"Forgive , my lady, but the baby has just woken up," she reported with a hint of urgency.
"Mother..." a soft, sleepy voice echoed through the room, capturing everyone’s attention.
They turned to see a three-year-old boy, Ethan, rubbing his eyes as he erged from behind the nursemaid.
"And so is Ethan," she added.
"I’ll go tend to the baby first. He must be hungry. Please take over Ethan, my dear," Rachel requested. Her nurturing instincts rose, and she went straight to the nursery without waiting.
"Most definitely," replied Eric unwaveringly.
"Oh, dear. My little Ethan is awake too. We must have been too loud," the knight realised, a touch of guilt in his voice. He walked over to his eldest son, hugging him tightly and lifting him into his arms.
"Father... Ethan... sleepy," the adorable boy mumbled, punctuating his words with a yawn. His resemblance to Eric was striking, lting the hearts of those present.
"Oh, yes, you are," the knight replied with a tender smile. He patted his son lovingly and enveloped him in a warm embrace. "I’ll tuck you in. Co, let’s go to your room."
As Anna observed the ever-bubbly Eric cradle his son in his strong arms, a new facet of his personality erged before her eyes. The knight had transford into a tender and loving father figure, a side of him that Anna had never truly noticed before.
With Ethan nestled in his father’s arms, the pair made their way out of the dining room. The chatter within the crowd gradually subsided as conversations shifted to hushed tones.
Soon after, Eric and Rachel reappeared, bringing a sense of anticipation to the room. Rachel cradled the baby gently in her arms, a look of tenderness spreading across her face.
"Ethan has already fallen asleep, but this little one is still wide awake. He had quite a long nap earlier," she shared, her voice filled with affectionate amusent.
The tiny bundle in Rachel’s arms imdiately captivated Anna’s eyes. It was her first ti seeing such a small, delicate baby up close. In her own upbringing, when her little brother Ryan was born, she wasn’t allowed to lay eyes on him until he had grown into a toddler. This mont, however, was different—her heart filled with awe and wonder.
"Oh, he’s so small and undeniably adorable," Anna exclaid, her voice filled with genuine delight. "And he’s wearing the socks!"
"Yes... They were so beautiful! I can’t wait to put them on him!" Rachel added.
Anna couldn’t help but be enchanted by the delicate features and innocent expression of the little one before her. The baby’s sight elicited a sense of pure joy and tenderness within her as she marvelled at the beauty of the new life.
"Would you like to hold him, my lady?"
Rachel’s gentle offer took Anna by surprise. She never expected to have the opportunity to touch the precious baby. Her eyes widened with astonishnt as she inquired, "? You would allow to?"
"Of course," Rachel replied warmly. "You are our esteed guest, and it would be an honour for us."
Overco with excitent and nervousness, Anna rose from her seat, ready to embrace this particular mont. Rachel carefully passed the baby into the princess’s waiting arms, ensuring he was secure and comfortable.
As Anna cradled the tiny boy, her erald eyes sparkled with radiant joy. She scanned his delicate features, little hands and fingers, and the innocent expression on his face. The baby’s soft cooing only added to his irresistible charm.
Just then, Eric spoke up, his voice filled with anticipation. "Your Highness, would you like to give him your blessing? In fact, we haven’t nad him yet, and we are hoping you could bestow a na upon him."
A warm smile spread across Kyren’s face as he watched the scene.
"I would be honoured," the grand duke replied, rising from his seat and moving closer to Anna. The room fell silent, all eyes focused on the unfolding mont.
Suddenly, Kyren surprised the princess and the others with a question. "What na do you think would befit this baby, Anna?" he asked.
Anna blinked in surprise, her heart skipping a beat. "You’re asking ?" she asked, a shake of surprise lacing her tone.
Kyren nodded, a gentle smile gracing his lips. "Yes, I trust your judgnt. I will na him based on the na you choose."
Anna’s eyes shimred with gratitude.
"But, Sir Navin requested you to na him."
"It’s fine, my lady. We would be happy if you could think of a suitable na and give him your blessings, too," said Rachel.
Her words of encouragent only added to her resolve.
Taking a mont to gather her thoughts, Anna suggested, "Then... how about Evan?"
"That’s a beautiful na. You made the right choice," praised Kyren.
Rachel’s excitent was palpable as she said, "Yes, indeed! I think it’s perfect, too!"
With a sense of purpose and tenderness, Kyren placed a hand on Evan’s delicate forehead, his other arm gently embracing Anna. His voice carried a heartfelt blessing as he spoke, "Then, I hereby na you Evan Navin. May you grow up to be as strong as your father and uphold the dignity of Cassian."
The room seed to hold its breath, the weight of the mont sinking in.
"And may you bring boundless joy and be a source of imasurable pride to your family while also being shielded from any harm," Anna gracefully added her own heartfelt blessing with her soft, sincere voice.
She turned to Kyren, and their eyes t, exchanging a silent understanding and shared happiness.
Beatrice couldn’t contain her excitent, exclaiming, "Oh, my! What a wonderful mont! If anyone were to witness this, they might actually believe that the baby is yours!"
Rachel joined in the enthusiasm, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Yes! Now that you ntion it, Beatrice, how my lady holds the baby is so natural! I can’t help but look forward to the day when you have a child of your own. I do not doubt that you will be an exceptional mother!"
Anna’s cheeks flushed with a rosy hue. The thought of having a baby had never crossed her mind before. She realised she had not discussed this topic with her husband, and Kyren, too, had never explicitly expressed his desire for a child.
However, witnessing his affectionate nature as he played with his nieces in the garden earlier that afternoon, she couldn’t deny the love and tenderness he exuded. It beca evident to her that he would beco an incredible father.
Her mind buzzed with thoughts and emotions as she contemplated the future, the possibility of carrying Kyren’s child within her. The idea both thrilled and overwheld her, unveiling a deep yearning she hadn’t acknowledged before.
The n watched the scene unfold, their expressions carrying mixed emotions. Most of them hold aningful smiles. However, wearing a distant look, Rafe averted his gaze to the other side, his thoughts hidden within.
Kyren remained steadfast, unperturbed by Beatrice’s words, his countenance growing more serious. Sensing the need to redirect the focus, he spoke up, his voice firm.
"I believe we have spent ample ti here. It is ti for us to leave."
Anna acknowledged Kyren’s suggestion, understanding the practicality of their departure. "You’re right," she agreed. "We should make our way back. Rachel, please take Evan."
Rachel nodded and carefully received the baby from Anna, cradling him protectively in her arms.
"We have been here for quite a while, too. Let us return as well," Alex spoke up.
Sensing the late hour, the knights rose from their seats in unison, ready to accompany their noble guests. Eli, representing the group, offered their assistance. "Do you want us to escort you, Your Highness?"
Kyren, however, declined their offer with a gentle wave of his hand. "There’s no need. We’ll manage," he assured them.
As the heartfelt gathering ended, the crowd gradually dispersed, expressing gratitude to the generous gentry house owner for hosting such a morable occasion.
Anna and Kyren, having bid their farewells, made their way to their waiting horse. With a shared glance and a sense of contentnt, they mounted the steed and embarked on their journey.
anwhile, the knights, healer, and his assistant also departed, heading back to Gerhard’s mansion.
***
The warhorses, ridden by the knights, arrived at the mansion, their powerful strides carrying them swiftly to their destination.
As the knights dismounted, they handed the reins to the awaiting stablen. Just as they were about to enter the mansion, the steward hurriedly made his way towards them, his face filled with urgency.
"Mr Amares! Mr Norman! You’re back! Co quickly! There’s an ergency!" exclaid Anryr, his voice laced with concern.
Rafe, curious, inquired, "What is it, Mr Foster?"
"There’s no ti to explain. Hurry up! Follow !" the steward gestured for them to follow him as he swiftly approached the treatnt room. Sensing the urgency, Rafe and the others hastened their steps, their hearts pounding with anticipation.
Upon reaching the treatnt room, the n were greeted by a scene. Standing before them were two familiar knights accompanied by two unknown won; one was visibly distraught, her tears flowing profusely, while the other had a solemn face.
"Sir Brooks! Sir Skyler! What are you doing here?" Rafe asked, his voice filled with surprise and genuine curiosity.
His gaze then fell upon the unconscious figure lying helplessly on the bed, a dark-skinned woman desperately needing aid.
"Mr Amares! Help us, please!" Noah pleaded.
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