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After getting Vivian settled onto the bed, Au'revele placed Vivian’s shoes in her closet so she wouldn’t trip over them, covered her with a blanket, then promised to be right back. She hurried back through the apartment to the downstairs living room.

Quin stood up at once. “Is all well?” he asked, surprised to see Au'revele returning so quickly.

“Yes. She just needs a few personal items from upstairs.”

“I’ll help you locate them.” Quin stood and escorted Au'revele upstairs.

Once they left the living room, Bart spoke. “Did anyone else happen to notice how Vivian can’t sit still, and tightens her body, shifting her weight from time to time, while clenching her teeth?”

“Do you think she’s in labor?” Samuel asked.

“I’m not sure, but she’s certainly not herself. I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t have a new addition to the family within the next day or so,” Bart said.

“I should alert the Sovereigna,” Mirilla said.

“No, you should not,” Bart said.

“It is my duty to let her know…” Mirilla said.

“And unfortunately, this is the point at which you decide if you wish to be a friend to Vivian, or you wish to be a member of the staff. Vivian is very independent. She’ll let you know what and when she expects you to step in on her behalf, otherwise, it is best to let her handle her life and her business on her own.”

“That is true,” Quin’s voice called out from the top of the stairs as he and Au'revele returned from the upstairs suite. “She often says her voice is her own and she’ll use it if she decides someone needs to know anything she’s thinking or feeling. If she does not, it is no one else’s place to speak on her behalf.”

“If you speak of anything in her world to anyone else without her express permission, you will never be included in her inner circle. You’ll always be considered a staff member,” Au'revele said.

“But, I have loyalties to both.”

“You are known for your discretion and your respect for those who live in the palace. But in this situation, I’m afraid you’ll have to decide if you’re friend or staff when you step through those doors. And it is a decision that will remain in place permanently,” Quin said.

“Besides, I was just making an observation that she’s very fidgety. It doesn’t mean a thing without a doctor’s examination,” Bart said.

“We are visiting the medical suite tomorrow. Is there a problem I did not notice?” Quin demanded.

“He said that perhaps she’s in labor because she can’t sit still,” Samuel said.

“I did not say exactly that. I simply alluded to it,” Bart said.

“Does no one tell me anything?” Quin grouched as he stomped toward the downstairs bedroom Vivian had effectively just moved them into.

They all listened as Quin tapped on the door before opening it. “Vivi! Are you in labor?” he demanded before the door closed sealing off whatever reply she gave him.

Vivian looked at Quin with a shocked expression. “Don’t you think I’d tell you if I was in labor?”

“Perhaps. Perhaps not. You’re not quite yourself these last few months.”

“Can’t help it. I don’t feel like myself.” She looked round the room like she’d missed something. “Where’s my Kitty?”

“Prowling the grounds I have no doubt. Wreaking havoc upon some poor soul,” Quin answered.

“If he shows up, do the new guards know to let him in?” she asked.

“I’ll make sure they do.”

“Thank you.” She was perched on the edge of the bed. “Why is this bed so much shorter than the bed upstairs?”

“This one is usually meant for visitors. Not all visitors are comparable in size to our people. If you decide you wish to remain downstairs, we can have our bed from upstairs moved down here.”

“I actually like this one better.”

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