Thaddeus''s eyes widened in shock.


    From the moment Evadne walked through the door, he sensed something was off with her mood. Hearing her question now made his heart race; his strong arms wrapped around Evadne''s slender waist, his muscles tensed, and his warm hand gently caressed her belly.


    "Evadne, what''s wrong? Why such a sudden question?"


    "Thaddeus, I—I..." Evadne''s pale, worried face looked up at him.


    "You don''t have to say anything if you don''t want to. Even though we''re lovers, married, you shouldn''t feel pressured."


    Thaddeus realized something, holding her tighter, his chin resting on her shoulder, affectionately nuzzling her, "My Evadne, you will always have your freedom and your privacy. Even as lovers, as husband and wife, you still have the right to keep your little secrets. I''ll never intrude or pry."


    His understanding only made Evadne''s eyes well up with tears, and she turned to bury herself in his embrace, sobbing softly. She doubted others, but she trusted him implicitly. If she couldn''t confide in Thaddeus, she felt she might burst, overwhelmed with despair.


    "Evadne, don''t cry..." Thaddeus''s voice was hoarse with urgency,forting her softly. He patted her trembling back, unsure of what else to do, afraid to probe deeper.


    "Thaddeus, I was in Darcy''s study, and I identally saw a red-sealed


    document... It mentioned an agent named Dorothy who has been on the run for over thirty years... Everything about her, her age, her story, made me think of my mother."


    Evadne''s tear-streaked face was buried in his chest, his white shirt as soaked as his heart, "I''m afraid... I''m afraid that Dorothy... might be my mother!" Thaddeus''s gaze intensified, his hand around her waist tightening slightly.


    Evadne''s quivering voice, filled with a touching sorrow, said, "All this time, my father has been secretive about my mother''s identity. And Suri said my mother was found by Bevis Ashbourne by the seaside. Everything... seems somehow connected to her. Could it be... she really is..."


    "Evadne, if Mrs. Waverley really is your mother, what would you like to do?" Thaddeus whispered in her ear, his voice deep andforting.


    "Find out the truth!" Evadne lifted her tear-zed face, her eyes fiercely meeting his. Still so determined, unwavering, "To find out why a distinguished captain of the royal guard could be branded a traitor, sentenced to death, and hunted globally!"


    Thaddeus''s heart trembled, holding her closer, decisively saying, "Alright, once we''ve settled things with Avery, I''ll be with you, investigating the truth together!"


    "There''s one more thing."


    He looked puzzled, "What?"


    "After this is all over... would you... like Chasel, start to call me differently?" Evadne bit her lip, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink.


    A wave of warmth surged in Thaddeus''s chest, his blood racing, his eyes shining with emotion, his lips trembling. After a moment, he sped her hand, tears in his eyes, his voice rough and awkward:


    "Evadne, thank you for waiting for me... Thank you for giving me another chance."


    Eventually, a warm bath was shared by both. Perhaps it was the day''s exertions, the nning, and the stress of recent days. The romantic bath ended before it could truly begin, with Evadne falling asleep, exhausted, against his chiseled chest.


    ...


    The night was serene. Thaddeus dried Evadne off, dressed her in afortable silk nightgown, and gently ced her on the bed, tucking her in carefully.