The Duke's Bed Warmer

Chapter 176: The Inn Stop

The road stretched ahead of them, dusty and endless under the warm sunlight. They rode beside each other, their horses moving at the same pace. They had been riding for hours now, casually talking to each other.

By late afternoon, the smell of roasted meat drifted through the cold air as a small roadside tavern appeared ahead of them. Austin immediately stopped his horse.

"We should eat something," he said. "Your stomach has been growling for the last hour."

Alina huffed.

"As if you aren’t hungry."

"I’m fine," he replied.

"Really?" she said, smugly. "Then why were you looking at a farmer’s cheese cart like a dying man."

"When did I do that?" he said in his defence.

"Just a few minutes ago."

"I don’t know what you are talking about," he said and dismounted.

Then he helped Alina to get down. They tied their horses outside and stepped inside the tavern. The tavern was warm and crowded, filled with chatter and the smell of stew. They sat on a small table near the fire and ordered food.

Minutes later, when the bowls arrived, Alina immediately began eating. Austin watched her with amusement.

"Slow down," Austin said as Alina reached for another piece of bread before she had even finished eating the previous one.

"I’m hungry," she replied. "We’ve been riding since dawn."

"That’s because someone insisted we keep going instead of stopping earlier."

"We needed to be as far away from Ravenmoor as possible."

She was right. The serving girl passed by them and refilled Austin’s bowl. Alina looked at the fresh bread placed beside it. Austin noticed her looking at the bread. Without a word, he tore the bread in half and slid half of it onto her plate.

"I didn’t want it," she said, trying to sound indifferent.

"I know," he replied sarcastically. "Your eyes were literally bulging out while looking at it."

Alina didn’t argue anymore and focused on her food. After eating, they sat together near the fire for some more time while the sky outside began to darken slowly.

When they stepped outside, the cold evening air hit them, making Alina shiver. Austin stepped behind her and pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders, fastening it properly near her throat.

"There," he murmured. "Better?"

Alina nodded.

"Very much."

Austin moved towards his horse but stopped when he saw her fumbling with her gloves. Austin watched her silently for a moment before reaching over.

"You’re putting it on wrong ."

"What?"

"The thumb is twisted."

She looked down.

"Oh!!"

Austin took her hand and fixed her glove.

"Learn how to wear gloves properly or you’ll freeze otherwise," he smirked and climbed back onto his horse.

The road grew darker as they continued riding. But stopped at an intersection.

"We should go left," Alina said confidently. "The inn on the map was that way."

Austin shook his head.

"No. It’s on the right."

"How do you know?"

"Because I’ve travelled this route before."

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"Yes!" he replied. "Now follow me."

They took the right road. And Austin turned out to be correct and Alina hated that. By the time they reached the inn, night had already fallen.

They grabbed their bags as they entered inside. The innkeeper looked up at them and smiled.

"Ahh! A newly married couple!" she exclaimed.

Alina froze, her cheeks turning red immediately. But Austin wasn’t bothered.

"Yes," he replied. "One room, please."

The woman nodded. Austin put his hand on her waist as the woman gave them the key. He thanked the innkeeper politely and led her towards the stairs towards their room.

The room was small but neat and comfortable. Austin put down their bags as soon as they entered inside. Then he took off his cloak and sat on the bed, pulling off his boots.

"You said that very confidently," Alina said, walking towards him.

"Said what?"

"That we’re married."

He looked at her for a moment before answering.

"Because to me we are," he replied casually.

"You make it sound very easy and simple," she laughed.

"Because it is," he replied. "We sleep beside each other every night. We know about each other’s annoying habits. You steal my blankets, my food. And you fight with me as if you’re planning to spend the rest of your life with me. Sounds like a marriage to me."

He rose from the bed and stood in front of her. Then he brushed his fingers against her wrist and intertwined their hands.

"When I say ’home,’ I think of you there. And that’s enough for me."

The room suddenly felt very warm despite the cold outside. She smiled and put her forehead on his chest.

"Well, that was very close to an actual proposal," she murmured.

Austin wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer.

"You are saying that like you still don’t know."

"Know what?"

"That I love you and want to marry you."

The simplicity of his words affected her more than any grand gestures or her favourite poetry could. She closed her eyes and held him even tighter.

Later, they climbed into the bed while the wind rattled outside. And immediately, Alina put her freezing feet on his legs. Austin almost jumped at the touch.

"Gods, Alina."

She burst into laughter.

"Your feet are freezing!"

"Warm them for me," she requested.

"I’m considering murder instead."

"You’d miss me too much," she laughed.

"That’s unfortunately true."

He pulled her closer and trapped her against his chest while she continued laughing. Eventually she stopped as her mind drifted back to the king’s deadline.

"What if we fail?" she asked suddenly. "What if those two files still aren’t enough and Audrey actually wins?"

"I don’t know what will happen tomorrow," he admitted, running his fingers through her hair. "Or after two months. But there’s no way I’m leaving you."

She pulled away and touched the scar on his arm gently before leaning forward to kiss it.

"Why do you always kiss my scars," he murmured.

"Because you hate them, so someone should love them instead," she replied.

Austin didn’t know what to say. Alina had this special ability to make him speechless. But Alina didn’t stop at the scar only. She moved forward and kissed his lips next.

The wind howled outside while the inn creaked. The bed was too small for the two of them and blanket was too thin compared to the cold outside but they didn’t care. They had each other and that was enough for them.