Chapter 133 - Suspicion
The deaths of the former queen and princess shook the kingdom to its core. Yet, as days turned into weeks and weeks into months, the kingdom slowly went back to normal, forgetting about the previous rulers.
Lilith had sent aid to those in need, and her efforts brought peace back to the land.
Cassian grew increasingly occupied with the new court, while Lilith devoted herself to the orphanages and to meeting with the ladies around the town.
They fell into a rhythm. Keeping busy throughout the day, but setting aside an hour to share what they had accomplished before parting, only to reunite in the evening.
Now, Lilith sat in her bedchamber, her body tired after addressing the concerns of the townspeople.
Lilith sighed, relieved to have a moment alone. She longed to rest, yet her mind reminded her of the duties still waiting.
"You must eat," Solomon said, watching her closely as she forced herself to stay awake to work. "You don’t look too well these days."
Lilith looked up. "Solomon, I know you aren’t around too many ladies, so I shall excuse you. But you don’t tell ladies that they don’t look well. That makes you a brute, and you don’t want to be a brute, do you?"
Solomon shifted uncomfortably. "If your husband notices you are unwell, he will send for a doctor."
"I am fine," Lilith muttered, but she wasn’t convincing. "So you had best not say I am sick, lest you bring that doctor here with his bitter medicines. If he comes to my chamber again with those foul concoctions, I shall rid myself of him."
Lilith yawned, giving away her tiredness. Her eyes drifted to the bed where the pillow looked inviting.
An uneasy feeling stirred in her belly, convincing her to take a break.
"Solomon," Lilith said as she rose to her feet. "When Mary brings my food, send her for some water as well. I need it to calm myself. I am going to rest for an hour. Wake me when that time passes."
"Of course, Your Majesty," Solomon replied, watching her settle onto the bed before quietly leaving.
Lilith laid down, pressing her hand to her forehead. She wondered if the changing weather was the cause of her discomfort.
She loathed the thought of medicine, its bitterness lingering on her tongue, so she tried to soothe herself in secret.
Turning onto her side, she found brief relief, but soon shifted again, lying on her back with her feet raised. The position eased her body, allowing her to rest.
Lilith closed her eyes, and sleep began to claim her. Yet her thoughts wandered to why she was the only one falling ill, while Cassian remained perfectly well, though they shared the same bed each night.
’Is he immune to sickness?’ She wondered. ’Or is he making me sick?’
Lilith dismissed the latter thought quickly. Cassian always acted as though she were dying whenever she fell ill, fussing over her with relentless concern. This was partly why she dreaded catching the flu.
The chamber was silent, her breathing steady, until suddenly her eyes flew open.
"No," Lilith whispered, staring at the ceiling. "No," she repeated.
Lilith laid still, her mind racing. Could it be true?
She had been too busy to notice that she had not bled.
Sitting upright, her heart pounded. For the first time in her life, Lilith felt excitement at the thought of seeing the doctor.
Lilith hurried from her bed, pulling open the door and striding ahead of her guards.
Solomon and Alexander followed swiftly, puzzled by her urgency, as though a fire had broken out.
"Your Majesty," Solomon called, concerned by her behaviour. "Is there trouble?"
"I must see the doctor," Lilith informed the pair. "I must see him now. And no one is to speak of this to my husband. I shall tell him myself."
Solomon fell back beside Alexander, his mind racing. He suspected Lilith believed she was pregnant. She was ill, but it did not resemble the flu. His first thought was that she carried a child.
Solomon glanced at Alexander, who looked indifferent, perhaps unaware of how much more demanding their duties would become. If Lilith were pregnant, they would not only guard the queen but also the potential future king.
When Lilith arrived at the doctor’s chamber, her presence was announced before the door opened.
Jonah rose abruptly from his chair, the bread in his hands slipping to the floor. His heart leapt as he had long feared the queen would one day come to him when the king was away, to punish him for the bitter medicines he had supplied during her illnesses.
"Your Majesty," Jonah greeted, his eyes lowered to the floor.
"You needn’t be so tense," Lilith said, examining the chamber. "And please, pick up the bread. A castle doctor should keep his chamber tidy, or I would find it difficult to trust your medicine. I have come for you to check if I am pregnant. I have been feeling unwell of late."
Jonah relaxed slightly, bending to retrieve the bread. "Please, take a seat, Your Majesty. How long have you been feeling unwell?"
"It has been on and off for a few weeks," Lilith admitted, settling into the chair. "I thought it was because I have been working too often, but then I wondered if it could be something more."
"It could be the sickness pregnant women face," Jonah explained. "It is good you came now, as you were taking other medicines, and you may need to stop. May I?" He gestured, requesting permission to touch her belly.
"You may," Lilith allowed.
Jonah pressed his hand against her belly. "When was the last time you bled, Your Majesty?"
Lilith frowned, trying to recall. "I cannot think of the day. My duties have kept me busy. I should have noticed it did not come."
"Well, your maids should know, as they would have dressed you. If more than a month has passed, then it is safe to assume you are pregnant," Jonah said, withdrawing his hand. "It is in the early stages, so there is no change to your belly yet."
"If it is not that you are pregnant, then there is cause for concern about your health," Jonah shared the unfortunate news.