Setting Dorothye Straight and the Prospect of Fatherhood

It's a fine morning and you see Dorothye for the first time since you got back. "Sire," she moves in for a kiss with some encouragement from Camilla, "we've missed you. Welcome home."

"Thank you, Dorothye." You say to her. She and Camilla had already spoken about the events the other night and why it happened.

“Dorothye, there is something we need to talk about.” You turn to see Camilla shutting the door close and locking it.

Dorothye’s face falls. She knows what’s coming. “Yes, Sire.”

“Camilla and I have spoken about certain events that took place whilst I was gone. She tells me that you spoke out about what our plans for you to bear my heir and because of that, Queen Alana and King Franz Karl knows!” Your voice raises in volume and intensity.

Dorothye gasps in horror. “But Queen Alana promised she would never tell!”

“She didn’t,” Camilla clarifies a little sadly. “She wasn’t the only one who overheard us. King Franz Karl was there as well.”

“Dorothye, I know you are with child and that sometimes a woman acts eratically because of it but you should not and I mean you never! Ever! REVEAL A SECRET OUT IN THE OPEN LIKE THAT!” Camilla flinches in horror while Dorothye falls back on her bed. “BECAUSE OF THAT I AM BEING BLACKMAILED INTO DOING KING FRANZ KARL’S BIDDING!”

Dorothye stammers, “We-we-we-!”

“We what! Speak, Dorothye! What excuse could you possibly have to say!”

“We thought we were alone! We thought we had some privacy!” Dorothye starts to cry.

But neither the cry nor the excuse win you over. Camilla might since it wasn’t her who spoke first in the first place. If anything, seeing Dorothy like this plus her excuse which in your ears was just plain pathetic. Pathetic enough to make you want to raise you hand just so you could bring it down across her face. But you don’t. Kings have self-control and don’t act in anger.

“Dorothye,” your voice cold and dangerous, “I will... I will let this go. But this once only. What’s done is done and I can’t change it. But I will not have a repeat of this. Understand?” Dorothye only stares at you while sobbing. “Understand!” You growl.

“Yes! Yes! Yes, Sire. I swear it will not happen again.” Dorothye continues crying.

Dorothye had profusely apologized for it. If she had not broached the topic at all that day, neither Alana or Franz Karl could use it against them. Dorothye internally held herself responsible and had always felt quite guilty about it since. Camilla rubs her hand up and down her Dorothye’s back to further console her.

When her tears have run dry, you slowly pull her off you. “Dorothye, I will forgive this but I will not have a repeat. If you do something like this again, I will do what I must. Do not **** me.” Dorothye nods. You wipe a tear that’s sliding down her face.

Eager to change the topic, Dorothye says, "I trust the campaign in the north was a success." She lands her hands on her four months baby bump. Wanting to switch the topic too, you answer the dutiful maid, "It was. But not the way I wanted. But it was done. The Kingdom of Daynland is our ally now and Queen Helga will bear my child. Speaking of which..." You place your hands over hers. "you've grown."

"I had her gown tailored for this purpose, my love. Notice the buttons on the part covering her belly. I had it made it so, so it can be opened without Dorothye needing to remove her gown. Dorothye, if you please," Dorothye begins unbuttoning and then pulls the fabric to the side and expose her bulging belly. "You're child and heir grows within her, my love. It is a gift from us to you."

"Months ago, this was flat." You say as your stroke Dorothye's stomach.

Camilla and Dorothye both giggle. "My King, your child has made it so different and will continue to do so until it is born." You kneel down and lean your ear on Dorothye's belly. You close your eyes while rubbing the life-nurturing pouch. You try to listen in for your baby's heartbeat. You hear nothing but it doesn't stop you from trying.

"Hey there, my little one," You whisper, "I'm your father." Dorothye strokes your hair tenderly. She and Camilla smile at you. Then they look to each other. Camilla nods and smiles heartily at Dorothye. "Thank you," Camilla mouths. With tears in both their eyes, Dorothye nods back.

KNOCK KNOCK!

"Oh who could that be?" Camilla asks curiously as Dorothye starts to button up. "Dorothye, to the bed now quickly. Conceal yourself in the sheets." Camilla orders. Dorothye makes haste and when she is concealed enough, you give permission to whomever is knocking to enter.

"Your highness, I was told you were here." it was just a servant.

"Is someone looking for me?" you ask.

"I must beg your pardon, Sire." The servant casts her head down. "But it is Angelika. She claims you promised her you'd be with her for the birth. She is in labor now."

You look at Camilla and she smiles at you. "Go. See to the birth of your child." You give Camilla a kiss before letting the servant lead you where Angelika is. You want to, no, you need to be there for the birth of your first child.