Men at the gates (1)

"Tea? What tea? I haven't drunk any tea with Hazel yet," Alessandra replied, not understanding what Eleanor spoke of.

"You did when we were at the palace and we went into the room to have a break. We all drank tea and I am not concerned about myself. The two of you are married and will want children. Well, the queen needs a child," Eleanor rambled off, pacing back and forth.

"Eleanor," Alessandra touched Eleanor's shoulder to calm her down. "What was wrong with the tea?"

Eleanor took a deep breath. "At the red light district, it is important the girls do not become pregnant so there are some herbs you brew and drink to prevent pregnancy. I know it well because I grew up around it and I smelled it the day we were in the palace. I drank the queen's tea," she explained. A flash of pain was in her chest as she looked at Alessandra's face.

Alessandra opened her mouth to speak but couldn't the first time. In a second attempt, she asked, "A-Are you certain?"