CHAPTER SIX

It’s been two weeks in this Palace, and so far, I have been watching every corner of the palace like a hawk, I have asked questions like I am now with Ralph’s sister, but this time I try my best to be careful so she wouldn’t suspect anything, as much as I tried to be vulnerable, I was on my guard too.

I had to build trust, and this was the only way.

The warm breeze stirred gently through the garden as I walked beside Liliana. The scent of roses and lavender surrounded us, their soft fragrance a welcome distraction from the weight in my heart.

Liliana was different from Ralph; she was softer and kinder. Her dark, flowing hair, and piercing blue eyes held a warmth that Ralph had only whenever he was with me or wanted me.

Over the weeks that passed, he made me meet all his family members and instructed the guards to be more respectful to me, he showed me off and glinted happiness in his eyes whenever he talked about it, as much as it made me feel at ease, the desperate need to know my identity was still within me.

I had to go and find who I was before he saved me, and if eventually we were to be together forever, surely, I would return.

I took my time each day to meet with new people in the castle, from his mother to his sick father, who was in an enclosed chamber, soon he would go back to his ancestors, he was on the brink of death lying all day on the death bed, his sisters, one of which I now I'm with, she spoke so well, more educated than the other two I met days ago.

Her presence felt like a brief distraction from the emotions racing around inside of me as we walked along the stone footpath.

“I’ve always loved this part of the castle,” Liliana said, her voice light. “It’s where I used to come when I needed to think or to escape the expectations of being a royal.” She paused, glancing at me with a knowing smile. “I imagine you understand the need to escape from your responsibilities for a while.”

I nodded, but my mind was elsewhere. Despite the beauty of the garden, I couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that had settled in my chest since that night. I kept stealing glances at Liliana, unsure if I could trust her, unsure of what I could reveal.

“Tell me,” I said quietly, hoping to divert the conversation. “What’s the history of this kingdom? Ralph has never mentioned much, he has been busy with the arrangements of the forthcoming crowning, and we barely have time to ourselves”

Liliana’s expression softened, her eyes taking on a distant look as she began to speak.

“Our family has ruled for generations, long before I was born. The Elders of the kingdom typically choose mates for the royal bloodline, ensuring that we stay within certain traditions, preserving our power and legacy.”

She gave a small, dissatisfied smile

“But Ralph… he’s always been different. He refused the mates they chose for him. Said he had a dream once, that he would find his true mate beyond the walls of the kingdom.”

“A dream?” I repeated my voice barely above a whisper.

“Yes, a vision,” she continued. “He was certain of it, despite the Elders’ protests. They didn’t believe him at first, but Ralph is… determined, to say the least. He insisted that you were the one, that he saw you in his dream, and no one could change his mind.”

“And sometimes I wish I could be as bold as he was too, because I too feel the same about my mate, but that would be for another time” Her smile plastered on her lips, she always smiled even in the least conversations

I felt a strange chill run down my spine. Ralph had never told me this. The idea that he had seen me before, even before we met, unsettled me. What kind of power did he hold over me that I didn’t understand? The bond between us was undeniable, but was it real, or was I just another piece in his plan?

We continued walking, the sun dipping lower on the horizon, casting golden light over the garden. As Liliana spoke more about the kingdom’s traditions, her words became a blur in my mind. I felt a sudden wave of dizziness wash over me, my head spinning as the world around me tilted.

I reached out for the nearest bench, gripping it tightly as my vision began to blur.

“Are you all right?” Liliana asked, her voice filled with concern as she rushed to my side.

“I don’t know,” I muttered, feeling my legs give out from under me.

“Okay, I'll send for water now, just hold yourself together and you’ll be fine”

She turned to the maids that accompanied us and instructed for water and a doctor

But I couldn’t hold myself for much longer as my body became weaker.

The last thing I remembered was Liliana calling out for help before everything went dark.

When I woke, the soft light of the room felt too bright, making me narrow my eyes as I adjusted to my surroundings. I was back in the castle, lying in bed. My heart pounded in my chest as I tried to remember what had happened, but everything felt hazy, like a dream I couldn’t quite grasp.

I glanced to the side and saw the doctor gathering his things, preparing to leave. He looked up when he noticed I was awake, offering a gentle smile.

“You’re awake,” he said quietly. “You’ve had quite the fainting spell.”

“What happened to me?” I asked, my voice hoarse.

“You fainted in the garden,” he explained, checking my pulse one last time before closing his bag.

After a few seconds of silence, staring at me, he broke the news

“But that’s not all. You’re two weeks pregnant.” He kept the stare on my face and I had to look around and was glad we were alone in my room

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. Two weeks pregnant, I had known this was going to come out now or later; I felt something inside me a few days ago and kept waiting, just to be sure.

A dawning realization of what this meant registered in my head, my mind raced as I tried to process the news, I had to make a decision, I had to protect my child

The doctor stood up, placing a hand on my shoulder. “You’ll need rest,” he said gently before turning to leave. “Let me know if you need anything.”

“Wait.... please wait” I wasn’t sure where the tears came from but I had to show him how much of a desperate and confused mother I was at that moment

He turned to face me, placed his hands on my head for the 100th time to be sure I was okay, and brought out a piece of clothing; handing it over to me, he sat beside me.

He looked young, he was probably a newly administered doctor because he looked different from the one who took care of Ralph’s dad

Sniffing into the piece, he gave me time to be done with all these, he was patient enough as I searched his face for any sign of disgust or inconvenience but I found none

Was he trustworthy enough?

How do I handle this on my own?

What if he has told Ralph or anyone about it?

With that thought, I jerked up, looking at the door to make sure it was locked

“Please have you told anyone else this news?” I inquired; fear gripped me for this answer as I gripped the sheets

“Uhmm no, the Lycan King made sure we were alone, he said he doesn’t want me to be distracted and I promised I'd take care of you till you were awake, you needed to see him worried in distress, I have never seen him worried that much, not even for his father or when he wants to go for war”

“Is there any problem, My queen, you seem.... worried” He moved closer to check me again

“I am totally fine doc, but please can I confide with you on a delicate matter, please I'm in dire need, you have to help a mother” I begged as tears ran down my cheeks

“My queen, you have to calm down and talk to me, you know you can trust me with anything, the King assigned me personally to you, your good health is my priority” His brows folded in worry

“Okay... okay... Please you have to help me here” I inched forward so we could only whisper to hear ourselves

“The King has kept me as a prisoner, and even when I give birth to my child, he will claim it and not allow me, I do not.....” He didn’t let finish

“Hold up, are you sure about what you are saying?”

“Very sure doc, please you have to believe me” I cried even more

“The King talks about you every time, and as I told you, I have never seen him pacing much in worry; you are the first person he goes out of the line for, and I can see he loves you; how then are you his prisoner?”

“Please you have to believe me, and keep your voice down, all I ask of you is that you do not tell anyone, let this be between the both for a while, when the right time comes, I will tell the King myself, please give me this privilege” Since he was finding hard to believe, at least he can agree to this for a while before I find the next thing to do

“If that is what you want, My lady, I will only tell him you are stressed and that you need enough rest and nothing else”

“Yes, please”

“All right then, and truly you need to rest, I will be on my way then” He stood up to leave

“Thank you doc” The last word of whisper, the tears wouldn’t stop coming

“And please, I'd like to be left alone, so you can tell him I am still in deep sleep”

“At your service, My queen, do take care and call me if you need anything, I'll be in my quarters,” He said as he walked down to the door to leave

As the door clicked shut behind him, I lay there, staring at the ceiling, the weight of his words pressing down on me.

I hope I can trust the doctor to keep to his words.....

Two weeks pregnant.

Ralph’s child.

What did this mean for me, for the kingdom, for everything? My hand instinctively moved to my abdomen, where new life was growing inside me. A part of me wanted to feel joy, but instead, I felt trapped. Tears boiled down uncontrollably

I was carrying his child, but I still didn’t know who I was, who he truly was, or what my future held.

And then it hit me like a wave, this child could change everything. Whether I liked it or not, I was bound to Ralph now, more than ever before.

But could I trust him?

How could I not have ownership of my child?

How will I face my child when he or she is taken away from me?

I had no answers, only more questions. And as I lay there, the uncertainty grew in me, I knew one thing for certain.

Whatever came next, there was no turning back.

I have to leave here, no matter what

I have to know who I was before now; I have to run out of the dark

I know it is risky, but now I have another life to be accountable for and I will take the risk