Chapter 264: Episode 264.

Mabel sat beside Fitz near the tall windows of his private sitting room.

The afternoon sun had begun to fade, leaving the room bathed in a warm golden glow.

She had been there for nearly an hour.

Fitz’s arm rested loosely around her waist, his fingers occasionally moving against the fabric of her dress without thought.

Mabel leaned comfortably against his chest.

She looked peaceful. Almost innocent yet her mind remained busy with calculations.

Anyone who entered the room without knowing her might have mistaken the scene for something tender.

Mabel rested her head against his shoulder. “When would the baby arrive?”

Fitz looked down at her. “I don’t know.” He answered. “She would be close perhaps next month.”

A small smile touched Mabel’s lips.

Fitz’s hand tightened slightly around her waist. “Why do you ask?”

Mabel eyes sharpened. “Nothing. I just noticed Charlotte’s becoming really slow.”

Fitz scoffed with disdain. “She has always been that way. The child has nothing to do with it.”

At that moment, the door opened, and Charlotte stood at the entrance. She had clearly not expected to see them like this.

Her hand remained on the doorknob.

For one brief moment, pain and then disappointment flashed across her face.

She quickly lowered her eyes. “I’m sorry.”

Fitz’s expression hardened.

Charlotte immediately stepped backward. “I didn’t know you were occupied.”

She looked toward Mabel.

Their eyes met.

Mabel’s expression didn’t change. Not even slightly.

Charlotte looked away. “I’m sorry for interrupting your private moment.”

Fitz didn’t respond.

Charlotte swallowed. She rested one hand against the curve of her stomach. Her pregnancy had become impossible to hide.

She was heavily pregnant now.

The child moved beneath her dress often enough that she sometimes had to stop walking and breathe through the discomfort.

Today, however, she looked exhausted.

There were faint shadows beneath her eyes. Her body carried the weight of the child heavily.

Still, she stood straight, and tried to maintain her dignity.

Mabel watched her carefully.

“If His Highness wouldn’t mind…” Charlotte began softly.

Fitz’s eyes remained on her.

“The baby would be out soon.” Her voice was gentle, and almost apologetic. “And I hope he can accompany me to the church.”

Fitz frowned. “No.”

Charlotte swallowed. She hadn’t expected something else, but she had still decided to ask.

Fitz looked toward the window. “Ask a maid to accompany you.”

Charlotte stared at him.

She had clearly expected resistance. But perhaps not such immediate dismissal.

“I…” She swallowed. “I would prefer if you came with me.”

“I said no.”

Her fingers tightened around her dress. “It won’t take long.”

Fitz finally looked at her. “I have things to do.”

Charlotte lowered her eyes. She swallowed through her discomfort. “You have things to do?”

“Yes.”

Mabel remained quiet.

She could feel the tension spreading through Fitz’s body. She have studied him well enough to know that he was already irritated.

Charlotte took one hesitant step into the room. “The priest asked that the child’s father be present.”

Fitz’s expression changed slightly. His face softened a bit.

“He wants to bless the baby before the birth.”

“The priest knows I’m the king with duties.” Fitz leaned back. “Take someone else.”

Charlotte’s lips parted. “But you’re the father.”

Fitz’s eyes narrowed. “And?”

The single word seemed to hurt her more than shouting would have. Charlotte stood completely still.

Her hand moved slowly over her stomach.

The baby shifted beneath her palm.

Her eyes became glassy, but she refused to cry.

Mabel watched her. Then she looked at Fitz. Something inside her moved. Calculation.

Mabel knew there was a difference between winning a man and making him feel as though he had chosen you.

She gently placed her hand over Fitz’s wrist. “Fitz.”

He looked down at her hand, and then he merely her eyes. She gave him a small smile. “You should go.”

Charlotte looked at her.

Mabel shrugged. “It’s the baby’s blessing.”

“I already said I won’t.”

“I heard you.” Her voice remained soft. She traced one finger absentmindedly over his wrist. “But she isn’t asking you to stay with her all day.”

Charlotte stared at Mabel.

Mabel finally looked toward her. “How long will it take?”

Charlotte hesitated. “Perhaps an hour.”

Mabel nodded. “Then go.”

Fitz’s jaw tightened.

Mabel smiled again. “I’ll be here when you return.”

Charlotte’s expression changed. She understood what Mabel was doing. She was making herself look generous.

However, she can’t refuse the act.

Mabel leaned closer to Fitz. “You should go.”

Fitz stared at her. “You don’t mind?”

Mabel smiled. “Why would I?”

Fitz studied her face for a moment. Then his shoulders relaxed. “Wait for me.”

Charlotte’s eyes widened slightly. “Thank you.”

Fitz stood.

Mabel remained seated.

He adjusted the sleeve of his shirt.

Charlotte turned toward the door, then stopped. She looked back, and her gaze found Mabel.

Mabel smiled at her. It was a beautiful smile. Sweet, and almost affectionate.

Charlotte’s stomach twisted. She lowered her eyes. “I’ll wait downstairs.”

She left.

Mabel watched the door for several seconds. Then she looked at Fitz. “You should take a coat.”

He smiled. “As you wish.”

Fitz reached for her hand. His thumb brushed over her fingers. “You really don’t mind?”

Mabel looked at him. “About Charlotte?”

He nodded.

Mabel tilted her head. “Why would I mind?”

“Because she asked me to accompany her.”

“And?” Mabel leaned back. “You have a child, Fitz.” She paused, and added. “Children.”

His expression tightened. “I’ll spend my whole life apologising for not telling you.”

“Then go.” She leaned closer. “I don’t want to be the reason you stop being a father.”

Fitz’s expression softened. He leaned down. His lips brushed her forehead, then her cheek.

Mabel forces a small smile.

He kissed her once more before walking toward the door.

Mabel watched him leave.

The moment the door closed behind him, her smile disappeared. Completely. She remained still for several seconds.

Then she slowly looked toward the chair Charlotte had occupied.

Mabel’s eyes narrowed.

Mabel stood.

She walked toward the mirror.

Her reflection stared back at her perfectly. She adjusted a strand of hair, then she smiled at herself.

…

Charlotte waited downstairs.

She stood beside the entrance with one hand resting against the small of her back.

The baby moved again.

She winced.

A maid immediately stepped forward. “Your Highness?”

“I’m fine.”

“You don’t look well.”

Charlotte smiled weakly. “I’m fine.” She looked toward the staircase.

She heard footsteps.

Fitz appeared.

He was dressed in a dark regal coat. His expression was unreadable.

Charlotte’s heart lifted despite herself. She hated that it still did.

“Ready?” He asked.

Charlotte nodded. “Yes.”

He walked toward her.

For a moment, she simply watched him.

They stepped outside together.

The carriage was waiting.

Charlotte climbed in carefully.

Fitz followed.

The door closed.

And as the carriage began moving toward the church, Charlotte rested her head against the seat.

She looked through the window.

Charlotte placed both hands over her stomach. The baby moved again. She smiled faintly.

“Your father is here.”

Her voice was barely audible.

Fitz heard her.

He looked toward her.

She continued staring out the window.

“I hope you’ll forgive him someday.”

Fitz’s brows furrowed. “For what?”

Charlotte looked at him. For several seconds, she didn’t answer.

The carriage continued through the city.

Neither of them spoke again.

…

Mabel remained in the sitting room.

She had asked the servants not to disturb her. She sat beside the window with a book open on her lap.

She wasn’t reading.

Her eyes remained fixed on the words without seeing them. Her mind was elsewhere. She needed to secure the wolves future before anyone sees it coming.

Mabel slowly turned a page.

Charlotte still believed she could appeal to Fitz as his wife. She still believed the child gave her some claim over him.

A soft knock came at the door.

Mabel looked up.

A maid entered. “Lady Mabel.”

Mabel closed the book. “Yes?”

“The carriage has left.”

Mabel nodded. “Thank you.”

The maid hesitated. “Is there anything else?”

“No.”

The maid bowed and left.

Mabel waited until the door closed. Then she stood. She walked to the window. From there, she could see the road beyond the estate. Beyond human eyes.

The carriage was already disappearing into the distance.

Mabel watched it.

Her expression was calm.

She knew Fitz would return. The only question was what would happen when he did. Her fingers rested lightly against the glass.

Her eyes darkened. It offended her greatly that she still hadn’t discovered how the silver liquids were being made.

“Perhaps, it’s time I make him choose.”