章 545: SLEEPLESS NIGHTS

ARIANNE POV

A loud wail pierced the midnight air, shattering the fragile stillness that had settled over the castle. An exasperated sigh escaped me as I bounced the baby on my legs, the weight of worry pressing down on me. This had been going on for days now, and to be honest, I didn't know how much more of it I could take.

Ravenna's baby's cries seemed to echo off the stone walls, a constant reminder of my own inadequacy as a mother but I don't seem to remember . I had tried everything - rocking, singing, soothing words - but nothing seemed to calm him down. His tiny body felt so fragile in my arms, his cries growing louder and more urgent with each passing moment.

Behind me, someone released a loud groan, "Seriously, how long has this been going on for?" It was Ivan, his voice tinged with frustration and exhaustion. I could feel his gaze boring into my back, his silent plea for a solution weighing heavily on me.