Though the scars were fading, they would be permanent, leaving garish marks across his face. But they served as a reminder and most boasted it as his strength. A scarred man... a scarred land he ruled...
It only added to what struggle he fought with everyday. And though his wife tried to comfort him, and they bedded many times...
It seemed another child wasn't meant to be. And it made the Grand Duke restless. Sure, he wasn't the best father figure, rarely seeing his daughter except when she was in his wife's arms. But he was a busy man, and priorities needed to be on an heir, not a political piece, that he could only pray to Ansgar wouldn't die like his first born son.
And though he was distant from that time in his life...
It left a deeper scar in him than he could have imagined, and it felt even more so like his life was spiraling out of his control. And just as it was those several months ago, he needed that fresh air, he needed to be alone.
And in doing so, found himself escaping to the one place he had thought he had long forgot. And soon found his eyes upon a figure he too, had hoped he forgot. BUt things.... had changed, and unfortunately so, as he hung back to the shadows and watched the dark haired woman's form against the spring.
It was a strangely serene vision, but it made something buzz within his blood. But yet.. he couldn't bring himself to move from the shadows where he hid beneath a canopy of trees. Eventually, when his eyes could look away, he took a look at this place during the day time, trying to piece it together to how things had been that night...
But his eyes were drawn back to her, and the way she laid near the water....
And the way her belly swelled. And again, he felt something grip at his heart.
