The royal palace gleamed in the afternoon sun as our carriage pulled to a stop at the grand entrance. Servants rushed to open the door, bowing deeply as Alaric helped me descend.
"Are you feeling well?" he murmured, his hand protectively at the small of my back. "Not too tired from the journey?"
I smiled at his fussing. "I'm perfectly fine. Being pregnant doesn't make me an invalid, you know."
"Of course not," he replied, looking completely unconvinced. "But if you need to rest at any point—"
"I'll be sure to swoon dramatically so you can carry me away like a conquering hero," I teased, earning a reluctant smile from him.
The palace chamberlain greeted us with practiced formality. "Your Graces, Queen Seraphina awaits you in the western sitting room."
As we followed him through the ornate corridors, I caught Alaric studying me with concern. His protectiveness had increased tenfold since learning of my pregnancy. While endearing, it was beginning to border on smothering.
