The whispers had already started by morning. Alina noticed servants who used to smile at her with respect now lowered their voices when she walked past them. Some even stared at her like she was someone unfamiliar.

The news about the duke’s former bed warmer returning to the castle seeking refuge had already spread everywhere. Some treated it as another scandal while some called it fate.

Alina ignored the whispers and walked towards Rosilyn’s room.

Lady Talbot had given her a guest room near her own chambers. The room was small but comfortable.

Rosilyn looked completely different from the scared woman who had arrived last night. She had bathed. Her red hair was pinned neatly now. She wore a simple black dress that belonged to Lady Talbot. It was slightly loose around her waist and sleeves, but she still looked beautiful.

But her face had lost its spark.

"How are you feeling?" Alina asked.

"Better," she replied, faking a smile.

"Austin agreed to let you stay here," Alina informed her.

"He did?" Rosilyn asked, surprised.

"Yes."

A strange expression crossed Rosilyn’s face.

"He is still kind," she murmured.

"He is," Alina agreed. "When you’re ready, we should go to Austin’s study and file the official report."

"Let’s go," she took a deep breath. "I’m ready."

Austin and Harrington were already waiting for them in the study when they arrived. Harrington stood by the desk with a blank page and a quill prepared while Austin sat in his usual seat reading some reports.

The second Rosilyn entered, the atmosphere of the room changed. Rosilyn and Austin looked at each othe briefly before he lowered his eyes to focused on the reports again.

"Your Grace," she said.

Austin only nodded in response, his eyes still focusing on the reports down. Harrington quickly cleared his throat and gestured them to sit.

"Whenever you’re ready, my lady," he said.

Rosilyn and Alina sat in the chairs across from the desk. Alina held her hand tightly, encouraging her. Rosilyn then began to tell them everything: about her marriage, the divorce, the letters from her husband ordering her to return, and finally the men her husband had sent to kidnap her.

"I’ll begin the investigation immediately," Harrington said when she finished. "If what you’re saying is true, everyone involved will be arrested."

"Thank you," she replied sincerely. "And I’m glad you’re still the same Mr. Harrington. You were the first person who treated me with kindness when I was brought as a bed warmer here."

Alina immediately turned to her in surprise. It was the first time Rosilyn had spoken open bout being Austin’s bed warmer in front of her.

The reminder of Rosilyn being Austin’s former bed warmer made her uncomfortable. Austin noticed her stiffness immediately. His eyes flicked to her for half a second before lowering again.

Even Harrington felt awkward. He bowed nervously and quickly left the study. Then Rosilyn’s gaze shifted to Austin.

"Thank you for allowing me to stay. I know it wasn’t an easy decision."

Austin shook his head, and finally looked up.

"It was Alina’s decision. Not mine."

Rosilyn turned to Alina and squeezed her hand gently.

"You don’t need to worry about your ex-husband anymore. You are safe here," Austin said and paused briefly. "And...I’m partly responsible for your situation. I was the one who arranged your marriage in the first place."

Rosilyn shook her head immediately.

"You didn’t know," she then let out a small smile. "You thought about my well being only. You got me out of the contract, gave me a chance at an normal life again. My ex- husband is to be blamed for this situation not you."

Before anyone of them could speak again, the door opened and Maren entered carrying a stack of documents.

"Sorry to interrupt," she said as she noticed Rosilyn. "Ah... I didn’t know you were here."

"We’re done," Austin replied.

Rosilyn nodded and immediately stood up. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"I should leave," she bowed and quietly walked out of the study,

"The nobles are pressuring the king to shorten the deadline because according to them Alina has already failed the condition and giving you more time is just a waste at this point. It is highly unlikely that he will change his decision now," Marren said, putting a stack of documents on the table.

"So there’s nothing we can do?" Alina asked, worried.

"Not right now," Maren didn’t lie. "We don’t have enough political leverage right now. Although it was you who rejected the acknowledgement from Arcasedia...legally...we are at a disadvantage."

Silence filled the room.

"I’m searching for alternatives. Maybe we would find something before the deadline," Maren tried to cheer them up but it didn’t work.

"What about those files Emeric found against Audrey? I think it’s time to use that information," Austin said.

Maren nodded.

"We can and we should," Maren agreed. "And it can definitely give us advantage over king. But at the end of the day, those are again just documents. There is no witness who can give statements. The king and Lord Crane can accuse us of forging them."

Austin slammed his hand on the table angrily, making Alina and Maren startle.

"Keep searching, Maren," Alina said. "I’m sure we’ll find something. And I’ll write to Emeric to day asking him about the other two files."

Maren bowed slightly and left.

The moment the door closed, Austin pushed back his chair and stood up abruptly. He walked towards the window, running his hand through his hair in frustration.

Alina stood up as well and walked to him.

"Austin...don’t worry. We’ll figure it out."

"What if we don’t?" he asked. "The thought of losing you makes me feel insane."

Alina could see how exhausted he was. The constant pressure from the king, the nobles, Arcasedia, Audrey had been crushing him for months now. And still, his every decision somehow circled back to protecting her first. And even now, his first thought was about losing her.

"You will not," she said, touching his shoulders firmly. "We still have two months. It’s a lot of time."

Austin closed his eyes briefly, relaxing a little.

"I was really scared when we were in Arcasedia," he admitted. "So forgive me if I’m struggling to stay calm now."

"It’s okay. I can manage," she replied with a smile.

"Go to your sewing circle," he said, brushing his thumb over her cheek. "Or else the women would come here asking for you."

Alina laughed and leaned up to kiss him. Then she left the study and walked towards the garden.

She was halfway down the corridor when she heard two maids gossiping in low voices.

"She came back because she still loves him."

"Well, why else would she come here?"

"Lady Alina is too soft-hearted. I can’t understand how can she let His Grace’s former bed warmer stay here like it’s nothing."

"Mark my words, it won’t end well."

Alina stopped walking.

She still loves him? Rosilyn??? Did Rosilyn love Austin?