The King was annoyed. Why wasn't Theresa pregnant yet? Every time he looked at her, all he saw was failure and suspicion. That woman—she looked meek, obedient, pliable on the surface, but he was not so easily fooled. Especially now that he knew she was spending time with Riven. The thought of his Queen befriending Riven annoyed him to no extent.
Riven was supposed to be his possession, a treasure hidden away for himself alone. Theresa's interference was intolerable. He distrusted her more with each passing day.
Theresa, however, was not troubled by the King's moods. If anything, his irritation amused her. Of course she needed a child—one with royal blood would make her eventual claim to the throne smoother.
But in her mind, it was already a done deal. The throne would be hers in time, and the King was merely a temporary obstacle.
