Austin buttoned his coat with one hand; his injured arm was still stiff. He opened the door before Harrington could knock again.

"What happened?" he asked.

"Captain Rowan has information about the intruder, Your Grace. He is waiting in your study."

Austin nodded and stepped into the corridor.

"’I’m coming with you," Alina said, already walking towards him draping herself with a shawl.

He turned to look at her and nodded without arguing. Then they walked to his study together.

The study door was already open. They entered inside and saw Rowan standing near the maps, looking exhausted. Maren was sitting on the chair, reading a file. And by the window, Dorian lounged in a chair, looking calm and unbothered.

"What are you doing here?" Austin asked the moment they stepped in.

"I heard about the attack," Dorian replied with a smile. "I thought I might be useful."

"This is a security briefing, not a social gathering."

"Security briefing about a castle in which I am staying. If someone is attacking dukes in their own corridors, I’d like to know before my evening walk."

"Austin..." Alina touched his good arm gently.

He looked at her, reading the silent plea to let it go. He sighed and walked to the desk. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"Rowan," Austin said. "Report."

Rowan stepped forward and began his briefing.

"We have recovered the weapon from the scene. It is a common knife with no specific mark. It can be bought from any market stall at Ravenmoor."

"Any information about the attacker?" Austin asked.

Rowan shook his head, disappointed.

"We have no leads about his appearance yet," he replied. "But he knew the castle very well. He knew where to hide, and how to escape.

The attacker might be someone who lived either here or someone given him the information."

"Inside help?" Alina asked.

"Most likely," Rowan replied. "We’ve sealed all the exit from Ravenmoor. We’ll catch him soon."

"The most important question isn’t who attacked the duke but who guided him. The informant is still in the castle," Dorian said tilting his head slightly.

For the first time, Austin agreed with something Dorian had said.

"I agree," Austin said. "Rowan, find them both."

Rowan nodded and walked out of the door. Maren stayed for a moment longer, looking at Austin and Alina.

"Go rest, both of you," she said. "If there’s any further development we’ll inform you."

With that, she left as well with Dorian following her.

Now that the briefing was over and everyone had left, the exhaustion he had been hiding showed on his face clearly.

"You’re in pain," she whispered.

"I can manage."

"That wasn’t my question," she replied as she stepped closer. "Sit down."

"I’ve already had enough. I’m actually tired of sitting and lying."

"Austin...."

The way she said his name finally made him give in. He sat in his chair reluctantly. Then she walked around the desk and crouched beside him, unwrapping his bandage carefully.

"Alina..."

"It’s bleeding again."

"It will stop. Don’t worry."

"Would you have said the same thing if it was my blood?" she asked.

"You’ve become even better at arguments," he laughed.

Alina shrugged and he leaned back, watching her as she wrapped a fresh bandage around his wound carefully. When she finished, she looked up at him.

"You scared me," she admitted.

Austin’s expression softened even more.

"I know."

"When I heard the news..." she swallowed. "I couldn’t think straight."

He smiled sadly and touched her cheek gently.

"Don’t worry," he said. "I promise I’ll keep fighting to come back to you no matter what happens to me."

Tears brimmed in her eyes, unexpectedly. She lowered her gaze and wiped them immediately before they could fall. But Austin noticed anyway.

"You need to rest," she said as she looked up at him again.

"Stay with me then," he replied.

"If I stay, you won’t be able to sleep."

"I don’t particularly care about sleep," he smiled.

"But I do," she smiled back.

"You need rest, Austin," Alina repeated as she stood up.

"And what if I refuse?"

"Then I’ll ask Dorian to physically force you into bed."

Austin looked horrified by the idea. "

"That is even worse than getting attacked."

Alina laughed. Then she leaned down and kissed his cheek softly.

"Let me take you to your room," she said.

"Harrington can help me," he replied. "You need rest as well."

"It’s okay. I can manage."

Austin glared at her.

"Fine."

"Come back soon."

"I will."

Alina walked towards the door, then glanced back one last time. Austin was still watching her from the chair, looking even more exhausted now that she was leaving.

"I’ll be back soon," she repeated and stepped outside.

After leaving the study, she went straight to her new suite, got ready and walked towards the east wing, suddenly realizing that Cecily must be watching from the window and must be restless to know what happened.

She unlocked the door and found Cecily standing near the window, hand pressed on the glass, frozen. She turned instantly at the sound of the door.

"What happened last night?" she asked immediately,

Alina hesitated and even thought of lying to her but then shook her head.

"Austin got hurt," she replied. "Someone slashed his arm. He fought the attacker off, but the man escaped."

Color drained from Cecily’s face.

"How is he?" Cecily asked, gripping her shoulders tightly.

"Fortunately, the cut wasn’t deep," Alina assured her. "He is better. He even attended a security briefing just now."

"I want to see him," she said, tears slipping from her eyes.

"Cecily..."

"I want to see him right now."

Alina immediately pulled her into a hug, caressing her back gently as she broke down on her chest.

"He is safe, Cecily," Alina murmured.

"You don’t understand Alina," she was wailing now. "He is all I have. If something happens to him..." she couldn’t finish.

"You have me," Alina replied. "We were friends long before when I knew your name, remember?"

Cecily nodded, her face still buried in her chest.

"And Austin is stubborn enough to survive almost anything," Alina added, trying to make her smile.

Cecily laughed. After a few more minutes, she finally pulled away and wiped her face.

"Tell him to visit me as soon as possible," Cecily murmured.

"I will."

After comforting Cecily, Alina left the east wing and returned quietly to Austin’s room. He was asleep on his back, his bandaged arm propped carefully on a pillow. He was finally looking relaxed.

She sat beside him for a long time, brushing a few strands of hair away from his forehead. The fear still hadn’t completely left her, but right now just watching him sleep peacefully, made her heart full.