Alina woke up before dawn, long before the first light touched the towers of the palace. She had barely slept. Every time she closed her eyes, she heard the cruel words of the nobles from the throne room again. She felt exhausted down to her bones.

She stood up slowly and walked to the mirror. Laura had already prepared her court gown for the day. She had placed it in her room last night after Austin had left. The silver fabric was shimmering faintly in the darkness.

By the time she had bathed, morning light was filtering through the curtains. Alina stared at the dress once again and began to dress. Her fingers struggled with the clasps behind her back. The dress, despite fitting her perfectly, felt too heavy and tight somehow.

Then the door opened and Austin stepped inside, already dressed. He stopped when he saw her

fighting with the clasp.

"How long have you been struggling with that?" he smiled.

Alina exhaled tiredly.

"I hate these dresses," she said. "Every ribbon and jewel feels like part of their game. It lookslike they’re trying to shape me into their version of a princess before the court has even accepted me."

Austin walked over and knelt beside her chair.

"Turn around."

She did. His fingers moved gently over the clasp, fastening it slowly. Then he rose and stood behind her, looking into her eyes through the mirror as he adjusted the neck of the dress and smoothed the fabric over her shoulders. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"You don’t have to become anyone else," Austin said, looking at her reflection. "You already scare this court exactly as you are."

Alina laughed.

"Am I that scary?"

"You shook an entire throne room yesterday," he said as he slid his arms around her shoulders from behind. Alina closed her eyes briefly, feeling his warmth.

"It has been only one day, and I’m already tired," she said as she stood up.

Austin rested his chin against her shoulder before speaking.

"Then rest against me whenever it becomes too much," he murmured.

She then leaned back against him, quietly drawing strength from his presence.

They were served breakfast in a private dining room. No one talked much except for Laura.

"As you must have noticed already, the court is divided," Laura explained pouring tea. "Some still remember your mother fondly and regret what happened to her. Yesterday a lot of nobles were moved by your courage."

"But it’s still not enough," Alina replied, staring at the tea.

"I know," Laura nodded. "Lord Valdren will be your biggest obstacle, even more than the king. He will keep reminding the court what they might lose if they support you."

Austin nodded.

"It’s about power now." Austin said. "The nobles will make their decision on seeing whether your acknowledgement benefits them or threatens them."

The situation had become far more complicated than they had imagined. Every noble saw her as either an opportunity or a threat. Supporting her could shift alliances, weaken powerful factions, and change the future succession of Arcasedia itself. And because Austin openly stood beside her, Ravenmoor had also become part of that political battle, along with Astoria.

In the afternoon, Alina was invited to a gathering of noblewomen in one of the palace salons. Austin was not allowed to accompany her. And it honestly terrified her. But having Laura beside her, calmed her a little.

The salon was filled with flowers, music, and expensive tea sets. Everything looked very elegant and beautiful. But Alina felt awkward. She had attended such gatherings in Ravenmoor hosted by Audrey and had survived the likes of Lady Pemberton. But this was a hostile kingdom with powerful nobles watching her every move.

The women welcomed her with polite smiles but their eyes were as sharp as daggers.

One of the ladies, Lady Elowen handed her a cup of tea.

"Ravenmoor must be very different from your old life," she said sweetly. "It must have been quite an adjustment."

"Absolutely," Alina replied with a smile. "But I’m grateful I came to Ravenmoor. It taught me many important things. Hard work, loyalty and survival, to name a few."

Another noblewoman tilted her head with feigned sympathy.

"Tell us, Lady Alina, how does one transition from a bed warmer to claiming royal blood? It must be a truly fascinating story. One rarely hears of such... remarkable rises."

The question landed like a veiled slap. Alina felt her legs shaking slightly but she kept her voice steady nonetheless.

"It is not a rise, my lady. It is just the truth."

More questions followed. Each one of them sounded polite but carried judgment underneath. Laura stayed close to Alina during the whole gathering, offering quiet support by touching her arm gently whenever the conversation became crueler.

She couldn’t speak directly. She was not in a position. Moreover, she wanted to Alina handle it. If Alina wanted acknowledgment, this was nothing compared to what still awaited her.

Then, unexpectedly, an older noblewoman who was silent the entire time, sitting near the fireplace spoke.

"Your mother used to hold her teacup the same way."

Alina immediately turned to her and found the woman smiling.

"She also looked nervous at gatherings when she was of your age. She would stand quietly and observe everyone before speaking," she continued.

Alina’s expression softened instantly.

"Thank you," she whispered. "Everyone speaks about her tragedy as if that’s all she was. I think you’re one of the few people who still remember that she actually lived."

While Alina endured the salon gathering, Austin met Dorian privately in his room. The tension between them was palpable.

"You knew Valdren would drag this out," Austin asked coldly.

Dorian leaned casually against the table.

"I had a doubt."

"Then why didn’t you inform us before," Austin snapped. "He is turning Alina into entertainment."

Dorian shook his head.

"They’re testing her," he corrected him. "Valdren wants the court to watch her under pressure. The longer she stays here, the more useful she becomes politically."

"She’s not a political game," Austin shouted furiously.

"But to them? Everything is," he replied calmly.

Austin slammed his hand against the table in anger.

"It looks like you already want to give up, Duke," Dorian mocked him.

"Careful, Dorian. My patience is already running out," Austin said coldly.

"Then pray she survives long enough for your patience to matter," Dorian replied.

At night, Alina sat near the balcony window of her room, slowly removing her jewellery. The necklaces and bracelets felt unbearably heavy after an entire day of pretending that she belonged here.

Austin entered the room quietly and knelt in front of her. He gently took her hands and began removing the bracelets one by one.

"How bad was the gathering ?" he asked casually.

Alina sighed but then smiled.

"I think... I preferred when they openly insulted me," she said. "At least they were honest."

Austin kept on removing the bracelets.

"Every woman in the gathering was waiting for me to say the wrong thing."

Austin removed the last bracelet and set it aside. Then he held her hands and kissed them.

"Are you thinking about leaving?" he asked, looking into her eyes.

Alina looked surprised.

"No," she replied immediately.

"Good."

She studied his face carefully.

"That’s all you’re going to say?"

"Yes," he replied as a faint smile touched his lips.

Then he brushed his thumb over her knuckles.

"If you’re going to stay, keep making them uncomfortable," he said. "Every time you stand before them without breaking, you remind them that your mother’s love was stronger than their cruelty."

Alina closed her eyes and leaned her forehead against his.

"I think I can survive them," she whispered softly. "As long as you keep looking at me like this."