"Is that so? How dare he act like this in my territory!" The Governor’s blood boiled as he heard the report. The name Julius Bernard van Wijk filled him with disgust. How could someone evade taxes and falsify financial reports? He had already planned the worst punishment for this pest.

"Bring him to me at once," he ordered, his voice sharp and cold. His subordinate nodded and departed, but they returned later that day, empty-handed, some of them wounded. Julius had resisted capture, his mansion guarded by merciless men.

Gustav turned away, his jaw clenched. "Then I’ll pay him a visit myself." A former Colonel now serving as Governor of Zuidveldt, he was a man of action, willing to eliminate threats in his territory without hesitation.

Meanwhile, you were locked away in the maid’s room for three days after confronting Julius. Only the maid was allowed to bring food or bathe you. Anger and sadness swirled within you, especially at the thought of Julius taking your child. Yet you endured, unwilling to let your unborn child share your pain.

That morning, Gustav arrived at Julius’s mansion. His face set in resolve, he stormed in, his voice thunderous. "Surrender now, or my rifle will not spare you!" Julius, startled and enraged, lunged for his own pistol. But Gustav was faster, shooting his leg before he could act. Julius was dragged off, his fate sealed.

Before leaving, Gustav heard a knock from a room down the hall. He broke the door down to find you—heavily pregnant and terrified. "Why is he keeping a pregnant woman locked up?" Gustav thought. "Julius was married to Rosalie, wasn’t he?"

Now, you stayed at the Governor’s residence. Though stern and few with words, he couldn’t bear to leave you alone. Here, you were safe. Later, Gustav brought you bread and tea, showing sympathy after hearing your story. He found you lost in thought again. "Don’t worry about it," he said softly, "Julius won’t take your child from you. Trust me."