A Royal Remarriage

Chapter 26 ~ A royal family?

It had been a few weeks since Henry and Victoria received the life-changing news—they were going to be parents. The revelation brought a strange mix of joy and tension into their lives, a new chapter unfolding with every passing day. But it hadn't all been idyllic. Victoria's pregnancy came with a cascade of emotional swings that neither of them had been fully prepared for. Her moods were unpredictable—one moment tearful, the next irritated by the smallest things—and though Henry did his best to remain patient and calm, the strain was beginning to show. It was even worse for the household staff, who treaded lightly around her, as if one wrong word might spark a storm.

Still, after years of building their empire—brick by brick, deal by deal—they finally found a moment to breathe. They decided to step away from it all. A vacation, far from courtrooms, business meetings, and the scrutinizing public eye. It was Henry's idea, mostly; he hoped the fresh air and peace would ease Victoria's stress, even if only for a while.

But shortly before their departure, something shifted. A man from Henry's past, someone he hadn't seen in years, had reappeared unexpectedly. The encounter unsettled him. Since then, Henry had been quieter, more introspective. At night, he thrashed in his sleep, whispering fragments of things Victoria didn't understand. Sometimes he woke up gasping, drenched in sweat. Though he tried to hide it, the fear in his eyes lingered longer than he realized.

"Watch your step," Henry said gently, offering his hand as Victoria climbed into the waiting carriage. His voice was soft, laced with concern, like he was handling something fragile.

"Thank you," she replied with a small smile, settling onto the cushioned seat. As he climbed in beside her, she glanced sideways at him, then leaned her head on his shoulder with a sigh. "You know... I think we should wait a few more months before we tell anyone about the baby."

Henry paused, then nodded, wrapping an arm around her. "Sure... we can do that. Whatever you want."

She closed her eyes, drawing in the scent of him—familiar and grounding—and let the rhythm of the carriage lull her into silence.

After several long, quiet days of travel, the carriage finally arrived at their vacation home—a spacious villa perched along a secluded stretch of beach, the ocean whispering just beyond the dunes. There was no one else around for miles, aside from a modest servant house a short distance away, where Victoria's maids stayed, ready to assist if needed but instructed to give the couple space.

The morning air was crisp with sea salt, and the sun was beginning to rise when Victoria called out, laughing breathlessly, "Henry! Wait— You know I can't run that fast!"

He stopped mid-stride, spinning around with a grin. Without a word, he jogged back to her, scooping her into his arms with practiced ease.

"I knowww..." he teased, drawing out the word, "But admit it—that was fun."

She laughed and swatted his chest playfully. "You're impossible."

Henry chuckled and kissed her forehead. "And yet, you married me."

He carried her toward the water, the waves lapping at their feet as they finally sat on the warm sand. With her nestled in his arms and the ocean stretching endlessly before them, for the first time in weeks, it felt like the world had stopped spinning—just long enough for them to breathe again.