Chapter 137 - Awaited day
The days slipped by swiftly after Lilith and Cassian learned of her pregnancy, each sunrise carrying them closer to the moment their lives would change forever.
At first, the news was guarded closely, whispered only among a trusted few, allowing Lilith the quiet she needed to endure the fragile early weeks. The secrecy spared her from the weight of expectation and the sharp tongues of those who doubted her place.
But secrecy could not last.
When her body began to grow with undeniable evidence, the announcement was made to the kingdom. Some rejoiced, their hearts swelling with hope, while others muttered discontent, unwilling to accept Lilith as the woman destined to carry the future of the kingdom.
Lilith refused to let bitterness touch her. She turned her gaze from those who sneered, choosing instead to embrace the warmth of those who offered genuine happiness. She would not allow resentment to poison her spirit, nor stress to burden her child.
As the months passed, her belly grew rounder, and the days of waiting were slowly coming to an end.
One evening, Lilith sat upon the bed, her back cushioned by embroidered pillows, watching Cassian as he bent over a cradle. His hands, usually so steady in battle, trembled slightly as he adjusted the blankets, his brow furrowed in concentration.
Lilith could not bear the thought of letting the child out of her sight, not after all the fears that haunted her.
Cassian understood and agreed the baby should remain in their bedchamber, close enough that they could hear every breath and every cry, until safety was assured.
Restless, Lilith rose from the bed, her hand instinctively cradling the swell of her belly. She disliked idleness, disliked watching preparations without lending her own touch.
Cassian, absorbed in his task, did not notice until her soft groan reached him. He turned, dropping the carved toy in his hand, and hurried to her side.
"What are you doing?" Cassian asked, though he wasn’t scolding her. He only wanted to offer her a hand. "You said it hurt to stand."
"And now I want to be closer, to see what you are doing. I am not weak," Lilith replied, though her steps were slow. She peered into the cradle to see what he had placed inside. "Are these replicas of your old toys?"
"They are," Cassian admitted, steadying her with his arm.
Lilith smiled, though a pang of sadness filled her chest. "I don’t have any to offer," she murmured, feeling the hollow absence of her own childhood keepsakes.
Cassian reached for a small object and placed it in her hands. A dagger fashioned from yarn.
Lilith laughed. "Because I love daggers? She asked, her fingers brushing the harmless blade.
"There is another," Cassian said, producing a doll shaped like a cat. "Because you love cats. Mary is knitting others in the shapes of your favourite fruits, though I suspect she struggles, since none have reached me yet."
Lilith pressed the toys to her chest, warmth flooding her heart. "Did the two of you plan this in secret? I never knew Mary could knit."
"She promised to learn. I told her if they were good, I would use them. She kept her word. Alexander and Solomon carved toys out of wood. Idiots," Cassian muttered, scowling at the thought of sharp edges near a newborn.
Lilith returned the toys gently to the cradle. "It is the thought that counts, Cassian. We can place them on a shelf nearby. They gave their time to create a gift for our child. We mustn’t insult them."
Her gaze swept the chamber. "We are prepared. All we need now is for this child to come. Come out," she whispered, coaxing the little one.
Cassian chuckled, but inside, he was nervous. "I want our baby here too, but you shouldn’t rush her."
Lilith arched a brow. "Her? Again with that. For your confidence, I’ll say it is a boy. The maids have their theories, but I don’t believe them."
Cassian laid his hand upon her belly, waiting for the faintest movement. "Boy or girl, it matters not. As long as the child is safe."
Fear from his other life haunted him.
Memories of loss and Lilith’s grief haunted him.
"You’ve already threatened to hang the doctors if they fail to ensure a safe birth. It is too much, Cassian. I must be the voice of reason to protect them from you. Stop frightening them," Lilith said, her palm resting against his chest. "You’re beginning to frighten me."
"This child and I will be fine," Lilith whispered, her voice carrying hope. "When the day comes, we shall hold our baby and be happy. But when you grow nervous, it unsettles me. My emotions are already hard to control."
Cassian kissed the back of her hand. "I apologise. I shouldn’t scare you."
"No, you shouldn’t," Lilith said softly. "You are meant to be the calm one while I panic. Let us not trade roles, Cassian. I am too weary for it."
Her fingers brushed his cheek. "Calm yourself."
He leaned into her touch, closing his eyes as though her hand alone could calm him. "Very well. I won’t panic any longer," he promised.
"Good. Now, fetch yourself a drink, bring me food, and leave the rest for later," Lilith instructed, her tone playful yet commanding.
Cassian nodded quickly. "Very well."
Lilith smiled, delighting in his easy surrender. "You listen so well. That is why I love you."
The words struck him like lightning. His eyes widened. "Lilith," he whispered, desperate to hear it again.
But before he could, Lilith’s body jolted. She gasped, looking down as warmth trickled down her leg. Her eyes lifted, wide with both shock and wonder. "I think our child is eager to see all their toys," she said, her voice trembling between laughter and fear.
Cassian remained frozen, dazed by her confession, until her urgent tone broke through. "Cassian? Didn’t you have a plan for this?"
Reality crashed upon him. He straightened, his soldier’s instincts returning. "I’ll send for the midwives," he declared, though every careful plan he had made now left his mind.