Rebirth (A Remington Leith AU)

Chapter 40

We returned back home to our kingdom shortly after my encounter with my long-lost twin sister, and if I'm being truly honest, it's as if our meeting changed me forever. I continued to enjoy my time with Remington while also doing my part as princess, but knowing that a missing part of me I didn't realize I had was found when I met Lillian face-to-face. She wasn't what I expect at all and the rumors I've heard about her seemed false now. It seemed that while she was still a princess, Lillian never felt like she was in the right life, it might explain how I always felt like there was something waiting for me while I was still a peasant with our mother. I wondered what if our roles were reversed and she lived with our mother while I grew up with our father. If things had been that way, we probably would never have met and I would never be aware of her existence. I smiled as I held hope that we might meet again someday soon under better circumstances.

A few weeks after our return, I started feeling strange and sick. I hoped I didn't catch anything contagious on the island as Remington called for the kingdom's best doctors to check up on me. When they arrived, they checked my pulse and studied my patterns before asking me some questions. "How long have you been feeling this way?", one of them asked, Remington held me close to him as I answered the doctor, "For about six and a half weeks. I started feeling this way about a day or two after we returned here." Another one asked, "What symptoms have you been suffering?". Embarrassed, I told him, "Some days I have these intense cravings for specific foods I may not normally eat, but then I'll feel incredibly nauseous in my stomach and purge of my cravings afterwards. And all of this has decreased my energy to the point that I can't stay awake most days and I sleep often." My mother, who helped check on me amongst the doctors, had a smile on her face that made me curious. "Dear doctors, Your Majesties, the princess isn't coming down with an illness. She's just showing signs." Remington asked her, "Signs of...what?" She looked at us both before answering his question, "Why, early pregnancy."

The second my mother uttered those words, everything went chaotic. Soon enough, everyone found out about my pregnancy and delivered their kind wishes and hopes of a good heir to the kingdom. I was excited as well along with Remington, to know that a baby was growing inside of me and nothing could be a more pure result of our love and devotion to each other. Yet, I was having a few insecurities and worries concerning our child. When Remington asked, I told him, "I have no doubt it will be the most beautiful child and I will love it unconditionally. But will everyone else love it too?" Remington seemed confused as first, "What do you mean, Lulu?" I explained to him as we sat close to each other in our bed, "Since we've been married, everyone's been pressuring me as your wife to bring a worthy heir to your bloodline and this kingdom. But what if they don't find our child good enough, especially since half my blood is lower class and not entirely royal. I'm not scared for me, I'm scared our child won't feel loved by everyone else when it deserves to be."

Remington pulled me closer to him and hugged me in his arms, planting kisses in my hair as he reassured me. "My sweet Luella, this kingdom has always had their rules when it comes to potential rulers of every royal bloodline. Just because my mother was purely of royal descent, it didn't mean she didn't have her moments of doubt because she was more compassionate to everyone besides her own kind. They almost shunned her for it but she still strived to be one of the most amazing rulers of our land. Whatever our child grows up to be, I know it will have the potential to be great at anything it does. And knowing we'll always be there to give them love and support, our child will always know they will never be alone." He then held my face with one hand as he looked into my eyes, "You have nothing to prove to this kingdom that you haven't already. You're a worthy ruler and much more than just my wife. You're a sweet, strong and compassionate princess who changes those around you for the better and I'm so happy to be living this life with you."

His words already had me emotional and he pulled me closer to his chest as he hugged me tightly and I shed my tears onto him while returning his warm embrace. After a moment of such a heartwarming embrace, Remington pulled away to look into my eyes again and tell me, "I cannot wait to meet our child when the time comes, my love. I'm so happy for you and me. I love you more than life itself." That made me smile as I told him, "I love you, my sweet prince. I'm excited, too." He grinned back before he leaned in to press his lips onto mine and help me forget about any more worrisome thoughts I had about our baby and instead just focus on the bright future we'd have together as a family. From then on, the nursemaids and doctors recommended that I maintain a stable diet to ensure that the baby would be healthy and well once it's delivered. It felt like a long way until it would be time, but I knew I had to be patient so it would be in perfect health.

After two months pass, I endured the hardships of what pregnancy felt like and while it felt uncomfortable most days, I was reminded it was normal for soon-to-be mothers like me and all of it would be worth it once the baby arrives. Sophia may have been the most excited about my baby as she asked me many questions such as what I wanted to name the baby, whether I wanted a boy or girl, and if I wanted more kids after this one so they could have siblings? Even though these questions were a bit overwhelming, I still appreciated Sophia's enthusiasm for it all. It seemed like things were almost too good to be true as we anticipated the arrival of our firstborn. I turned out to be right about my instincts when me and Remington were called to meet with the high monarchy one unexpected day.

As soon as we arrived and Remington asked their request for us here, a council member led us to a holding area where he pointed out one prisoner and asked us, "Perhaps you can explain why this imposter who was seen in a local village...seems to strongly resemble the Princess Lillian?" My fears from over eight months ago were brought back to me as I looked to find my sister in chains and looking like she's been through battles. She stared back at me and her eyes widened like mine as we reached the point we were trying to avoid.