---- Asuit of armor to protect herself from loneliness, from the absence of a mother to love and care for her.
"My love, I need to leave with your father to tend to some matters of the Duchy," I said, approaching her cautiously.
She didnt look at me.
She didnt speak.
She just kept reading with her head down.
"I...
Pll be back soon..." "Better not come back.
Why dont you stay at your country house?" she replied coldly, without lifting her eyes from the pages.
Asharp pain shot through my chest, and the corners of my eyes burned.
I swallowed hard, forcing down the lump in my throat.
Time would heal this.
"T will come back, Lavinia.
I always will because I will never leave you alone again.
I made a mistake, and I regret it, my love.
You have no idea how much I regret not being here for you.
I..." Thad to lower my head.
My voice trembled, my heart too full of things I couldnt confess to her.
I stepped closer and, before she could push me away, I leaned down and kissed the crown of her beautiful dark hair.
I felt her body tense, but she didnt pull back.
I sniffled slightly, trying to hold back the treacherous tears threatening to spill.
"T love you, my daughter.
I know I failed you, but I only ask for one chance, just one, Lavinia, to let me be your mother again.
And I promise, you ll never regret it," I whispered softly.
---- She didnt respond.
She just stared at the page without turning it, but my mothers heart could sense that this was at least a small step forward.
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"Tll be back soon.
Listen to Lady Freya, she only wants to protect you," I added, and after one last glance, I stepped out of her room.
As I gently closed the door, I turned back for a final look through the small gap before shutting it completely.
My daughter was crying.
She had hidden her face behind the book, but her shoulders trembled.
Ipressed the door shut without forcing her further.
My hand trembled on the doorknob.
I closed my eyes tightly, trying to hold back the tears that wouldnt stop rolling down my cheeks.
Icould forgive Rossella and my father for ruining my life, but never for stealing my daughter from me and robbing me of so many moments with her that I could never get back.
"Calm yourself, child.
The Duke is waiting for you.
You have to be strong, for her," Freyas wise voice came from behind me as her hand rested gently on my shoulder.
Topened my eyes, now filled with determination.
There was no room for failure.
This Duchy had to be ours.
eed I wiped my tears and headed down the stairs.
On the first floor, the servants were already loading the luggage into the carriage.
The Duke turned just as I descended.
He was dressed in an indigo riding outfit that matched the light blue of his eyes.
"Good morning, Your Lordship," I greeted him, since he hadnt shown ---- up for breakfast.
"Good morning, Duchess," he replied curtly.
"We leave in five minutes." He then walked outside without another word.
"So rude," I muttered under my breath, huffing.
The time to depart had arrived.
!!!
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