After breakfast, Theodosia insisted that I ask for the help of the maids as they were getting paid and they should do their job. As much as I hated having things done for me, I agreed, knowing that I probably would never get used to it but knew that this was part of what meant to be in the Royal Court. When we arrived back in my room, two ladies curtsied as they greeted us.

"Good morning my Lady, Your Highness." One of them greeted, their hair dark and striking against the blue sea glass of the castle walls. Her skin was a dark chocolate brown and like magic, had no blemishes across her skin as she turned to Delmare, her eyes sad, "I'm so sorry for your loss. The late King will be greatly missed."

"Thank you." Delmare said, before turning to me, and then back to the woman standing before us, "What are your names?"

"My name is Consuela and this is Ondina." She replied, not looking Delmare in the eyes.

"It is nice to meet you both." he said before turning to me, before kissing me quickly on my cheek, "I have some things I need to do but I will come by to see you later."

"Where are you going?" I asked, turning around as he walked towards the door.

"I need to start the preparations for my father's funeral."

"Do you want help? You don't need to go alone." I replied, worry evident in my voice.

"No, Annie, it's fine."

I shook my head, reaching for his arm as he grabbed the door handle, "No, let me come with you. I will not let you do this alone."

He looked over at me, smiling a little but worry and concern was still there, "Okay. We'll do this together. But after we're seeing the physician alright. I don't want you getting stressed out and risk hurting the baby."

"You're with child?" One of them asked as we both turned around, realizing it was Ondina who spoke, her violet eyes burning with excitement against her aqua colored hair.

Delmare cursed under his breath as he mumbled something I couldn't hear, "Yes, I am." I said, turning to Delmare, "I thought everyone knew."

"No, we haven't even announced that you exist."

"Oh," I replied turning back to the women standing excitedly in front of us, "Can we keep this between us? The kingdom will know in time but, we would like to stick to our timeline."

"Of course my Lady." Consuela said, giddy with excitement.

I nodded, but still knew that they may tell everyone they knew regardless of us asking it to stay quiet. At least they didn't know about our engagement, but, I suppose it was emplied if I was pregnant with the soon-to-be king's heir.

Walking with Delmare throughout the halls, I held onto his arms, my shoes not making a sound as we walked. I followed him into a room with another pair of double doors where Theodosia and the Captain who escorted me last...