The Duke's Bed Warmer

Chapter 175: Departure

"Let’s leave for Aldmere tomorrow!" Austin decided.

Alina nodded.

"Before anyone wakes up," Alina added.

"You go pack. I need to talk to Hartington regarding our departure."

They both then walked out of the study. Austin went to see Harrington while Alina went to her room.

Harrington was in his office instead of his room, working even now. He was surprised to see Austin in his office when they had just discussed the strategy moments ago. Moreover, Austin hardly came to his office. It was always the other way around.

"Your Grace," he murmured.

"Alina and I are leaving for the capital before dawn," Austin said as he closed the door.

"Capital?" Harrington asked, surprised.

"There’s something we need to retrieve," Austin replied.

Harrington didn’t ask any questions. He just nodded in response.

"Tell everyone we’ve gone for an emergency estate visit in the western provinces."

"Fine." Harrington replied. "I’ll arrange the guards then."

"No," Austin stopped him from moving. "We won’t be taking any guards with us. We’ll go alone."

Harrington raised his brows.

"Your Grace, travelling without protection..."

"Is risky. I know," he replied. "But if anyone knows we’ve left for capital, the things will become dangerous. I’ll manage. Don’t worry. Just keep the castle running and keep everyone safe."

Harrington nodded. Austin was about to leave when Harrington called him again.

"Your Grace, come back safely."

Austin smiled and left the room.

Afterward, he went to his room and packed the necessities. They didn’t plan to stay there for long. Their goal was to meet Emeric and bring him safely to Ravenmoor with them. After packing, he went to Alina’s room.

Alina was ready, waiting for him. She wore simple travelling clothes with her bag in her hands. He looked pretty much the same—an ordinary man dressed for travelling.

"Ready?" he asked.

She nodded but looked scared.

"I’m scared for Emeric. If we’re too late... if something happens to him because of us, I won’t forgive myself."

Austin crossed the room and held her hands.

"Don’t worry. We’ll get there in time."

She wanted to believe him. But belief and certainty were not the same things. But she also knew with Austin at her side, she could get through anything.

"Wait for me in the stables," she said, squeezing his hand. "I have a few letters to deliver since we’re leaving so suddenly."

Austin nodded and brushed her cheek.

"I’ll be waiting."

Alina walked through the dark corridors like a shadow. She first went to Cecily. She put her hand on the door, leaning in slightly. But there was no sound. Of course, there would be none at this time of the day.

She knelt and slid the letter under the door.

Cecily,

I’m sorry we couldn’t see you before leaving. Something urgent has come up. Austin and I are going to Aldmere to retrieve the files that could change everything. We’ll try our best to return as soon as possible.

Take care of yourself.

Alina.

Next, she slipped a letter under Marguerite’s door.

Marguerite,

I’m leaving for a while. I can’t tell you where. But I need you to take care of Rosilyn while I’m gone. She’s not crazy. She is just scared. She needs someone to remind her that she’s not alone. And you’re the only person I can trust with her.

Alina.

Then she walked towards Rosilyn’s room.

Rosilyn,

I have to leave for a few days, but I will be back. Don’t worry. You’re safe here. Take care of yourself.

Alina.

Then she headed straight towards the stables.

The horses were already saddled. Austin stood between them, his bag strapped to his saddle.

He helped her mount, then swung onto his own saddle. They rode out through the servants’ gate while the castle was still sleeping peacefully.

The journey was long. For a while, they rode in silence, to save their strength. Then eventually, Alina spoke.

"Was Rosilyn always like this? Since the day she arrived?"

Austin was still uncomfortable talking about Rosilyn but he knew he couldn’t always dodge the question. He would have to eventually face his past.

"No. She wasn’t," he replied. "When she first came to Ravenmoor, she was quiet but not paranoid. She smiled sometimes and talked to others."

"Then what happened?" she asked.

"Nothing," he replied. "I ignored her like all the other bed warmers. She was alone here. The other women in the castle humiliated her, spread rumours and made her life difficult like they did with you." he paused.

"But she wasn’t as strong as you. As the time passed, she stopped talking, then she stopped leaving her room and slowly she stopped trusting everyone."

"So that’s when she stopped trusting people?"

He nodded.

"I saw what was happening. But u didn’t know how to fix it. So I married her off without asking what she wanted. I thought she could finally have a life with love and respect. But she didn’t want a husband. She wanted freedom."

Alina could see the guilt on his face.

"You had good intentions," Alina said softly. "You tried to make her life better."

"But that doesn’t change the fact that I’m also somehow responsible for her condition."

"But you did try to help her, when you realized your mistake," she said. "Not everyone would do what you did. You don’t have to feel guilty about it. It wasn’t you who failed her, it was the system that treats women as commodities."

Austin didn’t reply but her words eased some of his tension.

As they rode forward in silence, Alina thought about Rosilyn. She thought about the cruel system that treated women like objects; the system that bought, used, and discarded women according to its convenience.

If Austin had been indifferent and he had not noticed her, never truly seen her...she could have also ended up like Rosilyn or even worse.

The realization settled heavily in her stomach. Not every woman was lucky enough to have someone like Austin in their lives.

She glanced at Austin riding beside her. He might not be perfect, but he was trying so hard to be better in a world that had never taught men like him how.