More Graceful than Elves

Actually, it wasn't even that they were not trying. Artie knew nothing of contraceptives of that time; neither was she stopping it. If she was lucky enough to have a child with Larkin, then it would be great. However, she still had a lot of things to consider. The mere fact of her not knowing if she could be pregnant was weighing down lightly on her shoulders. It's just that…

"Don't worry, Matron Monique. We will get a baby soon. I just don't want him or her to wake up in a world in chaos. Let us deal with the threats on the archduchy first before bringing in the new beacon to the future generation of House Ellis."

"...I see. How wise." Matron Monique chuckled with the archduchess. That's right. Babies should come when everything was peaceful again. What would they do if Artie was dragged to the battlefield with a six-month-old child in her belly? She might not be able to properly fight that could cost lives… that could be hers and her child.