The Duke's Bed Warmer

Chapter 203: Touch Of Freedom

Dawn spread over Ravenmoor as Cecily finally walked out of the east wing. She had slept in a guest chamber in the main wing. She was finally in a room with a window that opened and she had kept it open all night, letting cold air touch her face as she slept. It was a small thing but for her it was no less than miracle.

In the morning, she dressed in a beautiful blue that Alina had made for her weeks ago. She pinned her hair and looked at her face in the mirror. The scars she had hated no longer bothered her. They were the symbol of her strength now.

Then she opened the door and stepped into the main corridor. A maid carrying fresh sheets glanced at her and froze. The sheets slipped from her arms.

"Lady... Lady Cecily?"

"Good morning," Cecily smiled.

The maid stared at her as if she had seen a ghost. She screamed and ran away. Cecily was hurt by the reaction but she had expected this. For five years, she had been dead for the outside world. It was only normal for them to react this way,

By the time Cecily reached the main staircase, three more servants had seen her. An older maid pressed her hand over her mouth and started crying.

"We thought you were dead," the woman whispered.

"I thought so too, sometimes," Cecily answered with a smile.

She walked down the stairs towards the great hall. Breakfast had already begun. Courtiers sat on their seats, talking quietly among themselves.

Cecily stopped at the door and slowly the conversations died. Every eye turned towards her. She walked through the silence with her head high, no more ashamed of her scars.

She crossed the room and sat on the chair next to Austin. Lady Pemberton finally broke the silence.

"Is that... Lady Cecily??" She stammered.

Cecily turned and looked at her.

"Yes," she replied.

"You’re alive?"

Cecily ignored her questions and looked at the server.

"I’d like some tea, if it’s not too much trouble."

The hall exploded into noise. Nobles began whispering, gasping and asking questions to each other when no one of them had any answer. Cecily calmly watched the servant pouring her tea with shivering hands.

Austin entered at the exact moment with Alina. He had planned to arrive first to announce her return himself. But Cecily hadn’t waited. She had apparently decided to introduce herself.

They both immediately walked to her.

"You were supposed to wait for me," Austin murmured.

"I’ve been waiting for five years," Cecily replied, sipping her tea. "I couldn’t wait anymore."

Austin couldn’t argue further. Instead, he turned and stood at the center of table. Everyone froze waiting for what he had to say.

"Five years ago, a fire was set in the east wing," he said. "My sister, Lady Cecily Moore, was inside. Everyone believed she died but she survived. I lied about her survival to protect her from whoever set the fire."

He paused, letting the weight of his words settle among the nobles.

"Yesterday, Lord Ashby was arrested for setting that fire. We have found evidence that confirm his involvement in the fire. He has also been connected to a criminal network that has operated across two kingdoms for over decades. That network engineered debts, sold women into contracts, and destroyed families."

The silence that followed felt suffocating.

"I know this is difficult to believe," Austin continued. "Lord Ashby has been a part of this castle for more than forty years. He has been kind to everyone but he is also the man who set fire to my sister’s room because she accidentally found evidence of his crimes."

His gaze moved across the hall. Many of the nobles looked shocked. Some looked angry while some seemed lost, still struggling to process his words.

Austin then turned slightly toward Cecily.

"I hope you’ll welcome Lady Cecily and help her find her place in this castle again," his voice softened. "For five years, she has lived in isolation. While the rest of us laughed, celebrated, and spend our lives with our loved ones, she remained hidden away behind a locked door."

Lady Pemberton immediately rose from her seat.

"Welcome home, Lady Cecily."

One by one, others followed.

"Welcome home."

"It’s good to see you again."

"Welcome back, my lady."

Cecily teared up. She had imagined this moment for years. But somehow, she had never believed it would actually happen. She looked around the hall and smiled.

"Thank you," she said softly.

It took her time to return to her old life. After breakfast, she walked to the kitchens. The head cook dropped a pot when she saw her. But then crossed the room and pulled Cecily into a fierce hug.

"We made your favorite cake every year on your birthday," she said, crying. "Even though you were gone."

"I wasn’t gone," Cecily said. "I was just in another wing."

Alina took her to her sewing circle women. They were all new in the castle and had never seen her but had heard about her death. They all watched her with curiosity.

"You’re His Grace’s sister," Marguerite said.

"I am."

"It’s difficult to believe...I mean..."

"I understand," Cecily replied. "It’s difficult for me to believe too."

In the evening, she got lost. She stood in a hallway she didn’t recognize, turning in circles as panic crawled in her chest. But Alina found her.

"You’re lost?" Alina asked, laughing.

"Corridors have changed so much," Cecily muttered.

"It’s okay. I’ll give you a tour."

Cecily smiled.

"You better," she replied.

They she turned serious.

"Does it get easier?" she asked. "I mean...the stares...the whispers."

"I was a bed warmer when I arrived here. People still stare at me," she laughed.

"How did you survive it?"

"I found something to do instead of focusing on what people thought," Alina replied, taking her hand. "Come on. I’ll walk with you."

They walked together through the corridors, past staring courtiers and bowing servants. With every step, the knot in Cecily’s chest loosened a little more. And slowly, the castle began to feel like her home again.