A free woman fears for her child

The minute that it takes for Astrid to sprint through the long corridors to her room is the longest minute of her life. Time passes like in a nightmare where your mind moves so much faster than your body is able to.

She sees nothing on the way, she pushes anything and anyone out of her way until she reaches the doors. There, she freezes, with her hand on the handle.

What will she see if she opens it? Is it hell on the others side? As scared as she is now... a moment more of incertitude may feel better than whatever waits for her.

She takes a deep breath and bursts into the room.

"Erik?" She rushes to the crib only to see her baby crying, startled by his mother's scream. "Oh, my baby. Hush. I am sorry!"

She picks him up with shaking hands. The maids are looking at her surprised and the guards that she didn't even notice at the door are packing inside to make sure everything is fine.

"Lady Astrid? What happened?" Esmee asks concerned.

"A guard came when I was with Loras... He said that