chapter 46

Chapter 46

The palace was quieter than usual, bathed in the golden light of morning. Jasmine stood beside Alistair in his study, her fingers intertwined with his.

"I saw the healer today," she said softly, watching his reaction.

Alistair looked up from the scrolls. "And?"

A small smile curved her lips. "I'm with child."

He froze, eyes searching hers. Then, slowly, he stood and embraced her. "You're sure?"

She nodded. "Yes. The healer confirmed it."

Unbeknownst to them, Elias had just entered, carrying a sealed message. He stopped mid-step at the door, witnessing the moment as Jasmine leaned into Alistair's chest, his hand resting protectively on her belly. The message slipped slightly from his fingers, but he caught it before it fell.

Alistair finally noticed him and took a step back. "Elias," he said, voice calm, unreadable. "We have news."

Jasmine turned her head, her gaze cool yet polite. "We're expecting a child."

Elias swallowed the lump in his throat and bowed. "Congratulations, Your Highness." His voice did not waver. But his heart did.

------

The scent of old parchment and burning firewood filled the king's study. King Mathias stood by the tall window, overlooking the palace gardens, hands clasped behind his back. When the door opened and Alistair stepped in with Jasmine, he turned with a quiet curiosity in his eyes.

"You both requested an audience. Is something wrong?"

"No, Father," Alistair said, walking closer, his hand gently resting on Jasmine's back. "We bring good news."

Mathias raised a brow. "I'm listening."

Jasmine stepped forward, her posture graceful but firm. "I'm with child, Your Majesty."

For a brief second, silence hung in the air. Then, slowly, Mathias' face shifted—shock first, then a softening, then something deeper. He crossed the room and took Jasmine's hand with surprising gentleness.

"A grandchild…" he murmured. "You've given me a gift greater than any crown."

Jasmine smiled. "We thought you should be the first to know."

Mathias turned to his son, pride simmering in his eyes. "You'll be a father, Alistair. Are you ready for that?"

Alistair let out a slow breath. "I don't know if anyone's ever truly ready, but I'll give this child everything I have."

Mathias embraced him tightly. "Then that is enough."

As the couple left the study, Mathias stood still for a long while, hands trembling slightly, heart full—already imagining the future of Valla in the cry of a child yet to be born.

-----

LATER THAT EVENING

The sun bathed the courtyard in golden light as nobles, knights, and citizens gathered under the banner of Valla. A hush fell over the crowd when King Mathias appeared on the palace balcony, flanked by Prince Alistair and Princess Jasmine, who stood with a serene smile and both hands gently folded over her midsection.

Mathias raised his hand, and the murmurs faded into silence.

"People of Valla," his voice rang out strong and clear, "today, we celebrate not only peace within our borders but the promise of new life."

Whispers erupted, anticipation rising.

"Our future queen, Princess Jasmine, is with child."

Cheers exploded across the courtyard. Applause, whistles, and cries of joy filled the air. The sound echoed through the palace walls and spilled into the streets of the city. Jasmine lowered her head with a soft smile while Alistair stood tall, his hand protectively at her back.

"This child," Mathias continued, "will be the next light of Valla, born of strength, wisdom, and love. Let this be a time of joy for us all!"

Musicians began to play. Flowers were thrown into the air. The celebration began as bells tolled from the towers, and people embraced the news with happiness and hope.

In the shadows of the crowd, Elias stood still, his expression unreadable. And just beyond him, Caven watched him carefully, his gaze flickering between the prince and the knight beside him.

---

Elias wasn't expecting him to come. He had lingered near the garden paths after training, telling himself he needed the quiet. But in truth, he had hoped Alistair might find him.

The soft steps behind him made his breath catch. He didn't turn right away.

"I was told you were out here," came Alistair's voice, calm and low.

Elias turned, masking his reaction with a small smile. "Your Highness." He bowed slightly, respectfully, but there was a flicker of something else in his eyes—something deeper.

Alistair's gaze softened as he laughed at Elias display.

Elias let out a quiet breath and looked up. "Congratulations," he said, and though he smiled, it didn't reach his eyes. "You've fulfilled your duty. A child… with Jasmine."

Alistair said nothing.

"That was the goal, wasn't it?" Elias continued, the words laced with a sharp gentleness. "An heir for Valla. Your father must be proud. Now you don't have to pretend anymore… with her."

Alistair looked away, jaw tense. "Elias… she's carrying my child. This is when she needs me the most."

There was a pause. Elias nodded slowly. "Of course," he said. "I understand."

He stepped closer, searching Alistair's face with tired fondness. "After the baby is born, things will go back to before," he whispered, brushing his fingers against Alistair's hand. Then, gently, he leaned up and placed a soft kiss on the tip of his nose—a touch more sad than sweet.

He stepped back immediately, his posture controlled. "Rest well, Your Highness," he said softly, then turned and walked away into the shadowed garden paths, leaving Alistair in silence.

---

Sunlight slanted over the high stone walls, bathing the courtyard in a golden haze. Mara, Rhiannon, and Finn lounged beneath the shade of an old fig tree, laughing over shared stories and the occasional mischief that accompanied their studies.

Ronan sat a little apart, reading a thick leather-bound tome, but his eyes often drifted toward the group—and always, always lingered her.

Then came the soft sound of footsteps.

Alissa strode into the courtyard, her cheeks flushed with excitement. A folded parchment was pressed to her chest, and her smile lit the space brighter than the sun.

"I just received a letter," she announced, unable to keep the joy in her voice contained. "Jasmine is with child. I'm going to be an aunt!"

Everyone perked up.

"Truly?" Rhiannon exclaimed.

Mara clapped her hands together. "That's such lovely news!"

Finn let out a dramatic sigh. "Another royal babe. Valla will be flooded with charm."

Alissa laughed and settled beside them on the stone bench, unfolding the letter again as if to read the words once more, to be sure it was real.

Ronan closed his book gently and moved closer, though he said nothing at first. He simply listened, his eyes warm, his posture quiet and present.

"It still feels strange being away," Alissa said softly. "I want to be there… to see Jasmine, to hold the baby when it comes."

"And you still have over three years here," Mara said gently. "But think of how much wiser you'll be by the time you return."

"Wiser and still in love," Rhiannon teased, nudging her. "You'll marry Adam the moment you step off the ship, won't you?"

Alissa blushed and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "That's the hope. He's waited for me."

"He'll keep waiting," said Finn. "He'd be a fool not to."

Ronan's gaze flicked down for a moment. When he looked back up, it was with his usual calm. "Adam must be proud of you."

"He is," Alissa said, her voice softening. "He's always believed in me. Even when I doubted myself."

The group quieted for a moment. The afternoon breeze rustled the ivy. Ronan turned his eyes back to the book on his lap but didn't reopen it. He listened instead.

"Still," said Mara, breaking the silence, "you're going to be the most adored aunt in all of Valla."

"of course," Alissa grinned. "I'll bring books and sweets and songs, and I'll teach the baby to sneak away when they're not supposed to."

Laughter bubbled again as the sun dipped lower in the sky.

And Ronan, still seated beside them, simply watched the way the light danced in her hair, saying nothing more—but holding every word she'd spoken as if it were his own.

As their laughter softened and the breeze stirred the pages of Ronan's book, Mara leaned back on her elbows, watching Alissa with a knowing smile.

Rhiannon nudged her gently, whispering just loud enough for only her and Finn to hear, "He looks at her like she's made of starlight."

Mara didn't need to ask who. She glanced at Ronan—shoulders tense, eyes soft, a smile he tried to hide flickering at the corner of his lips.

Finn, always blunt, murmured, "He'll never say a word."

"Of course not," Mara replied. "He knows her heart already belongs to another."

They fell quiet again as Alissa read out another part of the letter, laughing over a line Jasmine had written about royal midwives being unbearable with advice.

Ronan chuckled too, more at the sound of her voice than the words themselves. He kept his gaze down now, tracing a finger along the edge of the book, but his ears remained tuned only to her.

Alissa turned to him, grinning. "Ronan, you'd enjoy Jasmine. She's clever with her words and impossible to argue with."

"I believe you," he said, lifting his gaze to meet hers with an easy smile.

And for a moment, it seemed as if he might say something more.

But he didn't.

He simply nodded, returned to his book, and listened quietly as the others carried on.

Because everyone in that courtyard knew—except Alissa—that Ronan's silence was not from lack of feeling. It was from love too deep to risk breaking what little he already had.