Chapter 3

Fernando snorted with a half-smile. "You really know how to live the life."

I had nothing to say back. All I could think was, once I left Campbell's estate, I'd finally be free, able to live like a normal person.

Fernando didn't say anything else. He just had someone escort me back, never saying whether he'd agree.

During the day, he kept showing Andrea around, taking her everywhere. At night, he'd hole up in his study, refusing to see anyone.

My belly had started to show as the baby grew from two months to four, but Fernando still wouldn't give me an answer.

Anxiety gnawed at me. I wondered if Fernando was ignoring me just because I was insignificant, and he refused to make a deal with me.

The more I thought about it, the heavier my heart became, worries piling up until I could barely breathe.

Eventually, I fell ill, burning with a fever and tossing and turning, unable to sleep the whole night.

But both my maids were fast asleep. Not a single one of them heard my weak cries.

By the time the fever had my bones aching, all I could do was curl up and softly call out for my mother.

I had no idea how long I lay there before someone finally carried me away.

Someone carefully spoon-fed me medicine, and when it was over, wiped away the tears at the corners of my eyes.

His voice was cold and sharp. "Where are her maids? How could they not notice their mistress was sick?"

"They're kneeling outside, in the yard," someone answered.

"Take them down, give them twenty whips, and kick them out," he ordered.

"Yes, Your Highness," came the reply.

With that, he carried me in his arms and gently tucked a blanket over my belly.

Fernando sighed. "I thought you were just pretending, but I didn't realize things were really this tough for you."

When I finally came to, I realized I was somewhere else.

The room was so much more luxurious than anywhere I'd ever stayed before. When I turned my head, I saw Fernando sitting not far away, reading.

I scrambled to get out of bed, but my legs buckled, and I collapsed to my knees with a thud.

Fernando walked over at a leisurely pace. "Why are you making such a fuss? You finally recovered. Don't push yourself."

He hauled me to my feet and tossed a thick jacket at me.

"It's winter, and you don't know how to dress warmer. No wonder you had a cold," he said.

I quietly fastened the cloak and then instinctively reached for my belly.

Fernando noticed and said, "The doctor said the child's fine. There's nothing to worry about."

"Alright," I murmured.

After months of carrying this baby, I couldn't help but feel attached.

After freshening up, I wanted to head back to my own room, but Fernando stopped me.

He said, "No one else is living here but you, so just stay for now. When my father arranges my marriage, you can move out then."

With him saying that, I couldn't really argue, and I just stayed put.

I sat carefully on the bed, feeling nervous and not sure what I was supposed to do.

Fernando noticed and patted the empty spot beside him. "Come over here. Warm yourself up by the fire."

I slowly shuffled over. He was reading, but the writing looked like chicken scratch, so messy that it made my head spin.

Fernando noticed me watching him and smiled. "Do you understand any of this?"

"No, I can't read," I replied honestly.

"Then what are you staring at so intently for?" he chuckled.

As he spoke, his eyes shifted down to my belly.

He reached out almost without thinking, running his hand over it a couple of times.

His touch was gentle and careful, as if he were handling something truly precious.

"Does the baby ever kick?" Fernando asked.

"Sometimes," I said.

"Are you feeling alright? When my mother was pregnant, she could barely eat anything," Fernando said.

"I'm doing okay, Your Highness. The baby's been good," I replied.

I looked down, remembering how the maids always said I didn't know proper manners. I sat up straighter, trying to look as proper as possible.

Fernando frowned. "Why are you sitting so far away? Isn't it uncomfortable for the baby with you sitting so stiff?"

Honestly, I felt fine, but since he wasn't happy about it, I just stayed quiet.

I inched a little closer, and the thought of that long-neglected deal popped back into my mind.

I couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, about that deal I mentioned before, would you be willing to go through with it?"

Word was, Andrea and Fernando had been hitting it off like wildfire these days, and the royal wedding seemed just around the corner.

If she became Fernando's wife, there'd be no peace for me at Rosyrie Palace. I had to seal the deal before anything could flip on me.

Fernando's gaze wandered, finally landing on the fire.

He said, "Looks like you really want to leave me, Christina."

I replied honestly, "Your Highness, you're destined for greatness. One day, you'll be surrounded by highborn ladies from noble families. Maybe my child will be lucky enough to earn His Majesty's favor.

"But I have no support here. If I stay, I'll probably waste away before long."

I really didn't know how to play tricks or scheme. I was just not that smart.

If I had to survive in a world full of scheming and backstabbing, I'd probably be eaten alive in a single day.

Having spent his whole life in the palace, Fernando understood perfectly what I was getting at.

He sighed. "You're really reckless. If I were the cruel type, being that honest could've sent you straight to your own funeral."