Secrets. UNEDITED.

"Here have some fruits. The maids thoroughly cleaned it." Yifei lifted the spoon directly to Anne's mouth.

"But I'm craving sweets right now." Anne frowned. "Tell the servants to prepare it. You don't have to go."

"Let's satisfy your cravings later, fruits are also sweet. We need to fill your body with healthy foods first. Just think of the baby and try your best to finish this." Yifei patiently told her.

The head maid had reminded everyone to be more forgiving to Anne's tempter as it is natural for a pregnant woman to have mood swings.

The bed was replaced with the most comfortable bedding and pillows. The chairs and tables were covered with softer edges to prevent any mishaps. There would be two top servants and guards on stand by aside from the maid to aid Anne.

"I-m sorry." A voice meekly confessed. "Just for everything."

"..."

Yifei just continued to feed her. "It's fine, just focus on your health first for the baby. Everything is not important at the moment."

"En." Anne obediently replied. "I just want to say it before it's too late."

Yifei wanted to say something but didn't. She continued to feed Anne.

After a few mouthfuls, Anne wanted to puke again.

________

"Your highness, Sir Chen has arrived." A maid announced on the side.

"Let him in," Anne commanded.

Before the door had fully swung open Chen already spotted Yifei. He bowed to Anne and went to Yifei's side.

"How's your day today?" He kissed her cheek.

"Good. Is everything fine with the topics we discussed with him last time?" She patted the seat prepared beside her.

Chen glanced at Anne and then at Yifei. "En. I'll tell you when we're alone, but I solved most of it."

Anne raised her brows. "You don't have to keep secrets in front of me. Feel free to speak your mind."

"How are you feeling your majesty?" Chen impeded.

"Just a little uncomfortable that's all. So? what's the matter?"

"Must I tell you all the details that's only meant between husband and wife?" He raised his eyes.

"It's nothing important." Yifei tried to help her husband out. "Just matters of our home, we had some damage with our roof a few days ago and had to get it fixed."

She then whispered to Chen to be lenient on her as she's a pregnant woman.

Chen didn't say anything further and stood by the side to wait for Yifei.

"He listens to you like a pet huh." Anne pouted.

"And I think that's cute. Now as for you, you can sleep. You're feeling lethargic, right?."

"We'll wait for his majesty to come in before we leave." Chen chimed.

Today's earlier conversation had made him more cautious than before.

Yifei did not object and helped her lay down.

Within five minutes, Anne was in a deep dream.

Yifei stood up from her chair and walked towards Chen.

Staring at him work for about half an hour, Yifei stood up and started to massage his temples and shoulders firmly yet lightly.

Seeing him carrying documents where ever he went even during their travels, it was handsome. In her mind, she had always understood his duties and never stopped him from doing what he had to do, but her heart breaks for him. When he frowns at them, it would mean a state for the country. How tough on the mind it must be to manage everyone's affairs.

"Does it feel better?" She asked softly.

"You don't have to do something so tiring, come sit beside me." He held her hands that were on top of his shoulders.

"What's so tiring about a bit of massaging. I'll just do it for a little longer, you can continue with your work."

Chen looked at Yifei intently. Who know's what he was thinking.

Feeling his gaze, she asked, "What's wrong?"

"Wife."

"Mm?"

"Say...if person A has two keys, one real and one fake, along with the treasure. Person B would do anything to find and get the key and treasure, what should person A do?"

"What kind of weird problem is this?" She frowned but answered anyway as it probably relates to his work. "I think if B was willing to do anything including harming others for it, then A should just give the real key, but not the treasure. If I'm A, protecting the treasure is what's important, then that's all it should matter right? A key is only a key. "

He showed an ugly face, pulled her down into his arms, and rested his head on her shoulders.

"...but I refuse to give the key away." Chen retorted under his breath.

"Well if you don't want to give the key. Then you should focus on protecting what yours right? Person B is trying to steal! And I don't like stealing in this family." Yifei giggled.

Chen hugged her tighter with a dark expression. A slight tint of killing intent almost seeped through his eyes.

"Husband, Is everything okay?" She inquired as lifted her hands to caress his cheek.

Seeing him silent staring off to the distance without replying, it slightly worried her.

"I was just thinking, how are you so cute?" Chen gave Yifei his attention again.

"You know, I'm always here for you, right? There are also our servants, the knights, I'm sure his majesty does too. There are a lot of people who care about you" She looked up to recall her memories and patted his hands for reassurance. "So don't put everything on your shoulders."

He nudged his forehead against hers and said softly. "I know."

There was a knock on the door. Confirming who it was, both of them and the king went outside to talk.

After the door closed, the person on the bed slowly opened her eyes. She lightly rubbed her belly.

____________________

The king finally entered the room after a few minutes.

Seeing his wife sitting there, he approached quietly without disturbing her.

"You're here?" Anne said lightly.

"How are you feeling?"

"Just some minor nausea nothing too serious."

She then looked at the man who quickly sat on the bed and scanned her body.

"I was thinking..."

"Hmm?"

"Of returning to my family home to rest for a few days. I want to personally tell them the news."

"No, it's too dangerous. If you want, I can accompany you in a few weeks when it's safe. You must absolutely not go anywhere on your own from now on, okay?"

He immediately rejected it.

As it was hard to have a child, she didn't insist any further. What was she expecting?

The king reached out to stroke her belly ever so lightly and smiled.

"Have you thought of a name?"

"We don't even know if its a boy or a girl." Anne laughed.

"Oh." The king chuckled.

He wanted to quickly meet the child soon and apologize for not being a good father, for the grim future the little one will face, but at least he'll try his best to protect it.

"I love you." He suddenly said.

Anne just widened her eyes in surprise.

She tried to smile straight. "Me too."

Looking down at her stomach, there's a bit of guilt clinging in her heart.