Maren placed the thick file on Austin’s desk. Inside were the records of everything Audrey had done against Alina throughout the months with every detail and every evidence they could find.

Austin read the pages slowly while Alina sat beside him, her hand resting gently on his arm.

"It’s strong," Austin said after reading it.

"But it’s not strong enough," Maren replied. "The file relies on witness statements and pattern analysis. It is convincing but it’s not definitive proof."

Austin frowned.

"Audrey will tell a different story with the same facts. Every witness can be challenged. Servants are unreliable, and patterns alone are just interpretation," Maren stepped forward and tapped the edge of the file.

"And I’m sure she must have been preparing her own defense. She knows we’ve been investigating. By the time this reaches the king, Audrey will have counter-witnesses and alternative explanations."

Alina looked down at the file, suddenly realizing how uncertain everything still was. Maren had spent months preparing it, and still it was not enough to protect them.

"So it might not be enough," Alina sighed.

Maren nodded.

"But it’s still leverage," Maren replied. "But we should prepare for the worst. We need real contingencies."

Austin nodded as his mind began running through all the possible outcomes.

"I’ll handle it," Austin said after a while.

Maren gave him a long look but didn’t say anything in front of Alina.

After Alina left for the sewing circle, the atmosphere inside the study changed completely.

"Begin transferring the military contracts to Rowan," he said the moment Alina stepped out. "Trade agreements will go through Ashby from now on and move the reserve funds into accounts not connected to the duchy."

Maren stayed silent for several seconds, processing his words.

"Austin..."

"If the king strips my authority, I don’t want Ravenmoor collapsing with me," he said coldly. "The troops must continue functioning, the workshops must stay funded. We need to quietly transfer everything before the king freezes it."

"Are you preparing to fight?" Maren asked bluntly. "Or are you preparing to lose?"

"I just want to ensure the things that matter survive regardless of what happens to me."

"You’re lying," Maren said. "The truth is you’ve already decided Alina is worth the duchy. Instead of fighting to keep both, you’re choosing which one to save."

"Because I’m not sure I can save both."

"That’s what fighting means," Maren almost snapped. "You’ve fought wars and won them without any certainty. You rebuilt this duchy from your father’s wreckage with nothing guaranteed. But the first time the thing at risk is personal, you start packing instead of fighting."

Austin had no answer.

"Austin..."

"I can rebuild power. I can survive disgrace," he cut in. "But...I cannot afford to lose her."

Maren’s expression softened with pity. For the first time since she’d known him, she saw him as a man who was standing at the edge of something terrifying, trying desperately to control the damage before it swallowed everyone he loved.

"Fine," Maren replied. "But I’m not doing this before telling Alina."

By evening, Maren told Alina everything. When Alina came to his room at night she saw him standing near the fireplace. One look at her face told him Maren had spoken.

"Are you really transferring all the assets?" she asked. "You’re packing everything away and handing it to others before the fight has even started."

Austin took a deep breath.

"I’m just protecting the duchy’s infrastructure."

"No! You’re giving up," her voice shaking with anger and hurt. "You’re surrendering because you’ve already decided you’ll lose."

"Alina...I’m being realistic. The odds..."

"Since when do you calculate odds?" Alina stepped closer, tears glistening in her eyes. "You broke through a burning door and hid your sister for years without calculating odds. You chose me and kept me secret from the king without calculating odds. And now you want to talk about probability?"

"Those situations were different."

"They were the same," she said fiercely. "You saw something worth protecting and you fought for it with everything you had. This is who you are. And now you’re letting go of the duchy... just like that?"

Austin looked exhausted and deeply scared.

"What if I lose both you and duchy while fighting?"

"Then lose them fighting," she replied. "Not by giving up first."

He rubbed a hand over his face, sighing.

"Every option ends with me losing something important. I’m trying to minimize the damage before it reaches you."

"It has already reached me."

Austin’s shoulders sagged.

"I’m scared," he admitted. "I’m scared of losing everything and you having to watch me fail. I’m scared it might change how you see me."

Alina’s anger transformed into sadness. She crossed the distance between them and held his hands.

"You’ll still be Austin," she said softly. "And to me only he matters."

But the word didn’t seem to convince him. Beacuse love couldn’t erase the fear. It only made the risk worth taking.

Later, when Austin had finally fallen asleep beside her, Alina slipped out quietly from the bed. The room was dark except for the small candle she lit at the desk. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

For a few minutes, she just stared at the blank pages in front of her. Then, finally confident in her decision, she began to write.

The first letter was addressed to Eleanor, written in the coded language of the blood ink pact.

The bread needs a larger oven. The current kitchen is under review. I’m looking for bakers who can support a second location if the first becomes unavailable. Please advise on capacity in the western houses.

The second letter was addressed to Emeric.

Emeric, I need the palace incident files you mentioned to me as soon as possible. I need copies of the originals with the stamps, dates, and authorizing signatures. Whoever signed those orders buried Audrey’s past and that signature is the leverage we’re missing.

The third letter was for Lady Talbot.

Lady Talbot, I want to have a private meeting with your trade contacts in the capital.

She folded the letters, sealed them, and put them into her drawer.

Time had come for her to finally start fighting on her own terms because her life had taught her that threats did not wait for perfect strategies.