Alina was finally out of bed after three days. Her legs were still a little weak, but she didn’t care. She wanted to see Evelyn as soon as possible. Austin had agreed after she had asked him at least a hundred times.

She went straight to the kitchen and saw Evelyn there, chopping vegetables, looking lost.

"Evelyn..." Alina called her.

She turned immediately, the knife slipping from her hand.

"Alina..."

She rushed to her, cupped her face and examined her.

"You look so weak," she said, worried. "Sit down. I’ll bring you something to eat."

"But I..."

"Eat first," she ordered, already walking towards the kitchen counter.

After a minute, she came back with a bowl of chicken broth.

"Drink it."

Alina smiled and took a sip. Evelyn sat in front of her, watching her to make sure she finished the broth.

"Evelyn..." Alina said as she emptied the bowl.

"I’m sorry," Evelyn said before Alina could speak. "I should have been more careful. I should have.."

"It wasn’t your mistake."

Evelyn shook her head.

"But I prepared that tea. If something had happened to you..."

"But nothing happened," Alina gestured at herself. "See...I’m here."

Tears brimmed in Evelyn’s eyes.

"I was so scared," she whispered. "When they said you were poisoned... and it came from me..."

Alina reached across the table and held her hand.

"But I never believed you did this," she said. "And I’m sure no one in the sewing either. We trust you...Evelyn."

Evelyn sighed, the strain in her shoulders loosening a bit.

"I’ll be more careful from now on."

Alina smiled.

"But don’t blame yourself for something you didn’t do."

Evelyn nodded and smiled back.

Meanwhile, in the other part of the castle, Austin had summoned Audrey in his study.

"I know what has been happening," he said.

"What do you mean?" she asked calmly.

"The pastries that killed a plant, the dead mouse on her bed, the torn dress, the rumours, and the poisoned honey jar."

"Those are serious accusations, Austin," she replied, still perfectly composed.

Austin nodded.

"Yes. And I have no evidence," he said. "But I know it was you behind all of this, Audrey."

Audrey smiled.

"You have no evidence and yet you are accusing me?"

"Audrey...we’ve known each other since we were children," his tone changed into something personal. "You were my friend before you became my fiancé."

"Austin..." Audrey could sense where this was going.

"With the earlier incidents, I brushed them off because I knew you were upset. And you had the right to be. Beacuse I was failing you as your fiancé", he stopped.

"But...with the poison incident... you went too far."

"I didn’t do it, Austin. I would never."

"I don’t want to hear your explanations anymore . I’ve had enough," he said. "I can’t trust you anymore. Our friendship is over."

Audrey’s composure finally broke.

"The friendship?" she repeated in disbelief. "You’re breaking our friendship over accusations you can’t prove?"

"I don’t need a confession, Audrey. I know it’s you."

She fell silent. She couldn’t process his words.

"Our engagement was never personal. It was a political arrangement. But...I really valued our friendship."

She didn’t say anything. She didn’t want to. There was nothing left. She wiped her tears and walked out without another word.

In the evening, Alina went to the garden. She wanted fresh air. She sat on a bench, admiring the flowers around her, when Dorian approached her.

"Miss Ashworth," he stopped at a respectful distance.

He looked genuinely concerned.

"How are you now?" he asked.

"I’m recovering." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"I’m glad," he replied. "Whatever you think of my motives...I would never wish you harm."

She looked at him and noticed he was really worried and looked relieved on knowing that she was recovering.

"Thank you."

"I have something to tell you," he said, back to his usual tone.

"Do you have more music boxes?" she joked.

"No," he smiled. "I’m leaving Ravenmoor for some time. I have matters in Astoria that require my personal attention."

Alina’s eyes widened in surprise. She didn’t expect him to return without completing his mission, and she knew that his departure would also pause her own mission.

"When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow morning," he replied. "For a week or two. And when I return...I want your answer."

Alina didn’t reply. This wasn’t the part of the plan. She needed to think carefully before answering.

"I’m giving you time to make your decision without my presence influencing your judgment. But when I come back... I need a clear answer."

Alina nodded.

The moment Dorian disappeared into the guest wing corridor, Alina stood up and went straight to Austin’s study.

Austin was standing at the window, looking at the garden below when she entered. Before she could talk about Dorian, he spoke first.

"I confronted her," he said without turning.

"About the tea?"

"About everything she has done to you since you arrived at the castle."

"Did she confess?" she asked, a little hesitant.

"No...she tried to deny everything," he paused. "Then...I broke my friendship with her."

"Your friendship?"

He nodded.

"Now... she is just a political arrangement. Nothing more."

She walked towards him and lightly touched his arm. She turned and looked at him. She could see the pain in his eyes. Audrey had been his childhood friend with whom he shared a lot of beautiful memories. And he had broken that friendship because of her.

"And before you think I did this because of you..then let me tell you...I did it because of her. She was the one who broke our friendship first."

She didn’t say anything. Instead, just leaned against his arm, resting her head on his shoulder.

"The tea was the last straw," he said.

"So what do you plan to do now?"

"I want to send her back to her father but there is no evidence. Ending the engagement because of unproven accusations will give the king grounds to dispute it."

"So we need to get the proof."

He finally looked at her.

"We will get it," he said firmly.

They stood at the window together side by side for a very long time. His arm was under her head and her hand was on his sleeve.

Then slowly, he covered her hand with his, holding it on his sleeve.