Lydia sat quietly by the balcony, her hands resting on her lap, her eyes lost somewhere in the orange glow of the setting sun. The light spread across the palace roofs, soft and golden, but she didn't see it. She was thinking — or rather, she was trapped in her thoughts. No matter how much she tried, she couldn't push Tatiana's words out of her mind.
They echoed again and again.
"His Highness will never abandon me. He trusts me. I'm carrying his child."
Lydia's fingers tightened around the edge of her seat. Her heart felt weak, almost too tired to beat. She kept staring at the fading light as if the sky could calm her. But nothing could.
Her chest rose and fell slowly. Every breath felt heavy. The wind blew gently, brushing through her hair, but even the cool air brought no comfort. Her thoughts were louder than the wind.
A soft knock came on the door. It broke the silence.
"Your Highness?" It was Katherine's voice. "Are you alright? You've been here all morning."
