“Alright, go ahead. I’m listening. Why do you look so surprised? Better hurry up, because I’m really tired.”
“Milana.”
“Cornelius.”
“Are you seriously planning to die?”
“Y’all are so superstitious around here.”
“Milana.”
“Are you stuck on repeat? If that’s all, you can leave.”
I made a point of walking over to the bed, taking off my cardigan, and heading toward the bathroom. Thankfully, it’s right there, no secret doors or hidden rooms.
“Are you really going to do this? Die during childbirth?” The brown-haired man grabbed my arm, stopping me from reaching my ‘sanctuary.’
“First, let go. That hurts. Second, it’s none of your business. That’s it? Oh, wait! Third, I’m stronger than you think.”
“You need to terminate the pregnancy.”
“No.”
“I’m the father of this child, and I have a say in its future too.”
God, how I wanted to hear those words a few months ago. Sorry, darling, but you’re too late. Even if you’d said it earlier, I still wouldn’t have listened.
“If I remember right, you said you couldn’t possibly be the father. So go on, ‘not-the-father,’ take your rights somewhere else. By the way, where’d you put your armor?”
He let go of my arm, but it didn’t look like he was planning to leave. Fine, if he wants to sit here and wait, let him. It’s not going to change anything.
I went into the bathroom, shut the door tight, propped a chair against it, and stripped down. Truth be told, I’m scared too, but I’m still not getting rid of this baby. At four months, the fetus is already the size of a plum, all the organs are formed, the skeleton is starting to harden, and the heart is beating strong. It’d be murder. Do people here really see it differently?
I hope all these prophecies are just empty superstitions. I’m terrified of dying, of meeting a tragic end at nineteen. Though by the time I give birth, I’ll be twenty. I’m also scared for the future of my newborn—there’ll be so much on their shoulders. What if there’s no one to help them?
A tear rolled down my cheek and fell into the water, snapping me out of my thoughts. I wiped it away and climbed into the tub. If I let my emotions take over, won’t Cor hear me? And what if someone else shows up and hears me sobbing? I should’ve kicked him out and barricaded the door so no one could get in.
If anyone hears me, I won’t be able to stand up for my beliefs. I can’t let that happen, no way. Hugging my knees to my chest with one arm, I bit down on the other just below my thumb and cried quietly. I need to let these emotions out so I don’t explode one day and say too much.
When the water started to cool, I finished my little breakdown, quickly washed off the sweat and grime of the day, and slipped into a plush pajama set. It’s funny—another world, magic, castles, and yet some comforts can be had just by paying and describing what you want.
I opened the door, and there he was, slumped against the wall. He looked defeated. What could’ve happened to put him in such a state?
“Did you get into a fight with Arthur? Even if you did, find somewhere else to nurse your ego.”
Cornelius lifted his green eyes, full of regret, and stared at me without breaking eye contact.
“What’s wrong?”
“Milana.”
“Okay, if you called me by a different name, I’d be mad, but this I can handle. So why are you still here?”
“Do you do this often?”
“Do what?”
“Lock yourself in the bathroom and cry.”
So he did hear me...
“I stubbed my toe.”
“Please, don’t lie to me.”
“Why would I lie? And why do you care? Since when do my feelings matter to you?”
“Milana.”
“Cornelius, I swear to God, if you say my name one more time and just shut up, I’ll throw you out and never let you back into my room again.”
“Please, don’t do this. Don’t leave me.”
“Don’t start with me. You’re the one who left first. And notice, I’m not the one with a thousand and one fiancées.”
“Why are you acting like this? Don’t you care about K’yara, the girls, me...?”
“Sorry, but there’s definitely an extra name in that list. I won’t deny I liked you once, but after the way you treated me... Forgive me, but play your love triangles without me.”
“Milana, are you really this heartless?”
“Enough, go whine somewhere else,” I said, grabbing his shoulder and trying to pull him up. The jerk didn’t even budge. Fine, I’m not supposed to lift heavy things, but Arthur can. If the dragon refuses, I’ve always got my battle-ready aunt.
I reached for the doorknob, and he leaned against the door.
“You absolute jackass,” I snapped, turning to face him. “What’s with this habit of cornering me when no one’s around?”
“And do you want me to do it when we’re not alone?”
“I want you to leave me alone.”
“Why were you crying?”
“Why do you care, huh? Pack your stuff, grab Kilian under your arm, and head back to Argentum. Let Dinar come for the girls himself. I wouldn’t trust you with them.”
“Stop acting like a child.”
“Cornelius, what do you want from me? Weren’t you the one who wanted to cut all ties and keep contact to a minimum?”
“I never said that.”
“Oh, really? Then I must’ve misunderstood your disappearing act without a word and ignoring my letters. Fine, surprise me. Though, you know, I bet right now instead of a reason, I’ll hear the name of your latest fiancée. Why so quiet? Nothing to say?”
“You don’t need power.”
“What’s that got to do with anything?”
“If we get married, it’ll start another political game, one you definitely won’t want to play.”
“And did you ask me? Who gave you the right to decide for me? First, you blamed some curse, which our child saved me from, by the way. Then you abandoned me the moment you found out I was pregnant. Now you’re demanding I get rid of my baby.”
“If that’s what you want, we’ll get married and have another child.”
“Are you for real? There’s a little life inside me right now, a tiny person the size of a plum, and you’re suggesting I get rid of it so we can have another kid later? Were you dropped on your head as a child?”
“Milana, calm down!” Cor stepped back with a gesture of surrender. I took a step forward.
“If you don’t want us, then get lost! You have no right to demand anything from me. Go, Cornelius, don’t push me to do something I’ll regret.”
Pointing at the door, I waited for this idiot to follow my order. Look at what he came up with. Kill one child, we’ll make another later. Is that his idea of love? No, thanks, I’ll pass. There are plenty of people who love each other but split up for their own reasons. Well, me and this jerk are one of those pairs, because not everything can be fixed with love.
“I’m gonna scream right now. Trust me, once a whole crowd shows up at my call, you’ll wish you had more space.”
“Fine, we’ll continue tomorrow.”
“We’re not continuing anything. Tomorrow, you pack your stuff—which, by the way, I didn’t see when you showed up—and head back to Argentum. And God help you if you cross my path again!”
He didn’t argue and just left. Outside the door, I could hear whispers.
“So? Did you get through to her?” It was impossible not to recognize K’yara.
“How’d it go?” Arthur’s voice was a bit louder.
“Everything okay?” Lily sounded calm.
“She doesn’t want to talk. Says she’s really tired.”
What a liar! But then again, what else did I expect from him? I wonder how often he’s told me the truth. Yes, I love him, I can’t help it, but Cor isn’t the kind of man I’d want to build a real, strong family with. My husband should be honest, reliable, strong, confident. That’s the complete opposite of this guy.
Deciding not to waste my thoughts on this creep, I lay down on the bed and started imagining my child. I don’t know why, but I feel like it’s going to be a girl: green-eyed, snub-nosed, mischievous, and always smiling, with brown hair. Lost in my daydreams, I didn’t even notice when I fell asleep, only waking up to the warm, gentle rays of the sun. It’s a bit unexpected, considering it’s a chilly autumn right now.
In a good mood and feeling light all over, I got out of bed, stretched like a lazy cat, smiled, and quickly got ready to leave the room. I shouldn’t keep myself cooped up in four walls all the time. I need to walk, breathe fresh air, and enjoy life.
Grabbing some food from the kitchen and packing it into a basket, I climbed out the same window and glanced at the table by the lake.
“Nope, buddy, I’m not coming near you again,” I said more to myself and headed toward the garden.
The flowers are already wilting. Little remains of their former splendor, but somehow, this place has taken on a different kind of charm. If I had to compare, it’s like a mature, wise person who’s left behind their childish ways. As if to say, it’s not fitting for someone wise like me to live an active life.
I’m walking, breathing in the fresh air, when I glance back and see Cornelius heading toward me. I don’t know why, but the urge to run from him was sudden and overwhelming. Who am I to resist such impulses? Hands on my basket, feet moving, I took off as fast as I could, my heels practically sparkling.
But this green-eyed guy didn’t get the hint and started chasing after me. My legs are short, my stamina nowhere near a man’s. I kept wanting to look back, and sure enough, I almost crashed into a tree. Argentum’s prime minister grabbed my shoulder just in time and pulled me toward him.
We’re standing there, locked in an embrace, both breathing hard. If we were on the ground right now, someone might think we’re up to something not suitable for kids. But come to think of it, there are three of us here, not two. How does he have the nerve to act like this in front of our child?
“Back off,” I say calmly to the ‘dad,’ though I don’t move myself.
“What?” He didn’t get it.
“Back off from me. Now.”
The man jumped back like he’d been burned. It stung my ego a little, but whatever, I’ll get my revenge sooner or later.
“What are you doing here?”
“K’yara asked me to tell you it’s time for breakfast.”
“Tell her I brought food with me. Fresh air will do me more good than four walls and a suffocating atmosphere. You’re free to go now.”
“Milana, I’m not a dog for you to send running back and forth on errands.”
“You’re right. You’re nothing to me, so try not to cross paths with me again.”
“You’re acting like a child.”
“I can blame it on hormones. What’s your excuse? Leave me alone already. We settled this a long time ago.”
“We settled it?”
“Why do you look so shocked? Yes, Cornelius, our current relationship is the result of not just my actions and choices. We both brought this on. I don’t even get what you want from me.”
“Just let me be near you.”
“You think that’ll change anything? Then wait until I die and forget everything.”
“Don’t joke like that. I’m serious.”
My dear, every joke has a grain of truth. If I really do die during childbirth and K’yara doesn’t want to take care of the baby, you’ll be my only hope. Looks like it’s time to start working on a ‘Secure the Future’ plan. Just in case.