One fine noon, Esther invited King Theron to spend some time together at the lakeside once they were free from their official duties. As the two reached the gazebo, they saw Lady Clarisa was there with her servants and was enjoying the pleasant weather.

She looked at the king and the Queen, “Greetings, Your Majesty, King Theron and Her Majesty, Queen Esther.”

King Theron looked at his concubine who looked changed. Of course, she was as she was now having a round belly that carried their child. He never took a proper look at her before even to notice it.

Both accepted her greetings with a nod and Esther said, “Good to see you here, Lady Clarisa. Why don’t you join us here for tea?”

“I….” Lady Clarisa glanced at the King who looked like he would listen to whatever his first wife would say and agreed, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Though Lady Clarisa felt envy seeing them together, she wished to keep bitter thoughts aside for the good growth of her baby and simply accepted the reality. After all her baby was the next heir of Ivanovs and the one to sit on the throne of the King.

As the three sat in the chairs, the servants served them tea and snacks.

Esther said, “In a month we will be having a little life with us.”

Lady Clarisa nodded while King Theron felt surprised and couldn’t believe these many months passed already.

“Have you decided the names, Lady Clarisa?” Esther asked, smiling pleasantly.

Lady Clarisa shook her head, “I would like it if His Majesty decided the name for the baby.”

Esther looked at her husband who only heard the two ladies and had no opinion of his own.

“Theron, you should find a good name for the baby,” Esther commented.

“I will try,” was what he said and continued to sip the tea.

Just then Esther’s lady in waiting arrived, “Your Majesty.”

“Yes, Saira?”

“The person you have asked for is here and waiting for you, Your Majesty,” the servant informed.

Esther nodded and looked at Theron with a smile, “I have to leave. Please enjoy your tea with Lady Clarisa. It won’t be good to leave her alone in such a condition.”

The man could say nothing as his wife was in a hurry and left. The awkward silence surrounded the two as they saw Esther leaving.

While walking ahead, Esther closed her eyes and mumbled something as she smiled.

“Ah…” Lady Clarisa whined a little in pain.

King Theron Panicked as his concubine was pregnant. “W-What happened?” and stood up from his chair.

“It’s nothing, Your Majesty,” she smiled, “Baby is moving inside…Ouch…” she exhaled and tried to bear it.

King Theron looked at her belly and didn’t know what to say. As the baby moved again, Lady Clarisa held his hand, “Here.”

King Theron understood what she meant and turned blank as his slightly shaking hand touched her belly. Under his palm, he could feel the strong movements of the baby and heard his concubine asking, “Did you feel it, Your Majesty.”

The shocked King nodded subconsciously at her question and continued feeling the baby’s movements.

Lady Clarisa could see what he was feeling and felt glad. She waited for this moment and it happened. Finally, the king realized the presence of his own child.

He looked at her, “Does it hurt?”

Smiling happily, she nodded, “A little but it’s bearable.”

Only he knew how shocked as well as amazed he felt after feeling the baby moving inside the belly.

To date, he felt nothing about having his own child but now it changed. He had the sense of having his own child. ‘My child.’

——

After leaving King Theron and Lady Clarisa together, when Esther reached her carriage, Lady Tyra who was waiting for her asked, “Your Majesty, you planned all this intentionally, isn’t it.”

Esther only smiled, “I am sure he is shocked but happy to feel what he did today.”

Lady Tyra felt a little hesitant but asked, “Aren’t you worried that His Majesty might start paying more attention to Lady Clarisa?”

It didn’t affect Esther. “As long as he is happy, Lady Tyra. Moreover, she is the mother of his child. She deserves to get his attention.”

Lady Tyra could only agree with her Queen and they left in the carriage.

——

When they finished the tea and spent some time together, King Theron personally took Lady Clarisa back to her residence and even accompanied her to her bedchamber as he could not leave his pregnant concubine just like that.

The pregnant lady felt tired and her servants helped her lay in bed.

“Thank you so much, Your Majesty, for accompanying me,” she said, catching her breath.

“Don’t mention it. You should rest,” he said and left after making sure she was fine.

Once he left, Lady Clarisa could not stop smiling, ‘I knew it. The day he will see his child coming, he will value me.’

——

At night, King Theron went to Esther’s chamber as usual but he looked deep in thought and went to stand at the window of her bed-chamber where the calm breeze made him feel at ease.

Esther went to him and asked, “What are you thinking about, Theron?”

Getting out of his thoughts, he looked at his beautiful wife who was standing next to him while looking at him. Then he looked at his own hand that still had the memories of when he felt that little baby inside his mother’s womb.

“Today, I felt the baby. It was moving,” he said calmly but his thoughts looked confused.

Esther smiled, “Then shouldn’t you be happy and excited. Why do you look so quiet?”

“I don’t know what to feel about it. All these months I didn’t recognise his existence but today I felt different…I can not say it in words.”

“You will be a father soon. This is a new experience and you are just surprised. Once you have that baby in your hand, I am sure you will feel happier than ever. It’s your own child, Theron and you should look forward to his arrival. That child will bring happiness to all of our lives,” Esther said as her eyes brightened with the coming happiness in their life.

King Theron nodded and asked, “Today, you did it intentionally, isn’t it?”

She looked at him with a questioning gaze and he said again, “Do you still think I don’t know you well? You left me with Lady Clarisa intentionally.”

She didn’t deny it as she did it with good intentions. “I just wanted you to feel the presence of your child and wished you to be closer to him so he will recognise his father once he is out in this world,” she explained and asked hesitantly,”‘Did I upset you?”

He smiled lightly and shook his head, “You can never do anything to upset me. I understand why you did it and you did well.”

It brought a smile to her lips and heard her husband again as he smirked teasingly, “Aren’t you scared to leave me with another woman? What if I….”

“Lady Clarisa is not just any other woman but the mother of your child. She deserves your attention and care at least a little even if you don’t feel anything for her. It’s good to keep the expecting mother happy. Moreover, I know your love for me will never be less.”

King Theron hugged her only as he had no words to say to his thoughtful and adorable wife.

‘How fortunate I am to have you, Esther.’

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