Jessica Robinson
Stories
9
Chapters
2,697
Words
1.2 M
Comments
0
Reading
4 d, 6 h
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As soon as we reach the room, I run to the cradle and check on my daughter. She's awake and fine. Kate is next to her, and the two are staring at each other in silence. I would find it creepy if I wasn't used to it. ?Has anything happened to her?? I ask Kate, and both the girls turn to me. One shakes her head and takes a step back, while the other shouts with her high-pitched tone and tries a horrible smile. ?You've recognised your mother, haven't you?? I chuckle as my heart is filled with…-
272 •
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The banquet is grand as befits someone of the calibre of the late Empress Grandmother. There are many types of food on the table and both white and red wine. I sip water, not to endanger Lavinia through my milk. And to keep my head clear. Alexander is on my right. Then, there's the Princess and his majesty. On the Emperor's right, the Dowager Empress. On my left, there are a few empty places. No one is in the mood to talk, for a reason or the other, at our table. The rest of the hall is quite…
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272 •
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I thought I didn't have a heart anymore. I thought I was getting used to losing people. Yet, when the late Empress Grandmother is brought out of her building for the funerals, a tear escapes from my eye. I didn't have time to get too attached to her yet... I wipe the tear away before anyone else can see it. I'm a lady. I'm allowed to cry and faint. But it wouldn't be a pretty sight, especially because I'm not supposed to know her majesty. Alexander is also sad, but I can't guess if it's genuine…
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272 •
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As soon as I return to Alexander's chambers, I collapse on a sofa and call for Kate. I've been far from my daughter for a couple of hours. Has she missed me? Did she cry too much? When Kate walks in, the little ball is sleeping. She's not even hungry, judging from her peaceful expression. I fed her before going out, so she should be fine for an hour or so. ?How has she been?? I inquire. Lavinia is pretty annoying when she cries. Her voice is high-pitched and hits in the head. I can't stand to…
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272 •
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After sending Elisabeth off, it's time to focus on the selection. Caroline reaches the garden with the other girls, and she spots me. She smiles, polite and gentle. She assumes I'm one of those curious ladies walking around here to take a look. Well, I am, in a certain way... After all, the choice won't be mine. I will just participate in the shortlist of the candidates. And I made sure my name wouldn't be brought up until the right moment, which is the first challenge for the girls. Before,…
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272 •
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The time I need to recover is enough for the ladies attending the selection to gather in the Palace. A couple, related to Alexander's mother or the Princess's, stay in our wing. The overcrowded hallways on the other sides of the Palace don't have enough space for them. They're not the only few that have relatives in Ethiro, and the others' lodgings are close or within those of their family as well. And also, they won't have any special treatment because of this. I hope they already know that,…
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272 •
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?What has my Vinnie done today?? Alexander inquires a few seconds after storming into his bedroom. He only managed to change clothes. The odd thing is that he's asking our daughter directly. She can't speak yet, so it would make more sense to talk with me in her stead. I've been with her for the whole day, so I for sure know what she has done. Which is: nothing. Lavinia spent her day eating, sleeping, and staring at me. She's just like her father in his lazy moments, now that I think about it.…
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272 •
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When I recover enough to walk, I bring Lavinia to the Empress Grandmother. I promised her that I would visit her after the debut to chat, but then so much happened that I couldn't keep my word. As an apology, I'll let her see my daughter before the Emperor. He couldn't visit these days, so he'll lose his privileged position and be third in the family to see her. The first one, out of Alexander, was the Princess. Kate is taking care of my baby as if she was trained, so I let her do most of the work.…
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272 •
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From when Alexander returned, no one dares to reach this wing of the Palace. I spend a few days resting. When Lavinia wakes up in the middle of the night, Alexander gets up to carry her to the bed. It doesn't happen too often, as our daughter is a calm baby, but I don't need to walk, not even to the cradle. Lavinia's serenity is not because of the sleeping drug the midwife gave her. Kate said that the poison isn't in the little ball's body anymore. It's just her character. Breastfeeding becomes…
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272 •
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Alexander leans me on the bed. He tucks the covers and asks Kate to take care of me while he finishes some tasks. Before moving away, he closes the curtains of the canopy. Kate is sitting next to me, cuddling the little ball that is crying her soul out. I'm so relieved, actually. ?Here,? I ask, stretching my arms out. ?I'll feed her.? I untie the ribbon of the nightgown and move the cloth aside to free one breast. My daughter finds it immediately, even with her eyes closed. Her hands are…
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272 •
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