*Daphne*
I knew that it would only be a matter of ti before my parents called back to the throne room so that we could have a long, private discussion about everything that had occurred while I was away. I agonized over how to handle it, knowing that if they knew the full extent of the truth, it was likely that Rion would be put to death.
I briefly considered lying about certain things, or leaving so of the more extre things out, but ultimately decided that I needed to be completely truthful. I could only pray to the Goddess that my parents would see the good in Rion just as I had, and that they would show him so rcy.
Less than twenty-four hours after returning to the palace, I got the summons to et my parents in the throne room. My maid, Pepper, helped into a casual but still extravagant blue gown.
Even though it would just be my parents present while we had the discussion, they still felt it appropriate to et in the throne room for the more serious discussions. Maybe they thought they could be more rational while they sat on their thrones.
There was hardly any preamble when I entered the large marble room. Mother and Father sat side by side in their thrones, regarding with compassionate but still serious expressions.
Surprisingly, it was my mother who spoke first. “How are you, Daphne? The palace physicians said only that your physical exam went well, but that you still required plenty of rest.”
I winced, knowing that the physicians would have shared the results of my exam with my parents. That ant that they knew that I was slightly underweight due to the harsh conditions I had endured during my little excursion. “I’m alright. Please don’t worry about . You’ve enough to stress about.”
My parents glanced at one another and I didn’t miss the look of concern that passed between them.
Father regarded gently, but seriously. “I’ve ordered the kitchen to prepare special als for you so that you will gain the weight that you’ve lost,” he said.
I blushed with embarrassnt but nodded in agreent.
Father nodded once. “Now, please tell us everything that occurred since you were taken from us, Daphne.”
Mother jumped in. “Please leave nothing out,” she said pleadingly.
This only solidified my decision to tell them everything. I knew that it was in the whole kingdom’s best interest if I left nothing out. My parents would need all the information possible if they were to even have a slim chance at defeating Eva.
And so, I told them everything, starting from being wooed by Rion during the ball weeks earlier and ending with how Rion was able to rescue and help escape from Eva’s lair. It was difficult to get through the entire story. The fear and pain that I had experienced ca rushing back as I revisited the mories.
Mother and Father had stood up and descended the steps at so point during my retelling, but I couldn’t be sure when. Mother had her arms around my shoulders as I recalled so of the more difficult monts of my adventure, like being held prisoner and not knowing if I would make it ho. Father was pacing back and forth in front of , clearly unable to stay still as he listened to my tale.
“It’s true that Rion abducted ,” I said finally, turning to face my father, who had finally stopped pacing in order to face fully as well. “But he is a good person. I know he is. He truly cares about and wanted nothing more than to get ho.”
“Daphne, you shouldn’t feel obligated to defend that boy,” my mother said gently.
“It’s not out of obligation, Mother,” I said earnestly. I hesitated for just a mont before I reminded myself that I needed to be honest if I was going to save Rion, as well as my kingdom. “We really bonded during our ti together. Once we got to know each other, he regretted everything that he’d done to hurt and just wanted to make it right. We grew to care about each other.”
My mother looked shocked while Father’s expression beca livid. I winced, realizing that they easily read the layers behind my words.
“What do you an exactly, Daphne?” Mother asked slowly.
I straightened. “I can’t fully explain it,” I began. “But when our skin made contact, I could suddenly see his mories. It was like I was present during them. It was so vivid and clear.”
My parents exchanged wide-eyed looks at that.
Father looked ready to rebuke , his expression hardening. He pointed a finger at and opened his mouth, but I quickly jumped in before he could. “Father, please. Show Rion rcy and spare him! I would hate to see him executed after he delivered safely to you. We owe him my life.”
“What nonsense are you speaking of?” my father demanded, whirling on angrily. “He was the one who abducted you, Daphne.”
My parents looked suddenly worried that I had lost my sanity during the ti I was gone. I took a breath in to control my tone. “Yes, that is true,” I said. “But I shudder to imagine what would have beco of had one of Eva’s followers had been successful at kidnapping before Rion. Eva is extrely powerful. She seems to have mastered her dark magic to a level that should be feared.”
My parents knew I had a point, judging from their troubled expressions.
“And what about Orion Stormfall?” my father asked in a stern voice. “Does he too possess this dark magic?”
I hesitated. “I have only witnessed an uncanny self-healing ability that he has. He almost seems indestructible.”
They were quiet as they considered all that I’d said.
I was wearing them down. I took a deep breath and stepped back so I was out of my mother’s hold and lowered my head respectfully. “Please,” I murmured, trying to keep my voice from breaking. “I am begging you to spare Rion. I understand what you have against him, but please believe when I say he wishes us no harm. He is no longer a threat to us.”
My parents were silent for a long mont and I could imagine the way that they would be glancing at one another, communicating wordlessly.
“Very well,” Mother said in a soft but firm voice.
My head snapped up and I stared at them. “Truly?” I asked, my eyes going from my mother’s compassionate face to my father’s hardened one.
“Yes,” Father said. “We will spare Orion Stormfall. Your argunts are sound ones, despite your obvious bias.”
I blushed and looked down, but then couldn’t help but clap my hands together. “Thank you so much!” I hugged my mother, who returned the hug and gently patted my back.
“Not so fast,” Father said, causing to look at him with confusion. His brown eyes darkened to a near-black color. “I have no choice but to forbid you from seeing Orion Stormfall ever again, Daphne.”
I felt the shock cross my face as if I had been slapped. I swallowed back the tears that wanted to surface at the news that I would never be allowed to see Rion again. I had to remind myself that I had succeeded. Rion would be allowed to continue living.
With a nod, I sorrowfully accepted their decree.
***
A month later, I exited the bathroom suite that was attached to my spacious bedroom, my face as white as a sheet as I tried to take a calming breath in. I winced when my breath shook with nerves.
That was the third ti this week that I couldn’t keep my breakfast down. At first, I suspected that I had caught so sort of stomach bug. I continued to believe this was true... until I realized that my clothes were just slightly tighter around my abdon.
It took another week or so to gather up the courage to go to one of the palace physicians. I sought out the head, an older woman who I rembered had helped to deliver Rhys when he was born.
She had been alard when I entered her private quarters just slightly after dawn. Thankfully for , we had a few live-in physicians who were taking care of Rhys.
I explained my suspicions to her, being as clear and informative as I could. She nodded seriously, ushering into a small attached room for an exam.
“There is no question about it, Princess,” she said in a soft, withered voice. “You are definitely pregnant.”
I sucked in a sharp breath but was able to nod my head. The room whirled but I was able to slide off of the exam table and land lightly on my feet.
“Thank you for looking over,” I said. “Would you mind not saying a word about this to the king and queen?”
I was unsurprised at the troubled look that crossed her withered, but kind face. “I’m sorry, Princess, but I’m sure you understand that when asked a direct question by the king or queen, I will have no choice but to answer honestly.”
I nodded. I could never ask her to lie to my parents. “Of course, as I expect you to, but perhaps you wouldn’t mind not bringing it up unless asked directly?”
She nodded seriously. “Of course, Princess. However, I must advise you to tell them soon.”
It turned out that I wouldn’t have a choice on the matter. Mother ca into my room the next afternoon, right after I was terribly sick once again.
“Daphne?” she said in alarm, rushing to my side. She searched my face, her panic rising. “You’re as white as a sheet! Are you alright? We should get you to a doctor.”
She started to tug away, but I held my ground. “Mom, I’ve already been to the head physician.” She looked at with confusion, so I ducked my head and murmured softly. “I’m pregnant.”
I was well aware that my mother was a queen, and therefore, extrely gifted at staying calm and rational even in the face of the most stressful situations.
“Are you sure, Daphne?” she asked calmly.
I nodded. “Yes, the head physician just saw yesterday and confird it.”
She glanced at my door as if making sure that it was still tightly shut like she had left it. “Is Orion Stormfall the father?”
Tears pricked my eyes at the sound of his na and I nodded.
My mother nodded, sohow not seeming surprised by that admission, probably because Rion was the only male I had really had any contact with for an extended period of ti.
“I should find him and let him know,” I said through unmoving lips.
My mother approached and took my hands in hers, looking into my face with compassion, but also seriousness. “Despite the fact that this is his baby, you cannot see Orion again,” she said firmly.
My head snapped up. “But–”
“Daphne,” she said patiently, but with an almost stern tone. “You must forget about that boy. It is in your and your child’s best interest.”
I let a couple of tears drip from my eyes but nodded slowly. I understood why my mother felt this was the best way to handle the situation, but my heart ached at the thought of raising this child without Rion.
My mother cupped my face, brushing a stray tear away with the pad of her thumb. “It’s going to be alright, Daphne. We’ll find you a fine husband who will be a good father to your child.”
I winced, but I had expected this as well. My parents wouldn’t be thrilled with the thought of being husbandless.
I was resigned to my fate for quite so ti after, but as my body started to change and my hormones began to rage, I realized that I wanted Rion to know about his child. He deserved the chance to know them.
With that resolve quickly solidified, I prepared to investigate Rion’s whereabouts.
My hands flew to my stomach and the tiny, but defined bump between my hips. I stroked it gently. “Don’t worry,” I murmured. “We’re going to go find your father.’
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