In the Shadow of the Crown

Raen's letter to King Thaddeus was met with swift acceptance. The neighboring monarch welcomed the proposal to unite their two royal families, and soon, the preparations for the journey began. It was clear that Raen would marry the princess, his second wife, and the union would strengthen the bonds between their empires. However, as the arrangement unfolded, it became clear that the process would not follow the conventional timeline. According to the laws of King Thaddeus's kingdom, the engagement ceremony would take place in just 12 days, a rapid arrangement that was far from the norms of Raen’s empire, where weddings typically took months to prepare. But Raen had long grown accustomed to such speed and political intricacies.

As the day approached, there was a palpable sense of urgency and excitement within the royal palace. The staff and nobles alike were abuzz with the news that the Empress and the Emperor would be leaving for a foreign land. News of Raen's forthcoming marriage to his second wife began to spread, though it did not yet seem to concern the citizens of Raen’s empire. After all, Raen’s bond with Eliza remained unshaken, even though the politics of power demanded that he take another wife.

***                                                                                                                 

The royal entourage was formed - guards from the Imperial Guard, Eliza’s trusted handmaidens, and various servants who had accompanied the Emperor on his travels. Their journey was long, spanning many days, and they had to travel carefully to reach the kingdom of King Thaddeus.

On the fourth day, as they made their way through the countryside, it was time to stop for a meal. The royal party halted at a secluded clearing, and Raen and Eliza sat together to share their meal. But when Eliza took her first bite, her face immediately soured, and she stopped moving altogether. The light in her eyes dulled, and her once-still expression fell into an unreadable void.

Raen’s sharp eyes immediately caught the shift in her demeanor. His concern grew as he leaned forward, his voice calm but firm. "Eliza, what is it?"

She didn’t respond at first, her focus only on the faint smell that filled the air. After a long silence, she finally spoke, her voice soft. "It’s the food, Raen. It smells... foul. I cannot eat this."

Raen understood immediately. His orders were swift. "Prepare something else," he commanded, his tone unwavering.

The servants quickly went to work, and soon, a new dish was presented, a delicacy that had a more agreeable fragrance. Eliza began to eat without further hesitation, the faint light returning to her eyes with each bite. Raen watched her carefully, his expression softening when she seemed to regain her composure.

***

But then, a device, an intricate piece of magic-enhanced technology alerted Raen with a soft chime. His brow furrowed as he listened intently to its message. "Your Majesty," the device reported, "there has been a delay in the Empress's menstrual cycle. It has been five days since the usual onset, and there have been no prior delays."

Raen’s heart skipped a beat as he processed the information. The device added, "Congratulations, Your Majesty. The Empress is pregnant."

Raen felt a sense of exhilaration, tempered with a quiet determination. This news, though expected, came at an opportune time, as Eliza’s pregnancy would only serve to solidify her position as the Empress and as the mother of his heir.

Not wanting to take any chances, Raen immediately called for a physician - a trusted woman who had long served the royal family. She arrived swiftly, examining Eliza with great care. After a thorough check, she confirmed the pregnancy, though the physician cautioned that Eliza needed to be especially cautious during these early stages.

"Your Majesty," the physician said, "the Empress is indeed pregnant, though the pregnancy is in its earliest stages. She must be kept in a state of rest and comfort to ensure the health of both her and the child. I recommend that she sleep and take it easy during this time."

Raen nodded and immediately moved to act. He bent down and carefully lifted Eliza into his arms, cradling her gently as he walked toward the carriage. His movements were slow and measured as he made sure she was comfortable.

“Eliza, rest now,” he whispered softly, and she obeyed immediately, closing her eyes and settling into a peaceful slumber. Raen instructed the driver to move cautiously, ensuring that their journey would not be interrupted or cause any harm to his Empress.

***

The journey to King Thaddeus's kingdom took longer than expected. Although it was supposed to be a four-day trip, they reached the portal stone after seven days of travel. The device that could transport them to their destination allowed for a rapid shift in location, and soon, Raen and his party found themselves in the foreign land. They arrived in the royal palace just one hour after their magical transition.

The palace staff, including the head butler and the chief maid, were waiting to greet them. The head butler bowed low, offering his most respectful greetings. "Your Majesty, Your Excellency," he said, "we are honored to welcome you. Please, take time to rest after your journey. Once you are settled, we will prepare a meal for you, and later this evening, we shall dine with the royal family."

Raen nodded. "Thank you. We shall take some rest before our dinner."

***

That evening, the royal family of King Thaddeus gathered for the long-anticipated dinner. Raen and Eliza were greeted warmly by the king, who had personally come to welcome them. However, as the night wore on, it was clear that the political nature of the event was ever-present. Eliza, still in her quiet and composed form, remained by Raen’s side throughout the evening, drawing both admiration and hushed comments from those around her.

As the dinner progressed, Raen took the opportunity to speak privately with King Thaddeus, finalizing the details of his upcoming marriage to the princess. In the meantime, Eliza’s condition was also confirmed once more. The royal physician in King Thaddeus's court examined her briefly, and once again affirmed that she was pregnant, albeit in the very early stages.

***

In the kingdom, as well as back in Raen’s empire, the rumors and whispers surrounding Eliza continued to spread. The court had already accepted her as a mere “doll” in the eyes of her husband, but to Raen, she remained the Empress - his Empress. This new chapter of their lives would solidify her status as both the mother of his child and the woman who commanded his deepest devotion.

***

The next day, Raen finalized his arrangements to marry the princess of King Thaddeus’s realm. As per the laws of the land, the wedding would occur in exactly twelve days. The excitement in the air was palpable. For the rest of the world, it was another royal marriage - a political move that would strengthen Raen’s power. For him, however, it was more than that. It was another step in solidifying the future of his reign.

And for Eliza, it would mean the beginning of a new chapter in her life—one that promised to intertwine her fate with the man she had given everything for.