The Duke's Bed Warmer-Chapter 50: Wedding Announcement

The king stayed for two more days. The castle kept buzzing throughout. Servants rushed through the corridors, nobles whispered in the corners, and every room had this restless energy of a household performing for royalty.

Austin and Audrey were busy with the king most of the time. Alina kept to her routine. Breakfast at the mid-table, afternoon in the garden with her sewing circle, and evenings in the library.

The king didn’t summon her again. She felt relieved.

On his final day, the king held his court. The throne room was packed. Everyone had squeezed into the hall. This was the session everyone had been waiting for since the king had arrived.

The king sat on the throne with Audrey at his right, dressed like a queen. She had been waiting for this moment for three years and it showed in every detail of her appearance today. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Alina watched from the gallery above with Marguerite and Emeric. The formal court was reserved only for high-ranking nobles. Everyone else watched from above.

Austin was at the king’s left with an unreadable expression on his face. While Audrey was literally glowing.

The court proceedings began as expected with few trade disputes, and some land matters. The king solved everything perfectly. Everyone was satisfied with his decisions. Soon, the petitions ended and he stood.

The room held its breath. Audrey straightened, and her ladies leaned forward. Lady Pemberton’s hands clenched in her lap while Lady Hargrove’s eyes widened. Marguerite gripped Alina’s wrist tightly.

"Before we conclude," the king said, "I wish to address a matter of timing."

Timing? Not an announcement?

"The marriage between His Grace the Duke of Ravenmoor and my daughter, Princess Audrey, has been a matter of anticipation for this kingdom for many years," His voice carried through the hall. "Their union represents a bond between the crown and its most important duchy. I have the highest regard for the duke’s service and the deepest love for my daughter’s dedication."

He paused.

"However."

The word felt like a ripple through the hall.

"The current diplomatic climate requires careful consideration. The southern trade negotiations have entered a critical phase and the eastern border situation needs continued attention. Several matters of internal governance must be resolved before the crown can commit to the ceremonial and political obligations that a royal marriage of this significance demands."

The words were diplomatic, painting a picture of a kingdom too busy for a wedding.

"Therefore," he concluded. "The formal announcement of the marriage is postponed until these matters are resolved. I anticipate a suitable timeline within the coming months. This reflects no change in our commitment, just a recognition that the kingdom’s needs must come first."

Postponed.

The word landed differently on every person in the hall. Lady Pemberton’s face drained of colour while Lady Hargrove’s mouth fell open. Lord Ashby’s eyebrows rose in surprise, while Emeric leaned forward in the gallery, whispering.

"Did he just..."

Marguerite’s hand tightened even more on Alina’s wrist. It was almost painful.

But Alina looked at Audrey. She looked the same as she was before the announcement. She had that small smile on her face. There was not a flicker of shock or disappointment on her face. It looked like she had been expecting this.

Alina’s gaze then drifted to her hands under the table, from her gallery angle. She was clenching them tightly together.

The king continued speaking about the trade negotiations and diplomacy, but nobody heard them. Everyone was whispering about the postponement.

Alina then looked at Austin. His expression gave nothing away. Even his hands stayed where they were.

The court was dismissed into chaos. The hall emptied in groups. Everyone was shocked, gossiping, and recalculating.

Alina walked quickly through the corridors, trying to avoid the conversations.

"Postponed? After three years?" Lady Pemberton was talking.

"Diplomatic timing? What nonsense. The only diplomacy is happening in the duke’s bedroom." Lady Hargrove replied.

Alina walked faster. She didn’t want to hear the rest.

Meanwhile, Audrey went straight to her father’s private room. She walked in and slammed the door behind her.

"You came here to announce my marriage."

"Audrey..."

"You said you were coming to Ravenmoor to formalize my wedding." Her voice was shaking.

"The diplomatic situation has changed..."

"The diplomatic situation is exactly what it was two months ago." She stepped closer. "The southern negotiations have been ’in a critical phase’ for three years. The eastern border has been ’requiring attention’ since before I was born." Her voice rose. "Those aren’t reasons...they’re excuses. You taught me the difference."

Silence stretched between them.

"Why?" she asked, quieter now. "Tell me the real reason. Tell me why you decided to postpone it in front of everyone."

"Audrey, there is nothing more..."

"Don’t lie to me," she almost shouted. "I have given my whole life to Austin. I have managed his household, his moods and his silences. I have watched him bring bed warmers into our arrangement, and I have endured it because you told me it was temporary. You told me the tradition would end when we married. You told me to be patient." She paused. "Then why this now?"

"It’s because of... Austin," he finally said. "Your fiancé is not ready to marry you. And I will not let you marry a man whose attention is elsewhere. You deserve better than that."

Audrey stared at him in surprise.

"Is it because of Alina?" she asked. "He is just protective of her. It’s his nature. He protects..."

"He is protecting Ravenmoor because it’s his duty. He is protecting you because it’s his obligation. But he is protecting her because... he can’t stop himself," he said. "There is a difference, Audrey."

The words hit her like stones.

"What am I supposed to do then?" Her voice cracked. "What do you want me to do?"

"Let me handle this," he took her hands in his. "Your father loves you more than any political arrangement. Don’t worry. I will make everything right." He said and wiped her tears.

"Now go back with your head up and your composure intact because you are my daughter and my daughter does not break."

Audrey looked at him and nodded, her eyes still wet.

"Handle it," she said. "Handle it quickly."

Then she turned and left.

Dinner that evening was subdued but no less tense. Audrey’s chair was empty for the first time. The king dined as if everything was normal, discussing political matters casually. Everyone followed his lead, but the unease remained.

Austin was in his usual seat, eating. He also looked calm and composed but his eyes kept glancing at the empty chair on his right.

Later that night, Alina lay in his bed waiting. She wasn’t even sure whether he’d come or not. But the door opened and he arrived earlier than expected.

Instead of removing his boots or coat, he sat on the edge of the bed with his elbows on his knees and his head slightly bowed.

"What the king said about the postponement," she asked after minutes of silence. "Was that the real reason?"

"Yes and no," he replied. "His reasons aren’t mine to share," he exhaled. "But the postponement... isn’t permanent. It’s just a pause. A chance to..." He stopped.

"A chance to what?"

He didn’t answer. He stood up, removed his boots, his coat and got into his side of the bed.

"To resolve things."

She didn’t push further. It wasn’t the right time. Instead, she turned towards him.

"Don’t worry," she said. "Everything will be alright."

He turned his head and looked at her. And for once, there was no mask on his face. She could see exhaustion and uncertainty there.

He nodded in response. And that night, for the first time, they fell asleep facing each other; close enough to feel but not touching.