The soft warmth of Daniel’s tiny hands, the sweet scent of milk, and, most of all, his innocent smile filled Fiona’s heart with an overwhelming sense of love. Tears spilled from her eyes before she realized it.
When she had lost her own child—and learned she could never conceive again—Fiona had thought that seeing other children would always bring her pain. Even as she decided to work for the duke’s family, she had braced herself for the despair she might feel.
Yet, in this moment, Fiona was overcome with a completely different emotion.
“Um… may I hold him?”
“Of course. I’m sure Master Daniel would be delighted,” the head servant replied with a smile.
Fiona gently picked Daniel up.
“He’s heavy…”
Or perhaps not—he actually felt light. Daniel giggled and clung to Fiona with endearing eagerness.
“I promise to serve Master Daniel with all my heart,” she said, unable to resist hugging him tightly.
* * *
From that day forward, Fiona began her new life as one of Daniel’s caretakers.
At dawn, she would draw the curtains in Daniel’s room and greet him good morning. She cleaned his face and hands, changed his diaper, and fed him before taking him for a walk in the garden. Back in the room, they practiced tummy time and rolling over, or she would hold him while reading picture books aloud. During his naps, Fiona would take her breaks.
“Miss Fiona, I’ll watch over Master Daniel while you rest,” one of the other caretakers offered.
“Thank you, but please let me stay. I want to spend as much time as possible with him,” Fiona replied earnestly.
Though there were other caretakers, Fiona couldn’t bring herself to leave Daniel’s side.
Every time she saw his round, chubby cheeks or his innocent sleeping face, she felt an immense joy. The emptiness she had carried in her heart and body was being filled, her chest warming with every moment.
(I never thought I’d feel like this again.)
For Fiona, who had been consumed by despair, Daniel was a beacon of hope. No words could express how grateful she was. She gazed at him with softened eyes.
* * *
“Master Daniel, look! The flower that was just a bud yesterday has bloomed. Isn’t it beautiful?”
A few days later, Fiona took Daniel out for their usual walk. The duke’s garden was vast, filled with a variety of flowers in bloom. As she watched Daniel’s delighted smile at the sight of flowers and butterflies, Fiona’s heart swelled.
“—You’re the new caretaker for Daniel?”
The voice came from behind. Fiona turned to see a handsome young man around her age.
He had pale blond hair, finely chiseled features that resembled a sculpture, and deep violet eyes that glimmered like sapphires. His aura was undeniably noble. He had to be Asher, the head of the house.
Fiona handed Daniel to another caretaker before bowing deeply.
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