Chapter 53: My Love, You’re Pregnant!

Odesse and Valex walked out of the palace and approached the carriage, where Cara stood beside it, clutching a small bundle of belongings. She looked nervous and kept her gaze down. Odesse smiled and walked towards her, hugging her and saying, "Cara." Cara smiled warmly at Odesse. Valex then wrapped his arms around Odesse’s waist, causing her to flinch. Looking up at him, she heard him say, "You’re Cara." Cara glanced up at him nervously, her lips quivering as she replied, "Yes, Your Highness." Valex gazed at her intently and, with a smile, added, "Do not disappoint her highness." She nodded quickly.

Turning to Odesse, Valex said, "Shall we leave, my love?" Odesse smiled warmly and responded, "Yes." Cara watched as Valex helped Odesse open the door and get into the carriage before entering himself. She smiled at the scene, but her attention was immediately drawn to Kael, who was walking toward the carriage. His voice was low and deep as he said, "You will be seated opposite Her Highness." Cara nodded nervously, her ears turning slightly red as she turned to the direction where Odesse was seated and climbed into the carriage to sit opposite her. Odesse smiled at her warmly, and Cara smiled back.

Then, Kael entered the carriage and sat beside Cara. Her heart flipped, and she slightly flinched as she glanced at him and then looked down. Odesse noticed and raised her eyebrows slightly as the carriage began to leave the palace gate. Odesse looked out the window; the palace still looked gloomy, but at least the secrets were no longer making the air thick. Valex wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close, pressing his lips to her head.

After several hours on the road, they finally left the cold, foggy borders of the Silverclaw pack and entered the lush, vibrant territory of the Moonlight pack. The air felt warmer and easier to breathe. Cara stared out the window, her eyes in awe as she took in the houses, shops, people, and the beauty of the town. As the grand iron gates of the Moonlight pack palace rattled open, Cara could not keep her excitement contained. She gasped audibly, causing everyone to turn. Realizing her outburst, she quickly apologized, saying, "I’m really sorry, Your Highness." Odesse laughed and reassured her, "It’s okay, Cara. I had the same reaction on my first day here."

The carriage came to a stop in the courtyard. Kael stepped down first and opened the door as Valex followed him. The guards and servants bowed deeply, their faces reflecting warmth and relief at seeing their King. Odesse, still in the carriage with Cara, said, "Everything will be fine, Cara." She took Cara’s hands and added, "Don’t be nervous, I’m here." Cara took a deep breath and smiled, replying, "Thank you, Your Highness." Odesse laughed gently and said, "It will be hard for me to accept you calling me ’Your Highness.’" Cara smiled warmly and replied, "You have to accept it; I respect you deeply enough to call you by your name."

Odesse smiled and said, "Let’s get down." Cara nodded slowly as Odesse opened the door, and the bright atmosphere of the palace shone on her as she stepped out. The wind blew through her hair, and she inhaled deeply, finally able to breathe easily. Cara followed Odesse out of the carriage and stood behind her as it rode away. Odesse turned to see Valex talking to Kael. When Valex saw Odesse, he walked toward her and asked, "What took you so long, my love?" Odesse smiled and took his arm, pressing her cheek warmly against it. "It’s nothing, my King," she replied.

Valex looked down at her and said, "I was telling Kael to send a letter to the High Chief about my mother and that she has been put to rest." Odesse smiled, tightening her grip on his arm in response but saying nothing. Valex then looked at Cara and, noticing Kael walking toward them, instructed, "Take her to Miss Faye to help her get settled, Kael." Kael bowed slightly and said, "Yes, Your Highness." Valex turned to Odesse and added, "Let us go inside, my love." She nodded and looked at Cara, mouthing, "Everything will be fine," and winking with a bright smile.

Cara couldn’t help but smile back, even though her lips quavered. Odesse and Valex walked toward the palace doors, close to one another, while Kael approached Cara and said, "Follow me." She looked up at him as he turned and walked forward, and she followed him with her head down.

...

Three months had passed since the quiet tragedy at the Silverclaw estate. Life had continued to move forward, washing away the old stains; the High Chief had appointed a new noble family to govern the territory. They were still settling into the halls, but the heavy, fearful atmosphere had dissipated, and the land was officially renamed the Echo Pack—a fresh start for everyone.

In the Moonlight Pack, the days felt warmer. Cara had fully adapted to her new life, while Valex had traveled a few days prior to attend to some pressing business across the borders, but he was expected back that very afternoon.

On this particular day, sunlight streamed brightly into the grand solar, cutting through the lingering tension of a long morning.

"And that concludes the trade allocations for the southern sectors," Azure said, her sharp, rhythmic voice finally easing into a relaxed tone. She neatly stacked the thick parchment documents on Odesse’s heavy oak desk and smoothed down the front of her gown. "You did exceptionally well today, Your Highness. Your focus is improving."

Odesse let out a soft, relieved breath, a genuine smile returning to her face. "Thank you, Azure. I have a wonderful teacher."

Standing just a step behind Odesse’s chair, Cara caught her eye and flashed a subtle, amused grin, glad to see that the grueling three-hour lecture was finally over.

Azure smiled warmly and bowed her head. "I shall take my leave, then."

"Thank you," Odesse replied.

She placed her hands on the desk and pushed herself up to bid Azure goodbye, but the moment her feet took her weight, the room violently tilted. A sudden, heavy wave of dizziness crashed over her, making the sunlight feel blinding. The color drained completely from her face as her knees wobbled.

"Your Highness!" Cara reacted instantly, dropping her professional demeanor and springing forward to catch Odesse by the waist and shoulders before her legs could give out.

Azure’s sharp eyes widened. She turned back immediately, rushing over to the other side of the desk. "Are you alright, Your Highness?" she asked, her voice laced with concern as she firmly held Odesse’s arm to help stabilize her.

Odesse squeezed her eyes shut for a second, pressing the palm of her hand against her forehead as she waited for the spinning room to settle. She took a deep, steadying breath and forced a soft, reassuring smile onto her lips as she looked at them.

"Yes... yes, I am," Odesse murmured, her voice a little airy but calm. She gently patted Azure’s hand. "It was just a sudden rush. You don’t need to worry, Azure. Truly."

Azure scanned her face closely, still looking hesitant, but the softness in Odesse’s eyes eased her panic. "Alright, Your Highness. Please take care of yourself. The heat today is quite intense."

With a final, respectful nod, Azure walked toward the large double doors, slipping out and closing them quietly behind her.

The solar fell into a peaceful silence. Odesse let out a long sigh, leaning a bit heavier into Cara’s supportive hold. The dizziness faded into a dull ache, leaving her feeling completely drained.

"Cara," Odesse whispered softly, turning her head slightly. "Can you please assist me to my room?"

Cara’s face was soft with deep care, her grip secure and steady as she guided her. "Yes, Your Highness."

...

The walk to the bed chamber was quiet but comforting. Cara held Odesse gently, navigating the grand corridors with a practiced, careful step until she pushed the heavy oak door of the chamber open. They both walked inside, and the heavy wood clicked shut softly behind them, locking out the rest of the palace.

Cara helped Odesse sit down carefully on the edge of the mattress. Stepping back, she stood straight and looked at her friend, her brow furrowing. "How do you feel?"

"My head still feels heavy," Odesse replied, rubbing her temples gently as she leaned her weight back against the pillows. "And my legs... they just feel like lead."

"Should I make you some ginger tea?" Cara asked, her face filled with immediate concern.

Odesse managed a small, tired smile, letting her hand drop. "It’s alright, Cara. I think I just need to rest a bit before his highness returns from his journey."

"Alright, your highness. Let me help you." Cara leaned down, gently easing Odesse’s legs onto the bed. She gathered the heavy, plush blanket and pulled it up, covering her warmly to shield her from the slight chill of the room. Cara stepped back a few paces, bowed her head respectfully, and whispered, "Rest well, your highness."

She walked quietly toward the door, slipped out into the hallway, and clicked it shut with absolute care. Alone in the dim warmth of the room, Odesse gently closed her eyes, letting her breathing slow into a calm, steady rhythm as sleep finally claimed her.

A few hours later, a soft knock rattled the oak door.

Cara pushed it open slowly, peeking into the quiet room before stepping inside. She tiptoed toward the bed, her eyes scanning her friend’s still form.

"She’s still asleep," Cara murmured under her breath, glancing at the grandfather clock in the corner. "It has been four hours now. She must be completely drained."

A knot of worry tightened in her chest as she muttered "She has been dealing with an overwhelming amount of exhaustion over the past few days, far more than usual." Cara leaned down, intending to gently wake her, and brushed the back of her hand against Odesse’s cheek to check her temperature.

She pulled her hand back instantly, her eyes widening in sheer terror.

"Oh, dear heavens," Cara gasped, her voice dropping to a panicked whisper. "Her skin is freezing." 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Your highness?" Cara called out, tapping her shoulder gently. When there was no response, the professional restraint completely shattered. Panic flooded her voice as she shook her firmly. "Odesse! Odesse, please answer me!"

Slowly, weakly, Odesse’s eyelashes fluttered. Her eyes opened just a fraction, glassy and unfocused.

"Your highness, you are freezing cold," Cara cried, her hands trembling against the blanket.

Odesse swallowed hard, her throat dry. When she spoke, her voice was so frail it was barely a whisper cutting through the quiet room. "Get the physician, Cara... immediately."

Cara didn’t waste another second. She stumbled backward, spun on her heel, and rushed out of the bed chamber, her frantic footsteps echoing wildly down the hall.

A few minutes later, the room was a blur of quiet, tense motion.

The royal physician arrived in haste, unpacking his instruments while Odesse sat weakly against the headboard. Cara stood tightly by the corner of the bed, her fingers knotted together, while Miss Faye watched the old physician with a sharp, calculating gaze as he finished checking Odesse’s pulse and vitals.

Finally, the physician stood up straight, sighing as he packed his satchel.

Miss Faye stepped forward immediately, her voice taut. "How is she? What is wrong with her?"

The physician looked past Miss Faye, his weathered face softening into a warm, bright smile as he looked directly at Odesse. "She is doing alright. There is no vital problem wrong with her at all."

Odesse blinked, her voice still airy and weak as she looked up from the pillows. "Then... why am I feeling so incredibly heavy?"

The physician’s smile widened. "That, your highness, is because you are pregnant."

Odesse’s eyes opened wide, the breath catching completely in her throat as the words echoed in the quiet room.

Before anyone could utter another syllable, the heavy double doors burst open with a sudden, dramatic force. Everyone in the room snapped their heads around to see who it was.

Odesse looked straight through the doorway. Standing there, breathless, dust-covered from the road, and completely frozen in his tracks, was Valex. He stared at his wife, his massive frame trembling slightly as his face shifted from intense panic to absolute, stunned shock—and then, a breathtakingly wide smile.

"My love," Valex breathed, his voice thick with raw emotion as he took a step into the room. "You’re pregnant."