Evelyn's POV

I'll never forget the look of pure awe that decorated his face when he held her. His hands trembled around her form, as if she was made of fragile, priceless porcelain. She definitely looked the part with those familiar, large blue eyes, framed by dark lashes. He claimed that he wanted a girl that looked just like me, but Lillian ended up being a replica of him. Although he denies it, I know he spoils her endlessly in part because of the stark resemblance.

Of course, we needed a boy to complete our fantasy. My body needed time to heal, but the years we gave it did not seem to suffice. It was a difficult period, thinking our dream would be fulfilled, only to spontaneously lose the cherished being before he came into existence.

Ash had enough. He hated seeing me go through the pain. Although he loved the idea of another child, he loved me more. He wanted to stop trying, but I've always been the stubborn one in the relationship.

When Lillian turned six, I received a gift of my own. Only, I had to wait to unwrap it, as usual. But this time, it felt different. My premonitions were confirmed when I gave birth to a healthy baby boy. We all expected him to take after me, but to my dismay, Ash had the dominant traits of passage. Julian is going to break so many hearts one day.

Life became a wonderful kind of routine. Ash and I shared the royal duties, following a set schedule every day to ensure that we spent enough time with the children. Just as we had hoped, they got along so well with their grandparents. They'd often stay with my parents in the countryside to experience life as an average citizen, away from the royal pampering and unearned respect they received inside the castle walls.

But not everything was so serene.

Where there's a lion, there're always hyenas around.

Some nights, I wake up in a panic, covered in sweat. I rush into their rooms only to be relieved by the sight of their sleeping, angelic faces. Ash puts a comforting arm around me and guides me back to our bed. I know that the most secure place in this world is next to him, but Lady Arabella's words still haunt me during the darkest hours.

Human nature inherently has utterly disgusting traits - greed being one of the worst. Having witnessed the worst of these traits culminate into something as unproductive as unwarranted death left me with a cynicism that I feared I'd never part with.

And a part of me knew it was a necessary defense mechanism that came with owning the throne. Although the constant fear of losing our rightful place fades as the public's trust in the crown grows, I worry for my children. I worry whether or not they'll be able to handle the pressure, or if it will simply crush them.

Although Ash chastises me for thinking too far ahead, I also worry about whether they'll be lucky enough to find the perfect partner - one who will lead them to success and happiness just as we have led each other. After all, the marriage clause remains untouched.

Only the future will tell.

For now, I continue to accept all that life has to offer me with open arms and an open mind.