Page 53 of Beacon

The king sighed. “Normally, that would be true, but after the difficulties you experienced the other day and the concern expressed by the physician, I feel it’s best to err on the side of caution. Ronan recently informed me of your own mother’s difficult pregnancies, the last which caused her to die in childbirth.”

My heart twinged in empathy upon learning Princess Seren had also lost her mother. She glared at Prince Ronan. “Did he?” She sounded truly annoyed now.

“He was right to do so. Now that I better understand the situation, I believe it’s best you take it easy for the final duration of your pregnancy.”

“But that’s another month at least,” she protested. “Yes, I was having pains, but they subsided when I rested. Since they haven’t returned, I see no cause for concern. I can’t bear to neglect my duties during all that time. If I can sit and relax in my room, then I can easily sit through a meeting or at a desk going over papers or—”

“There’s no need when we have everything well in hand,” the king said. “You contribute so much and always work so hard. You deserve a chance to rest before the baby’s birth.”

With the way Princess Seren stared at him, the wordrestdidn’t seem to be in her personal vocabulary. She glanced towards her husband, seeking his help. He rested a reassuring hand on her shoulder before turning towards his father.

“Seren and the baby’s health is of the utmost importance,” he said. “I agree it’s wise to heed the physician’s advice in not allowing her to do anything too strenuous that would risk her and the pregnancy. But I know her well enough to know that she must havesomethingto do. I see no reason why she can’t perform simple tasks if they’re done under the physician’s discretion.”

“Considering the current circumstances, her rest is duty enough,” the king stubbornly insisted. “After the complication she experienced the other day, we have greater need for concern. She and the baby are both too important for our family and the kingdom for me to reconsider the matter.”

As if that settled things, he bid the two goodbye and left the room with a cheerful whistle, seemingly oblivious to the tension he’d left behind.

The moment the door closed behind him, the princess released a weary sigh. “I know that I must respect the king’s wishes, but I truly believe doing so will make me go mad.” She glanced towards Prince Ronan, this time less accusing and more hurt. “I wish you hadn’t told him about my mother’s pregnancies. Now I feel my desires will be impossible to fulfill.”

He was immediately repentant. “I’m sorry, Seren. I was only seeking his opinion on how to best help you through your pregnancy, just in case…I want to do all in my power to ensure it goes well.” He stroked her hair in an attempt to soothe her.

Her expression softened. “You were worried for me.”

He crouched in front of her to take her hands, his look tender. “Of course, Seren. I love you.”

My cheeks warmed on the princess’s behalf as well as the thought I was intruding on such a private moment. I felt Owen’s gaze on me but was too self-conscious to even spare him a glance, not with the sudden image that filled my imagination of him one day looking at me the way Prince Ronan currently looked at his wife.

But I couldn’t resist the pull of his gaze for long and I lifted mine to meet his. For a moment we held one another’s eyes, and I became acutely aware of his hand still wrapped around mine, one I had the strangest notion to never let go of.

“Forgive me if the way I chose to exhibit my concern in turn hurt you,” Prince Ronan’s voice finally pulled my eyes away from Owen to return to his conversation with his wife. “I will do all in my power to persuade Father to change his mind about keeping you from performing your usual duties.”

She sighed. “You’re a difficult man to remain angry with, especially when I know you acted only with the best intentions.”

He grinned. “It appears I’m already forgiven. A husband’s best defense for when he messes up is to have a wife who cares for him, and because I care so deeply in return, I promise to offer penance and find something for you to do these last remaining weeks. I will see you happy.” He kissed her tenderly, but at Owen’s awkward cough she immediately pulled away, her cheeks pink.

“Ronan! Not in front of your brother.”

Prince Ronan chuckled. “Actually, he is the perfect audience—it’s my brotherly duty to show him the proper way to kiss the woman he loves, considering he’s in a courtship himself.”

Heat prickled my cheeks, and I felt Owen stiffen beside me. No matter how long we performed our charade, it’d never go as far asthat, no matter how appealing I secretly found the thought of kissing the prince.

Princess Seren gave her husband an indulging look before facing us, seeming grateful for the distraction we might provide. “Forgive our delay in greeting you. Is there something we can do for you?”

Owen hesitated as he eyed the annoyance still lingering in his sister-in-law’s polite expression. “If this is a bad time…”

“It’s the perfect time,” Princess Seren said. “As you just witnessed, I’m being ordered to not be useful for the remainder of this pregnancy, simply because everyone seems to believe my condition has rendered me incapable.”

“That’s not true, Seren,” Prince Ronan protested. “I more than anyone know what you’re capable of. Thus I promise to find a way for you to be useful these last remaining weeks.” He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

She rested a hand on her bulging stomach. “I should hope so, because if I’m forced to be this useless with every pregnancy, then I’m determined for this to be our only child.”

He chuckled. “I have no doubt I’ll be able to persuade you otherwise.”

Her blush deepened. “Ronan!”

He dipped down to kiss her temple, as if seeking penance. She returned the gesture with a look that was both scolding and as if she wanted to kiss him in return, but with the decorum she seemed determined to maintain, she simply took his hand, revealing she wasn’t as put out with her husband as she pretended. She faced Owen once more, inviting him to share the purpose of his visit.

Owen cleared his throat. “I was hoping you’d be able to assist me in cajoling your unruly ‘pet’ who doesn’t seem inclined to assist me.” He held up the map.

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