Travel Plans and Momentary Snags

Lady Prudence having been returned to her room to sleep and dream of a bulging belly and even bigger milky breasts, you and Roan return to yours so that you might prepare for the task you've undertaken. Which, you're **** to admit, you're pretty much grasping at straws over. You're pretty sure you've promised Matilda some sort of, like, magical solution or something, and you still aren't quite sure if that is or is not a thing here. Maybe Roan knows.

"Any thoughts on a first stop?"

The girl sighs, leaning back against your bedframe as she watches you pack and contemplatively rubs her overripe stomach. "Well, I think we can both agree that any sort of holy spring or water or whatever is out. I mean, if Matilda is as frail as she lets on, then even if it's genuine it'd still kill her, maybe. They never purify those healing fountains; they're always filled with germs and bacteria and blech."

Okay, so magic is real, maybe. And also germ theory; this place makes no sense but whatever. "Okay, then what?"

Roan makes a thoughtful noise. "Well, there are always the outer villages. A lot of those places still use hedge witches and stuff; my old nanny always says that if you were respectful and willing to pay you could get miracles out of them. She's a superstitious old battleaxe though, so who knows."

You frown, nodding thoughtfully. A memory of a little township built between a glistening lake and thick forests has bubbled up from Horsedick's memories. You even know its name. "Brightly might be a place to start."

Your lover slash valet perks up at that, popping up from the bed. "Okay, yes. That is a perfect idea. That's exactly the sort of place Nan was always going on about. Besides," She grins, drumming her fingers along her taut, near-to-bursting tummy, "that would give me a chance to drop this guy off. Prrretty sure we've got maybe a week, two weeks tops left before he's ready to pop out of the oven. Then you can finally give me that girl you promise."

"I'm not sure that I promised that."

Roan waves her hands dismissively. "Oh pish; sure you did." She snatches up one of her caps from the floor and dropping it into your saddlebag. "Well! I've finished up the packing, let's get going! We can make the nearest roadhouse tonight, I'm sure of it."

You nod, hoisting the bags over your shoulder as Roan happily scoots over and opens the door, revealing a nervous-looking Princess Matilda. She had seemed like she was trying to muster up the courage to knock, though now's she's settled on giving a little squeak of shock and recoiling back. Roan laughs in surprise. "Princess Matilda! You're seeing us off; that's so sweet!"

The shy girl manages to shed her nerves admirably quick, straightening up as she levels an almost reproachful glare at you. "Um, so, are you really here to be one of my suitors?"

Where is this going? "Yes."

She frowns. "Because I heard that you, um, had...relations with Lady Prudence."

Huh. You feel like you should feel at least a bit ashamed about that, but you really don't. Even Roan has the propriety to look a little embarrassed. "That's true, we did."

She didn't seem to have been expecting the 'we', looking wide-eyed at Roan. Though that just leads her to the next point. "And, and I know that that baby is yours. Are you just trying to add me to, to...some sort of harem?"

Oh boy. Well, this came to a head fast. "Look, Princess Matilda. I don't know what sort of relationship we may or may not end up having. That's a conversation we'll have to have when we know each other better. But I'll tell you one thing, right now." You turn your head towards Roan, who's gazing up at you with an almost blank expression. "Any arrangement you make with me, you'll also be making with Roan. You should think of us as one, in all things."

Roan doesn't seem to have anything to say to that, quietly burying her head into your shoulder as she slips her hand into yours. Matilda is silent for the moment as well, her expression significantly softened as she watches the two of you. Then she resolutely nods, reaching behind the door frame to reveal a small travel pack. "Okay. I'm coming with you."

You're not sure what you expected her to say, but it wasn't this. "Really? Don't you have to stay and, you know, be the princess?"

She pulls a sour face, putting a hand on her popped out hip. You've never seen her this sassy before; it's a good look on her. "What, and you don't have to stay at your castle and be the Prince?"

Point.

"Besides, it's not like there is so much on my plate here. Haverly's run the realm well enough for nineteen years; the place will keep if I let him do it for another few months."

Well, you're convinced. "Alright. Are you ready?

That seems to take a bit of the wind out of Matilda's sails, who didn't seem to be expecting such ready agreement. "Oh, um, well I guess I have everything, but maybe I..." She shakes her head to throw off her hesitance, balling up her fists to look up at you resolutely. "I mean yes, I'm ready! L-let's go!"