Chapter 725. Let Them Talk
Two months had passed since Jael had first revealed that Mauve was pregnant. Mauve wasn’t sure if her pregnancy made things easier or harder between them. At first, Jael let her do what she wanted and didn’t complain too much, but as time went on, he had become fiercely protective, often to the point of suffocation. However, she couldn’t deny the tenderness in his actions. Even now, as they walked together in the dimly lit corridors of the castle, she could feel the weight of his gaze on her.
The lords’ meeting two months ago had been a turning point, but not an end. The lords had begrudgingly quieted down after Lord Garth’s intervention and Mauve’s impassioned speech, but their skepticism lingered. The lords remaining in the castle watched her closely, and she could tell they all sensed she was with child. She wondered how long it would take before word reached the rest of the lords. Mauve didn’t think it would take long.
She paused in the walkway, placing a hand on the wall for balance. The child growing within her was a constant reminder of how much her life had changed—and how much was still at stake.
"Are you all right?" Jael’s voice was low, laced with concern.
"I’m fine," Mauve said, though the wave of nausea told her otherwise. She straightened up and smoothed her dress. "You don’t need to hover, Jael."
His jaw tightened, but he said nothing. Instead, he reached for her hand, and after a moment’s hesitation, she allowed it.
The silence between them was both comforting and heavy. Mauve had spent the last two months rebuilding her sense of control, piecing together the fragments of her confidence after everything that had happened. But there were still cracks in her armor, and she could feel Jael’s eyes searching for them, wanting to shield her from everything—even her own vulnerabilities.
There was also the matter with Danag. Mauve had tried to be as involved as she was supposed to, but apparently, making a child wasn’t a walk in the park, and the more the days passed, the more awful it became. Her nausea was much worse, and she found herself dozing off at the oddest times.
"I’ve been thinking," Jael began, his thumb brushing against her knuckles. This drew her from her thoughts, and she looked up at him. "We should make preparations to ensure your safety—and the baby’s."
Mauve narrowed her eyes, trying to figure out what he could possibly be talking about. She wouldn’t be surprised if it had something to do with the walks she insisted on. Jael had tried multiple times to cancel them, but thankfully, Kieran had thought they were a good idea, and the walks had stayed.
Unfortunately, Kieran couldn’t remain and had to leave after barely a few days. Mauve had been sad, but he assured her that the instant she felt even slightly off, he would leave his estate and return to the castle in a single night. Mauve had simply nodded, hoping nothing would cause her to need his presence.