Reject her

Malcolm’s heart sinks at the words. He had enjoyed Agatha. Her supple body and desire to please had given him great pleasure these few months, and it was a shame that it was coming to an end so soon. Why did they all get pregnant so easily at this age? Just as he got them to the point where they knew what his every sexual whim was, it seemed that it always ended this same way.

Oh well. There had been many chambermaids before Agatha, and there will be many who follow her. At least he knew what had to be done.

Gently pulling her arms off of him, he said, “I’m very sorry to hear that, my dear. You have been a good and loyal servant, and I will miss you.”

“Miss me?” Agatha looked at the king, wide-eyed and frightened. “Sire! Whatever do you mean?”

“Not to fear, my dear,” he said, with a gentle touch to her cheek. “It isn’t as if you will be thrown to the wolves or anything. You will be provided a modest sum to get started on your new life. Norbier will talk to you in the morning about moving out of your room and resettling. I imagine the southern wilderness will be lovely this time of year.”

“But.... our child?”

The king looked at the young woman sadly. “You mean your child. The only royal children in this kingdom are born to the Queen. I’m sure you will do a fine job raising your child. Perhaps you will even find a young man who is willing to help you with that. Farewell, my dear.”

With that, the king turns his back on Agatha and begins to leave the room.

“Wait! You can’t do this to me!” Agatha’s voice loses all trace of deference to her sovereign.

The king stops, hand on the doorknob, and considers whether to turn and face her.