I'm pregnant

"I am pregnant" She just muttered it, and deafening silence followed. Her mother and her father both stared at her, aghast. She gulped, and said "Is this what I would have to say to get you to listen to me? Do i have to confess some unforgivable sin to make you pay attention to me?"

"Liandra, are you..." her mother began to ask, but the princess snapped "IT DOESN'T MATTER IF I AM!" both parents were stunned, they had never seen her daughter act so... emotive.

"I promise Mom, Dad, i love you both dearly, but I cant live my life for you" She tried to pick her words carefully, but the King intruded.

"This is that knight, isn't it? that low born..."

"Sir Kodovar is one of the finest men sworn to you" She felt butterflies in her belly "Any woman would be lucky to have him for her husband. In fact, any kingdom would be lucky to have him for his King!"

"Do you want my crown? is that what this is about, Liandra?" her father sounded hurt and betrayed, her mother was holding his arm.

"NO!" she screams "No, no, no! I want to be happy! I want to live my life with people I care about, I don't want to be tossed to some stranger... and a zealous jerk, for all I hear about him."

To her surprise, her parents did take her words seriously. Her father discussed with her why he chose Prince Mortimer, his upstanding character and yes, the strength of his army. War was brewing, and Luxius had to be ready.

Liandra heard him carefully, but she then countered War was War, whoever started it. She noted Luxius shameful past, when it was truly a kingdom ruled by the sword and bloodthirsty gods, but they had grown beyond that. "And in this, Sir Kodovar represents everything we are. Strong, vigilant, pious, kind and merciful." In truth the King and the Queen also had a soft spot for Liandra's childhood friend.

The only problem would be how upset Prince Mortimer would be. But even that could be solved. "if he believes we broke the engagement because we made lasting peace with the Nocternia Empire, that would stop him from harassing us, right?" And when she revealed she was pretty sure she could get the Nocternia Ambassador to cooperate, her parents were satisfied.

"But... are you really pregnant, Liandra dear?" the king asked.