Alina stood in front of the mirror the next morning, fixing her hair when someone knocked on her door. Through the connecting door, she heard another knock at Austin's room. She opened the door and found a messenger waiting.
"Miss Ashworth. His Majesty requests your presence in his private chambers immediately, together with the Duke of Ravenmoor."
She quickly went to the connecting door. Austin was already there, dressed, and had received the same message. They exchanged a look, then walked out together.
As soon as they stepped into the corridor, Austin took her hand and intertwined their fingers together. Then they walked towards the king's chambers.
Inside, the king stood behind his desk, calm and unreadable. Audrey stood near the window smiling. But the moment, her gaze dropped to their joined hands, and the smile on her face disappeared.
"Sit," the king said.
They sat beside each other, still holding hands on the armrest between them.
