“Good morning, Chevalier!” Ivetta called excitedly the morning of Belle’s wedding.
“Why did she have to schedule the wedding this early in the morning?” I grumbled, pushing back the covers and stretching.
“Breakfast is on the table,” Ivetta continued, her smile as bright as her green eyes as she pulled her dressing gown over her nightgown. “I’m going to Theresa’s room to get dressed. See you at the wedding!”
“Theresa’s room?” I asked, sitting up and watching her curiously.
“It’s a red dress, Chevalier,” she replied teasingly as she headed to the door. “Try not to drool too much at the wedding, okay?”
I chuckled and glanced at the clock. Only an hour until she needed to be at the wedding. No wonder she was staying out of reach and moving so quickly. She waited until the last minute to wake me up, and now she had to rush to get ready in time. I got out of bed and headed for the table, only to find that she hadn’t eaten breakfast. Again. I frowned and glanced at the closed door. Her appetite had been dropping off the entire week. I sighed and dropped into the chair to eat. She’d missed another month, too. The doctor was looking at her tomorrow, whether she liked it or not. Either she was pregnant, or she was sick.
She certainly hadn’t looked sick.
I dressed and headed out to the front gate, where carriages were lined up and waiting. Jin saw me as he climbed into one and gestured for me to follow.
“Did you see Ivetta’s dress?” he asked immediately, before I even settled in the seat across from him.
“No.”
“Theresa wouldn’t show me hers, either. Said it was a surprise and to make sure I behaved in church.”
“The dresses are red.”
Jin’s burgundy eyes lit up at that. “Red, huh? Kinda odd for a bridesmaid’s dress, but I’ll take it.” He settled back against the seat and interlaced his hands behind his head. “I bet she’s smokin’ hot.”
I smirked. “You’ve never seen her in red before.”
“No, but there’s something about a red dress that really turns me on.” He laughed. “I know you get it. I’ve seen the way you look at Ivetta when she wears red. Hey, how’s that surprise coming?”
Quite well, if my assumption was correct.
“Working on it,” I said dismissively. “What about your engagement ceremony?”
Luke’s and Arianna’s engagement ceremony was scheduled for a few days from now, coinciding with Arianna’s visit. Jin was trying to get his engagement ceremony over with as soon as possible, and he had been trying to talk Sariel into arranging it at or around the same time as Luke’s.
“Got it all worked out. We’re doing it the day after Luke’s and Arianna’s, so all the guests are still here and Sariel doesn’t have to plan another event. Another bonus is that most of the guests will be drunk or hungover, so they won’t care about me getting engaged to a maid. Nice and easy.”
“Does Theresa know?” I was guessing she didn’t, because Ivetta hadn’t said anything about it to me.
“Not yet. I’m gonna surprise her at the wedding reception. After she surprises me at the wedding.”
We reached the church in town and entered the foyer, where Rio, Sariel, Nokto, and Luke stood off to the side, wearing white tuxedos with red ties. Rio’s smile was wider than usual, and his blue eyes were shining with anticipation.
“How are the girls looking?” Jin asked casually.
Nokto smirked. “No swearing in church.”
“That good, huh?”
“Oh, yeah.”
“Arianna!” Luke exclaimed, leaving the others to greet Arianna at the door. “Is something wrong?” he asked, his voice suddenly concerned.
I glanced back at her, and Luke had reason to worry. Her hazel eyes were wide and fixed on Rio, all the color had drained from her face, and her mouth had fallen open in shock. She looked as though she’d seen a ghost. Rio was staring back at her in confusion.
“Arianna?” Luke asked again, and suddenly, she snapped out of it. She looked up at him and smiled.
“Oh, sorry, I just realized I forgot something back in Benitoite, but it’s a bit late to go back for it now. I’d better go find a seat,” Arianna said brightly, brushing past me and into the church.
I followed her, deciding to ignore whatever that was for now. Clearly, she knew Rio, but he didn’t know her. Belle had found him four years ago, hadn’t she? And he had no memory before that.
I’d have to ask Ivetta about it later. She may have some insight.
The front rows on the right were reserved for royalty, since Rio had no family, and I settled into the pews with Arianna and my brothers. There was a general murmur of excitement in the church as the rest of the crowd filed in, and then the processional music began. An older woman, probably Belle’s mother, was the first down the aisle, taking her seat in the front row on the left. Next was Rio, and then Sariel, his best man, followed by Nokto and Luke, his groomsmen.
There was a sharp intake of breath from most of the men in the audience as the first bridesmaid came into view.
“Is that legal?” Leon whispered.
She had long, straight blonde hair, falling naturally over her shoulders, and the dress she wore was red. Bright red. It hugged her curves like a second layer of skin, with a low-cut neckline, short sleeves, and a short skirt ending just above the knees. As if the color and style weren’t enough, the fabric was also glittering, catching the light and reflecting it back with every move she made.
Ivetta wouldn’t agree to wear something like that, would she? Even if she didn’t have any scars to worry about, her modesty wouldn’t allow her to dress in something that revealing.
“It’s the newest fashion in Benitoite, brought from overseas,” Arianna explained in a whisper. “The little red dress. I didn’t know it had come to Rhodolite yet.”
Theresa came next. Jin cursed under his breath and loosened his tie.
“Is it hot in here?” he muttered.
“There’s also the little black dress,” Arianna continued. “Which would look stunning on-”
“Chev,” Clavis said in a strangled whisper.
Ivetta was wearing the little red dress with slight modifications. Instead of short sleeves, she had long sleeves made of a sheer red fabric, allowing her slender arms to be appreciated without the scars showing. Her skirt had two layers: the same short skirt as the others, with a second made of the same sheer material that extended to the floor, exposing her shapely legs to the eyes of all gathered. The dove necklace rested on the bare skin of her chest. Her long, silky black hair fell loosely down her back, swaying back and forth with every clearly visible movement of her hips.
She didn’t look sick, and she didn’t look pregnant.
It was hot in the church. Suffocatingly hot.
She took her place on the altar and glanced at me just for a moment, blushing quickly and looking away.
The music changed, and everybody stood to turn and look back as Belle made her entrance. I spared her a glance before looking back at Ivetta. Belle’s white dress was just as tight as her bridesmaids’ dresses, the low-cut strapless bodice covered in lace and sequins, with a slit going halfway up her thigh to allow movement.
Even the priest was blushing at this point. Belle had not consulted him about the dress code.
Rio’s blue eyes were wide and locked on Belle. He swayed dangerously, but Sariel caught him and muttered something, probably a quiet threat. Whatever he said, Rio laughed it off as usual and stood straighter.
If Belle aimed to shock, she succeeded.
Everybody sat down again, and the wedding proceeded without any further excitement. My eyes kept wandering to Ivetta, and although her dress was holding most of my attention, I started to realize that something was off. It wasn’t anything really noticeable at first. Her smile seemed pinched, forced, even. But as the ceremony progressed, she began to pale, and a fine line appeared between her brows.
“Chevalier, something’s up with Ivetta,” Yves whispered from behind me.
“I see it,” I replied, frowning as I considered my options. The ceremony was almost over, but I wasn’t sure she was going to make it that long. She looked like she was about to faint. Should I wait, or should I interrupt the ceremony?
She would be beyond upset if I did that.
Belle and Rio kissed and headed down the aisle. Sariel and Ivetta met in the middle of the altar, and she took his arm and followed him out. She was a little unsteady on her feet. I waited impatiently as the rest of the groomsmen and bridesmaids left, and then Belle’s family, and then I was on my feet, pushing through the crowd that poured out into the aisle. The reception was outside. Maybe she just needed some fresh air. Maybe her dress was too tight. Whatever the case, I needed to see her now.
She was sitting on one of the few chairs in the reception area. Her face was deathly white as she stared at her lap, and her fingers were clutching the edges of the seat tightly.
“Ivetta? What’s wrong?” I asked immediately.
She looked up at me and forced a smile. “Nothing,” she said cheerfully, shaking her head and standing up. I caught her just as her legs went out from under her.
“We’re going home,” I said firmly.
“No, I’m fine, I just-”
I scooped her up, and she clamped her mouth shut, squeezing her eyes tightly closed. Her whole body was tense.
“What’s wrong with her?” Belle asked, her big brown eyes wide with worry as she rushed toward us with Rio on her arm. We were attracting a crowd, among them Ivetta’s guards, who had the good sense to linger and monitor the reception.
“We’re going back to the palace,” I said. “Julius, have the doctor meet us in our room.”
“Yes, your highness,” he said, turning and running toward his horse.
Ivetta wasn’t saying anything, just clutching at my shirt with white knuckles. Her other guard had already flagged the nearest carriage, and he held the door open as I stepped in with Ivetta in my arms. She still didn’t move or speak. I held her on my lap and brushed her hair back behind her ear, noting that she had a green tint to her pallor now.
“You’re pregnant,” I finally said.
She nodded.
The rest of the carriage ride passed in tense silence, and then I was stepping into the courtyard, carrying her inside without a word to the guards who jumped to attention and pulled the doors open for us. Nausea was normal with pregnancy; that would explain her poor appetite and, since she hadn’t eaten breakfast, potentially this episode. Another possibility was a drop in blood pressure. Whatever the case, I didn’t like how quickly it came on, and I wanted her examined by the doctor immediately. Julius held our bedroom door open for us, and I was relieved to see the doctor waiting by the bedside. His brows were so deeply furrowed that they touched. I lay Ivetta on the sheets and stepped back as he began his examination.
“What seems to be the problem, Queen Ivetta?” he asked cheerfully.
Her eyes were still closed. She shook her head and clutched at her stomach.
“Nauseous?”
She nodded.
“Well, that’s easy enough to fix. Open up. I’m going to put something under your tongue that will help.”
I leaned back against the wall, crossing my arms over my chest and staring at the floor instead of looking at her. The tension I felt was unbearable. But I needed to tell the doctor her symptoms, because she obviously couldn’t right now.
“She’s missed two months. Her appetite has been decreasing for a week. She didn’t eat anything this morning, but she seemed otherwise normal until a half hour ago, when she became pale and collapsed,” I said quietly, rattling off the facts much more calmly than I felt.
“I see,” he said thoughtfully. “Anything to add to that, Queen Ivetta?”
I allowed myself to look at her, and I was relieved to see her finally open her eyes. “Dizziness.”
“And feeling faint, too, I’m guessing?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Nausea is worse in the morning?”
“Yes, but I have it all day.”
“That will probably improve after you’re past the first trimester,” he said, his face creasing into a smile. “Unless I’m badly mistaken, I’d say you’re pregnant, Queen Ivetta. It’s very important for you to maintain adequate nutrition, so I’ll make up a bottle of those pills for you. Take them every six to eight hours to help with the nausea. And I know you’re not going to like this, but you need to take it easy. Sit down when you feel faint, get plenty of rest, and no strenuous activity.”
“What about travel?” she asked anxiously.
She was thinking about our upcoming trip to Obsidian. That hadn’t crossed my mind. We certainly weren’t going now, whatever the doctor said.
“Absolutely not,” he said firmly. “Your past injuries may cause problems, and I need to keep a close eye on you.”
She sighed, and then she asked the strangest question. “What about…Chevalier?” Her voice was nervous, but she continued, “And…you know.”
She almost passed out, and that was her concern?
The doctor chuckled. “It’s alright unless your body says otherwise. Any other questions?”
“None that I can think of. Thank you.”
He chuckled again. “Then I’ll go and make those pills up for you. Congratulations.”
“Oh, wait,” she said suddenly, sitting up in bed. The doctor stopped and looked back at her, his hand on the doorknob. “Can you get a message to Belle that I’m okay? She’s at her wedding reception in town.”
“I’ll take care of it,” I said, meeting the doctor’s gray eyes for a moment. He nodded slightly.
“Congratulations again,” he said, his wrinkles deepening as he smiled, and then he stepped out into the hallway.
I sighed and pushed off from the wall to come to Ivetta’s side. Her color was starting to come back. “You were trying to hide it, were you not?”
“Well, I knew how important that trip to Obsidian was,” she admitted as I took her hand in mine.
“You are more important,” I murmured, leaning in to kiss her softly.
“We’re going to have a baby, Chevalier,” she said, excitement creeping into her tone as her bright smile returned.
“Do you want me to tell Belle that, or would you prefer to keep it quiet for a while?” I asked, a smile tugging at my lips, too.
“You can tell her. She’ll be too worried otherwise.”
“Then I’ll be right back.”
I left her and stepped into the hallway, where the doctor and Julius were waiting. Her other guard wasn’t back yet.
“Julius, have lunch sent up,” I ordered him. He nodded and left. “Well?” I asked the doctor.
“Just a drop in blood pressure. It’s not uncommon with pregnancy. As long as she doesn’t stay on her feet too long, it shouldn’t pose much of a problem.” He sighed and dragged his hand across his face. “My concern is how her body will handle this. I don’t know the extent of her internal injuries last year, and I don’t know if she can maintain a pregnancy. And then, if she does, the pelvic fracture is going to make labor difficult. I think it would be best to wait a few more weeks before making the announcement. She’ll be into her second trimester then, and if she makes it that far, it’s much more likely that she won’t miscarry.”
He just confirmed all of my suspicions. I frowned and glanced back at the door. “Should she stay on bedrest?”
He laughed. “As if she’d agree to that. No, for now, I’ll just check in on her weekly, and you make sure she doesn’t work too hard.”
Easier said than done. I would have to enlist the help of Julius and the rest of her guards on that front, and deciding what to tell Belle and my brothers just became more complicated. Belle’s honeymoon would be ruined if I didn’t tell her the truth, and she was good at keeping secrets. I knew that much from Leon. But my brothers were going to put the pieces together, regardless.
Everybody was going to put the pieces together. It wasn’t hard.
I let myself back into the room. Ivetta was sitting on the edge of the bed, her shoes abandoned on the floor. She looked up at me expectantly.
“Julius will take care of it,” I lied. “Lunch is on the way up.”
And hopefully I would know what I wanted him to tell Belle and everybody else by then.
“Oh, good. I’m starving,” Ivetta said, standing up and walking over to me. She was steady on her feet now, and she reached up and wrapped her arms around my neck.
“Should you be out of bed?” I asked, wrapping my arms around her waist.
She wasn’t wearing any undergarments.
“He didn’t say I had to stay in bed,” she replied. “And maybe, after lunch, you can help me out of this dress?”
The little temptress was back, as if nothing ever happened. She was a menace to herself.
“No strenuous activity, Ivetta,” I said, but my hand was already rubbing up and down her back as she pressed into me.
“So we’ll take it easier. I trust you to be gentle,” she said, standing on tiptoe to kiss me.
“You’re already feeling better,” I murmured.
“I am. What do you think of the dress?” she asked coyly.
I scooped her up again and carried her back to bed, pressing her into the sheets. “You were right to hide it from me.”
She giggled. “Maybe I should give you your birthday present early. It’s either that or wait until next year and hope it still fits.”
“You’re already giving me a present, little dove,” I said, climbing into bed beside her and kissing her gently as I rested my hand lightly on her stomach.
“But it won’t be ready in time…”
“I can wait.” I kissed her again, sliding my arm under her shoulders to pull her closer. “You’re going to follow the doctor’s orders, Ivetta. I don’t want anything happening to you.”
“Okay, okay, I’ll be good,” she said resignedly, snuggling into my chest. “We’re having a baby, Chevalier.”
“I know.”
It was sinking in now, and excitement was battling with the anxiety I felt. A baby. If all went well, she would be holding our baby next spring. I wanted that for her - for us. I tightened my arms around her and nuzzled into her hair, allowing myself to consider that possibility. If all went well…
The official announcement could wait, but I was telling Belle and my brothers the truth. A round of drinks later today seemed entirely appropriate. After I made her eat a full meal and got her changed into something more sensible and less likely to make me lose my head.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgNILhGIW7
