Chapter 32 - Emilia

Lilas and I arrive back at the castle after our walk around the glass house with just enough time to ready ourselves for dinner. The table is being meticulously laid by the staff under Nuela's expert eye and soon Magor and Sliske will be here. Luckily this is a private family dinner so we don't need to be too concerned about changing into different clothes for dinner, instead we just quickly clean ourselves up.

Just as we're heading downstairs there's a knock at the door which Tehlmar opens to reveal Magor and Sliske are here slightly earlier than I'd thought they would be. Walking over we greet each other before heading into the dining room to take our seats.

"Is there something wrong?" Magor asks as soon as we've all sat down. The concern is evident in his voice and written all over his face. "If there is why didn't you say something earlier Lilas. You visited yesterday and spoke to me earlier at the Council meeting to invite me here for a short notice family dinner so what is it?" Hearing all of that Sliske focus on us as well worry shining in his eyes. Then he tilts his head slightly seeming to listen to something.

"Gods…" He breathes out looking me at with his eyes wide with shock, "She's pr-"

"Emilia is pregnant." Lilas interrupts wanting to get to tell them himself. I don't know how Sliske figured it out though. "We found out not too long ago and wanted you to be the first to know before I tell the Council. After Kor and Bel of course, we've written to them informing them."

"That's wonderful." Magor beams congratulating us.

"Yes, congratulations." Sliske smiles although he still seems focused on whatever he seems to able to hear.

"Sliske what is it?" Lilas asks noticing that something is going on with him.

"Ah, forgive me. I can hear the baby's heartbeat, that's how I figured it out, and I can't help but listen." I smile resting a hand on my stomach happy knowing that everything is fine, Sliske being able to hear a heartbeat is a good thing.

"Thank you Sliske." I say grateful for the peace of mind that he's brought. I've known women back in Stowu who have had perfectly normal pregnancies only to have the child be born dead so I'll take any sign I can get that my baby is alive and well.

"This is truly something to celebrate so lets enjoy this meal you've prepared for us." Magor says as servants enter and start laying out our meal. We have an enjoyable evening together filled with happiness, there is barely a mention of war and only in the context of Kor and Bel returning home to us.

"So, this is a very personal question which you don't have to answer, but any ideas on who the father is? Biologically of course." Sliske asks. I immediately turn bright red and choke slightly on the mouthful of food I had just started chewing. Rubbing my back Lilas sends a stern look at him.

"No we don't know for sure. So long as the baby is healthy we don't care if it's mine or Kor's or if it's a boy or girl."

"My apologies I only asked to be prepared with whatever gifts I buy. I have a few ideas but before I buy any clothing I just wanted to know the chance that I'll need to account for wings." Hearing his explanation both Lilas and I relax understanding that he wasn't asking out of a preference either way.

Neither Magor nor Sliske leave until the early hours of the morning but by that point I was already in bed. Lilas had stayed behind to keep talking with them but eventually convinced them to leave so that he could join me in bed. I only woke briefly as he climbed into bed next to me wrapping me up in his arms as we both, finally, went to sleep.

The next morning I walk into the drawing room finding Nuela overseeing the final preparations before my ladies arrive for the day. Lilas has left for the Council meeting and while he's speaking with the Council I'll be telling my ladies the wonderful news. I can't wait, even though in less than an hour they'll be here it doesn't seem soon enough.

"Your Majesty, please calm down. Everything is coming together perfectly all you need to do now is wait for your ladies to arrive." Nuela coaxes me to sit down. I've been wandering around the room trying to help the maids finish setting up but I think I ended up hindering more than helping. It's likely best that I'm sat down out of the way so they can finish the final touches.

"I'm sorry. I'm just so excited, it feels so good to be able to tell people."

"I understand you Majesty. Just please let us do what we do best." Satisfied that I'll remain seated Nuela returns to directing the maids as to the placement of the final decorations. I think that it'll surprise me how quickly they can organise something like this, they're all so aware of each other like a dance as they move around the room. "We're finished now, your Majesty. I'll return shortly with some tea." With a curtsy the maids file out of the room leaving me alone.

Not for long though as Tehlmar opens the door announcing the arrival of my ladies. With all of them living close together they've taken to sharing carriages on their trips here so they tend to arrive in either groups or all at the same time such as today. It has made meetings easier as we don't have to wait as long for everyone to arrive.

"Your Majesty." They greet as they curtsy before taking their seats near me. Just as promised Nuela returns with tea and quickly serves each lady a cup before leaving us alone, although she or a maid will only be a call away if we need anything.

"May I ask the reason for today's visit your Majesty?" Lady Zenobia asks sounding worried after all until I'd sent them messages yesterday we'd had no plans to meet today. It's understandable that the sudden meeting could be something bad especially with the war.

"I have some wonderful news that I wanted to share with you all." I reply getting looks of relief in return which quickly turn expectant as they wait for my news, "I'm with child." Lilas had advised phrasing it as being with child rather than pregnant as apparently it's the way the nobility phrase it.

"Congratulations your Majesty." Echoes through the room from various sources as my ladies smile a few even clapping. It fills the room with happiness which is something that in the coming days might be in short supply. Soon the army will reach the border and the actual fighting will start, until now it's been easy to ignore the war but once the fighting starts so will casualty reports.

"How long have you known?" Maryam questions from her seat next to me holding one of my hands in her own while Lady Holcene is holding my other.

"I'd been feeling ill for a while so a few weeks ago Lilas called for a Healer. That's when we found out we immediately wrote to Kor and Bel about the news. I'd have told you sooner but we wanted Kor and Bel to know before we told anyone else, Lilas is informing the Council right now." There are nods of understanding from around the room.

"Perfectly understandable your Majesty." Lady Nimel says a gentle smile on her face.

"We must celebrate. The Council will no doubt want to but we can't leave it in their hands." Lady Erika states a disgruntled expression crossing her face at the thought of the Council planning the celebration which makes the rest of us giggle.

"I've already had an idea, if you're all willing to help me plan it?" Nervously I look around the room waiting for their response.

"We'd be happy to help your Majesty. What were you thinking?" Lady Pyzitt asks.

"Lilas took me for a walk around the large glass house yesterday. He mentioned that sometimes parties are thrown there so I was thinking that we could host a ball there, he even showed me the perfect place."

"What are we waiting for then, why don't we take a walk over and you can show us?" Elssitryd suggests to a chorus of approval from the others. Grinning I nod and stand leading the way out of the palace. We pause at the entrance pulling on cloaks and I tell Nuela where we're going just in case Lilas gets home before we do and doesn't know where to find me.

Feeling as though we were on a mission we make quick work of the walk to the glass houses and I'm soon leading the way through the largest one to the section Lilas showed me yesterday. Despite only seeing it once I'd made sure to memorise the way there yesterday so I have no trouble leading my ladies through the garden to our destination.

"It's perfect, your Majesty." Maryam says walking arm in arm next to me as we tour the section. The other ladies all agree and ideas for the ball immediately follow. I can't help but smile as we debate the perfect place for refreshments and the dance floor or what food might be served or who should be invited. I'd never in my wildest dreams thought that this would be my life but now I wouldn't want it any other way.

"Have you given any thought to what flowers you'd like your Majesty?" Lady Erika asks.

"Not particularly I wasn't sure what would be suitable or available at this time of year."

"Perhaps some white carnations symbolising an innocent, pure love along with some pink camellia that mean longing for. We could add some white yarrow as well for everlasting love just to fill out the arrangement." Lady Zenobia suggests much more knowledge about flowers and their meanings than I'd though she would be. Noticing the surprised stares from the rest of us she blushes slightly looking away from us. "My mate loves flowers so I learned much about them while courting her. The knowledge stuck."

"I think that sounds lovely Lady Zenobia, thank you." I tell her with a smile on my face at the thought she'd managed to put into the flowers so easily. The message she'd developed using flowers is beautiful as well and perfect for the ball. I hadn't even known that flowers had different meanings.

Having an idea for the flowers now we start planning where we could place them. Not to mention all the other decorations that we'll need. I'd thought that it'd be similar to when I helped Maryam plan her ball but this seems to be very different as it'll be celebrating the future prince or princess, this ball will need to be bigger and better. At least we've been able to get a head start on the Council so we have control of the event rather than it coming down to the Council to plan it.

"Do you know when you'd like the ball to be?" Elssitryd asks as we take a break from roaming around the area instead seating ourselves on the nearest seats.

"Likely in a few weeks but no more than a month from now. It will depend on the Council though. Lilas is sure that they'll insist on having some form of celebration of the news so I imagine they'll give us enough funds and help to get it organised quickly." I answer knowing that we'll be very busy trying to get everything ready in such a short amount of time. "Even with the extra help and money it'll take a lot of work to having everything ready in time."

"Don't worry your Majesty. I'm sure that we'll be able to get it all done, even if we have to call in reinforcements." Lady Holcene adds sharing a look with Maryam likely thinking of who they know that's still in the city that'll be able and willing to help.

"Yes I'm sure that Ladies Orla, Sophia, Kara and Kathleen would love to help." Maryam says making me smile. I haven't seen them since Maryam's ball so it'll be nice to see them again and I'd appreciate their help as well. They'd been forces of nature while we'd been planning Maryam's ball and they seemed to enjoy it so hopefully they'll be willing to plan another one.

"That would be wonderful." I tell her, "Now are there any ideas on what food we could serve? I was also thinking that any leftovers should be donated to the poor starting with the orphanages."

The ladies all agree that it's a good idea and we start debating what we could serve. It has to suitable for the ball, after all the nobles attending a certain standard of food, but at the same time we have to think of the war and making sure we have enough food to keep the men fighting for our safety well fed.