The forr king passed away due to illness six months after Kaiden’s coronation. The entire kingdom was in mourning for their previous ruler, and he was buried according to Draconia’s customs.
******
Ariel had left the funeral early. Even during a ti of mourning, the whispers against her didn’t soften.
Kaiden had told her to block them out, but it wasn’t so easy. So still secretly called her a witch behind her back, though they smiled sweetly to her face.
She was the veiled witch who hid her secrets behind a lace veil—at least, that’s what they said.
The only thing Ariel hid behind her veil at public functions was her face, simply because she didn’t want to draw too much attention. She didn’t want to be compared to Eleanor. But people always found sothing to talk about.
The air that day felt colder than usual. It was late autumn, and winter was just around the corner. Her carriage waited quietly to take her ho.
When Ariel reached it, her personal knight bowed before opening the door. She wondered if the people working under her shared the sa bitter sentints as the nobles.
She would never know. They never t her gaze. No matter how people whispered behind her back, no one dared speak against her to her face—because of Kaiden.
She was still his wife. And Kaiden had made his point clear when he stripped a noble family of their lands simply because the baroness had spoken out of turn about Ariel.
Holding her dress, Ariel lowered her head as she stepped toward the carriage. A soft voice stopped her.
"Can I have a word with you?"
Ariel turned to find Eleanor’s grey eyes locked on her. The queen looked regal and beautiful, yet she always seed paler next to Ariel.
Eleanor stood with her fists clenched at her sides. *What was it about this village girl that she could never quite match?*
"You have my attention, Your Majesty," Ariel said politely, offering Eleanor the respect her title deserved.
"I ca to ask a favour," Eleanor began. It was humiliating to admit, but she had few choices left. Ariel was the only one she could turn to.
"You have my attention," Ariel repeated with a polite smile. It was strange for Eleanor to approach her like this, which only heightened her curiosity.
Ariel’s eyes scanned her. There was sothing different about the queen. Her clothing had changed—more breathable, looser—and she looked slightly fuller.
*Could it be?* Ariel’s heart skipped a beat.
"I was hoping you could ask Kaiden to visit a bit more often. Just one more day a week, I ask only that," Eleanor said, her hand subtly resting on her stomach.
Ariel didn’t need further explanation. The small bump was noticeable now. It had been just two months since Kaiden started fulfilling his duties.
A soft smile touched Ariel’s lips. "I understand. I’ll speak to him," she replied.
Eleanor’s face lit up with gratitude. "Thank you. I appreciate the help."
Ariel nodded and turned back toward the carriage.
She glanced through the window once inside, her eyes lingering on Eleanor until the queen disappeared from view.
Her chest tightened. Eleanor was pregnant.
Turning away from the window, Ariel drifted into thought. There was no way Kaiden didn’t know. Still, the news left her with a bittersweet ache.
For the first ti, she felt envious of Eleanor. She had been in the palace long enough to see through Eleanor’s pretty smiles and real intentions.
********
Kaiden might have been a distant husband to Eleanor, but at least he was a thoughtful father.
Once Eleanor’s pregnancy was stable and she began to show, the news spread. The kingdom buzzed with excitent over the coming heir. As they praised Eleanor, they didn’t forget to drag Ariel’s na through the mud.
Kaiden saw it. Ariel tried to hide how much it hurt her, but he knew her too well.
The rumours worsened. Ariel’s reputation sank lower. Kaiden did all he could to quell the whispers, but his efforts were in vain. He spent more ti with her, but the distance between them grew despite everything.
Ariel saw how softly he smiled whenever he spoke about the baby. He was excited to beco a father. Her selfishness quietly consud her, knowing she wasn’t the one who made him smile like that.
So of the rumours stuck and haunted her ’What if I can never bear a child?’ After all, she’d been married to Kaiden longer, and he’d spent more nights in her chambers.
******
On a rainy night, thunder echoed over Vitalis, and the sky wept.
Inside, the fireplace crackled gently, filling the room with the rich scent of tea.
Ariel and Kaiden sat together by the fire, wrapped in each other’s embrace, enjoying the peace. She listened quietly as Kaiden spoke about court affairs and idle gossip.
He always made ti for monts like these. He was the only friend she had within these walls. His heart ached, knowing how hard palace life had beco for her.
He should’ve insisted they run away before his coronation.
"The blossoms are beautiful in spring at Blackthorn," Kaiden said softly. "There’s a little lake I once found, surrounded by nightfire lilies. Maybe we should go there next spring."
Ariel’s eyes sparkled. A quiet escape sounded lovely.
"Is that allowed? You’re king," she teased gently, though she ant it.
Kaiden shook his head. This was just like her, she was always thinking of others.
"Even kings deserve a break. We never had a proper honeymoon. It’ll just be us just like old tis."
Ariel nodded. Secretly, she was thrilled by the idea. But then... There was Eleanor.
A knock ca at the door, breaking the calm.
The servant entered after being granted permission. "The queen is in labour."
Ariel felt a lump form in her throat, but she kept her smile. Others wouldn’t have noticed the shift but Kaiden did.
Unlike what the servant expected, Kaiden didn’t imdiately rush to the stellar palace. He stayed quietly beside Ariel, letting her know he was still there.
"You don’t need my permission to see her. She’s carrying your child," Ariel said. The tea in her mouth had gone bland.
Kaiden placed his cup on the table and stood. Then he offered her his hand.
"You don’t have to hide here either. I know you want to et the baby too. Let’s go," he said.
It annoyed her how well he could read her.
She was looking forward to seeing Kaiden’s firstborn, even if she still held mixed feelings about the mother. At tis, she didn’t even understand herself.
"I hate how well you know ."
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