The Revelation

Historically, perhaps, pregnancy was a joyful time for men and women alike, but for the women of Rose Palace it was a turbulent time of the year. The second trimester in particular was troublesome, as the pregnant women had both heightened emotional states and the energy to be rather vocal about their troubles. As such, fights easily broke out among the women, particularly among the younger women of Rose Palace. It was something that was so easily expected that the women who were on their off cycle would seclude themselves in remote parts of Rose Palace in an attempt to isolate from the dramas that were sure to unfold among the pregnant women.

During this particular cycle drama seamed to be rather low, though it can't be said that it was absent completely. Perhaps this could be said to be because the women in question were less troublesome than in previous mating cycles. This idea held some merit as two of the three women in question were rather new to mating and had yet to fully established themselves within Rose Palace, however it was more likely due to the fact that they had yet to face the most important day of the breeding cycle, The Revelation Day.

This particular day held great importance as it went a lobg way to establishing a woman's status in future mating cycles. While Elisabeth may have had the good fortune of learning the gender of her unborn early this was the day in which women typically were informed of this information. More than that they were also informed of the stations the mates they had chosen as well as the ones they had rejected. This bit of information could greatly effect their future prospects. A female birth was almost always the best outcome, as a female born of low status was often seen more favorably than a male of noble birth. The exception being if the mate chosen was a man of high station in society whom also was in dire need of an heir to succeed him. Moreover, if a mate of very low station was chosen over one of a much higher position it could bring to question a woman's percetiveness and ability to make proper choices. Overall, a lot was in play with this particular day, making it a nerve wrecking experience for the women waiting to know how the odds were stacked both for and against them.

As the time came closer Janice, Sara, and Elisabeth were all gathered into a special room in the west most corner of Rose Palace. This room was lavishly decorated with vibrant tapestries and fragrant flowers, seeming to directly contradict the somewhat gloomy and nervous expressions of the women present. After but a short wait a man walked in holding a small stack of documents holding the much anticipated information.

Each woman turned to him with various levels of nervousness veiled under smiles that were so long rehearsed as to seem completely natural and even charming. The man couldn't help but blush in the presence of the beautiful young women before him, before clearing his throat and begining.

The first revelation was of chosen mates. This particular revelation was exposed from eldest to youngest, as such the status of Janice's mate came first. While she felt very confident in the idea that she knew exactly what kind of man she had chosen she wasn't completely prepared for what was actually revealed about this man. From their conversations she already knew he was a knight and that he had previously been a part of a mating selection, but had been overlooked by the women at the time. What she wasn't prepared for was the truth of what kind of knight he was.

"First we have Jason Vermilion, The Black Knight of The Rose Defense Squad." Janice paused, feeling rather taken a back by this these words being spoken. Somehow in the time that she had spent with him she had never even stopped to consider that the man she was with was someone of such renown. You see, Jason wasn't some lowly knight within the ranks, but rather the head knight, famed for his contributions to the country and said to be the dark guardian who commanded the safety of women no matter the cost. While he was a man who was greatly feared in battle he was also greatly admired and respected for his many victories against rouge male groups who had tried and failed to capture women from this country.

Sara couldn't help but feel somewhat jealous of this choice, believing that there was no way that anyone could have believed that this man they had met was truly anything special. As such she resolutely decided to write this fact off as mere luck, afterall he was the only potential mate who had even considered Janice. Of course her choice would prove to be better. Janice secretly hoped this would be the case as well. While she didn't like the idea of falling out of favor she also had a particular preference for men, and the soft hands of a noble did not quite meet her desires. If she climbed to high in the pecking order she feared this would be the only men she would greet in the future.

The women did not have much time to process this information, however, as the man continued reading the papers in front of him without hesitation. "Next we have Crispin Monroe, presumed heir to the Monroe trading company." While the Monroe trading company was the most prosperous business in the country, handling the majority of goods that were imported and exported from the country, Sara couldn't help but grimace slightly at the words "presumed heir." The fact that he had said presumed meant that he was still in compatition for the position, and may not inherit the company at all. This was very troublesome for her. She had hoped to gain a reputation for her fine tastes in men, but this could instead make her seem frivolous in comparison to Janice. Now she could only hope to compare favorably beside the grungy doctor that Elisabeth had chosen. He may have worked during the pandemic, but many doctors working then had gained no recognition for their efforts.

"Finally we have Dr. Bill Thompson, officially given the title of Miracle Doctor due to his invaluable efforts during the great loss, charged with saving more female lives than any other." At this point the man looked up from the paper with a genuine smile. He was quite interested in seeing the face of the woman who would choose such a man. While Dr. Thompson was a man of great renown, having met the man, he knew that not just any woman could charm such a man. "Truly a spectacular choice."

At this Janice sighed in relief while Sara gritted her teeth in frustration. Elisabeth on the other hand simply smiled politely. After all she knew very well what man she had chosen, and wasn't at all surprised by the news.

Next up on the agenda was the men who were rejected. Since Janice had no other potential mates it skipped straight to Sara.

"Rejected mates." The man said in clear tone. "Thomas Jacobs, Duke of Westinton. Alistar Washington, Secretary of Financial Affairs." He couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the contrast between Sara's chosen mate and the rejected ones. Afterall, The Secretary of Financial Affairs was a much bigger deal that the potential heir of any company. He though that perhaps this woman was simply a pretty face. Looking up at her he couldn't help but feel it was a shame, as she was a stunning beauty. Still, he continued, but upon reading the next name he felt even more confused. Surely this couldn't be right, but the information before him hadn't changed no matter how many times he looked back at it. "Leopold McAllister, Chief Advisor to the King!" Everyone, including Elisabeth were somewhat stunned by this information. Elisabeth was rather unsure of how to feel. She had never imagined that the man she had rejected could be so important. If she had, perhaps she would have chosen differently, but knowing the truth of the sacrifices that Bill was willing to make for their children, she couldn't help but feel as though she had made the right call. For the others in the room the perception of the situation was rather different, however. While she had rejected him, the fact that she had gained the attention of these two important men was something that was shocking in and of itself. The other women for the first time looked at Elisabeth as a threat to their future mating prospects, while the man reading simply liked at her with great admiration.

Lastly the genders were revealed. Janice was having a boy, a fact that brought her great comfort if not any form of benefit. Sara got her first bit of luck for her prospects in having a girl, but still felt the sorrow of knowing that her child would never know a loving home or a father to care for her. Elisabeth's twins were revealed as boys just as they had planned. While the idea of the twins being male was considered somewhat unfortunate the fact that they were twins to begin with was something that was as shocking as it was promising. As such by the time that the women were left to their own devices there was little doubt in anyone's mind that in this breeding cycle at least Elisabeth had won the day. If they only knew of the deception at play it could be certain that the results would be beyond compare. She had truly been fortunate.