6

Queen Gemma sits upon her bed in her chambers, awaiting her husband, joyful for the babe growing inside her. It had been a long awaited moment. Their second child. The first born three winters prior, a handsome baby boy they'd named Johnathan. He was the only child to be born within the first years of their marriage. Tension grew between them as more time passed and she was without child. King Lucas began to spend more time away from his wife, leaving the castle as well in the dead of night.

To where not a soul could say.

If anyone was aware, they were sworn on the sword not to betray the King's confidence or face death with the very sword on which they'd failed their oath. Queen Gemma, a young wedded woman was excited in the beginning of their marriage, waiting for her husband to join her in the electric night of passion and sweet words that could also bring about a baby. The wedding night would not bring a child into the world. Nor would the honeymoon. Time would pass and the King would continue with his reign even as the citizens within the Kingdom's walls began to stir, unhappy with the lack of success of the two. The kingdom would be seen as vulnerable and it wouldn't be long until those interested in power came for the King. King Lucas would arrive at his wife's bedside again and again each night until they would succeed. Late spring, they would succeed followed by years of struggle.

The King who would spoil her with jewels and would dance with her at court was beginning to fade away.

Now, years later, performing this duty was the few times they spent together, other than public appearances.

Now she was pregnant, what reason did he have to visit?

Even as the candle burned to nothing, she waited. Yet as the sun began to rise in the sky, she put her hopes to bed along with herself as she'd done a handful of times before.

Hour later, she begins to stir, unknown as to what woke her. Queen Gemma removes herself from bed, gathering a coat, not wanting to disturb her ladies so early in the night. She wanted to take a walk as secluded as possible.

Opening the door to her chambers, she turns to her knight.

"Is there a word as to the King's whereabouts?" She asks

The knight shakes his head.

"No, Your Grace." He says, privately saddened for his Queen.

Queen Gemma nods, not allowing this to bother her openly. She makes her way weaving through the halls, the staff bowing as she paces. Her knight follows closely at her side. Opening a side door to the castle, she walks out and makes her way to the fountain where she spent her time when she needed to think. It was known that she was to be left alone by her staff and ladies whilst in this place.

Sitting down on one of the benches, she stares at the birds that circle above the sky. She wonders if her marriage with the King can be fixed. The Queen had been through a lot since she was wed. She knew her husband's patterns. More often than not, he would be hunting or in the Throne Room managing the kingdom. Queen Gemma walks about the halls, when this proves uneventful she moves outside, walking along the pathway. Truth be told, no one in the Queen's advisory could say as to where the King is located. Hearing a voice, off in the distance, she looks around through the window but sees nothing. Spotting something in the garden, she gestures for her knight to follow. He moves immediately , following to her right, hand resting in the handle of his sword.

If this is a break in, the intruder would promptly be arrested and cast away.

How had this person come about without alerting a soul?

Once they get closer, making their way past the pond, fountain and gardens, moving deeper into the yard, Queen Gemma recognizes one of the faces, it's the King. Breathing a sigh of relief, Queen Gemma smiles, as she begins to make her way towards him, happy that he has come home to the castle. Then she sees that the King was not alone, spotting a young woman approaching him. She wears a dark blue dress, her dark curls flowing down her back. Queen Gemma freezes in her stride, watching. Her hand moves toward her stomach. The two speak quietly, laughing, flirting with one another. He laughs, looking joyfully as he wraps his hands around her slim build.

Queen Gemma turns and walks away, rage building within her with every step she took, hand on her stomach, heart pained for the growing child inside her.