Chapter 2

"I've already lost my mother. I can't bear to lose you," Henry said.

His eyes brimmed with sincerity and pain.

If it weren't for the memories from what had happened last time, I probably would have been fooled by him.

I took the bowl of soup and idly stirred it with the silver spoon.

I said softly, "I appreciate your devotion, sweetheart. You're such a thoughtful child. Come on, get up.

"I just woke up and honestly don't have much of an appetite right now. I'll drink it later.

"Isn't your father going to assess you and Prince Jameson on riding and archery this afternoon? Go change your clothes. Don't be late."

After Henry left, Olivia Schultz, my senior maid, came in.

Her tone was full of admiration for Henry. "Lady Katalina, Prince Henry's filial devotion is so touching."

"Olivia, step outside and bring Regina in. Myla, stand guard at the door," I instructed.

Most of my maids were sent by the Howard family. Only Regina Spence, a healer my father sought out and placed at my side, was responsible for my daily health.

Myla came from my mother's family, and since she joined me, she hadn't contacted anyone outside, so she was trustworthy.

When I first entered the palace at seventeen, I was healthy, but I'd never looked after a child before.

Afraid that young Henry might be targeted and that pregnancy would make it harder to protect him, I had Regina, my healer, prepare a gentle herbal remedy to prevent pregnancy, which wouldn't harm my body.

I took it for five years straight and stopped when Henry turned ten.

To my surprise, just three months after I stopped taking it, I found myself pregnant.

Once Regina entered, I dismissed all the servants and maids and held out my wrist for her to check my pulse.

After a moment, Regina's eyes sparkled with delight.

"Lady Katalina, you..." Regina blurted out, barely able to contain herself.

As she was about to speak, I raised a finger to stop her and slid the bowl of soup toward her.

"Check it again," I told her.

Regina was a mountain healer with an uncanny sense of smell. She could sniff out a thousand herbs without even looking.

My father found her during his travels and struck a deal, offering plenty in exchange for her service at my side.

Regina leaned in, sniffed carefully, and instantly sensed something suspicious. She swiftly removed the bowl from the table.

She said, "Lady Katalina, someone put a strong dose of silphium in this soup.

"For most people, it is a magic medicine, but for anyone pregnant, it's dangerous. It could seriously harm the unborn child."

I scoffed coldly. "Regina, can you guess who handed me this soup?"

Regina's expression turned serious.

She said, "No matter who brought you this soup, it's clear they meant you harm. This is a calculated move to hurt you."

"It was Henry," I said.

Regina looked stunned. "Lady Katalina, how could it be him?"

I said, my voice icy. "When you were away from the palace recently, Olivia started attending to my daily needs.

"I didn't even realize I was pregnant, but she did, and she conspired with Henry to harm me. Regina, Olivia has to go."

That evening, the royal physician reported my pregnancy to the Plurish Palace, Queen's residence, and she wasted no time sending the news straight to Edward.

Edward was overjoyed to hear I was pregnant.

Children in the royal palace were few and far between. Henry was arrogant and full of himself, while Jameson was timid and spineless.

Neither of them was the crown prince Edward dreamed of. He was desperate for another son.

My pregnancy couldn't have come at a better time.

*****

In Brilliance Palace, Edward sat at my bedside, holding my hand, his happiness practically overflowing in his expression.

The Queen, Anne Stuart, didn't bother to come herself. Instead, she sent a servant with congratulatory gifts.

That was just her way. She rarely showed up for palace celebrations and had long let the other ladies handle most of the harem affairs for her.

I shot Regina a glance, and she instantly dropped to her knees, eyes brimming with tears as she sobbed in front of Edward.

She cried, "Please, Your Majesty, you have to help Lady Katalina.

"Lady Katalina has been so tired these past few days. We all just thought it was the usual change-of-season fatigue, so we didn't call the royal physician.

"But someone with evil intentions somehow found out she was pregnant and slipped something harmful into her soup.

"After her nap, she had no appetite and left the soup untouched. But when we finally called the royal physician, he said there was a strong dose of silphium in it.

"If she'd drunk it, it could have killed both the baby and Lady Katalina. Your Majesty, please, you must protect her."

Regina's words were choked with sobs, and her forehead was red from how hard she pressed it to the floor.

Edward's grip on my hand grew tighter, his expression turning grim.

"Who brought the soup?" Edward asked, his voice icy and full of suspicion.

Regina knelt on the floor, shaking all over, unable to raise her head. She remained silent for what felt like ages, not daring to utter a single word.

I gently covered Edward's hand with mine.

"Your Majesty, it was Prince Henry," I said, my voice steady.

Edward's eyes fixed on me, icy and razor-sharp.