Klarine was busy renovating the newborn’s chamber as they were expecting their child in the second week of the winter season. Eagerly, she asked Duke Noxton for permission to redesign the manor’s interiors, and while he agreed, he firmly forbade her from making any changes to the Prime Manor building. This restriction unsettled her, reinforcing a growing suspicion that Noxton wasn’t truly invested in her, that he was keeping her around solely because of the child. What troubled her even more was the lingering sense that Noxton still harbored feelings for Thalia.
“Miss Klarine, the interior decorator will arrive tomorrow morning,” her personal servant informed.
Klarine’s expression darkened. “Miss Klarine?” she snapped, offended by the servant’s informal tone. When Noxton was present, th
