The Duke's Bed Warmer

Chapter 88: Truth And Him

Alina woke the next morning exhausted. She lay in bed for a long time, thinking about Cecily. She wanted to help her desperately but she couldn’t do that without Austin.

Cecily was the person he had been protecting alone for five years. Even if Cecily herself wanted to step out into the world again, it would never be possible without Austin’s decision.

And Alina knew for sure, that when he’ll find out she knew about Cecily, he would explode. She buried her face into the pillow, frustrated.

I can’t approach him directly. I need a plan.

When she entered the great hall for breakfast later, she noticed the empty chair of Austin at the table. He was in some meeting. She sat down, her eyes slowly drifting towards Audrey. She was glowing.

For the past few days, Audrey had not her been her usual self. She looked restless and anxious. But today she looked relaxed, happy, and relieved.

Has the king written back to her? Has he given her permission to do whatever she wanted?

Alina’s appetite disappeared.

I need to talk to Maren later today.

After breakfast, she went to the sewing circle. She hadn’t been there for the last two days and had a lot of pending work.

The circle was buzzing with excitement. The first shipment of uniforms was scheduled for delivery in three days.

Alina sat at her usual spot, picked up a piece of fabric and tried to stitch, but couldn’t focus. Her mind was split between Cecily’s trauma, Audrey’s happiness, and Austin’s reaction if she told him the truth.

"What’s wrong?" Marguerite asked as she sat beside Alina. "You look distracted."

"I... miss Elspeth," she replied.

It wasn’t entirely a lie but not the truth either. Marguerite nodded in understanding.

"I’m sure she’ll visit again soon," Marguerite said. "And until then...you have us."

"I know," Alina smiled.

During the tea break, Evelyn came and sat beside Alina.

"I want to tell you something," she whispered.

"What?"

"I saw Prince Dorian and Princess Audrey walking together at the main garden yesterday at night alone with no attendants," Evelyn said. "They looked like they were discussing something serious."

"Serious?"

"Yes," she replied. "And when they reached the exit gate, they shook hands as if they had come to an agreement.

Alina put down her tea.

Are Dorian and Audrey planning something together?

"I need to check something," Alina stood up and left.

She went straight to Maren’s office. Maren was at her desk when Alina entered.

"Evelyn saw Dorian and Audrey walking together yesterday. It looked like they were planning something," Alina informed her.

"I suspected that much," Maren replied. "Their target is the same: you. They both want to separate you from Austin. Though their reasons might be different, but their goal align."

"What’s your plan?" Alina asked.

"I’m trying to decode Dorian’s letters he had been writing back to his kingdom. The cipher is very hard. It will take some time. But once I crack it, we’ll have a clearer picture. Till then be careful."

"Have you told Austin about this?"

"Not yet," she said. "Austin will react loudly. Give me time. Then we’ll brief Austin together with evidence and a plan."

"Alright."

After her meeting with Maren, her head was spinning. She needed a break. There was so much going on, and she couldn’t think straight.

So she went to the only place where she felt at peace: the library.

She sat at her usual table by the window and picked up a random history book. But instead of reading, she kept thinking about Cecily and Austin.

Then, out of nowhere, Austin entered the library and sat opposite her.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, confusion written all over her face.

"Reading."

"But you read in your study."

"Yes," he opened his book. "But I saw you and decided to read with you."

Alina stared at him, dumbfounded. Austin never spoke like that. Today, he had said it outright, without any embellishment, it was something normal they did occasionally. Not knowing how to answer, she lowered her gaze to her book.

"Can I ask you something?" Alina said, tired of pretending to read.

"Sure."

"Lord Ashby once mentioned your sister. He said she died in a fire."

Austin’s hand froze on the page.

"What did he say?"

"That she died in the fire and you were also burned while trying to save her. I didn’t ask more because it wasn’t my place...But I’ve been wondering...what exactly happened to her?"

She wasn’t sure if he would answer. Austin had never shared anything personal with her before. She could see him thinking whether to talk about Cecily with her or not.

"She was reading in her room," he said. "The east wing caught fire suddenly. I got to the door but it was...closed. By the time I reached her, the fire had already burned her. She couldn’t survive."

Aa expected...he isn’t comfortable sharing the truth.

"I’m sorry."

"Don’t be. It was a long time ago."

"Was she like you?"

He finally looked up.

"No," he replied. "She was better than me."

Alina’s heart ached. They both knew the truth, yet they couldn’t talk about it openly. It irritated and frustrated her.

"Thank you for telling me."

He shrugged and returned to his book. She watched him for a moment before turning back to her own book.

Alina could no longer pretend to read. She knew Austin would catch her in seconds, so she forced herself to actually read now. Time passed without them realizing.

Then, suddenly, Austin reached across the table, brushed a loose strand of hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear, his fingers slowly grazing her jaw.

She froze.

"What are you doing?" she murmured.

"You had hair in your face."

"So what?" she muttered under her breath, too quietly for him to hear.

"What?"

"Nothing," she said. "Thank you."

He nodded and resumed his reading. She stared at him in disbelief. He was reading as if nothing had happened.

Since when did he become this bold?