"Hope is a waking dream." ― Aristotle

"What is wrong with Lady Hannah? I read the announcement in the ledger that she was in the family's way" Kathalina asked once they were on their way to Kentshire Manor.

"I am not certain either," William said calmly, while worry was trying to cloud his mind. He needed to maintain his calm composure. The first thing he must do is to check on Hannah and then bring his older brother from the pits of hell if that maybe.

"Do not worry," Kathalina said, placing her hand on his, "Everything will be alright."

William looked at her, really looked at her. She was in her garb once again, his tailcoat too big for her. Her fiery red hair tucked inside his big hat haphazardly. Her eyes gleamed with the assurance that she will be by his side. He locked her hand in his, thankful for her.

She came to him yesterday, in desperation and fear. He wished he didn't have to go to Kentshire Manor. He wanted to hold her in his arms and take away everything that made her unhappy. He wanted her to tell him what had happened, to confide in him, to trust him with her secrets. He vowed to destroy anyone who might have even dared to think ill of her.

He cursed his ill fate. He had to let go of the woman who had pushed all her problems and worries to the back of her mind and worried about him. Would anyone ever love him like this? Would he accept anyone else love's like this? Probably not.

They reached Kentshire manor and it was chaos everywhere. Kathalina followed William inside, it was her first time visiting Kentshire manor. Though being rich and powerful, Kentshire never hosted any soirees or balls in Kentshire manor. Only the most intimate of their relatives and friends were allowed here.

She was amazed by the beauty of the place. It was no less than a royal palace but along with luxury, there was a feeling of home that made you feel safe and calm. It was tantalizing that Kathalina forgot why they came to the manor in the first place.

She was looking around when she noticed all the maids and the servicemen were anxiously standing in the alcoves and near the stairs. Kathalina noticed the butler reaching to William hastily.

"My lord," He said breathing heavily, "Lady Hannah has gone into labour. The midwife has been called they are currently in her bed-chamber. I have sent the footmen to the palace to notify Lord Oliver but it seems they are facing difficulties. I have also sent a missive to Raymond to his Lordship."

"Why did everyone leave her alone when she was going to go into labour?" William barked.

"Er, my lord," the butler spoke hesitantly, "She is in her seventh month only."

"What does that have to do!" William felt a pinch on his arm before he could complete his sentence. He looked back at Kathalina surprised.

"It is uncommon to go into labour in the seventh month of pregnancy. It could affect the health of the child and the mother. Stop asking questions to your butler you are making him uncomfortable," She explained.

William turned to look at his butler who was fidgeting clearly uncomfortable. 

"Have you called the doctor?" William asked.

"My lord, the midwife is present," He answered.

"The doctor," William emphasized, "Call the doctor immediately."

William made way to the stairs towards Hannah's chamber and he was stopped by his butler once again.

"My lord," He squeaked.

"I will stand outside till my brother is back," He replied dismissively and made his way ahead, Kathalina followed him.

They could hear faint screams coming toward them making them increase their pace. They stood in front of the door where Hannah was. Her painful screams echoed in the corridor. William instinctively reached out to hold Kathalina's hand and she smiled holding his hand tightly.

Those screams were like torture to William. Maybe it would have been better if he didn't come here without thinking.

"It is alright, my lord," Kathalina whispered to his side, "Every woman goes through this pain while giving birth, though it really makes me never want to have children myself."

"I am sorry," He whispered. Kathalina only held his hand tighter, he was sorry that women have to go through this ordeal to bring life into this world. He didn't know he could love his mother, even more, a humbleness was accompanying that love now.

There was a final scream and a couple of seconds later cries of the infant filled the chamber and made their way to where they were standing. William released a sigh of relief.

"Congratulation on becoming an uncle, my lord," Kathalina congratulated cheekily.

Both of them looked at each other, Kathalina had never seen William with this much of bigger smile on his face and she chuckled to herself falling in love even more.

"My lord," Someone said, making them come out of their own little world.

William looked at the midwife and sensed something wrong had happened with the look on her face. She was as pale as a ghost, alarm ran through him.

"May we see the child?" Kathalina asked cheerfully.

"It is a bad omen. You should stay away, my lord," Midwife said to William, ignoring Kathalina, "It is a bad omen."

William's heart sank. Something terrible had happened. But the words were stuck in his throat to ask what had gone wrong. He had hardly been around his brother and sister-in-law. He disliked their relationship, he disliked her but over the course of time he admired the woman Hannah was, he was grateful to Hannah to make his brother the happiest person in the world. He envied the love they had and wanted such love for himself. He was looking forward to his brother's child being born and for him to become an uncle.

"What happened?" Kathalina asked sternly, "Is her ladyship alright? Is the child alright?"

"My lord, you should be away from here. It is a bad omen," the Midwife started again ignoring Kathalina once more.

"Answer her," William shouted, making the midwife cower in fear.

"It's, it's" She mumbled.

Kathalina shoved her away and made her way to the chamber, she pushed the door open when the midwife screamed.

"Twins. It's the twins. She has given birth to a bad omen. The twins are a bad omen," Midwife said loudly following behind them.

Kathalina made her way inside, and William soon followed her. Hannah was lying on the bed crying her heart out for her children.

"My children, please don't take them away," She pleaded.

Kathalina was on her feet once. She picked up the baby from the crib and placed it in Hannah's arms, she went back and picked the other and placed the other baby beside her. William stood frozen at the door, anger flaring inside him. The maids were standing around watching silently while Hannah cried for her children.

"OUT," He said menacingly, his voice low.

 "William," Kathalina hissed. William realized his voice had not only stricken fear in the people standing around but Hannah too looked terrified and he toned down his anger.

"Everyone get out," He said controlling his anger, "And drag Oliver back to the manor if need be."

Everyone scurried out of the chamber in a heartbeat. William made his way toward Kathalina. She was the only one unaffected by his anger.

"Please," Hannah pleaded once again, tears rolling down her eyes, "Please don't take away my children."

 "I won't," William answered immediately, "And I won't let anyone touch even the single strand of hair on their head, I promise."

Kathalina helped Hannah place her babies side by side. Hannah hugged them and cried silently. Kathalina was looking at them fondly, playing with the baby's finger, trying to make them hold her finger.

"It's a boy and a girl," Kathalina said beaming while looking at William.

He rang the bell and soon butler entered the chamber.

"My lord, my lady," He bowed.

"Pay the compensation to the midwife and ask her to leave," William ordered, "And make clear to everyone before leaving that if anyone dares to speak ill about my niece and nephew they will answer to me."

"Tell them not to forget they are the Kentshire heir."