Chapter 276: What must be done
Eleanor was lost for words and hope upon hearing Astrid’s desperate cry to protect her daughter. It was true Diana was not a Silverheart. Astrid had done something rather stupid as retaliation after her marriage to Eris.
She didn’t love the general and still doesn’t till now. Her heart was cold due to her foolish obsession as some would call it. After her wedding night with Eris, they had consummated the marriage. Eris was called to war; it was an emergency summon as the kingdom borders were being compromised, leaving his wife, who didn’t want anything to do with him.
Astrid, during her lonely night, drank herself into a stupor every night and visited special brothels that rendered services to noble ladies. This continued until the grieving princess found entertainment with beautiful men who reminded her of her obsession. When she found out she was late.
She went to her mother to confess and to cover up everything, Eleanor pulled some strings and got Eris back from war. The honest truth was that Astrid didn’t even know the father of her daughter, and Eris had been in doubt, too, since the girl didn’t possess any features of the Silverheart.
Eleanor broke the hug and then held Astrid’s hand, "relax, it isn’t the end of the world ", she said softly. She didn’t mention something to Astrid she rather not
"Eris won’t take it. I know he hates me." The princess cried, overlooking all the ways her husband had tried to cover her shame even until now. Their marriage was not one of love but Eris eventually found peace with it despite the fact his wife never opened her heart to him.
His only solace was Diana, who he loved dearly, but his doubt was always at the corner of his heart. Astrid didn’t let him touch her after she gave birth to Diana, only on rare occasions, and unlike the royal family, the Silverheart family didn’t have mandatory nights.
"What happened was truly unfortunate, dear", Eleanor said, and Astrid went silent. Her tears dried out.
"Astrid," she called softly, making her daughter stare at her. Her grey eyes were wary. Astrid didn’t say a thing; she bit her lower lip, trying her best to avoid eye contact.