The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation novel Chapter 305

KATHERINE

I stood frozen for a moment, unsure of how to respond. A storm of conflicting emotions crashed inside my chest.

The overwhelming joy of finally meeting her, the nervousness of getting close, of how she would treat me, of whether I could win back her love after more than ten years… and now…

Now, all that remained was the bitterness of seeing my daughter treat me as an enemy, a stranger.

"I am your mother, Lavinia, and I only want what’s best for you…"

"I don’t have a mother! You have no right to call yourself that! Get out of my room, leave, leave…!" she started screaming, throwing water at me.

A soapy sponge hit me directly on the chest, soaking my dress and skin, splashing my face. I clenched my fists, my whole body trembling. My gaze moved from her tantrum to the so-called "nanny" standing in the corner.

She quickly lowered her eyes, but I saw it clearly—the smugness and mockery in them.

"Leave the bathroom. I won’t say it again," I ordered coldly, taking control.

My chest ached from Lavinia’s rejection, but I would have time to win her over, to fix the mess my sister had left behind.

Now, I would protect her, even if it meant making her hate me more.

"I'm sorry, my lady, but you'll have to finish on your own today. My apologies…" the woman said pitifully, stepping forward to stroke Lavinia’s wet hair as if she were her mother.

"No, nanny, don’t go, don’t leave!..."

The child clung to her arm, and in a single glance, I could see it—this woman had taken Rossella’s place, who, it seemed, didn’t even spare my daughter a second look.

I wanted to dig her out of the ground just to kill her myself.

The "nanny" walked past me, finally leaving the bathroom.

"I’m going to tell Father so he punishes you for abusing nanny! You’re awful, I hate you, I hate you!"

"But I love you, my daughter… I just want to take care of you…" I whispered, swallowing the lump in my throat and shoving all those weak emotions deep inside.

"Finish your bath, don’t catch a cold. Lady Freya is waiting outside—she was my nanny, and she will assist you."

I spoke and left the enormous, luxurious bathroom, leaving her throwing a fit behind me.

"Take care of her, make sure she doesn’t fall or anything. Be patient," I whispered to Freya, who nodded as she stood waiting in Lavinia’s room.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the small study, closing the door behind me.

"What have you been saying to my daughter?" I asked the woman, walking up to confront her.

"Nothing important, madam. Just little girl talk…"

"You think it’s appropriate to tell a ten-year-old girl she can lure a man under her skirt?" I asked through clenched teeth.

Her relaxed attitude was seriously pissing me off. She didn’t even look nervous or remorseful.

I wanted to ask who this Theodore was, but I didn’t want to give myself away. I’d find out later.

"I already told you, she was just curious, as any girl her age would be. I was only giving her advice on how to be likable and not grow up to be an arrogant, despised Duchess," she said, looking me straight in the eye, making no effort to hide.

"This isn’t over! I’ll speak to the Duke!" the wretched woman threatened, turning on her heel and slamming the door behind her as if this were her house.

It was obvious that, despite Rossella’s neglect, this woman had been poisoning my daughter’s mind, making herself indispensable to her, turning her against Rossella.

That was where her confidence came from—the belief that she was irreplaceable.

My whole body trembled, my inner madness wanting to burst out.

I lowered my head, the pain pounding in my skull, clutching it with my pale, cold hands.

Sweat trickled down my skin, making my dress cling to me like a second layer.

My legs wobbled, and I leaned against the wooden desk, my breath ragged.

Trying to pull myself together, I had the horrible feeling that this confrontation was only the beginning of the nightmare awaiting me.

As expected, Lavinia refused to see me in her room, demanding I bring back her nanny.

She, of course, also acted out against Freya.

My old nanny had endless patience.

A lifetime as a governess had taught her that time was needed. It was clear I couldn’t force things from the start.

The change was too drastic, and I couldn’t draw too much attention.

Sighing, I finally headed to Rossella’s room, and Freya also left with a maid to settle into hers.