The Chef's Immortal

Chapter Nine

They awoke early the following morning, but didn't move to get out of bed.  She and the Prince were both emotionally exhausted.  What new challenge would this day bring?  Nusa wasn't sure she could take anymore.  But she came up with a plan.  She didn't know if the Prince would agree, but it was the best she could muster.  It's just that it would hurt her heart to discuss it with him.  More importantly, it would probably hurt him as well.  She must buck up, it needed to be said.

She leaned so they would be face to face for this discussion, but she lost her words.  He was staring at her intently with those deep violet eyes.  She lost all reason and lost herself in him.  They stayed in bed well into the afternoon, ignoring all inquiries into their conditions.  Finally emerging midafternoon, the staff fussed over Nusa, trying to make her as comfortable as possible.  Yuxuan went to see his master the night before and heard all about what happened in the Palace.  The head chef was genuinely impressed with Nusa's passion for all things food.

Nusa was also impressed with him.  So much so, that she desired to learn from the royal head chef.  But she didn't think he would take on a royal and who was also a woman.  She was discussing the possibility with Yuxuan and the Prince when Zihan arrived with a small gift, from the staff.  It was airag.  Zihan waited for two days at the open market watching for a merchant from the grasslands.  He finally arrived today.  Nusa was ecstatic, but the Prince got to it first, grasping it away from her reach.

"Hey, Zihan bought that for me, thank you very much."

"And I know you'd love it, but I'm pretty sure it's not okay for the little one."

"Yinxiang!" she exclaimed.

It was too late, the staff caught on very quickly.  There were congratulations all around.  Hugs from everyone, except Ruolan.  She silently walked away from the crowded kitchen, tears streaming down her face.  The Princess looked back at the Prince, he saw as well, he motioned her to go.  It took a few minutes but Nusa finally found her on the little bridge near their rooms.  The Princess sat down and took Ruolan's hand.

"I want you to listen very carefully to what I am about to say and let me finish all my words before you speak.  Deal?" Ruolan nodded her head.  "Well you see we both ended up having problems with motherhood.  You were forced to send your daughter away when she was born.  But for me, I'm going away when he's born."  She patted her belly.  "This pregnancy doesn't bode well for me.  I won't survive his birth.  Regardless, I want him to have the chance to be born into this world.  I want him to grow and laugh and love.  I may not be able to see it, but I'll know he's somewhere, living his life.  So, I have a favor to ask.  Can you, my best friend in this world, raise him on my behalf?"

Ruolan was sobbing like a little child.  This was not what she was expecting.  "No, Princess, don't say that.  Never say that.  I don't know what I would do if something happened to you."

"Well, you'll just raise my son then.  Okay, good deal, nice talk.  I love you Ruolan."  With that Ruolan watched the Princess walk away.  She never asked her about it again, but she knew if that day ever came, she would walk through fire for her Princess's son.

"Everything okay?" asked the Prince.

"Yep, perfect."

He watched his wife for a long time.  He wasn't sure what the two women talked about but he saw how hard it was for his wife to hold back her tears.  Both women would have the same heartache.  They would both feel the loss of their precious child.  They would both be broken.  And he knew there was nothing he could do or say that would make that better.  He stayed close to his wife for the next few days, he wanted to be there when she couldn't hold back any longer.