Our Future, Together (Zenyuki)

Rumors

Pregnancy was a task in itself, but just because she had a baby on the way, doesn't mean she worked any less harder.
She didn't want to ever use an excuse card, saying she was tired or in too much pain to work her part. She of course lightened her work loud with hesitation but Zen wouldn't let her work herself and their child to death, so she eventually gave in and admitting defeat. The smaller amount of things she had to do however, she worked really hard on. Her work mostly consisted of paper work because herbalism often needed a lot of runs out to the garden, which could be hard on Shirayuki in the future when she's dealing with the more extreme pregnancy symptoms.
She still occasionally stopped by though, to sort herbs or clean up. She tried not to actually make anything, because the strong sent of plants have become sickening to her. She loved it though, being in the pharmacy. It felt normal and peaceful.
Her office was uncomfortable, easy on her, yes. But much like Zen, she didn't care too much for sitting around for too long. She'd have to sit there for hours going over the same pages several times just to make sure there were no mistakes.
Or she'd have to sign a couple hundred things, which at the end of each day made her hands practically numb. She tried to never complain though, she was living in a castle after all, married to her best friend, and getting a better view and education about everything around her. But still, she couldn't help the occasional groan or complaint on how tired her feet were, or how tired she was was of throwing up. She was six months pregnant already and experienced a lot of morning sickness. Being pregnant in general wasn't fun for her. Not only did she have to deal with the natural side affects, but also the affects she had on the people around her. Many people gossiped impractical and ridiculous things. Once Shirayuki and Zen took a small walk into the garden together and heard some maids chatting about her, saying that the baby might not even be the prince's. This made the couple anxious but both of them trusted each other, Just petty gossip.
The rumor spread however, almost every young woman serving in the castle was a part of the conversation, debating whether or not this could be possible.

"That doesn't make sense though. She was always either working or with Zen."

"Who would the other father even be?"

"I bet it was the cat-looking man. The one that used to be her guard?"

"Do you really think that the prince would make him her guard if he knew this would happen?"

The rumors had gotten so far that they even stretched to Miss Kiki.
A younger, new servant didn't know who Kiki was and assumed she was in on the gossip.
"You know all the talk about the father of Shirayuki's baby? What do you think about it?" She said in a whisper.
Kiki glared at her.
"I think it's none of your concern."
Thrown off guard, the girl laughed nervously.
"But—"
Kiki put her hand up to signal her to stop talking.
"That's enough."
And walked off to Zen's office.
After explaining everything she had heard to the prince, Kiki sat down beside Mitsuhide, who had a slightly shocked look on his face.
Zen was standing, back leaned against his desk with his face in his hands. "Oof. Where do they get these ideas?" Zen groaned.
"Shirayuki has it bad enough without all the gossip."
Kiki and Mitsuhide nodded slowly.
Zen looked up from his hands, with a disapproving look on his face. "Kiki, could you have Shirayuki meet me here soon?"
Kiki nodded once again and signaled her leave to go talk to the Princess.
Zen looked back to being stressed.
"Mitsuhide, where's Obi?"
"Ugh..—" Mitsuhide started, but was interrupted by the brown haired man climbing up the balcony.
Grinning, he spoke. "You called?"
Zen turned to him, not even surprised at this point.
"Obi, continue to stay by Shirayuki's side, no matter the rumors. Prove them wrong. Protect her."
Obi gave a genuine, sympathetic smile. "Of course, Master."
He was about to leave when Zen stopped him.
"Wait, Obi. Do you know where these rumors could've started?"
Obi fidgeted with his hands.
"Well... We do spend time together often, me being her guard... But no, other than me having to carry her drunk body around occasionally, I've given them no reason to assume that."
Zen nodded, "Thank you." and signaled him to return to his wife's side, trusting him to protect her.