Addeline: The Darkness at the Heart of My Love [Papa Emeritus IV]

That Glitter Wasn't Gold

That evening at the dinner table was fraught with tension, a heavy silence enveloping the room. Sister's simple request for the peas sparked a chain reaction of passive-aggressive exchanges between The Cardinal and Nihil.

"Why don't you ask Nihil to pass it to you," he locked eyes with the ghostly figure.

Nihil responded sarcastically, "Don't you mean, father?"

Having had enough of their constant bickering, Sister hammered the table with her fist, "That is enough you two, now just stop it."

"I'm sorry Seestor."

"Sorry..." Copia grumbled.

Addeline, sensing the escalating emotions, quietly excused herself to fetch a cup of tea. She wore a tight-fitting dress that accented her figure, catching the attention of her husband. He couldn't help but notice that she seemed to have gained weight.

Once she returned with her cup of tea, Copia commented, "Darling, you're looking a bit thick in the tummy, aren't you?"

The woman's eyes widened with embarrassment as she took her seat. Imperator, taken aback by her son's comment, scolded him, "Cardi! How rude!"

Nihil decided it was best for him to disappear, earning a disapproving head shake from Sister, "That good for nothing..." she trailed off, "Cardi, how dare you say such a thing to your wife!"

"It's fine, Sister," Addeline said as she addressed her husband, "You're displeased with the way I look?" she asked, almost disgusted with herself.

"No, Amore. That's not what I meant. You are beautiful."

"Kaisarion was my second pregnancy, Papa. It's harder to lose the baby weight the second time around."

"Of course it is, child," Sister placed a hand on the woman's shoulder and shot Copia a look of contempt, "It was a nasty thing to say."

Papa shook his head, knowing better than to think this was just residual baby weight. Addy's tummy was round and tight, and he noticed that she couldn't even suck in. It was a familiar look to him, one that he had seen before.

"My dear, did your monthly return to normal?"

Despite the fact it had been months since Kaisarion's birth, she still had not started her period. She considered it normal, not to begin right away, especially since she breastfed.

But the gears in Addy's mind started spinning as she processed the suggestion from Papa. It sent an impulse of horror through her. Addy never expected it to happen again so soon, but the constant nausea she had been feeling made her wonder, "Could I actually be pregnant again?"

Addy panicked, blurting out as she turned to Copia, "Papa, do you think I'm pregnant?"

Sister interjected, "Dear, you haven't started your period yet?"

Copia stayed calm, taking a sip of water, and another bite of bread, "You definitely look pregnant to me."

The woman leaped up, holding her belly, and started hyperventilating. Her sudden actions caused her to knock over her tea, prompting Sister to quickly come to her aid, "Addy, just calm down."

"I can't be pregnant."

Sister, gripping her shoulders, tried to soothe the distressed woman, "We'll call the midwife to come immediately."

Imperator fixed her gaze on Copia, "Isn't there something you could be doing right now?" she snapped.

"Oh! Why, yes... should I..." he hesitated, seeking approval from his mother, who nodded, signaling he was close to a resolution, "I should call the midwife."