Revelation

Her throat tightened, making it difficult to breathe, and she had to swallow hard before finding the courage to speak. Her voice trembled with uncertainty. "Rafe…" she began. She inhaled deeply, gathering her resolve. "If I decide to keep the baby," she said, her words coming out slowly, as if each one had to be carefully weighed before it was spoken, "what do you see our future looking like?"

Her heart pounded as she continued, the vulnerability in her voice impossible to mask. "Will this child be your heir? The next to inherit the throne? What happens when you eventually marry? Will your wife be able to accept you having an heir out of marriage? You're already in a position where expectations are placed on you—responsibilities, alliances, legacies…" She trailed off, her eyes searching his face for answers. "The future as you have imagined would be much different..."