Akina has lots of news for you

Authors note: I originally thought it had been 8 weeks since you first met Butrexx making her 8 weeks pregnant and the others close to that but less time has passed since then, It is actually 6 weeks. I think I have made all the changes where I mention 8 weeks but If I have missed any please let me know.

You, Butrexx and Sarah have a room together in Arca's castle but at this time Butrexx is attending to some duties as Empress and the Head of the Red Clutch. You were busy tutoring Sarah, being a servant girl she had never had an education in more than how to cook and clean. You had taught her to ride on the journey and you and Trex had taught her a lot in the bedroom but now you were going over basic maths. when there was a knock on the door.

"Come in." you answer and both of you turn to see who is at the door. In steps Akina she is wearing looser clothing than she was before. She has a hood over her ears attached to a long cloak. Her tail makes a ridge in the back of the cloak but if you didn't recognize her you could not be able to tell whether she was a beastfolk or one of the more human dragon-kin, you guess this was her intention. Under the cloak, she has a loose fitting leather breastplate with the flaming 'A' symbol on it; she has cloth trousers and her arms are covered in a long sleeved shirt and she is wearing leather gloves; although she is in the process of taking them off. Her short sword is still on her belt.

Akina steps inside closes the door and takes down her hood, dropping to one knee. "Your majesty, I have news from Luxem and one bit of personal news so you may want privacy."

Before you reply Sarah interrupts. "I know you, you are the spymaster who wouldn't let any maid clean your room or serve you food."

"Yes, it is I, now be a good girl and leave the room" Akina replies.

"Now Now," you interject. "Sarah is the royal consort now, not some servant to be pushed around. She can hear what you have to say as I feel the news will be of interest to her and it will help her gain an understanding of how things work in the Kingdom." You declare.

"Fine" Replies Akina "But don't say I didn't warn you if she is responsible for the leak of private news. Anyway, as I was saying, Count Loon is dead (in the background Sarah gasps at this but Akina continues) making Countess Marissa the sole leader of Luxem. The damage done by the Succubi proved fatal. This, unfortunately, ruins your plan to disguise your bastard as their child and she is indeed pregnant like she suspected. On a worse note, My spies tell me that before the Succubus was discovered "Marissa" summoned a family meeting. Only Remus and his father did not attend as he was on the way to answer your wedding. A few days after your wedding the rest of the family were found dead with claw marks across their throats."

"What!" You and Sarah both exclaimed.

"Marissa's official letter should reach you with this news in two weeks." Akina continued "my spies also tell me that there are some who think that Remus or Adal should take over ruling the kingdom as they do not like a woman in charge." Adal was Remus's father and had married into the family so it was unlikely he would have a claim to the throne. On top of that, he was a Wolf Beastfolk, who had only had the privilege of marrying Marissa's younger sister because he saved her from a mob of peasants. However, it seemed that Remus represented the legitimate future of Luxem and you were about to place him in a tournament that included 26 fierce dragon-kin any of which could have strange magic. Your bastard child would also be a contender If you and Marissa agreed to legitimize him. This is why you have spies, to get news quicker and in more detail than can be sent in an official letter. People may already be on their way to kidnap Remus with the aim to place him on the throne of Luxem and had you waited for official news you may have jeopardized the future of the Loon family in a tournament.

"Two weeks is too long, by then Remus will be entered into the tournament and have his honour on the line if he quit. I have to tell him now and let him decide. However, it seems you still have more to tell me, Akina." You say.

"Your Majesty, this is private news can Sarah please leave." Akina pleads squirming awkwardly.

"No, you can tell her whatever you have to tell me." You reply.

"But...Fine..."Akina huffs. "I suspect you got me pregnant even though I was not in heat when you saw me last. I should have got my heat the week after you left but it has yet to come it has been two weeks since then, three in total, and still nothing, I must have been early that month and your seed must have stuck around just long enough to be there before the heat started. Either that or years hanging out in taverns and getting into brawls has made me barren before my time." She concluded her face flushing bright red making and her ears drooping from upright to flat and her tail swirling slowly rippling the cloak.

"Well it is a good thing that Bryce let me stay." chirped Sarah, surprisingly happy. "Butrexx can check for you, or any dragon-kin for that matter, but I think you would prefer Butrexx to do it. Bryce and I can watch I know he will love to and so will I."

"What do you mean Butrexx can check, even magical methods require a minimum of 4 weeks?" Akina asked, confused.

"I will tell you in a bit." Replied Sarah, showing more self-confidence than she used to. That week with Butrexx must have done her good. She turns to address you "Bryce go fetch Butrexx and tell her that her services are needed for a pregnancy test. She will know what you mean. I will get Akina ready.