KATHERINE

A maid came once again to inform me about dinner.

"Bring the food to my room. I won’t be dining in the hall tonight"—nor ever again.

I watched her leave with a nod.

"Nana…"

"Think it through carefully, there’s no rush. An heir isn’t born in a few hours. Go, take a good bath, relax, and sleep on it. I’ll take care of Lavinia."

I sighed and stood up, leaning toward her. I kissed her wrinkled forehead. This woman had been the only mother I had ever known.

"Silly girl, still as clingy as when you were a little rascal. Go rest, you have tough battles ahead," she patted my hands.

I headed to my room. Honestly, my mind was so burdened with worries that it felt like it was about to catch fire.

No one ever said living someone else’s life would be easy. As soon as I closed my bedroom door, a knock sounded against the wood behind me.

I opened it to find the servant who attended the dining hall.

"Excuse me, Duchess, dinner is ready."

"Then bring it in," I said, opening the door wider, e