With the treaty signed and plans all laid out in case of an attack, some normality returned to the palace over the next few months - as far as normality was deemed anyway.
Amberley would wake, see that Phillip was being taken care of before having breakfast with Steve and then getting on with overseeing that her household was all in order. Sometimes she would take Phillip for walks in the gardens accompanied by her ladies. He was growing stronger and healthier by the the day and both she and Steve were proud of just how well he was developing. Her marriage back on track where it was supposed to be, her spirits were lifted greatly, especially when she saw Steve holding Phillip one morning and talking to him quietly as he showed their son the Kingdom that would one day be his to rule.
"You're awake early" She said, coming out onto the balcony to stand beside them.
"Couldn't sleep, and neither could Phillip so it seems. I thought I'd start his schooling on ruling a Kingdom early". Steve told his wife as she kissed their son's head.
Amberley smiled and looked out onto the city. It was going to be another nice day. The summer months brought decent weather, if not just a tad too hot for her liking. Wearing a dress that was crushing your ribs wasn't the best choice, however there was no alternative. The winter months could sometimes be harsher, but depending on where you were it could differ. Back in Wisconsin the city had been atop a large hill overlooking farmlands and nearby hamlets. From a soldier's point of view, it gave them advantage to see who was in advance of attack.
Amberley missed it, the halls of Wisconsin looming at the very top of the city. She'd never once imagined that one day it would soon be swapped for a Kingdom, nor that she would be the High Queen.
Wrapping her shawl around her a little more, her eyes kept fixed on the view. "I am with child again..." She confided in her husband quietly.
Steve's head whipped round to look at his wife, wondering whether he had just heard her right. "What?"
A faint smile formed on her lips. "I had Banner come to see me yesterday...it is confirmed - another child shall be joining us around spring so he has predicted".
He turned her face towards his and leant in, kissing her softly. "My clever, clever, wife". His mouth was shaped into a wide grin.
"Are you happy?" She asked. "Really?"
"You're giving us another child, of course I am".
She smiled to herself knowing that things seemed to be looking positive for the future. There was still the looming threat of a dragon attack, and daily patrols were undertaken by Sam and Bucky with a group of knights. One in the morning and another in the evening. Whatever happened then they would be prepared.
"I must have someone deliver the blanket I had made to Jarl Anthony and Lady Pepper. Lady Morgan sounds like such a good natured child already". Amberley said as they returned inside, Steve putting Phillip into his cradle while his wife now poured herself some water.
"And one day, she will be Queen of this kingdom, let's hope that she is just as clever as her mother". He said beginning to dress for another day of meetings.
"I have no doubt that she will be".
Steve placed his hand on her stomach as she came over and kissed her. "And who knows, should we have a daughter then she will probably inherit your traits more so than mine".
"You are hoping for another son, I know you are, I am too but would you be too disappointed if we were to have a daughter?".
He thought about it, and had done so after Phillip had been born. "No, we can still make a good match for her, however another boy will secure the lineage a little more".
"I will give you an army of children if it means keeping our bloodline on the throne". She kissed him again, his hands skimming her waist.
"I know you will sweetheart". He murmured.
It was a dangerous promise though. Birthing a child was always a risk for both mother and baby. The first time around had been nerve wracking enough, and no matter how many children they would have, the feeling would never subside until both were deemed safe.
"I'll see you later". He gave her one last kiss, "rest, I know what you're like".
She scoffed at this. "I am fine, it's just a little nausea when I wake that makes me feel uncomfortable". Then she saw the scepticism in his face. "I shall rest should I feel like I need to".
"That's better". He smiled lightly and left her to tend to Phillip while he began his day.
He had a council meeting, and then another with the knights before he was finally back in the sanctuary of his own study.
"Sire, this just arrived for you". One of the servants now came in and passed him a letter sealed with wax.
The crest of the Souza family.
"Leave". He commanded and once he was alone again, he opened the letter and began to read.
It was from Lord Souza, and he was writing to inform the King that Peggy had died...
Steve rubbed at his forehead and continued to read.
Tuberculosis had taken her late last night and he had felt obliged to inform Steve considering that Peggy had been his former mistress. Lord Daniel also stated that he did not expect to receive any reply but once again had felt that the King should hear the new from him rather than the gossips at court.
Steve placed the letter down and sat there for a while to process everything.
He shouldn't care. She had barely been a mistress.
And yet he felt a little numb.
He would need to tell Amberley. The last thing he wanted was her hearing from gossips and then talking about it herself.
For now though, he needed to push all thoughts to the back of his mind. There was much work to be done and always so very little time.
YOU ARE READING
Wildflower (King!SteveRogers AU)
Fanfiction"It's a game...a dangerous one at that" When her father Phillip, Jarl of Wisconsin, dies in battle, his daughter Amberley is imprisoned, awaiting to suffer the same fate. Execution. However her captor, The High King of Brooklyn, Steven Rogers has ot...
