Lot leaned forwards then and took Komi out of the Duke’s hands. Lot but her hand to check if Komi had been taken care of properly and for a moment the Duke and her held hands. Lot immediately pulled away.

  The Duke then got up looking at Lot with some confusion.

  Lot quieted Komi and then sat at the table with her hair askew trying to set everything into order. The servants around the Duke came forward and Komi was taken out of her hands as he reached forward to pull the plates forwards. Lot reacted as Komi was taken out of her hands.

  “Hey, he only eats if he’s with his mother.” Lot had grabbed onto one of his kicking feet as he was carted away.

  The Duke looked at the child with some amusement. Lot let go of the leg as he waved off the maids who had carted the child towards him.

  “It’s fine,” He said coldly. “Children should be defiant and strong. He behaves when I need him to. He should do nicely for the role he is to play.”

  Lot looked at the Duke with some confusion. “He should be outside playing.”

  “There are ogres eating my citizens. I should go down there and check. It’s been long since I mixed with common people. Would you like to go with me?”

  Lot tensed. “I can’t take Komi back there. It would not do him good to see so much death and as I have no clothing, I cannot say it would be becoming of me. Am I a maid here then?”

  The Duke paused as he put food into his mouth. He stared across the room as it opened to reveal the Dowager had come into the room. Lot felt herself tense as she was uncomfortable.

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  “She will go nowhere with you.” The Dowager said coldly. “I’ve had quite enough of this charade. I’ve sent for several other eligible ladies to be sent for you from the capital. We cannot have this be our family. There is so much riding on you and you have continuously disappointed me since coming back from triumph.”

  The Duke continued eating. Lot was frozen in place as she looked between them. The dowager walked up to her and raised her hand. Lot closed her eyes ready for the impact but as she squeezed one eye open to look she was surprised to see that the Duke held the Dowager’s hand in his.

  He sighed. “Mother, you are getting in age. I think you should have your breakfast in your room. What I decide, who shares my bedchamber is up to me. The heir is present in case I die. Would you rather the coffers be empty? I know you would like things your way, but I have decided to keep the mother and child.”

  The dowager disappeared in a huff with the Duke’s guard escorting her. “You’ll regret this when the younger ones arrive and YOU will be replaced quickly. Let her warm your bed for all I care. She is nothing when compared to the women who are coming to the Spire. A common whore for you then.”

  Lot lost her appetite.

  She stood up. The Duke put his hand on her wrist and then forced her to sit down. He turned to her maids. “Has this all that’s been provided to her?”

  One of the maids knelt immediately. “It’s all been removed, what was procured for her.”

  Lot snatched her hand away. “Procured for what? I don’t want to stay here.”

  The Duke looked at her. “Then where will you go? You have no husband. You have no home. You have a son. To the ogres when you came?”

  Lot immediately flinched. “I can find work in the taverns.”

  “No.” The Duke said coldly. “You will not. Have her belongings transferred to my room.”

  “NO.” Lot looked at him with disgust. “I will not be what she calls me.”

  “Do you have any other option?” He got up then with a slow glower. “I’ll see you tonight then.”

  Lot stared after him open mouthed.