Chapter Twenty -Three

The maid’s eyes are still wide with excitement when she leaves to prepare my bath. I sit on the edge of my bed, hands pressed against my belly. The room feels too small.

The sound of water being poured into the wooden tub breaks my thoughts. Steam fills the air, soft and fragrant with lavender. I stand and walk toward the bathroom slowly, my legs trembling with each step. The maid bows her head when I come in.

“Don’t tell anyone,” I say in a low tone.

She looks up quickly. “I swear, my lady, no one will hear of it. Not a soul.”

“Good,” I say. My voice sounds calm, though my chest is shaking. “From today onward, you’ll serve only me. Whatever I need, you’ll bring. Whatever you see, you’ll keep to yourself.”

Her face lights up. “Thank you, your highness. I won’t fail you.”

I nod and wave her off gently. “Go on. Prepare the bath, then you can leave.”

She helps me undress, her hands trembling a little, then leaves when I step into the tub. The warm water touches my skin and I let out a long sigh. I sink deeper until the water covers my shoulders. My hair floats around me like dark smoke.

For a moment, I close my eyes and try to forget everything. But the truth sits heavy in my chest.

I’m carrying Rex’s child.

A strange mix of fear and longing rises inside me. My heart hurts. My palms press against my belly again, this time under the water. A small life. His life. Ours.

Would he care if he found out? Would he smile for once? Or would he see it as another burden?

I don’t know. I don’t know anything anymore.

After my bath, I dry myself and dress in a simple gown. I tell the maid she can leave, and once she’s gone, silence fills the room again. I lie on the bed but sleep refuses to come. The moonlight filters in through the window, white and still.

I can’t stay here.

So I rise, slip into a cloak, and step outside. The night air is cool and clean, the garden smells of lavender and wild lilies. I walk slowly until I reach the stone bench near the fountain. The water glistens in the moonlight, tiny ripples dancing across its surface.

I sit.

The world is quiet, except for the crickets and the distant howl of wolves. I run my fingers along the edge of the bench and think of him. Rex. His voice. His anger. The way he looks at me like I’m both a curse and something he can’t stay away from.

Would he change if he knew? Would he finally see me? Would I end up like his first mate?

The thought makes my throat tighten. I look up at the moon, round and bright, and whisper, “What am I supposed to do?”

A breeze moves through the trees. My hair falls across my face. I close my eyes, lost in the sound of the leaves and water. For a moment, I forget the world around me.

But then, a sharp memory flashes before me.

I see myself from that night lying on a bed, half-asleep, with Rex next to me. The flicker of candlelight. My skin is warm from his touch. Then movement. A shadow standing near the door. Watching. Still. I try to focus, but my eyes are heavy. Then the figure turns and leaves quietly.

When I wake again, the room is bright, and I can barely move. My muscles ache. My chest feels tight. I blink, trying to remember what happened, and then I see him.

Rex.

Standing at the edge of the bed. His eyes hard and burning.

“When were you going to tell me?” he says. His voice is low, almost calm, but there’s something dangerous beneath it.

My breath catches. “Rex…”

He steps closer. “Answer me, Raya. When were you going to tell me?”

I push myself up, the blanket falling around my waist. “Tell you what?” I bark.

“Don’t pretend you don't know what I'm talking about.” His tone sharpens. “You think you can tie me down with this? You think you can make me love you with this?”

I stare at him in shock, my hands shaking. “I…I didn’t even know until today.” I explain. “What do you mean by what you just said?”

His jaw tightens. “Is that stranger the father of your child?”

“You can't seriously ask me that.” I reply, my heart burns with hurt.

“Now that I am asking, you better answer before I pull out your tongue!” He spat.

I look at him, my voice barely steady. “You are the only I have had anything sexual with.”

“So you want me to believe it's mine?” He fires impatiently.

“No, don't believe it!” I paused. “I want you to know that it's yours.”

He takes another step forward. His presence fills the room, heavy and suffocating.

“You think I will accept that thing in your belly?” he points to my stomach, disgust spread across his face.

“Thing?” I whisper. “You are calling yours and my child, thing?”

“I will never accept that nonsense you have inside you.”

His words slice through the air, at that same moment, my right hand meets his face, creating a loud echo from the impact. Not once but twice in both cheeks, he is too shock to react.

“Don’t you dare talk about my child like that?” I yell. “Or I will…”

“Or you will do what?” He cuts me off, walking closer.

“I can take whatever you do to me, but don't involve my child.” I warn him sternly.

He claps his hands slowly, his lips curved into a knowing smile.

“What an image you are trying to portray! We both know you are far from being a good mother.”

My heart stumbles. I look at him, searching his face, but there’s no softness there. Only that same fierce stare that hides too much.

“Is that how much you hate me, Rex?” I ask, my voice shaking.

“It's not able hate or love,” he shakes his head. “You can't