The Duke's Bed Warmer

Chapter 180: A Hundred Cuts

Emeric stood at the front door of his house, clutching a thick file in his hands. Along with the exhaustion from the sleepless nights, fear began to appear on his face.

A suspicious rider had been wandering near the street for the last hour, quietly questioning shopkeepers about two unfamiliar travellers. Someone already knew about Austin and Alina being there. The situation which was tense became dangerous in just a few hours. They had to leave immediately.

"Leave through the back gate," Emeric said as he shoved the file into Austin’s bag. "I’ll handle them."

Alina’s chest tightened. She stepped forward and hugged him.

"You’ve done so much for us," she murmured. "I don’t even know how to thank you."

Emeric hugged her back, then pulled away immediately. His eyes were surprisingly wet from tears.

"Just leave safely," he muttered. "And don’t look back."

"Come with us," Austin said again. "Staying here alone could be dangerous."

Alina looked at him with pleading eyes, hoping for him to say yes. She didn’t want to leave him alone surrounded by danger after he had done so much for them, even going as far as risking his own life.

"I would have come if not for those men," Emeric admitted. "But someone needs to distract them so you two can leave safely. Besides, I’m too tired. I need my sleep," he laughed.

Alina almost teared up watching him joke even in such a serious situation. But then Emeric had always been like this.

"Stay safe, Emeric. We owe you," Austin said as he firmly placed his hand on his shoulder.

Voices suddenly rose outside near the front gate of his house. Emeric immediately pushed them towards the back door, then stepped outside to distract the rider.

"What do you want?" He shouted. "I’m just a scholar!"

Austin and Alina slipped out through the back gate, mounted their horses, and rode off quickly. As they galloped away, they heard Emeric arguing loudly behind them, buying them time. Soon, the city gates disappeared in the early morning mist, leaving only the long road ahead.

The king’s palace was in a different part of the city. It would still take them nearly half a day to reach there.

They had only been riding a few hours when rain started pouring heavily, turning the forest road into mud. They were soaked within minutes, and soon both their horses slowed from exhaustion after being pushed too hard for so long.

Then suddenly, Austin yanked his horse to the side.

"Alina! Down!" he shouted.

Four riders burst out from the trees with swords drawn. They were mercenaries, their faces hidden behind scarves. One of them lunged straight towards Austin. But Austin blocked the attack immediately using his quick reflexes. Another rider moved towards Alina, reaching for her horse.

"Stay behind me!" Austin roared.

Alina’s heart pounded as she drew the small dagger Austin had given her before leaving Ravenmoor and slashed blindly towards the man trying to grab her reins.

The blade cut his arm. He cursed and pulled back instantly. Her horse panicked and jerked sideways, nearly throwing her off, but somehow she managed to steady herself and rode towards Austin.

"Finish them!" their leader snarled.

Austin fought fiercely, constantly keeping himself between Alina and attackers. But one sword grazed his left arm, cutting through his clothes and skin.

"Austin!" Alina shouted, her voice filled with fear.

But he didn’t slow down. One mercenary fell from his horse after Austin’s sword struck him in the chest. Another screamed when Alina stabbed him in the thigh when he tried to grab her again.

The remaining two riders, on seeing them fighting back so fiercely, fled back into the trees.

Austin immediately climbed down from his horse, his one hand pressed on his bleeding arm. Alina jumped down as well and rushed towards him.

"You’re hurt," she muttered as tears streamed down her cheeks.

"It’s nothing!" he grunted.

"You’re bleeding."

With trembling hands, she tore a piece of her wet cloak and wrapped it tightly on his arm.

"They almost..."

He caught her hands and pulled her close despite the injury.

"I’d take a hundred cuts more if it keeps you safe," he whispered against her hair.

Alina didn’t answer. Instead, she rose high on her toes and kissed him. Her one hand rested on his shoulder while the other on his chest. Austin wrapped his other arm around her waist, his fingers splaying on her lower back.

Rain streamed down their faces as a soft sound escaped her mouth when he nipped her lower lip. For a few minutes, the world seemed to disappear around them.

"We need to move!" he whispered when they finally pulled apart.

They bandaged his wound as properly as they could and mounted the horses again. The attack had made one thing clear: someone wanted to stop them.

After riding for a few more hours, they finally reached the palace city. Crimson and gold wedding banners welcomed them at the gates. Music drifted from the crowded marketplaces filled with people preparing for the upcoming royal wedding. The preparations made both of them sick.

They entered the palace quietly through a side gate but the guards recognized Austin immediately.

"Duke of Ravenmoor?" one of them said. "We weren’t informed of your arrival."

"We are here to see the king," Austin replied.

The guards exchanged nervous glances but then escorted them inside. They were made to wait for almost an hour while messages were sent back and forth to the palace officials.

"His Majesty will see you shortly," one of the guards finally informed them. "Until then, you may rest in your rooms."

The guard led them through the palace corridors as whispers immediately followed behind them.

"The duke has come with his bed warmer again."

"What about the wedding then?"

Austin and Alina kept walking ahead, ignoring their words. Then suddenly a noblewoman blocked their path and looked at Alina with disgust.

"So the rumours were true," she said loud enough for everyone to hear. "The duke really did bring his mistress into the palace while preparations of his royal wedding are going on. Have you no shame?"

Alina’s cheeks burned with humiliation. Before she could answer back, Austin stepped in front of her protectively.

"Careful," he said coldly.

The woman stiffened.

"One more word against her, and you’ll have to deal with me."

The woman muttered something under her breath and marched away. Austin took Alina’s hand and intertwined their fingers as they continued walking.

"Let them talk," he murmured. "It doesn’t matter."

The guard finally stopped outside their rooms in the guest wing. To their surprise, the rooms were heavily guarded.

Austin entered Alina’s room and sighed heavily.

"We should..."

A sudden knock at the door made him stop mid-sentence. Austin opened the door and found a royal steward standing outside.

"His Majesty is waiting for you in his private chamber."

The steward bowed and walked away. Austin closed the door and took out Emeric’s file from his bag. He stared at it for a second, then he looked at Alina. She gave him a small nod, and reached for his hand as they walked together to see the king.