"Careful, my lady." The maid said as they helped Tamina into the steamy water.
Tamina's red hair was let down as she positioned herself into the steaming bathtub. Her fair skin was radiating under the reflection of the candlelight.
"You should tell the king your condition is not getting any better." Celin, her personal maid, said.
"Oh, fuck the king; he did this to me, and now I can't even sleep properly." Tamina said, and Celin gasped at her bashful words.
"Relax, you are tense." Celin said as she began to sponge her skin,
How long does it take?" Tamina asked, peering into the maid's eye.
Usually nine months; could be more." She said, smiling faintly.
"I will have this thing in me for nine months! Tamina was petrified.
Don't scream. My lady. You have tried to conceal your pregnancy for a long while now; do you not want to throw all your efforts away? If the other queens know, they will start plotting." Celin warned, and Tamina hissed.
"It is this baby's fault; it won't let me sleep, and now I am having mood swings."
"This is your fourth month; your belly is growing bigger. Your big gowns will no longer be able to hide it; you have to tell the king." Celin said, squeezing the extra water out of Tamina's red hair as she washed it.
"Telling him won't change a thing…
"It would; you will get more attention and more care than the rest of the queens."
I can't believe I am going through all this trouble just to curry his favor, and he…he doesn't even look at me! Tamina said as Celin languidly helped her up to her feet and led her into her main chamber.
Tamina's boobs were growing bigger; she was the queen of seduction already, but the baby inside her was making her glow. Her lower abdomen was swollen, and her back was beginning to ache.
Celin sat Tamina down and began to oil her skin with coconut oil.
"You are glowing, my lady." She said massaging her body with the oil.
"Ugh, I think I am going to faint." Tamina said and then rose to her feet. She bent her upper body, turned away from Celin, and vomited on the floor.
I will clean this up, then bring you dinner." Celin said, turning to leave.
"Don't….I will eat dinner with the rest of the royal family." Tamina said,
"My lady, your health….
"My decision is final, Celin." Tamina was in no mood to argue; her mood swings were getting worse.
Celin bowed in courtesy; she turned around and walked away. Tamina gazed at her reflection in the mirror; she was naked, so she took in her full features.
"The only reason you are inside me is because I need you; stop driving me nuts…." She started throwing up again.
It was nightfall in Decreash. The middle of the long table was lit up with candle stands between the numerous dishes set before the royal family.
The soft reflection of the fire touching on the wall also lit up the dining area.
The clashes of cutlery could be heard as everyone at the table ate while murmuring or whispering amongst themselves.
Ragaleon wasn't present, so they could do as they pleased.
Just then Tamina strolled into the dining arena; she tried to keep her emotions in check and also prevented the urge to rub her stomach, which was hidden underneath a flared gown.
She took her seat at the table, adjusting the gown afterwards. The maid walked up to where she was seated and began to serve her food.
"Fish soup? Tamina asked the maid.
"Is there a problem, my lady? The maid asked.
"Serve me something else that doesn't have fish in it." Tamina said, and the maid nodded. She served Tamina a bowl of porridge. Tamina wanted to protest…
She looked around and saw that fleeting glances were cast at her. She swallowed the words in her throat, then signaled the maid to continue dishing the food.
Just then Ragaleon walked in; the royal family was stunned. He hardly makes it to dinner; he is always too busy, so the maids serve him in his chamber.
They acknowledged him as they rushed to their feet and bowed; they sat afterwards when Ragaleon had taken his seat. Immediately the maids served him his food.
The serenity and peacefulness at the table were savory.
But then a creaking noise was heard…
It was Tamina immediately; she took a spoon from the porridge and tried to swallow it, and she became nauseous. She quickly rises to her feet and excuses herself from the table.
Ragaleon's eyes and that of the rest of the family trailed after her.
Just then Ragaleon dropped the spoon he was using to eat and then wiped his mouth.
"You have barely touched your food." Selena, who was seated at the right-hand side of the table closest to him, retorted, but he ignored her. He made his way in the direction Tamina had headed.
He arrived at her chamber and met her throwing up her guts, the maids fanning her and sliding her hair behind her ear.
The grand maester was sent for, and it was him Ragaleon directed his question to.
"What is happening to her?" He asked not out of worry but responsibility.
The grand maester had done his job examining Tamina before Ragaleon's arrival. He wore a cheerful countenance.
"Queen Tamina is pregnant, your majesty." He announced.
Ragaleon said nothing; he just gazed at the grand maester for a while, then turned around and left. He made his way back to the dining arena and sat down to finish up his meal.
Everyone was gazing at him expectantly, but he didn't speak up.
"What is wrong with her? Selena took the situation into her hands by asking.
Ragaleon didn't seem pleased; he munched on his food as if he had not just heard his mother's question. He drank from the golden cup of wine, then said….
"She is pregnant."
Selena couldn't believe her ears; she gazed at her son stunned, then languidly brightened up almost immediately. She dropped her cutlery and made her way to Tamina's chamber.
The rest of the royal family had paused in their meals when they also heard the news; no one was more shocked than Racheal.
Jazell was so baffled that it was scripted on her face. She shifted her gaze to where Racheal was; she was enjoying Racheal's blank face filled with amusement. At least that would put her in her place; she curried the king's favor but not his first child's.
But then again, Jazell was losing it. Dinner continued silently; Johanna soon wiped her mouth and stood up, making her way to Tamina's chamber to congratulate her; she was still the queen regent.
Slowly everyone exited the table; Racheal stayed behind and finished up her food while casting glances at Ragaleon.
She had no right to be angry…right?
"Tamina is pregnant; it was good news… right…right?
But that wasn't what her actions were saying.
She was cutting the fish in her food with the knife faster, swallowing the rice without chewing it properly, and the damn king seated close to her didn't lift his gaze to look at her once!
Soon she too stood up, wiped her mouth, and walked away from the table.
Micah found everything that was happening awkward. She gazed at Ragaleon from across the table. His eyes were still fixed on his food; he didn't flinch or raise his gaze. He acted like there was nothing happening.
"So he has been fucking other queens? Jazell paces up and down in her chamber, her eyes narrowed in displeasure.
"It seems so, My Lady." Linn answered, her eyes distant.
"How long is the pregnancy? Jazell asked, pausing in her tracks.
"From what I have heard, four months."
"Four months! Oh wow." Jazell threw her hands in the air after exclaiming, then dragged herself to a jar of wine with a golden cup beside it.
"My lady, you shouldn't drink too much….",
"I swear, Linn. I will cut your tongue if you say anything that upsets me." Jazell warned beforehand, pouring herself wine.
"It is the job of the king to impregnate his wives; you just haven't been…" Linn wanted to say lucky, but Jazell snapped her head in her direction.
"Say it." She dared to make her way to Linn.
"Say it, Linn! I am unlucky, right?! She screamed, her pace increasing as she lurched forward.
"You have always told me to be rational, my queen."
"You bloody fool! Don't you know when to use your head?! There are times when you have to sugarcoat your words to match up to the situation. Do I have to teach you everything?! Jazell slammed the golden cup filled with wine at the wall opposite her.
Just then a knock came on the door. Jazell and Linn exchanged glances…
"Get the door." Jazell calmly said, giving Linn permission before turning away to back the door; she straightened her gown and her hair, then fixed her facial expression.
"Lord Josiah." Linn bowed.
Jazell arched her brows.
Josiah? The sneaky cat. From the small council.
"May I have a word with you, Queen Jazell? He asked, and Jazell turned to look at him.
"Of course, Lord Josiah, come in." Jazell said, but the man waved off.
"That would be inappropriate; I will wait outside."
Jazell was only testing his loyalty; he passed. He wasn't lusting after her. He wanted to genuinely talk.
"May I ask what this conversation is about? I tend to lose my patience…"
"It is about Queen Tamina's pregnancy."