Zachary takes a step forward, then a step back. He nervously adjusts his glasses on the bridge of his nose, scratches his cheek, then his neck under his chin, which has already become covered with a small stubble.

"Is she asleep? Or is she going to get up soon? Will she need to change her diaper or feed? But to feed her, I'll have to distract you from your rest..."

It wasn't that he was panicking. Not at all. The newly minted father is only a little worried about how to take care of the child. Alexandra de Arno is the precious daughter of Duke de Arno, Zachary, and his beloved wife, you. The birth was very difficult, and two nannies can barely cope with the noisy baby. Just half a month after she was born, you fell ill with a cold, which makes Duke de Arno almost tear his hair out. Which way should he look first: towards his daughter, who should have the best care, or towards you, whose care should be at the highest level? The bags under the eyes only confirm the deplorable condition of the war hero.

"You're much younger than me. You're weak. Winter is comin–"

Hearing a soft sneeze that you tried your best to hide from him, Zachary covered the distance from the mirror to the bed in a split second and squeezed your hand tightly, but not without affection.

"What? Complications? But you're on the mend!"

The Duke is famous throughout the central continent. He is a great warrior, a knight of Iron and Blood, who has killed countless of his enemies. His face is always impenetrable, and silver hair is the worst thing an enemy can see. And now he's leaning over you and feeling your forehead, hoping you don't have a fever.

"Does your stomach hurt? Have you got your period back yet?"