Theo felt his heart skip a beat at the news. He was about to be a father. A real, honest-to-gods father. It was a feeling that washed over him like a tidal wave, a mix of excitement, fear, and responsibility that was almost too much to bear. "Is she alright?" he asked, his voice tight with concern.
"The letter says she's in good health," Ely replied, her eyes shining with excitement. "The Empress has invited us to the royal court for the birth."
Theo's hand shook slightly as he took the letter, the gravity of the situation sinking in. He was going to be a father. In the midst of wars and political machinations, a child was about to be born, a beacon of hope and a symbol of his legacy.
"Congratulations, Lord Theo," Lady Ashford said, her voice filled with genuine warmth. The countess of Kuli, Lady Catherine, offered a curt nod of her own, her eyes lingering on the letter before her gaze slid back to Theo with a hint of curiosity.
