Fate | Baldwin IV

impulse

The carriage rolled to a final stop, the gravel crunching beneath its wheels as it settled back in the palace garden. In my arms, the small pup that had been so still during the journey began to wriggle, its tiny legs kicking in excitement as it sensed the change in its surroundings.

The king was the first to disembark. He pushed back his hood, revealing the familiar, sharp features of his silver mask. With a graceful movement, he extended his hand to help me down, his touch steady. As my feet touched the ground, I caught sight of a figure waiting just beyond the carriage. His mother stood there, her posture rigid, her expression unreadable as she observed our arrival.

"Your majesty," she greeted her son with a formal nod.

"Mother," Baldwin replied, his voice as composed as ever.

I quickly smoothed down the fabric of my dress with one hand, trying to ensure that I appeared presentable despite the long day. Then, lowering myself into a respectful curtsy, I addressed her. "Your highness."

Her gaze flickered to the small bundle in my arms, her expression tightening. "What is that thing you're holding?"

"A pup, your highness," I replied softly, feeling her disapproval even before she spoke again.

She stepped closer to have a better look, her eyes narrowing as she examined the scruffy creature. "A stray dog, brought in by a lady..." she murmured, her voice trailing off. "Most improper."

"I wanted the dog, mother." The king interjected before I could respond, his tone calm yet firm. "If I cannot have children, then perhaps I could satisfy my desire for fatherhood with a dog, I thought."

I turned to him, taken aback by the response. His mother paused also, her eyes widening slightly as she processed his words. Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she forced a small, strained smile. "I see," she said slowly, her voice betraying the tension beneath her poised exterior. She then turned her attention back to me, her gaze sharp. "Your training starts today. Change your attire and be in my chambers at once."

"Mother, we're quite tired today," Baldwin countered gently. "Surely, she can start tomorrow."

"You may rest, but her training cannot wait," she replied as she stepped closer to Baldwin, a hint of challenge in her voice. "You were so quick to announce your marriage, my son. I must make haste to catch up with you."

For a moment, the king simply stared at her, his expression unreadable under the mask. Then, without faltering his stance, he murmured, "Fine."

Satisfied, she turned to me once more. "I'll be waiting in my chambers," she said curtly, her eyes flicking down to the pup in my arms with a look of disdain. "And get that thing cleaned properly before exposing it to his majesty, for God's sake."

As if on cue, the pup let out a high-pitched bark, causing Agnes to wince and jerk her head back in irritation. "Noisy creature," she scoffed before turning away and muttering under her breath, "very befitting..."

And without waiting for a response, she spun on her heels and walked away, leaving a trail of tension in her wake.

The king watched her retreating figure for a moment before turning back to me with a sigh, his hands clasped behind his back. "I apologize for her behavior."

I shook my head, trying to offer him a reassuring smile as I held the pup closer to my chest to soothe it. "It's all right," I replied, my voice steady despite the lingering discomfort. "She made her standing very clear from the beginning anyway. Nothing she does surprises me anymore." I looked down at the pup, making sure he was comfortable, and then back at the king again. "That thing you said to defend me," I began, a small smile creeping onto my lips. "About satisfying your desire for fatherhood with a dog..." I raised an eyebrow, the smile on my face growing wider as I recalled the sight of him with the little baby Anna from the market. "Do you truly have such desires?" I took a hesitant step closer, tilting my head as I searched for his gaze. "Or did you just make that up on the spot?"