"I'm just asking you to save her and yourself," she replied. "And I hope you remember what happens to foreign princesses who become state assets. They don't sew uniforms, Austin. They sit in dark towers and produce heirs for alliances. Is that what you want for her? A different version of the contract she is already in?"
"No," Austin replied immediately.
He didn't even think for a second about it.
"No?" Audrey repeated, stunned.
"I am neither leaving Alina nor I'm proceeding with the marriage."
"Austin, you'll lose everything."
"I've already lost everything once," he smiled bitterly. "When my mother died, my sister was burned, and my father….I've already been at the bottom, Audrey. I know what it looks like. And I know that the bottom with Alina is better than the top without her."
Audrey stared at him with a mix of hurt, anger and sadness.
"Then I can't protect you," Audrey said and stood up.
"I never asked you to."
"Fine," she replied coldly. "Goodbye, then."
