The palace felt strangely quiet, the next day. The usual gossip and noise had been replaced by a mourning atmosphere. The news about Princess Isadora’s death and Valdren’s arrest had spread like wildfire throughout the kingdom.

Alina stood by the bed of her room folding her clothes slowly. She hadn’t brought much to Arcasedia, and she was leaving with even less— just the essentials and a small bag of her mother’s belongings.

Austin walked around the room, supervising the guards loading the carriages outside. Alina picked up one of her mother’s scarves, and gently brushed her fingers over it. She had come to Arcasedia looking for acceptance, for a way to stand beside Austin without shame. Instead, she was leaving with grief, truth, and finally...freedom.

Austin noticed her drifting. Instead of saying anything, he simply walked over to her. He took the scarf from her hands, folded it and placed it in the bag. Then he continued packing for her, giving her the space she needed. The gesture, though small, made her heart ache with gratitude.

When Austin left the room to check the carriage, Laura arrived in the room.

"So this is goodbye," Laura said, her eyes glistening with tears.

Alina crossed the room and pulled her into a tight hug.

"I’m sorry," Laura whispered. "I’m so sorry I couldn’t protect your mother."

Alina shook her head, holding her even tighter.

"You stayed with her when everyone else abandoned her. That mattered more than anything."

"But will you really be okay here?" Alina asked, breaking the hug.

Laura nodded.

"Arcasedia is still my home, even after everything. I was born three streets from here," she smiled. "I ran because Lady Isadora ran. And I hid because coming back alone felt pointless."

She smiled wistfully.

"But now... I brought her daughter home and told her everything I knew. That is the only thing I wanted to do before dying."

"You could come to Ravenmoor," Alina offered.

Laura shook her head, smiling.

"Ravenmoor is your home and this is mine, she said and took her hands. "I’m tired, Alina. I just want to sit in my home garden, get old and then die on the land I was born."

Alina nodded. She was happy for Laura because she was finally returning to her home after two decades of hiding.

"Thank you," Alina said. "For coming out of hiding and telling me about my mother. And for being the only person who loved her when nobody else did."

Laura laughed at her cute little farewell speech.

"Lady Isadora was so lovely. There is no way one wouldn’t fall in love with her," she replied. "And you’re just as lovely as your mother. But you have something she didn’t."

"What?" Alina asked, curious.

"A man like Duke of Ravenmoor," she replied. "Your father did love your mother but his love wasn’t as intense as his."

Alina blushed in response making Laura laugh. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Write to me," Laura said. "And tell me when you marry the duke."

The word marry made her smile fade. How could they marry now??

At the exact moment, Dorian entered the room.

"If everyone is done crying, I’d like to remind you I also came with you."

"We remember," Laura replied, pretending to be annoyed at him.

Dorian walked over and stood in front of Alina.

"I’m returning to Astoria since my original plan is obviously ruined now."

"Thank you, Dorian for everything."

He gave her a dramatic bow and left with his usual swag.

Their last night in Arcasedia was surprisingly peaceful. They didn’t have to worry about the trial results or politics anymore. Though a lot of obstacles were still standing between them and their marriage, but tonight they didn’t want to think about any of them.

Rain tapped softly on the windows, making the night even colder. Alina lay curled against Austin’s chest while his fingers played with her hair.

"I think this is the first night I’ve felt truly safe since coming here," she whispered.

Austin tightened his arms around her and kissed her head.

"Don’t worry. I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure you feel that way."

They left the palace quietly the next morning. As the carriage rolled through the gates, Alina looked back one last time. But instead of sadness, she felt relieved. She had never belonged to Arcasedia, and she was glad she had finally closed this Chapter of her life.

Instead of going to Ravenmoor, they went to the place Alina had wanted to go before they returned to Ravenmoor.

The small cemetery in Aldmere looked peaceful and beautiful under the afternoon sun. Alina knelt beside her mother’s grave and put a bouquet of wildflowers, her favourite. Then she

ran her fingers gently over her mother’s carved name.

"You were never weak, mother," she mumbled, tears slipping down her cheeks. "You just wanted to live your life filled with love. You were strong enough to choose your own happiness over the life everyone else wanted you to live. You did nothing wrong."

She stayed there for a very long time, speaking to her mother about everything that had happened. When she finally stood up, she felt lighter.

"Do you want to see your father?" Austin asked as they walked back to the carriage.

Alina thought about it then shook her head.

"He is already sick. No matter how he is, his love for my mother was real and learning the truth now might destroy him. He already lost her once. I don’t want him to lose her all over again."

Austin looked at her in awe. After everything her father had done to her, she still thought about him so kindly.

He pulled her close and kissed her temple.

"You amaze me everyday," he whispered. "After everything he has done to you, you still choose kindness. I don’t know how you do it."

Alina smiled as she brushed her thumb across his cheek."

"But I’m grateful for it," he continued. "As I got lucky enough to be loved by someone like you."