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

Silence settled over the study. Alina sat frozen, her fingers tightly intertwined with Austin’s while her pounded rapidly in her chest.

Arcasedia.

The kingdom that had abandoned her mother. And now she was supposed to walk into it as her forgotten daughter.

She felt a storm of emotions inside her at once. Fear and guilt for dragging everyone into this. But she was also curious to finally see her mother’s homeland.

"We must leave within the week if we want to reach the Arcasedia’s capital Kaelara in time for the next court session," Laura explained. "I will prepare everything we need to know about the key players at court."

Dorian leaned back in his chair, calm and composed as always.

"I can help you," he said. "You all can travel with me as part of an official diplomatic delegation from Astoria. It will make border crossings easier and give us more protection."

Austin hated involving him but he also knew his suggestion had weight. So he had to nod reluctantly. Laura didn’t look pleased either. She still didn’t trust Dorian. The tension between them was very much visible in the room. Maren sensing the awkwardness, stood up immediately.

"I will handle all logistical arrangements and ensure Ravenmoor continues running smoothly in your absence."

She gave Alina an encouraging smile and walked out of the study. Dorian followed her while Laura looked at Alina one more time before leaving.

The moment the door closed behind Laura, Alina turned and buried her face into Austin’s chest, her breathing shaky.

"I don’t know if I can do this," she whispered. "What if they see me only as the woman who was sold into a duke’s bed? What if they reject me the moment I speak? What if going there... puts you in danger again ?"

Austin wrapped his arms around her, his one hand gently cradling her head.

"Alina," he murmured." You are not the woman they sold. You are the woman who survived it. The woman who built a livelihood for other women from nothing. The woman I could never stop loving even if I tried."

He pulled back and looked into her tear-filled eyes.

"If they reject you, then they are the fools who are unworthy of you. You just have to stand before them carrying your mother’s courage and your own fire. And whatever danger comes... I will face it with you," he said as he wiped her tears gently.

"I would choose you a thousand times over, even knowing the risks. Loving you is the only choice I have never regretted."

Tears spilled down her cheeks. Before he could wipe them again, she cupped his face and kissed him. The kiss was desperate, full of gratitude and love. Austin kissed her back with equal intensity, pulling her closer wanting to shield her from the entire world.

When they finally pulled apart, they rested their foreheads against each other.

"I’m so scared of losing you," Alina whispered.

"You won’t," he promised. "Never."

The next two days passed in a whirlwind of frantic preparation. Austin’s study was transformed into a war room with maps of routes spread across every table, diagrams of the Arcasedian court were pinned on the walls, and the long lists of noble houses with their loyalties were in everyone’s hands.

Laura trained Alina for hours every day about the Arcasedian court etiquettes.

"Always use your left foot first when you enter the court," she instructed. "Never speak until the presiding lord acknowledges you. Keep your chin high and shoulders straight. They will judge you with your body language before you even say a single word."

Between lessons, Laura shared stories of Isadora. Alina learned so many things about her mother she had never known before. Each memory comforted her but also made her heart ache.

"We’re getting closer to identifying the intruder, but I fear the real threat will follow you across the border. If the kingdom of Arcasedia is behind the attack, they probably already know your arrival," Rowan told Austin during one of their private meetings.

"We need to remain vigilant then. Send your best guards with us."

"On it," he replied.

Although the preparations were going on smoothly, Dorian’s involvement only added more tension. He provided maps, contacts, and safer travel routes through Astorian territory, but every help felt calculated. Laura and Austin trusted him even less because of it.

On the evening before departure, Alina and Austin went to Cecily. Cecily smiled when she saw them but when she noticed their expressions, her smile disappeared immediately.

"What happened?" she asked.

Alina glanced at Austin before answering.

"We’re leaving tomorrow."

Cecily frowned.

"Leaving where?"

"Arcasedia," Austin answered.

Cecily froze. She stared at them as though she hadn’t heard them properly. She stood up so fast her chair scraped across the floor.

"No," she whispered. "No, absolutely not."

"Cecily..."

"That kingdom already sent someone to kill you!" she snapped at Austin, tears filling her eyes. "Someone tried to kill you just a week ago and you’re still going there?"

Both Austin and Alina remained silent. They had expected this reaction. Then Austin walked to her and pulled her into a hug. After a second, Alina joined them as well.

"I’m scared," Cecily admitted. "Is there not any other way?"

"If there was, we won’t go," Alina replied as she and Austin pulled back.

Cecily sighed in frustration.

"Promise me you’ll both come back safe."

"We will," Austin replied instantly.

She hugged them both again, this time fiercely as if she was afraid letting go too early would make tomorrow arrive faster.

On her last afternoon at Ravenmoor, Alina went the sewing circle. She had been absent from the circle for a week now. But the women hadn’t complained. They understood her situation.

"I’m leaving tomorrow," Alina said as she stood on her seat.

"We know," Marguerite replied with a smile. "Don’t worry about the circle. We will keep this circle running while you’re gone."

Alina’s throat tightened as she hugged each one of them.

"Thank you for believing in me when I was just a girl on a bench no one wanted," Alina cried.

"Don’t thank us. Just come home," Lady Brennan said, crying as well.