The End of Time

7. The Second Secret Revealed

My face turned red as Chancellor Ocato shouted everyone down again. He looked at me and said "Is it true?" I nodded my head yes, then dropped to the ground, as I started getting very sick again. He went down with me, putting a hand on my back. I felt like my stomach was churning, and Jena brought a wastebasket to me. The note had a strange shine to it for a moment, almost like it was glowing. We looked at it, and it read...

"Hm. I'm willing to bet Mikaela has hit the ground in sickness right about now. Been having sick spells, hasn't she? Tell her I said the second secret is revealed, I know she'll be clever enough to figure it out. Tell her I said to remember that first night, and work it through from there with Jena, Jauffre and Baurus. Heh, heh. This should be interesting. Oh, if I were only there right now..."

I walked over to Jauffre, gripping my stomach. Jena and Baurus met with us, and we spoke in hushed tones in a tight group."By Talos, it's time to get to the bottom of this." Jena said as she held me up.

She looked me in the eyes and said "That ring that Martin Proposed to you with is a fragment of the Amulet of Kings?" I looked at her defeated-like, and said "Apparently so." She nodded, and looked at me with a comforting glint in her eyes. Jena had always been like an older sister to me.

"Now, you and Martin were engaged, correct? Why did you not tell anyone?" She asked me confusedly. "He told me not to. He said it was part of his plan, and that all would be revealed shortly." I said reverently.

"So, you've been sick for the past week or so, right?" She asked in a concerned tone. I nodded, and she continued her interrogation. "Forgive me, but I know your, um, 'cycles'... are very inconsistent. How long has it been since you had one?" I blushed and said "Almost two months. I'm two weeks late, and it still hasn't come."

She nodded, and looked as if contemplating whether or not to ask her next question.

She took in a deep breath, and said "Now, Mikaela, the future of the Empire may hinge on your answer to this next question. You and Martin were engaged, so pardon me for asking... but did you...?"

I instantly realized what she was referring to, and so did everyone else. Jauffre's face turned blood red, and he stared at me. I turned about the shade of Ocato's robe, and looked at the ground. Jauffre looked as if he would faint. Jena took in a deep breath as she asked her question clearly so I had to answer. "Mikaela, did you and Martin have sex?"

I winced and said "Yes."

Jauffre was out like a light.

Baurus caught him before he hit the ground, and held him in his lap as he tried to revive him. I blew a gust of cold air in his direction, and he shot up like a lightning bolt. "By the Nine!" He swore as he sat up. He stood up after a moment and walked back to me.

Jena started again. "One more question: Was Martin your first, and or only?" - "He better have been!" Jauffre said in a warning, yet teasing tone. I maintained my red face, and mumbled "First and only." She nodded and said "Then I believe it is safe to say..." She stopped, knowing I'd piece it together on my own.

My mouth dropped, and I said "A-are you s-saying that I'm... pregnant?" She nodded, and said "Yes. With the last Septim Heir in existence. Congratulations, Mikey."

I looked straight into her eyes as what I swore was Martin's laughter echoed through the Chamber. I heard a faint whisper in my ear that said "I told you I had some surprises for you. I made the ring, and Akatosh told me of his plan for you. I love you, and will never leave you, or our child." A tear came to my eye as I smiled and shook my head. "Hmm. My little troublemaker Martin..." I said out loud. His laughter rang through the room once again, and it comforted me just to hear it again. I looked at Jauffre meaningfully, and I saw a flood of emotion on his face.