The Duke's Bed Warmer-Chapter 51: Control Vs Choice

When Audrey appeared at breakfast the next morning, everyone turned to look at her.

Would she be broken? Would her perfect composure crack? Would the princess reveal that her father’s decision to postpone her marriage had hurt her?

She entered wearing a simple blue dress, her jewellery simpler than usual. When she took her seat beside the king, she looked immaculate. She ate and talked to others as she always did. She was flawless.

But during the entire breakfast, she didn’t look at Austin, not even once. Her gaze moved naturally around the room but the space where Austin sat didn’t exist for her. She avoided him the way one avoids a piece of furniture that you intentionally ignore.

Austin noticed, and Alina saw the exact moment he did the subtle shift in his posture when he realized Audrey was ignoring him.

Alina lowered her gaze to her plate, watching the performance unfold.

This is what three years of patience looks like when it finally runs out.

By late morning, everyone gathered in the courtyard to see the king off. The royal procession was reassembled; carriages were prepared, horses saddled, and banners were raised.

The king embraced Audrey, just as he had when he arrived, but today it lasted longer. He was holding her tighter.

The king turned to Austin next. He shook his hand and patted his shoulder.

"Ravenmoor," he said. "Take care of my daughter."

"Always, Your Majesty," Austin replied.

The king scanned the courtyard, his eyes finding Alina for a moment before he looked away. He then climbed into his carriage and the procession moved, with the gates closing behind the last rider.

He was gone.

The court dispersed immediately but Audrey stayed in the courtyard, watching the gate for a long time. One of her maids approached her cautiously.

"My lady, the post-visit review..."

Audrey raised her hand and the lady stopped and left. While heading towards his study, Austin crossed the courtyard, but stopped when he looked at Audrey.

"Audrey..."

She turned and looked at him for the first time since the announcement. The eyes that always looked at Austin with love and admiration, today looked at him with hurt and anger.

"I know," she said.

"Know... what?"

"Everything. My father told me the real reason for our marriage postponement," she replied looking into his eyes. "He told me you’re not ready and your attention is divided."

Austin didn’t react or say anything.

"I’m not going anywhere," Audrey continued. "This postponement doesn’t change my position. I’m still your fiancée. I have waited three years, I can wait for three more if that’s what it takes." She took a step closer.

"Because I don’t quit, Austin. I don’t run through corridors calling your name because I’m afraid," her voice sharpened. "I’ll stay, I’ll endure, and I’ll wait."

"I hear you," Austin replied finally.

"Don’t just hear me. Make a decision." She turned and walked into the castle, leaving him alone in the courtyard.

In the days that followed, Ravenmoor changed. The change wasn’t dramatic but subtler.

Audrey continued as she always had. She was present at meals, and performed her duties perfectly but she no longer sat beside Austin at informal meals. She moved one seat away from him.

She remained nice with Alina on the surface, including her in planning discussions, complimenting her sewing, and other things. But underneath the warmth, she was watching Alina closely as if confused about what to do with her.

Austin grew quieter. He was still perfect in his work but the midnight conversations with Alina grew sparse. She didn’t push and gave him the space he needed.

One evening, while returning from the library, Alina noticed the gaming room half-open. She stopped and looked inside. Austin was sitting

by the window with a chessboard set between him and an empty chair.

He was playing alone.

She watched him. He moved a piece, then shifted slightly, as if considering the response of an opponent who wasn’t there.

"You’re losing," she said.

"I’m considering outcomes," he replied without looking at her.

"You’re down a rook."

The corners of his mouth moved and he turned to her.

"Come in," he said.

She hesitated only a second before stepping inside and stopping beside the table, looking down at the board.

"Who are you playing against?"

"Myself," he replied. "Sit."

"Is that an order or an invitation?"

"Does it matter?"

"To me, yes," she replied.

"An invitation," he said after a second.

She sat. He turned the board slightly, lining it up toward her.

"You take the losing side," he said.

"Of course I do."

She studied the board, then moved a pawn immediately. He nodded, as if he had expected it. They played in silence for a while.

"You’re distracted," she said eventually, moving her bishop.

"I’m thinking."

"About the game?"

"No," he replied, moving a knight.

"Then you should give up."

"I don’t quit the games I can still win."

"Even if you’re playing both sides?" She asked, looking at him.

His hand stopped over a piece.

"That depends on whether the sides want the same result."

She looked back down and moved her queen.

"Check."

He exhaled.

"You saw that three moves ago," he said. "Why didn’t you take it then?"

"I wanted to see what you would do."

"And?"

"You delayed."

"So did you."

"Of course," she replied. "I’m playing you, not the board."

They both smiled.

One by one, the pieces disappeared and the board emptied.

"Who wins?" she asked.

"Depends on how you define winning."

"What’s that for you?"

"For me...it’s control."

She shook her head.

"That’s not winning," she said. "That’s just avoiding losing."

He sighed.

"And for you?"

She looked at the pieces they had both moved.

"Choosing,"

He didn’t reply. The game was a draw. Alina stood up.

"I should go."

He nodded but didn’t look away. She was about to step outside but paused at the door.

"You can’t play both sides forever," she said without turning back and left.

Austin looked down at the board. Then, slowly, he reached out and tipped his own king over.

Almost a week later, a letter arrived for Alina from her father.

Stop asking. Forget the name. If you value your life, forget everything.

Though, she had written to Elspeth asking about M Voss, it was her father who had replied. Alina read it three times. The ink was smudged. Her father’s handwriting had always been bad, but this handwriting was shaky, as if he had been scared while writing it.

She folded the letter and put it in her drawer.

Father is afraid of M Voss. But why?

I need to know who he is. Father sold me and lied to me about the debt. And he is afraid now.

I’m done letting other people’s fear make decisions for me.