Mid-October, a cozy fireplace, a fluffy blanket, a mug of hot cocoa, and a barely noticeable baby bump. I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m loving this vibe. I feel like a lazy, pregnant cat nestled in the warmth of a big, loving family. No worries, no stress. And honestly, I’m not even allowed to stress. How? They don’t tell me any news and find every possible way to distract me. So, the only tidbit of information I get comes from overhearing snippets of conversations among the castle’s residents.
“Mom, aren’t you ready for bed yet?” asked Con, who’s grown so much lately. Not that it’s surprising. Arthur mentioned that in just a year, he’ll look like an eighteen-year-old young man.
How fast kids grow up... And not just dragon ones. Belinda turned ten on the fifth day of the third month of summer, and Ovida hit nine last month. By the way, one of the girls let slip that Cor had a birthday recently. I think it was about two weeks ago.
Speaking of Cornelius! After I told him about the pregnancy, we haven’t seen each other. That jerk didn’t even write me a letter. I would’ve been fine with just one, even if it was full of accusations or judgment, as long as it was in his handwriting. I don’t know why, but my heart aches over him. This nagging thought keeps popping up that he might’ve gotten himself into something dangerous.
“Are you tired?” I ask my little one, ruffling his short hair.
“No, but you need to get some rest. It’s good for the little brother or sister.”
My little dragon’s concern melts my heart and sparks a fresh wave of happiness, smiles, joy, and warmth. Honestly, how did I get so lucky with all of them?
“I’m fine. How about we hang out a bit longer? But if you’re sleepy, you can head to bed. I’ll be there soon.”
Conan shakes his head no and goes back to working on the puzzle Arthur gave Ovida. Or maybe it’s more of a construction set, since the goal is to build a dragon out of flat wooden pieces.
Wrapping myself tighter in my cardigan and pulling the blanket up higher, I keep staring at the flickering fire, stealing glances at my kid. Sadly, I won’t get to live even a little in the house K’yara promised me, since it won’t be finished until summer. It’ll be a shame if I don’t survive childbirth, but at least my child will have a quiet place in the future to come and be alone. Sure, my baby won’t have any real claim to the throne of Argentum, but the catch is that Aurum will only have one candidate for heir... Otaoi, there’s no way around it without K’yara’s help. I’m just not confident I can raise a competent ruler on my own.
Ugh! And we still haven’t told Dinar that he’ll need to temporarily name an heir who isn’t one of his daughters. After someone suggested I grab a bite to eat, I got so sleepy, and then the team, led by K’yara, convinced me to put off that conversation. But neither at Bel’s birthday nor Ovida’s did their father come to visit. There’s still hope for January, when it’s Vesta’s turn to celebrate. Otherwise, Arthur or K’yara will have to personally go see the king of Argentum. My doctor strongly advised against traveling long distances, even with magic, if I want to have a healthy baby. Riding horseback is out of the question, the roads are awful, and it’s several days’ journey between Aurum and Argentum. Plus, teleportation magic somehow negatively affects the baby.
“You’re still up?” came the voice of the illusionist from behind me.
“And you’re already done with your secret meeting?”
“What meeting?” Judith asked, sounding surprised.
“You always leave me with someone so you can sneak off and have your little discussions.”
“Mom, we’d never talk about anything important without you!” my sweet son exclaimed, even though he was part of one of those meetings last time.
“Oh, sure. That’s why last time Belinda was babysitting me and wouldn’t let me go anywhere while the rest of you were holed up in K’yara’s office.”
Con’s eyes darted around, and though I couldn’t see Judith, I’m sure she looked flustered.
“Come on, I’m not upset,” I reassured the kids. “I just hope that if something really serious happens, you won’t keep it from me. And if you’re done, can I go make some more cocoa? You guys want some, right?”
The kids exchanged a look and answered in unison, “Yes!”
“Great. I’ll be right back.”
Walking down the hallway, I realize I’m freezing. I’ll need to swing by my room on the way and grab another pair of socks... But will I even fit into my fluffy slippers again? Even if I do, I’d hate to stretch them out. After all, in this world, they’re the only pair custom-made for me.
Maybe it’s just time to call it a night and head to bed? Theoretically, it’s late, and I should get some rest, but I’m not really sleepy yet. Fine, I’ll put on the socks, make the cocoa, sit a little longer, and then go to sleep.
The kitchen is empty, which isn’t surprising given the hour. And it’s right here that I had my last encounter with Cornelius: I packed a basket, climbed out the window, and nearly drowned.
After heating milk on the stove (a kind of equivalent to our electric ones), I added cocoa powder, sugar, and cinnamon, let it simmer for a couple of minutes, and poured it into three mugs.
“Okay, but carrying three mugs back without spilling anything is gonna be tricky,” I mutter to myself. “Darn it! Why didn’t I think of a tray?”
I set the mugs on a tray, grabbed some cookies I found, and wheeled it back. We’ll drink, snack, and then I’ll head to bed. I’m already tired from making the drinks.
The door was open, even though I’m sure I closed it before leaving. Did someone leave or come in? If they came in, they can make their own cocoa. They should’ve warned me ahead of time.
Getting closer, I saw the whole gang was there. A frowning Arthur, a fidgety K’yara, worried Lily and Ovida, and Bel and Judith discussing something—it all pointed to something being wrong. Only Vesta and Arthur acted normal, bickering and arguing as usual.
“Hey, someone else can make cocoa for the rest,” I said, trying to lighten the mood.
The current ruler of Aurum rushed over to me, turned me around, and started gently nudging me along.
“Milana, sweetheart, isn’t it time for bed?”
My aunt carefully ushered me out of the room, grabbed my tray, and wheeled it toward my bedroom.
“Come on, dear, let’s go to your room. We’ll talk there like old times.”
I quickly wriggle out of K’yara’s firm grip and ask seriously, “What’s going on?”
“Let’s go to your room, and I’ll tell you everything.”
“Is someone coming over right now? At this hour?”
“Milana, I’m serious.”
“I’m not moving until you explain what’s happening.”
The explanation didn’t take long: the air behind me glowed, and I collided with someone.
I don’t know how, but even without seeing who placed their hands on my shoulders, I knew it was Cor. But why is he here?
Without a word, I step back and look straight into his eyes—still that same captivating green. My gaze drops lower to those lips that once kissed me. That familiar neck I loved to cling to... Armor? And it’s bloodstained.
The thought that it might be his blood makes me feel sick, but my aunt, as if sensing it, grabs my hand and steadies me.
“Is that... your blood?”
“Princess, I’m glad to know you remember me,” Kilian Ertan—Cornelius’s best friend—drawled mockingly, drawing attention to himself.
I scan the bloodied armor of both men with a confused look. Logically, they don’t seem injured. More like victors.
“Where are the girls?” the brown-haired man asks me, as if we hadn’t just shared a bed but had never even met before. His cold attitude makes my heart ache.
“They’re in that room, but why are you here?” K’yara answers for me.
“The war is over. His Holiness Jonathan Sair is finished, along with all his followers. It’s time for the rightful heirs of Argentum to return home.”
The robotic tone and cold demeanor of my child’s father take a backseat. The worst part is that now I have no excuse to give my aunt and the others... They’ll try to convince me to get rid of the baby again.
The beaming face of Aurum’s ruler confirms my fears. She pulls me into a tight hug but doesn’t say a word. I, on the other hand, am not happy about this news. Yes, I’m a hypocritical, selfish person who only thinks of herself—I won’t deny it. But who can make you happy if not yourself? Self-sacrifice for others rarely brings any good to the one sacrificing.
“Milana!” K’yara loosens her grip a little.
“No.”
“What?”
“I’m not getting rid of the baby.”
“But Lilaya—”
“Who cares what she might’ve said? I don’t believe in seers, prophets, or any of that nonsense. They don’t exist.”
“Don’t you understand that you could really die during childbirth? Do you even realize what that would do to me, the girls, Con, and Arthur?”
“I said no. Even if I have to die during childbirth, even if I have to trade my life for the life of my unborn child, I’m ready to do it. Don’t try to make me doubt my choice. You won’t succeed.”
I wanted to run, but everyone was standing by the doorway: Cornelius, Kilian, Arthur, Con, and the girls. The kids looked shocked, as did the dragon and Argentum’s defense minister. Cor’s face, meanwhile, showed a mix of emotions I couldn’t decipher. Looks like they heard everything. Fine, they would’ve found out sooner or later anyway.
“Goodnight! I’m going to bed,” I said to everyone and bolted toward my room. Good thing K’yara and I were talking in the hallway, so no one stopped me from escaping a conversation that’ll happen eventually. Just not today. I’m not ready for it right now.
Slamming the door shut, I leaned against it but didn’t sit on the cold floor. I have to think about more than just myself.
“Milana,” a quiet voice interrupted my thoughts—the voice of the man I don’t think I’ll ever stop loving.
“Not today.”
“Open the door. We need to talk.”
“About what? How you ran off without even saying goodbye? How the perfect prince denied the possibility of being a father and slandered me? You’re not the one to lecture me. Just do what you did before—pretend I don’t exist. I’m sure that won’t be hard for you. Now go. I’m tired.”
I took the silence as a sign that he heard me and left, but I was wrong! Just a few minutes later, someone knocked on my window.
“Are you insane?” I yelled, opening the window and pulling the reckless man into my room. “This is the fifth floor. What if you’d fallen?”
“We need to talk.”