you've been used to staying away from Xaden since the first year of your studies. not because you were afraid of him, but because he was the son of an apostate, and you were the daughter of the one who executed his father, and therefore no friendship was originally supposed between you.

you were already in enough danger within the walls of the academy to be exposed to additional risks. but surprisingly, unlike most of the other students, Xaden never tried to kill you. he threatened at your rare intersections, narrowing his stunning amber eyes cunningly, burning you with withering glances, but periodically seemed to be protecting you, and it was so strange.

after all, one festive night you ended up in the same bed. and you never discussed it afterwards. because Xaden called what happened a mistake.

and then, about six weeks later, he found out that you were pregnant. It was crazy. this should not have happened within the walls of the academy. this has never happened before within the walls of the academy. It led you to death by a straight path.

you were so small, so fragile, and now you had to tighten your tiny body with a corset even more so that after a couple of months no one would notice the added roundness.

he needed to get you out of here. that's why one day, catching you in the crowd, Xaden dragged you into a dark corner, holding you so gently by the forearm despite the iron grip.

"why didn't you tell me!?"