The next two days at Ravenmoor passed surprisingly peacefully. After months of chaos, there were no palace whispers, or trials wanting to break them.
Alina returned to her sewing circle. Marguerite had handled the latest shipment perfectly in her absence, and Alina couldn't have been more proud.
Cecily still teased them both mercilessly whenever they visited, calling them "the bravest and most stubborn couple in the entire world."
Even servants now smiled openly when they walked together in the corridors, instead of avoiding their gazes.
Everything looked calm on the surface. But underneath, both Austin and Alina were avoiding the king's deadline. Neither of them talked about it, as if talking about it would make it happen immediately.
Then on the third day, the royal messenger arrived. The atmosphere in his study changed instantly. Maren handed Austin the sealed letter, looking worried. She had already called Alina in.
Austin broke the seal and read it silently.
