Sinister Obsession: Macsen Massey (Emperor Series, #3) ✔️

Chapter 39

Chapter 39

The soft morning light was peeking through Belle's elaborately furnished room at the stunning manor when she woke up. Her life had been simple in comparison to the lavishness of her surroundings. There was still a hint of the grandeur that pervaded the estate after the Emperor himself graced it with his presence yesterday.

Belle stirred in bed and felt a strange unease grow inside her. Now, as she battled a wave of nausea that came over her, the grandeur of the day before seemed far away. Her soft hand was on her stomach as she thought back over the previous few weeks' events.

Belle was unable to put her emotions into words. Her only means of navigating the world were gestures and facial expressions. But today, as she learned the surprising cause of her unease, her quiet seemed to say volumes. Belle was crying out in silence in the large, silk-and-gold-adorned chamber when she began retching. Morning sickness had taken a negative toll on her. She couldn't help but wonder what her condition meant as she leaned over the beautifully carved porcelain basin.

Under the watchful eye of Mrs. Peregrine, the housekeeper, the manor below hummed with servants getting ready for another day. The morning sun washed the polished marble floors in a warm glow, and word of Belle's mysterious malaise had not yet reached the household.

In the meantime, his grace Luell, the Duke of the Manor, was sitting in his study, going through documents from the Emperor's recent visit. His forehead furrowed as he considered the political fallout from the meeting with the monarch. He had no idea that a different kind of revelation was taking place inside the confines of his own house.

Whispers of concern filled the corridors as word spread among the staff about Belle's morning sickness. Laura, the lady's maid, realized what was happening and hurried over to Belle's side. Belle revealed the shocking reality of her illness without using words—a secret she had even withheld from those closest to her.

Laura asked with real concern in her eyes. "What's wrong, my lady? What's wrong? Are you sick? You look pale! Goodness, should I tell your parents?"

"No!" Belle managed to utter, her voice subdued by the weight of her unease. "I'm fine," she reassured, though her feeble attempt to dismiss the concern fell on attentive ears.

"How many days have you been vomiting every morning?" Laura pressed, her worry deepening.

"I don't know," Belle replied, her uncertainty hanging in the air.

"At first, I thought you were just sick, but you've been like this ever since. I hope you don't mind me asking, my lady, but... are you pregnant?" Laura cautiously broached the subject, her words laden with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

"No," Belle denied, her gaze flickering away, avoiding the weight of Laura's suspicion.

"But those are symptoms of being pregnant," Laura persisted, her instincts sensing a truth Belle wasn't ready to confront.

"I'm not impossible. How could I be?" Belle protested, her voice tinged with both disbelief and fear.

"Is the emperor the father?" Laura ventured, her eyes searching Belle's for any hint of confirmation.

"What should I do? Should I get rid of it?" Belle asked, her vulnerability laid bare.

"My lady..." Laura began, her heart heavy with the weight of the situation.

"But my baby's innocent! I can't get rid of my child! What should I do? I'm scared..." Belle's words spilled out, a torrent of emotions threatening to drown her.

"Hush, you don't have to be scared. Just tell your parents; I'm sure they'll understand, and they'll be so protective of you!" Laura offered comfort, her hand gently placed on Belle's trembling shoulder.

"What should I do?" Belle whispered, caught in the turmoil of her own emotions.

"As I've suggested," Laura began, her attempt to guide Belle through the difficult decision interrupted by a sudden question.

"About the father?" Belle pressed, her eyes locking with Laura's, a silent plea for guidance and understanding.

"What?" Laura stammered, a heavy silence settling between them, the unspoken truth hanging in the air, waiting to be acknowledged.

---♡---

In the quiet confines of their home, Belle nervously approached her mother, her heart pounding like a drum in her chest. Belle nervously twirled a strand of her hair as she faced her mother, her palms sweaty and her heart pounding. The revelation she was about to make hung heavily in the air, a secret no longer containable.

"You're what?" Her mother's voice sliced through the room, a mix of disbelief and concern etched across her face.

"Mom, I'm sorry," Belle signed, her eyes welling with tears as she braced for the storm of disappointment.

"No, don't be! Don't be sorry; it's not your fault!" Her mother's tone softened, and she enveloped Belle in a comforting embrace. "My beautiful daughter... is having a baby!" She exclaimed, pulling back to look at Belle with joy sparkling in her eyes.

Belle blinked, her mother's unexpected reaction washing over her. "Let the world know that a new Aastha will be born soon!" Her mom beamed, her hands resting on Belle's shoulders as they shared a moment of understanding and acceptance.

Courtiers whispered to each other about the unexpected news in the manor's lavish halls. There was curiosity and fascination surrounding the news that a new member had joined the prestigious Aastha family. The royal family responded to the impending addition with a mix of surprise and delight as rumors circulated within the manor walls. The town and the manor had come together in shared excitement for the arrival of the newest member of the Aastha legacy, as the news had crossed social boundaries.

Through the small town, word of Belle's pregnancy quickly became viral. The town square, the neighborhood café, and the market were all filled with murmurs and soft discussions. A range of reactions and curiosity buzzed through the close-knit community. But instead of being afraid of the news, the Aastha family decided to accept it. Taking the impending arrival as a blessing and a reason for celebration, Belle's parents joyfully revealed that their daughter was expecting. After a moment of shock, the town realized this was not a scandal but rather a sign of life's cycle and quickly followed suit.

The news reached the opulence of the palace as it spread throughout the town. The rumors of Belle's approaching motherhood reached the royal ears, which were tuned in to the gossip of the realm. A sense of both surprise and curiosity swept through the court as the whole manor was enthralled with the prospect of a new generation being born into the illustrious Aastha lineage.

The news of Belle's pregnancy was elegantly recorded by the manor scribes, who made sure that the tale would live on in the chronicles of the empire. The announcement of a new Aastha family member instilled a fresh sense of hope and continuity in the manor's hallowed halls, where tradition and lineage were held in high regard.

Throughout her pregnancy, Belle had the support of her family and the community at large as she navigated the ups and downs of being pregnant. That sometimes unexpected beginnings lead to the most beautiful stories proved when the initial shock turned into a celebration of life. Belle can't help but think though, even with all of the endearing assistance.

"What would be the Emperor's reaction if he knew?"