Raidyn
The Monday after the lockdown was lifted was strange. That morning I woke up to an empty kingdom. Astrid, Finn, and Raphael have left. Bren and Flora have left. Everyone has returned to their respective kingdoms now or at least is on their way. The task force was successful in their mission and in thanks and honor of the brave men who risked their lives a small ball is being held for those men and their families, it was the least that we could do for them.
My morning meeting wasn't the same without my fellow royals and I missed Bren's presence in particular. Despite his growing up, he still had comments here and there to liven up the dullness each meeting brought. The lift being raised also meant that judgement was back on and Byrd and I could experiment in the village and around our kingdom. Byrd's bump was really beginning to grow. The baby was developing at an impressive speed that was surprising to the two of us.
After my early morning meeting I returned to the room to watch Ries while Byrd wakes up and gets ready for her class session. "How are you feeling today?" I ask her once I see that she's already up and nearly ready for the day. She woke a lot earlier than she usually does, but I can credit that to Hollis.
She rubs her eyes. "The baby finally got to that stage. It started kicking me last night." She then yawns. "It kept me up all night; very uncomfortable."
"So you're actually tired for a change?" I blink at her.
"My energy level is crazy, but my eyes are tired and feel heavy." She remarks.
"After your classes come back here to nap." I suggest. "You can keep Daneria on babysitting duty all day. She'll be with Ries in the nursery and you can get some rest."
"Well what do you have planned for the day?" She rubs her stomach.
"I have judgement for hours and then the small ball for the task force." I run my hand through my hair and walk over to the crib to pick up Ries who is waving his arms about in the crib.
"I think I should go with you." Byrd says while grabbing her books off the table. "I don't really need a nap."
"It's all up to you. What I do know is that you better get going." I flash the fake watch she refurbished for me at her smiling.
Byrd grabs the necklace I made her in response as she walks over to kiss me, then Ries. "I'll see you later." She says before walking out of the chambers in a rush.
"See you later!" I call to her as our chamber doors slam. Ries starts to babble in my arms. "You're right, that was loud." I say looking down at the green, wide eyed baby. I kiss Ries's forehead and set him down in his crib again to pack a baby bag. I rummage through Ries's things in our room and make sure to include enough of everything and more. I place the bag on my shoulder and pick Ries back up again, not forgetting his blanket. We head out of the door and into the room nextdoor where Daneria is already standing.
"Thank you so much for doing this. Byrd and I really needed someone we can trust and we both love Flora so you seemed like the perfect candidate." I grin at her while setting down the baby bag and continue to explain. "Anything you could ever need is in this bag or this room."
Daneria nods her head. "Thank you, your majesty, for trusting me enough. I'm sure the prince and I will have a great time." She smiles at Ries.
"He is quite the little ladies man already, isn't he?" I joke.
She laughs. "A cutie." There was something off about Flora's sister, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.
I hand Ries over to her after planting a juicy kiss on his cheek. "Have a great day! Don't hesitate to bother me if you need to; I'm more than happy to help you get the hang of anything. Remember to pet his head if he disappears on you."
