When they reached the nursery, Daphne pushed the door open gently.
The room was warm despite the winter outside.
A fire crackled softly. Nathaniel lay awake in his cradle, fists waving in the air.
The two nannies looked up at once.
"Your Highnesses," one of them said quickly, dipping into a bow. "Your Graces."
They moved aside immediately, then slipped out as the family entered, closing the door softly behind them.
Huldah didn't wait.
"Oh, there he is," she breathed, already moving closer. "My goodness."
She leaned over the cradle, smiling like she had forgotten everything else in the room.
"Look at you," she murmured. "You're perfect."
Ezekiel stepped beside her, peering down. "Hopefully, he doesn't become stoic like his father."
Huldah shot him a look. "Don't start."
Daphne laughed softly, easing the moment.
"He's been awake for a while," she said. "He likes to watch the fire."
Huldah glanced up. "May I?"
Daphne nodded. "Of course."
