slowly, his hand moved towards her face. His fingers touched her cheek while his thumb rested gently on her cheekbone.

She went still. Then...slowly, she leaned into his hand. She pressed her cheek against his palm, like she had been waiting for that warmth.

They stayed like that for a long time. The lanterns were dying in front of them. They couldn’t hear the party noise anymore. The almost-kiss from the library was still hovering between them like a promise waiting for its time.

"Austin."

"Hmm?."

"Thank you... for the dress."

"It was supposed to be a gift. But it somehow turned into a battleground," he laughed.

Alina laughed as well.

"Everything you give me becomes a battleground. But it also becomes more mine because of it."

His thumb moved gently on her cheek, learning the shape of her face.

"I should go," she whispered.

"You should."

"The party is ending."

"It ended half an hour ago."

"Then we’re standing here for no reason?"

"We’re standing here because I wanted to be where you are."

She smiled and pulled back slowly. The warmth of his hand left her face, and the absence felt immediate.

They walked back to the castle side by side. Their shoulders occasionally brushed during the walk. Then, suddenly, she turned to him with a flicker of amusement in her eyes.

"Did you go to the tailor yourself?"

"Yes," he replied.

"And you were the one who gave him the instructions?"

"He asked too many questions."

She laughed softly.

"I wish I had seen that."

He smiled in response.

"Next time... choose another color too."

"Next time, I won’t let anyone ruin it."

She shook her head.

"You can’t control everything."

"I know" he admitted. "But I can at least try."

She looked at him for a second, then ahead again.

"Also...thank you...for letting me fight my own battles," she said.

"It’s not easy. I want to step in everytime," he admitted.

"I know that," she replied. "But you’re getting better in handling your emotions."

He sighed.

"I’m not sure if I like it."

"I like it."

He turned and looked at her but she was looking ahead.

"Keep your eyes ahead or else you’ll trip."