*Ember*

After the awkward dinner, I couldn't shake the feeling of doubt that had crept in. Kieran's dismissal of my input hit me hard, making me question my place in all of this. I couldn't help but wonder what my role would be in this child's life. Would I just be the surrogate, the vessel that carried the heir to the throne, or would I have a say in how they were raised? Would I be nothing more than a distant memory while Kieran took the reins of their life?

I ...