Fate | Baldwin IV

encounter III

Y/n's POV

"Madam, the tailors are here with the dress," announced the pageboy at the wide-open door, clearing his throat loudly over the chaos going on inside of my chambers. Maids were hurrying from one end to the other, arms full of silks and ornaments, while the king's chamberlain attempted—without much success—to impose some order amid the giggles. A pre-ceremony ritual had been arranged for tomorrow's coronation, and every last detail had to be seen to.

I sat before the vanity, rubbing against my temple as the girls fluttered around me with a girlish excitement of their own. It reminded me of my wedding morning, except now, among the many riches laid out, the crown, with its newly added pearls along the band, sat in its open box beside the mirror. The jeweler had returned it just this morning. I was to wear it unofficially for the last time today, a final rehearsal before I was to wear it officially forever.

"Let them in," I said to the pageboy with a dismissive wave of my hand, whom hurried away to carry out the order.

"Your grace, I don't think we can fit any more people in here," the chamberlain said, voice strained. "It is already too crowded."

"Well, the queen needs her dress, does she not?" Aisha cut in sharply. "You will not be standing here to watch during her fitting anyway." She shot him a pointed look before turning on the maids giggling among themselves. "Enough slacking off! You're here to work, or I'll send you to the kitchens!"

I closed my eyes briefly, holding my breath as I pressed my fingers against my brow. The laughter quieted a little, but didn't fully die down as Aisha crouched beside my seat, peering up at me in concern.

"You don't feel sick, do you?" she murmured, reaching to brush a strand of hair from my face.

I shook my head. "No. Just tired. I don't get the sickness anymore."

It was true. As weeks passed since the news, so did the morning sickness. I now looked more pregnant than I felt, the early symptoms giving way to a prominent belly instead, which slowly began to show through my dresses more and more each day. I had thought I had more time before this stage, but the evidence was clear—I was further along than I'd first believed. I no longer felt the nausea or that horrible sinking feeling that would shake my whole body, only the discomfort of the growing weight in my belly and the aching pull on my lower back.

"Do you need me to fan you?" she asked. But before I could answer, she was already reaching for it. "Foolish me, of course you need it." She began waving the fan toward my face, the soft white feathers brushing against my skin, tickling me.

I wanted to thank her, but I hadn't the will to even part my lips. I exhaled slowly instead, allowing my body to ease into the seat.

"Motherhood is not so easy, hm?" she mused, flashing me a knowing smile when I glanced at her.

I smiled back. "It's not."

My gaze dropped to my stomach, my fingers absently smoothing over the dress. However long it had been, I still found it hard to fathom the existence of a life so small inside of me. I wondered what it looked like, if it had grown limbs yet... It must have, for I often suspected movement these past few days, though I wasn't sure if it was my own hopeful imagination.

Aisha's voice dropped lower, hesitant. "How are things with his majesty?"

The sudden mention of him caught me off guard. I lifted my gaze, watching her carefully.

"I don't mean to intrude, of course..." she added quickly, eyes darting down as though she regretted asking.

With a sigh, I leaned back further. "He is...not so present," I admitted, my voice hushed even though the girls around me paid no heed to us, having idle conversations about their everyday struggles. "He comes to me every night—to see if I need anything, and...that's all he really does anymore."