Natalia’s POV
I was still laying in bed with my baby pressed to my chest when the King summoned me for dinner. I didn’t have a choice; even though my legs trembled and every sinew in my body burned when I moved, I had no option other than to obey.
After all, if I refused, what would he do to my child?
It took great effort to get out of bed. I didn’t bother changing out of my blood-soaked dress—I simply gathered my child to my chest and limped toward the dining room.
I had wrapped her in a scrap of my skirt that wasn’t terribly dirty. Everything else in this place was dusty and unhygienic. Thankfully, for now, she was sleeping peacefully.
I hadn’t named her yet. I was afraid to. I didn’t know if I would lose her all too quickly, and a name just felt like an opportunity for a grave mark
