---- 312.


    AMALE HEIR KATHERINE My heart pounded, adrenaline coursing through my veins.


    The Duke had taken us under his protection, even if it was just an act.


    How good it felt to have the power to make decisions, to no longer be just someone else''s puppet, a lifeless doll.


    The absolute power this man represented as he stood before me...I stared at him intensely, reaffirming my goals in my mind despite the barriers.


    He ordered the nanny and that Theodore, who was obviously paving the way to abuse my daughter''s innocence and then rise from a groom toa noblewoman''s husband, to be taken away.


    Such macabre ideas did not ur to a 14-year-old boy, that was his mother''s doing.


    Atst, the Duke turned and looked at me again, just for a few moments.


    His blue eyes gleamed with beautiful golden flecks, perhaps reflecting the sunlight.


    He walked past me without another word.


    "Thank you, Your Lordship," I whispered softly, not expecting a response.


    I took a deep breath, smoothing down my skirt.


    Today, I hadpletely stepped out of my role.


    For heavens sake, I havent even been here a week, and this whole act is already falling apart.


    ---- When I entered the castle, the servants gazes on me were no longer the same as before.


    The contempt remained, but now it was more concealed, masked, covered by the fear of ending up like the model nanny.


    At least all of this had served to teach them a lesson and show them that the old Rosse, who only pretended to be tough, had now truly be a raving harpy.


    sek My worried eyes rested on the little girl sleeping in bed.


    Her tiny eyes were swollen from crying so much.


    The nanny had caused a scene in front of her, and thanks to Freya, who had practically dragged her to her room, she didnt see her mother pulling the hair of the woman she had so innocently given her affection to.


    "Sweetheart, Ill get you back.


    Ill protect this good life for you, no matter what," I murmured, leaning in to kiss her forehead lovingly before tucking her under the nket.


    Now that Freya would be her nanny, I felt much calmer about everything.


    "Tl find us a safe refuge, leave it to your mother.


    No one is taking away yourforts," I whispered, rising from the bed and heading toward the study, closing the door softly behind me.


    "Dont worry, child.


    Step by step, have patience, you still have time," Freya was waiting for me, sitting in the chair by the window, embroidering as she always did.


    I walked over and sat down across from her.