Samantha awaited Henry's reaction, but he either stood stupefied or, more accurately, feigned being dumbfounded at her confession. His hand paused in the air, withdrawing it from the young princess's cheek."Aren't you going to say anything?" she asked with a racing heart."Your Highness," he addressed her formally, "there's nothing I can do to prevent an engagement with another man."Samantha took a step back at Henry's response."I thought you cared, that you worried about me," Samantha sobbed."And I do, Your Highness, but... who can oppose the wishes of His Majesty? I am not the brave knight who will rescue you, to my misfortune.""What do you mean, Henry?" she asked, determined to call him by his name, breaking the rules."I can fight for you, Your Highness, but there's no way I can go against the power of the King, especially if he has the approval of the Queen Mother. However, there's something you can do.""What is it, Henry? Tell me, and I'll do whatever it takes to prevent b

Selene tried to inquire a bit more, but Samantha remained tight-lipped about it. Eventually, Selene gave in and engaged in conversation with the young princess about the preparations for her upcoming party, just around the corner. The topic of the princess's future suitor was left behind, but Selene couldn't stop pondering. She genuinely hoped that Frederick would find a good man for her sister because, despite being a bit stubborn, she was not a bad woman and deserved a beautiful and pure love like the one Selene was experiencing with her future husband. They spent a few hours together, trying to get to know each other. Samantha set aside her sadness momentarily when she shared some amusing experiences with the animals on her uncle's farm. This surprised Selene, as the princess appeared so delicate. Imagining her playing and working with animals was a contrasting image but seemed very entertaining and interesting to Selene. Selene left Samantha's room, but the idea that the Duke the

Marcus stood up upon seeing his uncle appear, accompanied by the King, to whom he gave a short bow. "I will be delighted to be your host tonight, Marquis," said Frederick. "The honor is mine, Your Majesty," exclaimed the man with a slight nod of his head. Frederick gave Marcus a brief look and left the room. "Everything okay?" Marcus asked as he remained alone with his uncle. The man looked at him with an intensity that scared him. "His Majesty and I had many matters to discuss, Marcus. Some more important than others, but we have reached a magnificent agreement," he expressed. Marcus nodded. "So, are we staying?" the young man asked, sitting next to the Marquis. "You heard it, and I don't intend to displease the King, so I ask you to maintain composure. If you can delight us with one of your beautiful melodies, I will be more than grateful to you." "You're behaving more seriously than usual. Is there something I need to know?" Marcus questioned. The Marquis shook his head.

Samantha felt a shiver run through her body and a lump lodged in her throat, but the desire to see with her own eyes what she heard was stronger and drove her to take the necessary steps to go down the stairs, only that, when she reached the bottom, her brother was waiting for her and Henry was already walking away, taking Regina by the arm, without a single glance at her."Are you ready?" Frederick asked as he joined her."Does it matter?" She questioned without looking at her brother. Samantha smiled at the couple passing by, pretending everything was fine, when in reality all she wanted was to run out and lock herself in her room."Samantha..."I'm ready to get on with all this, Your Majesty," she muttered without seeing him.Frederick clenched his fists at his sister's attitude; However, he was content with the fact that the features of his face did not reflect his dissatisfaction with the feast. The last thing he wanted was for suspicion to be aroused among the guests."Your Maj

Frederick looked Selene in the eye and the happiness was overwhelming at the time, however, now what mattered most was knowing the care they needed to take from now on."What are the precautions to follow?" The king asked, for Selene was unable to say anything.The doctor did not take long to give the explanations and suggestions so that the couple could carry the pregnancy on the best possible terms, in addition, it was evident that the symptoms were going to be strong at least the first months and the future queen could not remain ill."I'll keep an eye on the whole process and please, any strange discomfort, don't hesitate to call me," the doctor asked and Selene nodded. It will be a healthy baby, My Lady, don't worry.Joy, euphoria and fear took hold of Selene at the confirmation of her suspicions, she could not expect any other kind of news when she had been with Frederick so many times, that she had lost count of the nights they gave themselves over to passion, without any preca