The Duke's Bed Warmer

Chapter 191: Audrey’s Decision

With Audrey walking out, the meeting finally ended. Austin and Alina walked hand in hand through the palace corridors towards the guest rooms the king had arranged for them.

Both were exhausted. Days of running, fighting, hiding, and bleeding had left them drained both physically and emotionally. The guest room with a lavish bed and fireplace felt like a royal suite after so many nights spent in forests and caves.

Austin closed the door and leaned against it for a moment, sighing heavily. While Alina sat down on the bed, her legs too weak to stand anymore.

"I never wanted this for her," Alina said after a minute, sounding guilty. "We disliked her for what she did... for how she tried to force everything. But seeing her break like that today... it hurt. We played a part in that. If we hadn’t brought those documents... if we hadn’t pushed so hard..."

Austin sat beside her and took her hand.

"Alina... this isn’t our fault. The only people responsible for Audrey’s suffering are Crane and the king himself," he said. "The truth was always going to come out one day. If not now, then later."

Alina nodded as she leaned against his chest.

"She is hurt now but she deserved to know the truth. At least now she has the time to heal and find herself."

"You’re right," Alina replied. "Though it will take her a long time to recover. But she is stronger than she thinks."

They sat together in silence for some time holding each other. Then Alina spoke again.

"The king has given us our freedom... but I don’t want to stay in this palace anymore."

"Me too," Austin replied.

"This palace suffocates me. I want to go back to Ravenmoor."

"Just a few more days," Austin replied. "And we’ll finally be away from all this court politics."

They held each other tightly, finding comfort and strength from each other. That night, they fell asleep in each other’s arms. Their bodies were entwined and finally after days, they slept peacefully.

Meanwhile, the whispers spread throughout the palace like wildfire. Servants talked in hushed voices in the hallways and kitchens. Nobles gathered in small groups with curiosity and pity.

"Did you see Princess Audrey earlier? She walked past with tears streaming down her face after meeting with the king..."

"Duke Austin and Alina are sharing the same guest room now."

"Does that mean the wedding has been cancelled? How tragic!"

"Poor princess... she looked completely broken. What actually happened in the meeting?"

Some felt genuine pity for Audrey while others talked with excitement about the sudden change. No one knew what had happened inside the chamber, but the rumours became more scandalous and dramatic with every passing hour.

The next morning, Audrey sent a message asking the king, Crane, Austin, and Alina to meet her in her chambers. When they arrived, they were surprised to see Audrey standing near the window, dressed in a simple plain gray gown with no jewellery, no crown, and no accessories of any kind.

Her hair was tied back in a very basic style. It took them a moment to recognize her. She looked like a completely different person from the elegant and perfectly dressed princess they had always seen her as.

"Audrey... are you alright?" the king asked, taking a step forward.

She raised her hand to stop him.

"Not now...I’m not ready for the conversation yet," she said, her voice almost pleading.

She then looked at each of them.

"I have spent the whole last night thinking." she said, her voice steady despite the sadness in her eyes. "And I have finally come to a decision."

Everyone looked tense. Alina immediately grabbed Austin’s hand and squeezed it tightly. This was it.

"I am cancelling the wedding."

Everyone stared at her in disbelief. No one saw this coming considering the fact how Audrey was. She was hurt and in pain but still this was completely unexpected coming from her. But nobody said anything and let her continue.

"I am not sure who I am anymore. So how can I marry someone when I don’t even know myself? The truth is too much for me to process right now."

She turned to look at Austin and Alina.

"I am truly sorry."

The sincerity in her voice surprised everyone. Audrey was never the kind of person to apologize, let alone to so with which this much sincerity. The revelation had completely changed her.

"I am sorry for everything I put you both through," she continued. "I was selfish. I ignored your feelings and tried to force things to happen my way. I even went as far as poisoning Alina."

She lowered her head in shame.

"I know an apology is not enough for what I’ve done to both of you. So...I’m giving you the only thing I still have left...my decision. Austin...I’m letting you go," she said sadly. "I won’t interfere in your life anymore. You can be whoever you want to."

Neither of them knew what to say. So, Alina stepped forward and pulled Audrey into a warm hug. The gesture surprised everyone in the room, especially Audrey, who stiffened for a moment but then slowly hugged her back.

When they finally pulled apart, Alina finally spoke.

"Although we hated each other. But I cannot forget you were my first real friend in Ravenmoor. Even though our friendship turned bitter and painful later... but when we were friends, you were genuine."

Audrey began to sob again.

"You are stronger than you think you are, Audrey. You are bold and always fought bravely for what you believed in. To be honest, some days I wished I could be as strong as you."

"You don’t have to lie to comfort me," Audrey replied between her sobs.

Alina shook her head.

"I mean it," she replied. "I never wanted things to end this way for you. And I hope one day you can find peace and happiness you deserve."

Audrey finally looked up and gave her a small, tearful smile.

"How could I ever think of comparing myself to you or competing with someone like you? You are strong in a way I never was. You fought with love, not control. Thank you... for showing me what real courage and real love look like."

"Thank you so much Audrey," Austin said. "I know you’ll get through this."

Then he looked at the king waiting for his decision. The king looked at Audrey, then nodded, accepting her decision.

Austin and Alina looked at each other and smiled. Every obstacle standing between them was finally gone. Their love had won.

The beautiful and peaceful life they had been dreaming about looked within reach now as this painful Chapter finally came to an end.