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The Loneliest Ballad

“You must bear a child, Celia. what good is a woman who isn’t a mother? What good is an empty womb?” “Especially when it’s a foreign womb, like yours…” It’s not an easy life when you’re watched month after month, when all the blame is placed at your feet for your young husband having no heir. Celia Devon Tralhamir, Crown Princess of Havietten, waits every month with hope mingled with fear. A child will secure her future. But it will also bind her for life to a husband she neither loves or respects, who refuses to see her abilities. Is that what she wants? Is she content to prioritise security over happiness, and be a wordless decorative vessel all her life? Or is she brave enough to try to forge her own path and seize fulfilment on her own terms? Even in a society that cannot recognise individual brilliance in a mere woman. A sequel to the WEBNOVEL book “Earning the Love of a Princess”, this novel follows another woman born into the Royal House of Devon, trying to fight the confines that threaten to stifle her happiness.

Gabrielle_Johnson_6482 · History
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238 Chs

Auspicious Days

23 June, 1369. St Ivan's Palace, Havietten.

Celia was standing in front of her full length mirror in only her chemise, while her maids held out several gowns for her to choose from. 

She'd quickly grown to hate the tedious daily process of her morning bath and dress. With her bandaged wrist, it now took an absolute eternity. 

Her maids were scared of bumping her arm even slightly, so they handled her as if she were on her deathbed. While Celia appreciated their consideration, she was sick of not being able to leave her apartments until noon, by the time her hair had been styled and jewellery added. 

Still, she reasoned, their attentiveness made for a pleasant change from their past laziness. And at least now, she was no longer confined to her bed. 

Since her week of bed rest had ended, she'd been expected to attend dinner in the grand hall every night. So she had, with her head held high and ignoring the whispers.