A Pregnant Queenly Things

"He did what?" Tori, who was back in her chambers and who was fresh from the bath, did a double-take to Riza after hearing the latter's report right after she finished drying her hair.

Riza stepped forward and guided Tori with gentle care toward the mirror to prepare her for her wedding ceremony. "King Ryzen did not heed Shito's request to poison you."

Tori heard Riza for the first time but she was failing to grasp it once. She was only aghast at the news that King Ryzen, who hated the queen more than anyone else, was going against his most trusted aide.

Smiling at herself in the mirror, Tori touched the corner of her lips as she grinned seductively. "Oh-ho. Could it be that he is showing weakness because of my child? Such a pathetic action, Golden King. His own decisiveness will be his downfall."