The Golden Throne

Chapter 43: A looker for disguises

I'm pregnant.

The words from last night echoed in Hilbert's mind. He was seated at the top of the staircase while everyone was in the kitchen of the abandoned house they were staying in. He needed some time alone- to think. He took in another shaky breath and looked at the pregnancy test in his hand. Two parallel red lines on the glass screen proved it. Hilbert closed his eyes and buried his face in his hands.

It was eight in the morning, and the house was quiet. Not because everyone was still asleep. It was just that, after hearing Hilda's shocking news, no one was sure how to react. Out of goodwill, Red, Kye and Zeno congratulated Hilda and Hilbert but it was no secret that each of them felt a little... pity for the young pair. Hilda was pregnant- now, of all times.

The sound of footsteps climbing the stairs reached Hilbert's ears. They got closer and closer until they stopped a few feet in front of him. "Hey," Red said softly. Hilbert looked at him for a moment, then gazed back at the floor.

"What is it?" Hilbert murmured.

"We used the last of our food for breakfast this morning. We need to resupply,"

"Why are you telling me this? Isn't it your job to fix it?"

Hilbert spoke to Red with a hint of hostility, but Red decided to brush it off. "I need help this time. We need to bring back as many supplies as possible because sneaking into cities will be harder with each passing day. Especially with more soldiers being stationed there for the upcoming war."

"What does it matter?" Hilbert mumbled hopelessly. "Odara will be obliterated in a few days anyway."

"Hil," Red raised his voice. "I know you're under pressure from learning about Hilda's condition. But right now, we don't have time to feel sorry for ourselves. We need this food. It's for us. It's for Hilda."

Hilbert's lips trembled, and his eyes slowly turned glassy. He looked away and rubbed them with the back of his hand.

"I've already asked Kye to help us. He's ready to go. Now we're just waiting for you," Red told him.

His mind a mess, Hilbert just sat in silence for a few moments.

"So?" Red asked again.

 "Let's go," Hilbert mumbled as he got up. He passed Red and walked down the stairs.

Red closed his eyes and sighed, "good."

Hilbert reached the lower floor of the house to find everybody else. It wasn't long until he found them in the kitchen- or at least it was a kitchen. It was a bare room with cracked walls and floor. A mouldy table was at its center, and that was where Hilda and Zeno was seated. The two girls looked up at Hilbert. Zeno had a look of concern, and she had her arm around Hilda. Hilda looked distraught and her eyes collected water when she saw Hilbert.

"Hilbert?" She whispered.

"I'll be leaving with Red and Kye now," Hilbert said to her. He bent down and kissed her on the forehead. Then, he glanced at Zeno, "stay safe. Okay?"

"We will," Zeno nodded.

Hilda turned to Hilbert and placed a hand on his cheek. "You stay safe too."

"You don't have to worry about me. We'll be fine," Hilbert smiled to her. Then he looked around the room, "where is Kye?"

"I don't know," Zeno shrugged. "He just left a few minutes ago, saying he needed some time on his own."

"What?" Hilbert asked curiously. He left the room and searched the house. "Kye?" He called out.

"What's going on?" Red asked as he walked down the stairs.