Not too far away, within the private quarters of the crown princess and her husband, they awaited the summons from the Queen. She rested in a comfortable arm chair near the fire, one of her favorite books in hand as a steaming cup of tea cooled down on the side table to the right. Occasionally, she glanced down at her swollen stomach and passed a comforting hand over it, a gentle smile decorating her features before returning to her book. Her husband stood by one of the large floor-to-ceiling crystal pane windows, the stained edges splashing various colors around the pleasant room. With a glass of perfectly aged whiskey in his large hand, his index finger tapping it in rhythm with his tangled thoughts, he gazed distantly at the glinting stars as the moon began to rise above the forest of Adaluvis.

“The most unnerving part of this whole issue is the fact that I do not feel surprised at all.” He spoke suddenly, his deep voice cutting through the silence before taking a small sip of the whiskey before exhaling gruffly.

At his words, she glanced over at him, a thoughtful frown creasing her features. With careful deliberation, she marked her page with a handy bookmark before closing her novel and placing it on the side table next to her untouched tea with a soft and pensive sigh. “Honestly it… It still feels surreal…” Her sullen gaze focused on a spot on the rug in the center of the room. “As if one day I’ll awaken to find that it was all a horrible nightmare and none of this was actually happening…” Her chest tightened and her eyes filled with tears as she sniffled softly, her gentle voice heavy with sorrow as she continued speaking, “But… Every time I see him, and how he looks at Airi… I just…” A shuddering sigh escaped her as she hung her head. “The gravity of the situation weighs heavy on my heart…”

Her lower lip began to quiver and with a soft whimper, she covered her face with long delicate fingers, her shoulders heaving gently as sniffles echoed throughout the room. Downing the rest of his whiskey, her husband placed it on the side table near his wife as he approached her. With a heavy exhale, he knelt before her, taking both of her trembling hands in his.

“Minerva, look at me.” He spoke soothingly, one hand lifting her chin so that he could gaze into her eyes while the other gently caressed her hands. “I’ll do my best to protect our family; no matter the cost.”

Her violet eyes remained locked on his deep emerald ones as her tears continued to fall. His chest tightened at the sight of his beautiful wife in such distress, wishing more than anything that he could permanently prevent what ailed her. Brushing her tears away, he pulled her into a warm embrace, doing his very best to comfort her. A knock from the door interrupted their private moment, the door opening shortly afterwards.

“My Lord Draze,” The personal valet of the Queen spoke as he entered, giving a respectful bow to the two of them before standing up straight. “please forgive the intrusion, but it is time. The Queen awaits.”

Draze released a weary sigh, resting his head on his wife’s lap. It was time to begin, and a part of him was not looking forward to what was to come. To his surprise, he felt Minerva’s gentle touch lifting his chin so that he gazed into her soft violet eyes.

“Know that I love you, my dear.” She spoke softly, a small smile creasing her features. “And I know, deep in my heart, that you will do what you can to keep our family safe.”

“I love you, too.” He murmured breathily, kissing her deeply as he slowly stood before leaving with the valet.

Minerva released a deep sigh of resignation as she watched her beloved exit, wiping away the tears that clung stubbornly to her long lashes. A kick in her swollen stomach brought her out of her reverie, causing her to place a hand over the child she carried, a small smile creasing her features.