The Guests Have Arrived -- Welcomed News

One by one the guests have arrived. Minor nobles here and there trying to curry favor or as some would crudely say it, kiss and lick your shoes. You entertain them of course, make them feel welcome and when they congratulate you on your upcoming wedding, you sincerely thank them. But it doesn't escape you that they don't approve of Lady Camilla. Based solely on her appearance no doubt but since none of them say anything insulting outright, you do nothing.

Soon arrives you family: Beatrice, Elizabeth, Adelheid, Franz Jacques together with Sophie. They've brought with them welcoming news.

"I am with child," Beatrice tells you while she and Franz Jacques hold hands.

Formally, you say, "Congratulations, Arch Duke and Arch Duchess of Lothelsabourg. I pray you are blessed with a healthy child." But you soon push the formality aside and deeply embrace your mother. "I'm glad for you, mother."

"Thank you, my son."

"Well done," Franz Jacques begins, "I think we should leave our king alone with Sophie."

"That's right," Beatrice agrees, "there is something Sophie wishes to tell you." Elizabeth winks at you and takes little baby Adelheid from Sophie and they all leave the room.

"Sophie?"

With glistening eyes and a wide smile, she reveals, "I'm pregnant, Sire. Your child grows inside me." With the allotted privacy and quickly rush to take the nanny into your arms. "I'm also glad." You whisper to her and then break the hug.

Sophie was even more ecstatic, "Soon it will be round and heavy with child. I'm so happy, Sire!" Her face was the epitome of the emotion. "I know I am primarily a lady-in-waiting to your mother, a nanny to Sophie and soon to be wet nurse. But in private, you can kiss me, a mother of your child."

Sympathetically and empathetically, you grab the girl's face sweetly and pulls her into a kiss. The happy pregnant girl beamed her most happiest smile. She takes your hand and places it on her still flat belly. "Boy or girl?" She asks.

"Either." And she hugs you. "I know you're getting married but if your wife allows, come to my bed." You remain silent and rub her back tenderly.

Louis and Jacqueline have come too. You brightens your mood to see your friends come to such a splendid occasion. They tell you that Alana has convinced Francois to postpone the wedding a little longer. He has already seen proof of their established relationship and see no treat in the near future of it breaking up. He consented but refused to come to your wedding. Alana though is present but is currently off somewhere else doing whatever she fancies. They insist that since they have come for your wedding, you should definitely attend theirs. You agree. The added fact that their wedding isn't until for another year makes it easier for you.

Soon enough, you are joined by Elizabeth and Hannah. Hannah notifies you that her father and brother are present.

Another arrival is Duchess Eliza. You meet her privately in the castle garden, the same garden where Camilla told you her deepest, darkest secret. Together with you are your friends, your sister, your bride and your bride's maid. Eliza is accompanied by her own loyal and trusted companion, her cousin Mathilde.

You walk up to be the first and foremost to greet Eliza but she beat to it by grabbing you by your clothes and pulling you in for a kiss that leaves you goosed you. Elizabeth's eyes shifts to and fro Eliza and Camilla. Camilla only looks on and doesn't seem to mind. Eliza on the other hand seems pleased with herself.

"Aren't you going to introduce us, brother?" Elizabeth says irritated.

"Oh yes! Everyone, this is Duchess Eliza of Toscana and her cousin, the Baroness Mathilde. Eliza, Mathilde, the girl who just asked for an introduction is my younger sister, Elizabeth. The two brunettes are Louis and Jacqueline, the crown prince of Frankia and the daughter of Arch Duke Franz Jacques respectively. They are set to marry a year from now. The blonde haired girl is Hannah of Nornover. Her father and her brother are here too. The other two brunettes are Camilla and Dorothye. Camilla is my bride and Dorothye is her loyal maid."

"Delighted to meet your acquaintances." Eliza greets. "As am I." Mathilde adds.

"So your Eliza?" Camilla and Elizabeth say in unison.

"Is is true you've agreed to have my brother's baby?" Elizabeth has always been skeptical of that.

"I have and I am." Eliza turns to you, "I'm pregnant, my king. Your seed took root and grown inside me." She rubs her stomach.

"That's wonderful," you say happily but you restrain yourself from fully expressing it.

Eliza turns to Camilla, "Does it not bother you I have your husband's child in my belly?"

Camilla just calmly replies, "Why should it? You and he have your arrangement. Your child is no threat to mine in terms of succession. You are not the only woman carrying my future husband's child, I should have you know."

"This man here... I'd be more surprised if he hasn't had a bastard growing in some poor girl's belly. Lady Camilla, correct?" Eliza walks over to her. Camilla nods. Eliza looks over to you with a smug look. You know what that look is saying. She's criticizing your choice in Camilla. You roll your eyes at her. Louis and Jacqueline have sent you the same look. As has so many of your guests. Some of them being former suitors of Camilla. "My future Queen," Eliza bows before Camilla, "Forgive me if I came off as impudent earlier. I meant no disrespect."

You're not buying it and neither does Elizabeth. You're not sure about everyone else though. "It is fine." Camilla answers. "My husband is allowed to satisfy himself with your body but his heart is already mine."

Eliza knew that it was meant to be a bite at her but Camilla did mean it. "How delightful. But please enough with these false pleasantries. I want my child and your future child to get along well." Eliza said that honestly. "They may have different mothers but they are siblings."

Camilla nods, "For the sake of the children then." Mentally you sigh in relief. As does Louis and Jacqueline. Hannah was simply different to it all with so much swirling through her mind. "I'm almost pass my first month. If he gets you pregnant quick, we can compare bumps." Eliza says a bit gleefully. Camilla laughs, "Just as long as I don't have to remove my clothes." It amazes you at just how she's taking this. In the pass weeks, Camilla has shared to you her distress of not being able to experience motherhood the traditional way.

Elizabeth watches the exchange with narrowed eyes.

"Do you mind, Lady Camilla?" Eliza asks. "Mind what?" Camilla asks back. The former answers, "If our mutual love rubs my belly, I will not always be here and our child needs to feel its father's love even before it is born." If you had not known any better, you'd have thought Eliza knew of Camilla's condition. But Eliza really did sound like she just wanted you to rub her belly for the very purpose of bonding to the unborn child. All the same, best talk to Franz Jacques later.

"I am not oppose to it. Go on, my love. You may show your affection to your unborn child inside Duchess Eliza."

"Stop right there!" Elizabeth interjects, "Do that in the privacy of a room. No way are you going to make cooing sounds or kissing or rubbing her belly. That would be improper in front of us."

"I agree!" Strongly says Louis and Jacqueline simultaneously. Everyone laughs at that. "My friend," Louis says, "you are quite the fertile man."

"Just as fertile as any other man," You comment. Louis and Jacqueline look at each other knowingly.