The castle had settled into a tense rhythm over the past three days. Austin’s arm was healing, and he had stopped wearing the bandage. But still, Alina often caught him wincing whenever he absentmindedly reached for something with his injured hand.

Rowan’s investigation was still ongoing. The intruder had not been caught but Rowan was sure they were close. The unidentified informant was still inside the castle, making everyone in the castle anxious and restless.

A plain carriage arrived at the castle gates in the afternoon. Alina and Austin stood in the courtyard, waiting anxiously. Dorian had informed them that Laura would arrive by afternoon, and they had been waiting ever since.

The carriage stopped, and a woman appearing to be in her sixties stepped out. She looked around until her eyes landed on Alina.

Without saying anything, she walked towards her with steady steps. It looked as if she had been waiting for this moment for years. She stopped in front of Alina and studied her carefully, searching for something familiar.

"You look so much like her," Laura said, touching Alina’s face gently. "Especially your eyes. They look at people the same way she did—unapologetically."

Alina’s throat tightened.

"I was her lady-in-waiting for twelve years," Laura continued. "I helped her pack when she ran away. I held her hand while she cried before she left, and I was the last person from the palace who saw her face."

Her voice broke.

"I have been waiting for more than two decades to meet you."

Alina didn’t realize she was crying until Laura gently wiped a tear from her cheek with trembling fingers.

"We should go inside," Austin said hesitantly, breaking the moment.

He didn’t want to disrupt the scene but he had to be cautious.

"Someone might overhear us."

Laura turned to him. Her sharp eyes assessed him carefully, deciding whether he was worthy of the woman she considered hers to protect.

"You’re the duke?" Laura asked.

"Yes," Austin replied, offering a small bow.

She nodded in acknowledgment, and they walked inside the castle.

"Your room has been prepared," Austin said as they walked through the corridors. "You can rest if you..."

"I’m not here to rest," Laura cut him off firmly. "I have rested for more than twenty years. It’s time to work now."

Alina and Austin glanced at each other in surprise.

They walked towards the study, where Maren and Dorian were already waiting.

"Have a seat," Maren said, pulling out a chair for Laura and handing her a cup of tea.

Laura accepted the tea and sat down. Her gaze swept across the room and stopped on Dorian. She recognized him immediately. Though they had been communicating through letters for months, this was their first time meeting in person.

"Lady Vale," Dorian greeted her with a charming smile.

"Prince Dorian," Laura replied with a half-hearted bow.

Her tone was noticeably colder. Everyone in the room noticed that. Despite months of communication, Laura still wasn’t fond of Dorian, which said a lot about about the kind of person he was. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Once everyone was seated, the meeting began.

"Tell us about Arcasedia," Austin started. "Tell us everything you think we should know."

Laura set her teacup on the table and straightened her back.

"Arcasedia is a kingdom that runs on honour," she began, smiling bitterly, memories of her youth flashing across her face. "In your kingdom, disputes are settled by law and precedent. In Arcasedia, they are settled by what the court believes is honourable. If the court believes something is honourable, it is permitted. But no law in the world can save you if they decide otherwise."

Her words darkened the mood in the room.

"What do you think about Alina’s acknowledgement?" Maren asked quickly.

"It will depend entirely on whether the court sees her as honourable or dishonourable," Laura sighed. "There is no doubt that she is the rightful heir. But the fact that she was sold into a foreign duke’s bed under a domestic contract and is now claiming royal blood..." She shook her head. "It seems impossible."

The room fell silent. Although they had already suspected this, hearing it from someone they had so much hope from made it feel worse.

Then Dorian cleared his throat.

"You think someone from Arcasedia could be behind the attack on the duke?" he asked. "He was attacked just four days ago."

Laura glanced at Austin, immediately noticing the wound on his arm. She then turned back to Dorian.

"There are people in Arcasedia who have spent decades building their power after Lady Isadora was disowned. If Alina returns and is acknowledged, they will lose everything."

"And they would kill others for it?" Alina asked.

Laura nodded.

"Some of them would."

A chill ran through the room, making Alina unconsciously move towards Austin.

"There is only one way to secure the acknowledgement," Laura continued.

Everyone turned to look at her.

"Letters and diplomacy will not work there. The Arcasedian court does not respond to paper. It responds to presence," Laura explained. "Alina has to go to Arcasedia and stand before the court, demanding the acknowledgement she deserves."

Alina’s face turned pale instantly. The words hit her like a cruel sentence.

"I can’t..." she stammered.

Austin immediately took her hand, steadying her.

"I’ll go with you," he announced without thinking.

No one in the room was surprised. Everyone knew Austin would go wherever Alina went.

Alina looked at him and smiled.

"You’ll need more than him," she said to both of them. "You’ll need me. I know the court and who to approach and who to avoid."

"And me," Dorian spoke from his seat. "I have contacts in Arcasedia as well. Moreover, Astoria’s relationship with Arcasedia is stronger than yours. It could give us a leverage."

Austin looked at Dorian. He still didn’t completely trust him, but he couldn’t refuse his help right now.

"Fine," Austin nodded. "Let’s began the preparations."

Alina tightened her grip on his hand unconsciously, and Austin held hers back just as tightly.