The pregnancy

​Mia kept her hands locked onto the edge of the mattress. The doctor’s words were still hanging in the room.

​“Ten weeks,” she said. Her voice sounded thin, even to her own ears. She looked down at her stomach. “That can't be right. I only woke up a few weeks ago.”

​The old doctor closed his bag. “The test is clear, Your Majesty. You are ten weeks pregnant. The sickness and dizziness are normal, especially since you haven't been eating much.”

​Mia squeezed the fabric of the bed. “Are you sure? Is there any chance it's a mistake?”

​“I checked you myself,” he said softly. “Everything points to ten weeks. I want to do a proper scan tomorrow morning to check on the baby.”

​She looked at the door. “Does anyone else know?”

​“Not yet. But I have to tell the King. It's my duty.”

​“Please,” Mia said, looking up. “Give me an hour. Just one hour.”

​The doctor paused, looking at her for a moment, then gave a quick nod. “One hour. Then I have to report it.”

​When the door shut, Mia was left alone in the quiet room. She pressed her hand flat against her stomach. Nothing felt different. There was no sign of anything inside her, just the cold panic settling in her chest.

​Ten weeks meant this child was conceived before she woke up in this life—before she even knew who she was. And worse, the baby belonged to William. Just hearing his name made her shoulders tense up. She didn't fully remember him, but her body reacted to him anyway, like an old injury that still hurt when touched.

​She took a slow breath to steady herself.

​Twenty minutes later, the door swung open.

​William walked in, still wearing his heavy coat. He didn't knock. He closed the door behind him and stopped near the end of the bed, his hands shoved deep into his pockets.

​“The doctor called me,” William said. His voice was flat, totally unreadable. “He says you’re pregnant.”

​Mia didn't look up at him. “Yes.”

​“Ten weeks?”

​“That’s what he said.”

​William watched her for a long second, his eyes sliding down to her hand resting on her stomach. “How long have you known?”

​“Half an hour.”

​He nodded once, sharp and quick. “You’ll see the main royal doctor tomorrow morning. No more leaving the castle. No trips to the market without guards. The nutritionist will watch what you eat, and the doctor will visit every day until you feel better.”

​Mia finally raised her head to look him in the eye. “You’re already turning this into an order.”

“I’m telling you what’s going to happen,” William said, taking a step toward her. “This isn’t just about you anymore. The child is the heir. Your health belongs to the crown now.”

Mia stood up slowly, keeping a hand on the bedpost to keep her balance. “I’m the one carrying it. Not the crown. Not you. Me.”

William didn't flinch. “You’re the Queen. That baby is part of the royal line. That changes things.”

“I didn’t ask for things to change,” she said, her voice quiet but firm. “I went outside this morning because I needed to breathe. Me being pregnant doesn't change that.”

“You are carrying the next ruler. Breathing can wait. Staying safe can’t.”

Mia crossed her arms. “Being pregnant doesn’t give you the right to lock me up.”

“Who said anything about locking you up?” William asked, his voice low. “I’m protecting what belongs to this family.”

“What belongs to this family?” Mia let out a harsh laugh. “Listen to yourself. I’m a person, not a container for your heir.”

​William’s jaw clenched, but his voice stayed dead flat. “You’re the Queen. The child you’re holding is the future of this country. That matters more than what you want right now. From today on, every choice you make touches everyone, not just you.”

​“And every choice you make touches me,” she snapped. “You don’t just get to run my life now.”

​He looked at her for a long second. “I can, and I will, if it keeps both of you alive. You proved this morning you’ll run off without thinking. That stops now.”

​A heavy silence fell over the room.

​Mia’s arms dropped to her sides. “So that’s it? I get pregnant and suddenly I’m property again?”

​“You’re not property. You’re the Queen.”

​“It sure feels the same.”

​William turned toward the door. “You’ll see the doctor first thing tomorrow. After that, you rest. He’ll be back tonight.”

​He left without waiting for an answer.

​Mia sank back down onto the bed, her legs giving out a little. William had always tried to control her, but now he had the perfect excuse.

​An hour later, the door opened again. Queen Mother Eleanor walked in, her movements slow and deliberate. She closed the door quietly behind her and crossed the room.

​“I heard,” Eleanor said softly. “The doctor spoke to me.”

​Mia just noddded. She didn't trust herself to speak without snapping.

​Eleanor sat down in the chair by the window and smoothed her dress over her knees. “How do you feel?”

​“Sick. Dizzy. Like everybody thinks they own me.”

​Eleanor gave a small, tired smile. “Welcome to the palace. A baby changes everything. People who ignored you before are going to start watching every step you take.”

​Mia stared at her. “Including you?”

​“Especially me.” Eleanor met her gaze without blinking. “You’ve been different since you woke up from your fall, Khelani. The way you talk, the way you look at my son, even the way you walk. I notice these things.”

​Mia’s stomach did a nervous flip, but she kept her face blank. “Hitting my head changed things.”

​“Maybe.” Eleanor stood up from the chair. “Just remember carrying the heir puts a target on your back. The court will talk. The council will watch. Everyone wants something from that throne. You need to watch your step.”

​“I’m already watching it.”

​“You’re not doing a very good job.” Eleanor walked to the door. “Rest. Eat when they bring food. And don’t give William more reasons to lock you down. He has enough already.”

​She slipped out, closing the door softly behind her.

​Mia stayed on the bed, staring at the empty room. Through the window, the gardens looked the same as they had that morning, but everything inside had shifted.

​She pressed her hand against her lower stomach one last time. She hadn't even figured out how to survive in this body yet, and now she was carrying the King's child.