After winning the Autumn Tournament, Anthony and Kathani threw themselves into preparing for their upcoming exams.

Both of them were so dedicated to their studies that, even after taking the first-term exams, neither one took a break like the others and started preparing for the next term.

It was the early days of November. After getting free from her work, Kathani and Anthony had a small study session in the small garden of Genevieve's house.

Anthony smiled as his thoughtful wife carried picnic baskets while he laid a blanket underneath a shaded apple tree. "What is this, Viscountess?" he asked as he eyed her basket. When he tried to open it, his wife slapped his hand away. "Hands off, Bridgerton," she warned. "This is for later, if you manage to answer all the questions."

"As you wish, my love," he sighed as he gazed longingly at the picnic basket.

They began their study session, and after one and a half hours of tiring sessions, his wife finally allowed him reprieve and opened the picnic basket. "Here you go! Your favorite pie."

Anthony quickly devoured his sweet lemon pie before leaning close to give his wife a sweet kiss. "Thank you, darling; you really know how to treat me after all my hard work."

Kathani giggled as her husband prepped sweet kisses on her face before leaning down to kiss her covered belly. "I hope you appreciate your parents' hard work while you are tucked away safely inside your mother's womb."

She watched as Anthony's eyes lit up as he stared at her face. "I hope our baby has your brains."

"Mm, my brain and your dashing looks." She said to her husband with a huge smile forming on Anthony's face. "Do you think it will be a boy?"

I cannot say with certainty, but when I think of our baby, I see your face."

He kissed her stomach again before leaning up to kiss her. "Then you have to give me daughters who look just like you because all I can imagine is holding little girls as beautiful as their Amma."

She beamed tearfully as Anthony lay his head on her lap and continued talking about their child.

They were so lost in their little bubble when suddenly they were both startled by running footsteps.

Simon was the first one to appear, followed by Thomas; they both looked quite frightened about something. "Thank God, you two are alright!"

Anthony stood up and helped his wife as their friends walked closer to them. "Guys, what is going on?" Anthony inquired as he watched both of his friends embrace his wife.

"It's Fife and Cho," Simon said breathlessly, still holding Kathani in his protective arms. Thomas said, "We were returning from practice when we overheard them making plans with their friends."

"What kind of plans?" Kathani asked and both of them flinched. Finally, Simon stared at them with anger in his eyes. "We overheard Fife making plans to start a fight with Karan Sharma, hoping to beat him so severely that he won't be able to compete in the upcoming competition for an entire year."

Thomas's face also showed a similar expression as he added, "Bassett was going to confront him on the spot, but since there were so many of them and only two of us, I held him back, and instead, we decided to come here to warn you both."

Anthony was fuming; how dare they threaten his wife! But before he could do anything, he heard a gasp as his wife's distressed voice reached his ears. "Why are they doing this? They could unintentionally hurt our baby."

Anthony quickly pulled her into his embrace as he assured her. "Fife and his friends are sore losers who have resorted to these evil plans to satisfy their egos."

"But what are we going to do about this situation!" Simon yelled out as he pointed at Kathani. "Listen Bridgerton, he can harm us all they want because we can take it, but how are we going to protect her, especially now in her condition?"

Thomas and Kathani looked scared as Anthony looked at his wife and thought of the best way to protect her and their son from Fife's evil plans. "We will protect Kathani by giving him exactly what he wants."

That night, while everyone was enjoying dinner in the Great Hall, Benedict Bridgerton suddenly burst inside, calling loudly for Principal Hector. "Professor Hector! Professor Hector! You need to come with me; it's about Karan Sharma!"

While Principal Hector and other professors left with Benedict Bridgerton, many students also followed them, including Fife and Cho, who wanted to see what was the matter with Sharma. Especially since they had not executed their plans yet.

"Did you manage to attack him?" Cho asked him in a low voice, but Fife shook his head in denial. "Did you?" this time Cho also responded similarly to him.

Finally, they arrived at the entrance gate and a booming voice of Principal Hector's voice reached their ears. "How did this happen?" They finally saw Karan Sharma, in a sling and heavily bandaged; he was barely standing on his feet, supported by Anthony Bridgerton and Simon Bassett, while Thomas Dorset carried his things.

"It was an accident, Professor," Anthony Bridgerton said. "Unfortunately, the village doctor couldn't make it in time; by the time he arrived, the injuries had worsened."

"Let me have a look," said the university doctor as he stepped forward. But Thomas Dorset stopped him. "Sir, the village doctor has strictly forbidden us from removing these bandages for the next six months or else it might cause his wounds to reopen and lead to some serious permanent damage."

"Show him the note." Bassett reminded him and Dorset quickly handed over the doctor's notes to Professor Hector, who read them out to everyone, confirming what Dorset had just said. "Well, it seems like you were lucky to have survived; the doctor also mentioned that you should take proper rest and not put any sort of stress on your injuries."

"Yes. That is exactly what he instructed before leaving for his trip to Greece."

Before Principal Hector could react to Bassett's words, the fencing and rowing master started to shout at once. "But what about upcoming tournaments?"

Principal Hector looked worried, just like the rest of them, well not rest because suddenly Fife's eyes were lit because he knew exactly what was going to happen. "I am sorry Sharma, but it seems the only sport you can manage to play this year is for your chess club."

"I understand, Professor Hector," Sharma replied sadly as Bridgerton and Bassett hugged him closer in support. Very well, you better take care of yourself, my boy, and hopefully you will makeup for this loss in your final year."

The professor dismissed them and then the crowd before whispering something to both the fencing and rowing masters. "Fife, One moment, please."

Fife clapped Cho on the back as he went to talk to them. When he returned, Cho looked lost in deep thought, but Fife's excitement was evident as he eagerly informed him. "They asked me to take Sharma's place as co-captain with Bridgerton. Is that not great!"

Finally, Cho stared at him, but he looked a bit off when he spoke. "Congratulations, mate."

Fife frowned and inquired. "It is happy news; now we do not need to follow our plans because we got what we wanted! With me as Co-Captain, the glory will be ours!"

"I understand, mate, but the timing of this seems suspicious to me."

Fife laughed at his friend's paranoia. "Why does it matter?"

"Indeed? Even if their story is true, I still suspect there is something we cannot see."

Fife laughed unbothered and dragged his friend into a celebratory embrace, unaware that this small seed of suspicion would take root in their minds.