The carriage had been moving for hours. The world expanded as Ravenmoor shrank behind them. Alina and Austin sat across from each other. It felt both intimate and exposing, with nowhere to look except at each other or out the window.

For the first hour, they chose the window, watching the countryside roll past. But as time passed, the silence became very heavy. Austin finally turned to Alina. She looked sad, lost in thought. He didn’t want to see her like that, and he didn’t want her to carry that look into the palace.

"I came here once as a boy with my father," he said, breaking the silence. "Everything felt enormous. I remember thinking the king must be a giant to rule over so much."

He chuckled making Alina turn to him.

"Were you scared?"

"Terrified." A faint smile touched his lips. "My father told me a duke never shows fear. So I spent the whole visit pretending I wasn’t shaking inside."

She reached over and took his hand.

"Are you scared now?" she asked.

"Yes," he admitted. "Not just for the duchy. For you and for us."

"I’m scared too," she whispered. "But we’re here together and that’s what matters."

He squeezed her hand and smiled. She smiled back.

The carriage continued rolling, carrying them closer to a future neither of them could predict.

They reached the capital in the late afternoon. The palace stood at the center, its grandeur overwhelming. Tall stone walls rose around courtyards, servants in royal uniforms were everywhere. Every corner had a guard. Every corridor had a servant whose job was to be present while appearing absent.

They were received by a palace steward, an insult wrapped in politeness. A duke was being greeted by household staff instead of a peer.

"Your Grace. Miss Ashworth." The steward bowed. "Your rooms have been prepared."

Rooms.

They both glanced at each other.

"Follow me," he said.

The steward led them to their rooms. They were given separate but adjoining rooms, connected by a single door.

After the steward left, Alina stepped into her room and stood near the window, looking at the capital view outside. She felt the absence of Austin immediately. The space felt strange without him.

Then the connecting door opened. Austin stood in the doorway, looking at her.

"The separation is intentional," he said.

"I know."

"He’s testing whether we stay in our separate rooms or..."

"Or whether the connecting door stays open."

He nodded.

"What do you want?"

She was surprised he asked. But she appreciated it.

"I want the door open," she replied. "But I’ll sleep in my room. I want the king to know that we are connected but not desperate."

He nodded, appreciating her tactical intelligence. Then he walked to her window and stood beside her. They had stood like this many times before, but the view was different now with rooftops instead of gardens.

"We’re very far from home," she said.

"Ravenmoor isn’t going anywhere."

"What if it does?" She looked at him, worried.

He put his hand on the windowsill near hers.

"I won’t let that happen."

She nodded and put her hand over his, squeezing it gently.

In the evening they were summoned to a preliminary reception with high-ranking courtiers. The room was glittering with jewels and fake smiles. When Austin and Alina entered together, every head turned to them. Some watched them with curiosity while others with open disdain.

Audrey was present as well. She stood near the fireplace with a wine glass in hand, looking like a perfect princess. This was her territory. Here power was not borrowed from Austin’s duchy but inherent in her blood.

Audrey saw them enter and her eyes flashed with cold satisfaction. Austin kept Alina close as they walked through the room talking to other lords.

Audrey approached them midway through the reception, smiling warmly.

"Austin. Miss Ashworth," she said sweetly. "How was the journey?"

"Pleasant," Austin replied.

"The rooms are comfortable, I hope? I suggested the adjoining arrangement personally." Her smile widened. "I thought you might appreciate the... proximity."

"Very thoughtful," Alina said before Austin could reply. "Your hospitality is perfect as always."

"I do hope your meeting with my father goes well tomorrow," Audrey said, turning back to Austin. "He can be... thorough."

"I’m prepared for it," he said, giving her a perfect smile. "Now, if you’ll excuse us."

Austin held Alina’s hand and led her away. Everyone watched as the duke chose his bed warmer over his fiancée again and that too in the palace. Austin had made it clear he was not bowing to anyone.

After the reception ended, the palace became strangely quiet. They both went to their rooms to change. After changing, Alina sat in her room with the connecting door open. She could see Austin through the doorway. He had changed as welland was sitting at the desk, doing nothing.

Then a knock came at her door. She opened it and saw a palace messenger standing outside.

"Miss Ashworth. The king’s schedule for tomorrow." He handed her a sealed note, bowed, and left.

She read it immediately.

Miss Ashworth,

His Majesty will receive the Duke of Ravenmoor at nine o’clock in the morning, and you separately at eleven o’clock.

Please present yourself at the east reception chamber at the appointed time.

Separately?

She walked to the connecting door and stood in the doorway. Austin was already standing there, holding his own sealed note. The moment he saw her, he crossed the space between them and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.

She wrapped her arms around him, pressing her face into his shoulder.

"The worst-case scenario," Alina murmured.

"He wants my version first," he said. "Then yours."

"To compare them."

"We need to stay calm tomorrow," he told her. "No matter what he says to either of us."

"And please no changing the plan halfway through because you think sacrificing yourself will save me," she added. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

He smiled.

"You know me too well."

"Of course."

For the first time that evening, his expression softened. He pulled back just enough to kiss her forehead, then pulled her into his arms again.