The Duke's Bed Warmer

Chapter 200: The Purpose

A week after they discovered the backup channel, once again, the trail went cold.

Maren’s agents followed the messages all the way to the Arcasedian border but after that they vanished. Without official papers, Maren’s people couldn’t follow them inside Arcasedia.

"We lost the trail at the border," Maren informed them. "A woman carried the message into Arcasedia. My agents can’t go after her without papers."

Austin sighed in frustration.

"Is there nothing we can do?" he asked.

"I’ve sent messages to a few contacts inside Arcasedia, but it may take weeks to hear anything back."

"And Ashby?"

"He has gone quiet again. He is back to his usual self."

"Every time we think we’re close, something pulls us back," Austin murmured. "It feels like they are suspicious of us."

"That’s because they’ve decades of experience," Maren replied. "I know it’s sounding repetitive but there’s nothing we can do except for waiting."

But the very next day, Ashby changed his approach. Instead of being quieter, he became more visible. He appeared at every meal, joined conversations he usually avoided, and visited parts of the castle he rarely went to.

Alina noticed the change and immediately told Austin.

"Lord Ashby is trying to protect himself," she told Austin at night in their room.

"What do you mean?"

"He is building his goodwill. He is making sure everyone remembers how kind Lord Ashby is. So that if we ever accuse him of anything, no one will agree, saying he is the kindest man in the castle."

"We don’t have much time then. We can’t wait anymore."

But before they could make their move, Ashby moved first. He approached Austin after dinner one night.

"Your Grace," he said warmly. "A word?"

"Of course."

"I’ve heard the servants talking about the fire investigation. They say you’ve reopened it and found some evidence in the old accounts."

Austin nodded.

"Harrington found some old ledgers during the archive work. I asked him to review them."

"I see." Ashby smiled. "I’m only asking because I know how much that fire hurt you. You hardly talk about Cecily’s death..."

He didn’t finish, waiting to see Austin’s reaction. But Austin didn’t flinch. He didn’t let anything show on his face.

"Thank you for your concern," he said calmly.

"Always, Your Grace. You know how much I care about you."

"I do," he replied. "Good night, Lord Ashby."

"Good night, Your Grace," Ashby smiled and walked away

Leaving Austin standing in the corridor shaking with rage. On the other hand, Alina unable to wait decided to talk to Rosilyn.

She was Austin’s bed warmer before. Maybe she knows something!

She immediately went to her room and found her sitting on the bed, sewing a dress.

"Alina?" Rosilyn smiled as Alina enetered her room. "I wasn’t expecting you."

"I’ve been so busy lately," Alina said, sitting down beside her. "I thought I’d come see you."

"I’m glad!" Rosilyn replied.

They talked about castle life for a while when Alina slowly changed the topic.

"Rosilyn...when you were here did Lord Ashby ever speak to you?"

Rosilyn frowned.

"Lord Ashby?"

"Yes."

"The old scholar who is always in the library?"

Alina nodded.

Rosilyn thought for a while then shook her head.

"No. Not really."

"Not even once?"

"I mean... everyone spoke to him occasionally. He was always around the castle. But nothing unusual."

"Was you family in massive debt?" Alina asked.

Rosilyn suddenly looked upset.

"I’m an orphan."

"I’m sorry. I didn’t know," Alina said, feeling guilty.

"It’s okay," Rosilyn shrugged. "But why are you asking this?"

"Nothing. Just curious," Alina smiled.

Rosilyn knew Alina was hiding something but she didn’t press further. And Alina left the room with even more questions than before.

The next morning, Austin received a message from Holloway.

I want to see you. It’s urgent.

They didn’t waste any time. Every second was precious. They rode to his home and found him in bed. He looked very sick and weak.

"Your Grace," he said. "I have to tell you something."

"I’m listening."

"Someone from the network contacted me. They know you visited me and you’ve reopened the fire investigation."

"How do they know?"

"Because Ashby told them. I told you he is a dangerous man. He knows everything that happens in that castle."

Holloway coughed. Alina offered him water but he refused.

"There’s something I didn’t tell you before," he said. "I told you I didn’t know about the fire. That wasn’t true."

They both froze.

"Before the fire, Cecily found some documents in the old store room of her wing. Ashby found out and was terrified. According to him, it was something that could destroy everything."

"She was a child," Austin shouted.

"But still it was risky," he said. "Ashby set the fire to destroy the documents. Cecily’s room was next to the study. The fire was meant to burn both the papers and her."

"He tried to kill my sister to cover up paperwork?" He growled. "I’m going to kill him the moment I reach Ravenmoor."

Alina immediately held his arm, steadying him.

"And my placement?" she asked Holloway. "Why was I worth ten times more than the others? Is it only because of my link to Arcasedia?"

"I really don’t know about that," he replied. "Your placement was arranged after I retired. But..."

"But what?"

"If network still exists it’s because of you."

"What do you mean?" Alina asked.

"You’re not just a random piece on the board, Alina. You’re the reason they built the board."

Holloway’s words followed them the entire ride back to Ravenmoor. Just when they thought their lives were finally settling down, everything had become complicated again. Every day brought a new discovery, yet none of the answers seemed to explain anything.

Instead, each answer only created more questions. They no longer knew who to trust or what to believe. Every person seemed suspicious, and every word sounded like it might be a lie. The closer they got to the truth, the more uncertain everything felt.

"If we can connect with their contact in Arcasedia, we can find out who the network leader is," Alina said after a while.

Austin nodded.

"But we already closed the Arcasedian Chapter," Austin said. "I don’t want you to involve yourself with that kingdom again."

Alina understood his reasoning. He didn’t want her to return to the kingdom that had taken her mother’s life. And asking help from the man who had ordered her death felt like too much. It was a sacrifice he couldn’t accept her making.