Cardan & Jude oneshots

Crystal Ball of Parenting

This chapter is a request from a reader. It doesn't contain smut; it's just a sweet chapter to explore how I think Jude and Cardan developed their relationship and their reactions to a baby but obviously containing my reader's opinion.

 I'll be posting smut soon, but if you want to read this fluff, feel free.

100% Cardan's POV.

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Cardan's POV

My wife has left me.

Either that, or she was kidnapped, which I seriously doubt.

By this time, Jude would already be in our room, cleaning the blood off her hands while telling me everything that had happened. After that, she would crawl across the bed and we would have another wonderful afternoon before returning to our real duties.

On the other hand, I prefer to believe that Jude had an emergency and had to go to the mortal world without being able to inform me. I prefer that option to her leaving me.

And now I am forced to sit with the Living Council without my beautiful wife to bless my eyes.

Not that I hate being king, no; I am quite used to it now, having already spent five years since the incident with the Crown of Blood. I'm actually quite good at it—listening to the council, thinking of strategies and solutions for the kingdom—but I admit it is much better when Jude is by my side and my tail can curl around her calf or my hand can intertwine with hers while I massage her finger with no tip; the tip is extremely soft, unlike the rest of her hands which have a somewhat rough texture from training so much with swords.

"Your Majesty," Fala interjects, placing papers onto an already teetering pile. "In addition to the court issues, we also have a problem concerning the less fortunate."

"And what is that problem?" I ask, absently playing with the rings on my fingers, my gaze lingering on my wedding band.

"There are petitions from the impoverished. They request food, materials to produce clothing, and permission to build more houses," Fala explains. I raise an eyebrow at the stack of petitions.

"What's the issue? Give them the food," I reply, but before I can continue, Randalin interrupts.

"But, My King, we cannot provide food for—"

"We can and we will," I cut him off. "I want bags of grain, bread, and boxes of vegetables distributed to the poorer villages today. Request donations of clothing and construction materials. This needs to be handled today," I order, waving my hand dismissively.

Mikkel, the Unseelie Minister, nods in agreement, followed by the majority. Randalin raises his hand politely, and I allow him to speak. His goat-like eyes fix on me, serious.

"But, Your Majesty, we cannot spare food that the kingdom needs to feed... the rabble."

Ignoring his words, I continue. "Ensure that families with children receive double supplies. Orders of the High King and High Queen of Elfhame."

"My King, may I ask, where is the High Queen?" Baphen, the royal astrologer, inquires.

I sigh. "The Queen is not currently present to attend council meetings." Rising from my chair, the others stand simultaneously. "Do as ordered. Take care of the donations. This meeting is adjourned. Until tomorrow."

As I walk away, I hear them wishing me a good day. I roll my eyes. It would indeed be a good day if I knew where on earth my wife was.

When I woke up, the bed was already cold, meaning Jude had left early.