CHAPTER NINE
| the good news
Glancing around now, Julina saw that it was still daylight. She had either been asleep for only a few hours, or for an entire day. Julina felt inexplicable nausea. Bile rose in her throat and she fumbled to pick up the bowl that had been set beside her bed before she vomited into it. Katya reached over and held back her hair until she was done. She had almost collapsed, but Katya had managed to get a good grip on her arm, keeping her uprise.
"What's wrong with me?" Julina asked, beginning to grow apprehensive. As a child, she had barely ever grown ill, and never so seriously. She supposed she inherited that from her strong father. "Is this due to stress or illness?"
"No, Julina," Katya's voice was gentle as Julina set the bowl back down on the table beside the bed. "You aren't ill. You are with child."
It took Julina a moment to process the words, although it should hardly have been a surprise. She and Robb had been trying for a child ever since they had been married, determined that Robb would have an heir.
"Maybe I should check with the Maester, just to be sure?"
Katya nodded and helped her up slowly. "Yes I think that is the cleverest idea,"
━━━
With the help of Katya and a Stark guard, they made their way to the Maester's office. She sat in Maester Luwin's office as he ran some tests and took her pulse and even had her urine in a bucket before pouring in some wine.
"Your Grace," the Maester began. "When was your last moonblood?"
Julina stiffened. Of course the incident in the morn made her believe she was with child. However, when the Maester uttered those words, she couldn't help but feel the anxiety creeping up in her.
"I beg your pardon?" Julina's cheeks blushed red.
"Your moonblood," Maester Ludwin repeated slowly. "When was your last moonblood?"
Despite her anxiety, Julina could feel the smile forming on her face, despite trying to hold it.
"I...believe it was two moons ago?"
"Congratulations, you are with child, my Queen,"
━━━
Julina couldn't believe this wonderful news, and as eager she was, she couldn't sit done and wait for Robb to tell him,
Julina felt different somehow; changed. It was almost like she felt more comfort. She was going to be a mother—she was carrying a child, her child, theirs child. The best part of them combined into one. Whether it is a boy or a girl she knows it will have her beauty and Robb's ability to lead. Their babe would unite the seven kingdoms once again, not by name, but by legacy.
She stood outside Robb's solar, and was thankful for the muffled, "Enter," from the other side. The door never felt heavier under her hand.
She walked inside the solar slowly, her head cast to the floor to hide her smile.
"Julina?" She heard him ask worriedly. "Is there anything wrong?"
Julina shakes her head swiftly, tugging at her button lip to stop flickering upwards. She could hear him stand up and walk closer, his footsteps slow and hard.
He tugged at her jaw, tilting her head. She gives him an innocent smile.
"Everything's just fine, Robb" She said grabbing his right hand with both her hands. He gives her a quizly look and Julina just chuckled in response.
She had wanted to tell him that she was with child, but she couldn't utter those three words out. She couldn't. So she chose to do something else to explain her situation.
She brought his hand to rest upon the low of her stomach. Robb looked confused at first but then; a wide smile came across his face. He grabbed ahold of her waist and spun her around.
Julina shrieked at the sudden act, letting out a laugh. Robb kissed her then, with all his power. Her hands found its way to the back of his hair, tugging it a bit. Whilst his hands was kept on her waist, pulling her into him.
They pulled away from each other and put their foreheads together.
She heard Robb mutter and it had made Julina's heart warm after listening to his words. So in return, she said the same.
"We love you more,"
━━━
The news of the Queen's pregnancy had spread happiness through the North, and before a moons turn, the whole Westeros knew. The people in the south knew and giving them attention they did not seek. Their child would be the first prince or princess born to the north since King Torrhen Stark's children.
Her father had sent her a raven of how she did her duties and would continue doing so. In truth, she had no difficulties doing so either. She loved Robb, and he loved her back.
Tyrion had sent her barrels of wine for gifts, something Robb frowned upon when noticing them. But Julina knew they were kind words towards her. She and Tyrion, although not that close, was closer then she was with Jaime or Cersei.
Julina's belly curved quicker than she ever could have imagined. Their child was growing every day, and she held the little bump proudly, even as her body changed to accommodate the babe within her womb.
Everyday she imagined a little boy running around, chasing after a wolf. He looked so much like Robb..and had the spirit of herself. She could feel her heart fluttering at the thought.
His name would be Auster Stark.
