The Duke's Bed Warmer

Chapter 205: To New Beginnings

The grand welcome celebration filled the castle with light and laughter. Candles glowed along the walls, music played softly in the corner, and the long tables were covered with every delicacy in the world.

Cecily moved through the crowd with confidence. She greeted every guest with a warm smile. She patiently listened to their questions, and answered with her sharp wit. She shared stories and laughed with them. She carried herself like someone who had already survived the worst and had nothing left to prove to anyone.

A young scholar named Adrian watched her from a corner. He had come with his uncle who was a noble in a nearby estate. He wasn’t the kind of man to attend such grand gatherings but had come because he was curious about Cecily.

But the longer he watched her, the more impressed he became. He waited for the right moment to talk to her. When she finally stepped away from a group of guests, he gathered courage and approached her.

"Lady Cecily," he said softly.

She turned towards him and Adrian bowed. Cecily curtsied in response.

"You are remarkable,"

Cecily’s eyes widened.

"I’ve spent the entire evening watching you talking with the guests and everyone leaves your conversations smiling."

A small smile tugged at her lips.

"That is very kind of you to say," she replied.

"No...I’m being serious," he said. "I study history, and I cannot help but wonder how someone who has been through so much still moves through a room like this with so much grace. How do you do it?"

The smile on her face disappeared suddenly. And her fingers brushed the scar on her cheek instinctively.

He is only speaking to me because he pities me. He wants to feel noble for being kind to the duke’s burned sister.

"Thank you," she answered, politely. "Surviving teaches many things. But most of them are not worth talking about at a party."

Adrian seemed surprised by her distant tone. Before he could say anything else, a servant passed between them with a tray of wine. Cecily used the moment to excuse herself.

"I hope you enjoy the rest of the evening," she said and walked away.

Adrian remained standing there looking confused.

I don’t need pity, and absolutely have no interest in becoming someone’s inspiration.

Later, when the guests had settled at their tables, Austin rose from his seat. Everyone turned towards him, ending their conversations midway. Austin waited until he had everyone’s attention before speaking.

"Tonight we celebrate my sister’s return," he said, glancing at her. "She has been through more in the last five years than anyone should have to endure, but she is finally free."

The hall filled with loud applause. Cecily looked down for a moment, overwhelmed by the attention. But immediately looked up and smiled at Austin.

"I spent years feeling guilty because I couldn’t protect her. And honestly, as her brother, that is something I will regret for the rest of my life. But today, when I look at her, I feel so proud to see how strong she has become."

He then raised his glass.

"To Cecily! To freedom! And to new beginnings."

"To Cecily!" the hall echoed.

Cecily laughed through her tears and lifted her own glass.

After a moment, Austin set his drink down.

"And speaking of new beginnings...there is something else I would like to share tonight."

He looked at Alina and everything else seemed to disappear.

"When Alina first entered my life, I didn’t think of her at all. But then slowly, she became the person I couldn’t stop thinking about."

Alina felt her cheeks burning.

"At first I admired her courage," Austin continued. Then I admired her kindness. She walked into a place where she had every reason to be afraid, and instead of becoming bitter, she kept helping people. She kept fighting for others even when nobody fought for her."

Tears stung Alina’s eyes.

"She challenged me, frustrated me, made me question things I had believed for years. And somewhere along the way, she became the most important person in my life."

The hall had gone completely silent now.

"I have faced wars. I have negotiated with kings, confronted traitors, and fought against enemies who wanted me dead. But nothing has ever frightened me more than the thought of losing her," he said, his eyes becoming wet as well.

"Because she is my home. She is the first person I want to see when I wake up. She is the person I trust and admire the most. And the person I love more than anything in this world."

The hall erupted into applause again. Some guests even stood. Alina covered her face, mortified and emotional simultaneously. But he wasn’t finished yet.

"Which is why I am very happy to announce that Alina and I will be marrying in the spring."

Everyone began to shout congratulations. Some began raising a toast. Austin walked around the table and stopped beside her. Then, he took her hand and kissed her knuckles.

"I spent most of my life believing duty was the greatest thing a person could devote themselves to. But I was wrong. The greatest thing that ever happened to me was meeting you."

Alina stared at him, completely speechless. For once, she had no clever reply or teasing remark. Austin smiled when he saw the tears gathering in her eye again.

"There you are," he whispered.

She immediately looked away.

"I’m not crying."

"I understand," he said. "I was also moved to tears by my speech."

The hall burst into laughter.

Slowly, the celebration returned to life again. Alina looked around at the people laughing, dancing, drinking and smiled.

The journey that had brought her in the castle had been painful but now it no longer felt the place she was bought to. Instead, felt like the place she had chosen. It was the safest place in her life now. Her home.

Much later, when the guests had finally left and the castle had quieted, Austin and Alina returned to their room.

For a while, they just stood smiling at each other, the noise of the evening still ringing in their ears. Then Austin stepped forward and pulled her into his arms, burying his face in her hair.

"You were beautiful tonight," he murmured.

"You say that everyday," Alina smiled.

"Because it’s true."

They both laughed. The tension of the past few months disappeared as they held each other tightly.

Then she pulled away and lifted her face to kiss him. The kiss was slow and tender. Austin’s mouth moved gently against hers, savoring the taste of her. He cupped her face and brushed her cheeks as he deepened the kiss. His tongue traced the seam of her lips before slipping inside to meet hers in a slow, sensual dance.

Alina melted against him, a soft sigh escaping her mouth. Her fingers threaded through his hair, pulling him closer as the kiss grew deeper and more passionate.

Austin’s hands slid down to her waist, pulling her body against his so she could feel him. Finally, they broke apart and rested their foreheads together, their eyes closed.

"I love you," Austin whispered, his voice husky.

"I love you too," Alina whispered, capturing his lips again in a hungrier kiss, nipping gently at his lower lip before soothing it with her tongue.

Her hands began to unbutton his shirt’s buttons while his hands found the laces of her dress, undoing them slowly, as he kept pressing soft kisses on her neck, her collarbone, making her shiver with pleasure.

They moved to the bed together, shedding the rest of their clothes in a blur of kisses and touches. They touched each other slowly and passionately until they found release in each other’s arms, clinging tightly as waves of pleasure and emotion washed over them.

The next morning, Alina was laughing with the sewing circle women when Eleanor arrived there suddenly.

"Eleanor??" Alina said, surprised.

She immediately pulled Alina into a warm hug.

"Congratulations," Eleanor said. "I heard about the wedding. I’m so happy for you both."

"Thank you," Alina replied.

"Is everything okay?" Alina asked. "I didn’t know you were coming."

Eleanor glanced towards the door where Rosilyn was standing.

"I’ve come to take Rosilyn home with me," she said. "She is much stronger now."

Alina immediately turned to Rosilyn.

"Rosilyn? You don’t have to go if you’re not ready," Alina said. "You can stay here as long as you need."

Rosilyn shook her head, smiling

"I know and I’m grateful for that. But I want to go and help others like me."

Alina stepped forward and hugged Rosilyn tightly.

"Then I won’t stop you," she whispered. "But know you are always welcome here."

Rosilyn nodded and pulled apart.

"Thank you...for everything."

Eleanor and Rosilyn left soon after. Alina watched them from the window as the carriage disappeared down the road. Then she went to her room and after an hour, went to see Austin in his study.

"Is everything okay?" Austin asked, the moment she entered, looking at the strange expression on her face.

Instead of answering, she placed a folded document on the desk.

"What is this?" he asked.

"A formal petition to ban the practice of bed warmers across the kingdom."