A Child

Raven stepped out of the room, leaving behind a fragile Seraphina who had fallen back into a peaceful sleep. His heart ached, but he tried to calm his mind. Just as the door clicked shut behind him, he noticed the doctor standing outside, almost as if he had been waiting there for him.

Raven's eyebrows furrowed in concern. "What's the matter?" he asked, his voice holding a faint edge of worry.

The doctor shifted uncomfortably. "I'm not sure if it's appropriate for me to say this, but… congratulations, my lord."

"Congratulations?" Raven echoed, his confusion deepening. "Did you just congratulate me on my wife's recovery?"

The doctor quickly shook his head, avoiding Raven's piercing gaze. "No, that's not what I meant, Your Grace. I believe… the Duchess is pregnant."

Raven froze, his mind grinding to a halt. "What?"